The standard Z07 package dictates the wheel and tire combination. The car rides on 20-inch front and 21-inch rear Spider Black forged aluminum wheels, providing the strength and lightness required for high-speed driving. These wheels are wrapped in sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires, measuring 275/30 in the front and 345/25 in the rear, offering extreme grip for cornering and acceleration. The blue brake calipers, visible through the spokes, provide a pop of color against the silver paint and black wheels, hinting at the serious stopping power of the carbon ceramic braking system.
The Premium Cockpit: A Fusion of Luxury and Performance
Inside, the limited-edition Z06 features a luxurious and sporty cockpit clad in Jet Black and Santorini Blue Napa leather. This color combination creates a striking contrast, with the blue accents adorning the Competition Seats and seatbelts, adding a touch of bespoke luxury that sets this edition apart from the standard Z06. The interior also features carbon-fiber and Stealth trim pieces, giving it a premium, performance-oriented feel.
As a mark of distinction, each car features a special Bathurst 12 Hour build plate individually marked 1 to 12, located on the inner door jamb. This ensures that each owner knows they possess a unique piece of Corvette history.
But the exclusivity doesnβt stop there. Customers who purchase the 2026 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Bathurst Special Edition will receive several exclusive extras, including a custom artwork print capturing the essence of the race, a Corvette GT3.R printed indoor car cover, and a Corvette Racing merchandise pack. This comprehensive package ensures that owners have the complete experience, celebrating both the production car and the race car that inspired it.
What Makes Bathurst Special? A Descent into Australian Speed
For those who may not be familiar with this legendary circuit, the Mount Panorama Circuit, located in Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia, is a truly unique and challenging destination for motorsports enthusiasts. While many closed-course tracks incorporate natural rolling hills, and street circuits are typically flat due to their urban locations, Mount Panorama is something else entirely.
Built on its namesake mountain, the circuit is known for its tight walls and steep grades. Drivers face a demanding 571-foot climb from the start-finish line up to the crest of the mountain, before descending the treacherous Conrod Straightβa high-speed section that stretches over a mile long. This extreme elevation change and the terrifying speeds experienced on Conrod are what make the Bathurst 12 Hour such a thrilling and dangerous event.
This iconic track is technically a street circuit, as it is a public road that is closed to the public during the races that occur there every year. It is the site of two iconic Australian motorsport events: the Bathurst 12 Hour (held in early February) and the Bathurst 1000 (held in October). While the Bathurst 1000 focuses on touring car racing, the Bathurst 12 Hour is a GT-focused event that attracts some of the best endurance race cars and drivers from around the world.
The combination of the mountainβs elevation, tight corners, and fast straights creates a unique challenge for the Corvette Z06 GT3.R and the production special edition. It tests the carβs aerodynamics, suspension tuning, and the driverβs skill like few other tracks in the world. The ability to maintain control and momentum through the challenging sections while pushing hard on the straights requires a precise balance of power, downforce, and braking.
The Race Debuts: A New Era for Corvette Racing
The debut of the Corvette Z06 GT3.R at the Bathurst 12 Hour in 2026 marks a significant moment for Corvette Racing. After decades of success in IMSA and at Le Mans, the program continues to expand its global presence, taking on the unique challenge of Mount Panorama.
The GT3.R race car features a distinct aerodynamics package designed specifically to handle the tight turns and high speeds of the 3.86-mile circuit. The car is powered by a race-spec version of the LT6 V8, optimized for durability and performance in endurance racing. The teamβs strategy for the Bathurst 12 Hour will focus on meticulous tire management and consistent lap times, given the circuitβs unforgiving nature and the challenging conditions.
For Chevrolet to enter this historic race with a production-based special edition serves as a powerful statement. It celebrates the roots of the Corvette nameplate and connects the road-going supercar directly to its racing heritage. By mirroring the Z06 GT3.R’s aggressive stance and premium features, Chevrolet ensures that fans who canβt race at Bathurst can still own a piece of the legend.
Availability and Pricing: The exclusivity of the Bathurst Edition
Chevrolet has not yet provided official pricing or delivery date information for the 2026 Corvette Z06 Bathurst 12 Hour Special Edition, and it is still finalizing some details about the car. However, given the limited production run of only 12 examples and the high-spec Z07 package included, customers can expect this special edition to command a significant premium over the standard Z06 price.
If you live in Australia or New Zealand and youβre just now inquiring about getting your own 2026 Corvette Z06 Bathurst 12 Hour Special Edition, youβre likely already too late. This is an extremely limited, highly sought-after collectible for dedicated Corvette enthusiasts and collectors in those regions.
Ready to experience the ultimate Chevrolet performance?
While this limited edition is exclusive to Australia and New Zealand, you can explore the full lineup of 2026 Corvette models and find the perfect build to match your needs. Whether you’re looking for a track-focused machine or a luxurious daily driver, Chevrolet offers a range of options to satisfy every performance craving.
Visit your local Chevrolet dealer today to learn more and customize your dream Corvette.
Chevrolet’s Aussie Invasion: The 2026 Corvette Z06 Bathurst 12 Hour Special Edition
For seven decades, the Chevrolet Corvette has been a global motorsports titan. Its storied history boasts legendary performances at iconic endurance challenges like the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring, the Rolex 24 at Daytona, and countless other production-based and GT racing series. Yet, for all its accomplishments, one legendary track and one highly prestigious race have remained absent from the Corvetteβs rΓ©sumΓ©.
Until now. 2026 marks a monumental year as Chevrolet sends the Corvette Z06 GT3.R to Australia’s formidable Mount Panorama Circuit to compete in the Bathurst 12 Hour. To commemorate this historic occasion, the American automaker is rolling out a limited-edition production model that pays homage to the legendary circuit and the cutting-edge race car making its debut there.
Hereβs the difficult reality for global Corvette enthusiasts: the 2026 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Bathurst 12 Hour Special Edition is extremely limited to just 12 examples and will be available exclusively in Australia and New Zealand. For fans familiar with this iconic endurance race, this news is nothing short of a gut punch, given the significance of the car competing at this challenging venue.
Under the Hood: The Heart of a Racer
Chevrolet isn’t treating this special edition as just a cosmetic package; they are equipping it to handle the brutal demands of Mount Panorama. The 2026 Corvette Z06 Bathurst 12 Hour Special Edition will be built upon the range-topping 3LZ Coupe platform, ensuring that every customer receives the highest level of luxury and technology available in the Z06 lineup. Crucially, this special edition will come standard with the Z07 Performance Package. This is the same package specified for the Corvette Z06 GT3.R race car, featuring high-performance carbon ceramic brakes developed by Brembo, Competition Sport Seats with enhanced bolstering, and the most aggressive aerodynamic package designed to optimize track performance and downforce.
The exterior is finished in Switchblade Silver, a striking metallic hue that highlights the carbon fiber components. Carbon Flash covers the aggressive carbon-fiber ground effects and the massive rear wing, as well as the exterior badges, trim, and mirrors, giving the car a stealthy yet aggressive look. The roof is finished with a clear coat to showcase the intricate weave of the ultra-lightweight carbon fiber.
To celebrate the racing connection, the legendary βJakeβ C8.R graphics package adorns the hood and rear quarter panels, instantly signaling the carβs racing heritage. Furthermore, the edition includes an exclusive Bathurst 12 Hour decal featuring a stylized outline of the Mount Panorama Circuit.
Powering this limited-run icon is the LT6 5.5-liter naturally aspirated flat-plane crank V8 engine. This high-revving masterpiece produces 670 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, delivering the distinctive, visceral sound that has defined Corvette’s performance pedigree for decades. This potent powertrain is paired with a Tremec TR-9080 8-speed dual-clutch transmission, which ensures lightning-fast shifts and the ability to maximize performance during intense track sessions.
