DETROIT – General Motors’ new 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06This marks the beginning of a new chapter in American sports cars’ nearly 70-year-old history.

People involved in the design of the car described it to be “otherworldly” as well as an “utopian form of a sportscar.” This street legal race car was designed to be driven on the tracks that allow. GMMorgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas said Corvette would be an $8 billion to $12 billion market for Corvette.

CNBC talked with several team members about the 2023 Corvette Z06, which features a new 5.5-liter V-8 naturally aspirated engine with 670 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque – the most powerful engine of its kind in any production car.

Here’s their opinion on the Corvette and what their role is in GM’s most iconic franchise. regular Corvette Stingray.

Tadge Juechter, Corvette executive chief engineer

It sounds funny when I consider why this is happening, but it makes me think of adults laughing. You get adult giggling when you let someone drive a Corvette.  You can’t control it and it never gets old. It’s an intense machine. In this age of motorized transportation there isn’t many driver experiences like it. Not only have we created one that is unique, but it also goes out of the ordinary.

The Stingray is a super sweet and well-designed car. The Stingray is quite a beast. You can feel a little edge. Although it doesn’t have any edge that would make it difficult to handle, the car has more attitude than most. Its character is evident from the moment it starts to drive. You can feel the speed at which the car responds. It is almost a spiritual experience.

Aaron Link is the Corvette lead development engineer

To me, this car seems like the ideal sports car. It has the mid-engine architecture with all its inherent goodness. The lightweight front ends really increase the speed of the car and the power numbers. It’s the naturally aspirated engine that you see in this supercar/sports car. And we’re doing it, right? We are the only ones doing it.

“So that’s the beauty to me is being part of that and getting to have a big hand in how that is formed and shaped and comes out … It just makes you smile and we say that a lot about cars, but this one really is like you never want it to stop.”

Dustin Gardner, chief engineer of GM Small Block Engine Assistant

It is a privilege to have this job as a profession. It was a joy to be able build a Z06 for the mission and feel so proud of my engineering team. It is an engineering marvel. To do a 5.5-liter flat plane crank, full mechanical valvetrain engine that’s making 670 horsepower to me is, it’s a highlight of the career …

It’s amazing to hear it work and feel the power. All your senses get excited. It is exhilarating, it does what it was meant to do, and it does so well. For a long time, it’s been my baby. It’s thrilling.”

Harlan Charles, Corvette product marketing manager

Corvette is my dream car. It makes our customers’ dreams come true. That was the Stingray. It gave people an exotic mid-engine supercar. But with this one, I think it gets into more bringing the racing experience to the driver … The sounds, the way the car feels and handles, you feel like you’re driving the street legal race car, and basically you are. That means a lot and then also at an historic scale … the future or electrification or whatever, and the future will be here someday, obviously, but let’s just reflect on this moment right now. It’s the ultimate in technology.

“This is kind of a golden era where we are able to drive and operate an engine that’s a real engine and makes you feel alive … And so let’s all enjoy this while we can and really appreciate that we’re able to offer a supercar like this that is relatively attainable that people who work hard can afford it and drive it, and it’s American and people can be proud of having something that was designed, built and engineered here in America that can take on the world’s best and win.”

Josh Holder, Corvette Chief Engineer

It’s an amazing job, and I think everyone would agree. Everyone who’s a car guy or a gearhead will love the chance to work with any car. But Corvette is our favorite. The Corvette adds an extra special touch. So, we’re all really glad that we get to do this job, super appreciated of it and very lucky …

The thrill of driving is what this car is all about. You should enjoy driving. You should enjoy the journey just as much as you love the destination. The best part about driving a car is the freedom it gives you to take to any road, track, or course. This car is truly special because it allows you to feel that freedom.