Hennessey's H700 Supercharger Package Could Make The Z06 Corvette Obsolete

Hennessey's H700 supercharger package out-muscles the Z06, but is it as well-rounded?

The new 2023 Corvette Z06 is an impressive sports car, to say the least. But Texas-based tuner Hennessey Performance Engineering just released a new supercharger package for the C8 Corvette Stingray that surpasses the mighty Z06, at least in the horsepower department, with the added advantages of being less expensive than the elusive Z06, and is available immediately.

According to company founder and CEO John Hennessey, "The stock C8 Corvette Stingray is an extraordinary sports car, yet Chevrolet left some V8 performance on the table." Hennessey continues, "Our exciting ‘H700’ supercharger package integrates seamlessly with the eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox, and our exhaust upgrade sounds much more aggressive than stock. Considering that our power and torque surpass the factory Z06, the Hennessey ‘H700’ is arguably the best value high-performance supercar in the world."

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Hennessey's package for the C8 Corvette includes a high-flow centrifugal supercharger, an optimized air intake system with an intercooler, an engine tune, a cat-back exhaust system, lightweight wheels, exterior graphics, and a serial numbered plaque.

The power additions work together to boost a stock C8 Stingray's 6.2-liter LT2 V-8 to 708 horsepower and 638 pound-feet of torque, hence the name "H700." Those numbers represent a whopping 44-percent increase in horsepower and a 37-percent increase in torque compared to the stock C8 ratings of 490 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque.

But Hennessey isn't shy about the fact that its true rivalry lies with the C8's big brother, the flat-plane crankshaft track monster Z06. Indeed, the H700's peak output bests the 670 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque produced by the Z06's 5.5-liter LT6 V-8. Though, to be fair, the mill in the Z06 is naturally aspirated, not supercharged like previous generations of Z06.

RELATED: Here's How Much Horsepower The Chevy C8 Z06 Actually Makes

Per Hennessey's press release, the H700 is also available as a "power only" package that presumably excludes the bespoke wheels and stripe package. The "power only" version prices out at $34,950, not including the C8 Corvette itself, which is provided by the customer.

For those that want the visuals too, the full-fat H700 package costs $49,950. The wheels, which are undeniably sharp looking, are sized at 19 inches in front and 20 inches in the rear, which is slightly smaller than on the C8 Z06. The wheels are also available in a choice of several finishes, including Brushed Aluminum, Satin Black, and Graphite. Buyers will also have a selection of colors for the "Hennessey Heritage Livery" exterior graphics, which are offered in blue, white, black, silver, and red.

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We've already established that the Hennessey H700 has the Z06 beat on horsepower, but what about everything else that makes a Z06 a Z06? Perhaps the most glaring difference is that the Z06 is a full 3.6 inches wider than the standard C8. Functionally, this allows for much wider tires, but there is also an aesthetic in play that sets the widebody apart from mere mortal 'Vettes.

Also, the Z06's disc brake rotors are 1.2 inches larger than those on a Z51 C8, itself an upgrade from the standard non-Z51 model. Plus, the Brembo front calipers on the Z06 have six pistons compared to the Stingray's four-piston calipers. Another concern of Corvette enthusiasts being voiced on online discussion forums is whether the Stingray's factory transaxle and axles (half shafts) are robust enough to withstand a boost of 200+ horsepower without modification or replacement with beefier units.

Pricing for the Z06 Coupe in entry-level 1LZ trim starts at $106,395, including a mandatory destination charge, but good luck trying to actually purchase one at that price. Many Chevrolet dealerships, as well as private seller "flippers," are gaming the Z06 by adding huge markups to the window sticker price for scarcity. It's not uncommon to see $50,000 to $100,000 surcharges for the Z06, turning it into a near-$200,000 car. One particularly aggressive dealer listed a pre-owned Z06 with 25 miles on it for the lofty sum of $375,000! By that metric, the H700 is definitely a bargain, but that may change as Z06 supply begins to meet demand, forcing prices to cool somewhat.

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The Hennessey H700 upgrade fits all 2020-2022 Chevrolet C8 Corvette Coupes, though curiously, 2023 models and/or convertibles are presently excluded. Both packages include a 3-year / 36,000-mile limited warranty and are available from authorized Corvette retailers or direct from Hennessey Performance. What do you think? Is brute horsepower alone enough to topple Chevy's king-of-the-hill Z06?

Richard's lifelong automotive journey started at an early age with building model cars. Upon getting his drivers license (and many, many speeding tickets), plastic models quickly morphed into the real thing. When he's not writing, Richard can usually be found hiking, camping, or skiing in his home state of Colorado.