Performance fans are chomping at the bit to learn more about the C8 Corvette Z06, and now, we have photographic evidence that the upcoming go-faster mid-engine monster is benchmarking against the venerable Porsche 911 GT2 RS.
The news comes to us from a recent social media post by Chevrolet Corvette enthusiast Brandon Byers. Apparently, the C8 Corvette Z06 prototype and its German companion were spotted in California this week conducting real-world testing on local public roads.
This is the second time we’ve spotted this C8 Corvette Z06 prototype out and about. Earlier this week, we covered a video of the Z06 running some canyon roads around Southern California, giving us a chance to hear the Z06’s powerplant unleash some of its V8 goodness into the atmosphere.
Speaking of V8 goodness, the upcoming C8 Corvette Z06 will come equipped with a new naturally aspirated DOHC V8 engine with a flat-plane crank derived from the 5.5L V8 found in the race-spec Chevrolet Corvette C8.R.
Chevrolet Corvette C8.R
While exact numbers and details are obviously still under wraps, the C8 Corvette Z06 will no doubt offer some rather impressive performance specs, especially with the Porsche 911 GT2 RS providing the benchmark.
For those who may be unaware, the GT2 RS takes the 911 to the next level with a variety of track-derived upgrades. Making the go is a rear-mounted twin-turbo 3.8L flat-six throwing down 690 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels. A seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission handles the cogs, while wings and vents galore move the air with purpose.
Porsche 911 GT2 RS
A run to 60 mph in the Porsche takes about 2.6 seconds, while the quarter mile is dispatched in a few tenths over 10 seconds. Pricing starts at $293,200.
Rest assured, we’ll be following this story as it develops, so if you’re hungry for more info on the upcoming C8 Corvette Z06, stay tuned. In the meantime, make sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more mid-engine Corvette news, Corvette C8 news, Corvette news, Chevrolet news, and 24/7 GM news coverage.
Comments
It might not look quite as pretty as it could have, but the series of levels and offerings will kick major buttocks of more expensive and exotic sports cars/ Hyper cars.
I can’t wait for the roll-out of the “Faster and Furious” versions.
It will be epic. And, still a bargain, comparatively.
I need 3 jobs. Or, can I sell my kids?
I’m a single parent, so money is tight.
I guess a college education for my daughters is more important than me getting my dream cars!
Someday!
Zcat, hang in there, Buddy. Life happens. Family happens. A lot us of are and were in the same boat.
Maybe, just maybe, your Daughters will surprise you for the sacrifices you made for their edu!
Just sayin’.
Thanks. I love good people.
Faster and Furious versions?
Will there be a “The Rock” version? I would be so down for that. I think I remember seeing something about that online.
A play on words!
The, Rock” version would require 25 eggs, 4 chickens, 20 pounds of broccoli, and 12 dead fish to keep it running. And that’s just for the breakfast morning run!
That guy must poop a lot😂
ZCAT imagine selling chevys for over 20 years and raising a family having a distant dream of a corvette. knowing how far i was from affording one i just was ok having a screen saver or a t shirt .then the years flew by and my children are all in college and the c8 dropped and i turned 50 and i was the target demo so i built and placed a order for a c8 this will be my 51st birthday gift to myself my someday is in a few months after 20 years of waiting hang in there its coming
I replayed a good message, but it didn’t go through ?
Thank you for the kind words.
Enjoy your C8.
If you don’t like it, give it to me!
* replied
I have an iPhone 6.
Time for an upgrade.
Hoho, this is going to make the Porsche fanboys so bitter! The mid-range Vette benchmarking a $300,000 Porsche. I can already see all the C8 trashing from here. Had one huge Porsche dude today come whining to me about how this car has no hope of even COMPETING with the 911, to which I laughed enthusiastically, knowing full well what’s coming. Thing is, it’s not just Porsche fans – its fans of ALL supercars and exotics! This kind of performance package, for this price? Europe can only look, smear and deny, as if it’ll do them any good.
God, I love this car more and more with every passing day…
I’m not sure Porsche owners/fan can argue that their car is much better performance wise than a vette, but what they have been able to argue easily in the past few generations is that build quality, materials, panel gaps, etc is much much better. They are comparable in terms of performance, but the C5 and C6 rear bumper that would flex if you blew on it was less than stellar.
Now I will say that there’s nothing that I’ve seen in the C8 that seems to suggest that quality is still lacking, it looks like a really nice piece. I haven’t spent much time with one but they do look to be a large step up in terms of quality.
This might be the car that brings the gap down significantly or gets rid of it all together. The previous versions I’m not so sure about.
I hear you. But those days are over. I’ve seen the interior first-hand now, one came to a dealership near me. Will a Porsche have overall better craftsmanship? Even if only by a little, most likely. But when you factor in performance for the cost…that difference in craftsmanship and materials is NOWHERE NEAR worth $150,000+, sorry.
For when the official Nurburgring time of Stingray Z51?
Interesting that there is no wing on the C8. It will absolutely need all the downforce help it can get if it wants to hunt with the big dogs like GT3 and especially GT2. There’s no doubt that it will have a wing, as other spy shots have shown it with a rather large wing. Just can’t figure out why it is not on this car if they are really doing test work.
I can’t imagine that the Z06 is being bench marked against the GT2RS performance wise. The Z06 will likely target the GT3/RS while the ZR1 will eventually target GT2/RS.
They could be bench marking other things other than performance, because the GT2RS is the holy grail. If the Z06 is a proper competitor for it, it would be a huge feat, but I’m not convinced yet.
I was thinking the same thing. No way a flat-plane NA motor would match a GT2. No torque. GT3 is the better comparison. Maybe that is the reason the GT2 was selected – it would be a great rabbit to chase to see just how close you can get.
Even if it beats GT2 RS performance, it will not affect Porsche sales. People buy them for brand image, just like Kardashians spend their money.
And you would know how the Kardashians spend their money, what with you being their father and all (mother?), so I’ve gotta believe the validity of your comment
You are correct of course. Assuming that the Z06 and the GT2 RS perform similarly, Porsche lovers, like Ferrari lovers or any number of other exotics, will not lose any respect for their favorite mark. I love the GT2 RS and am looking forward to the Z06 and the upcoming future C8 models. Great limited edition Porsches are virtually money in the bank…I saw the yellow GT2, it is the nicest one I have seen.
If the new steaming hot pile of doggy doodoo called gt500 rustang can keep up with the Porsche GT3,
then I fully expect the new Z06 to be very close or outright leave the GT2 in the dust, if not then it’s kind of disappointing.
No matter what, the performance engineering for these machines is nothing short of amazing. However, to do it at a lower price line is even more amazing. The Porsche reflects more of a cost-no-object objective while the Corvette reflects an enthusiast dream.
True, now that I think of it, since it’s the first mid engine Corvette, the Corvette team can develop it better with time, even though the base Vette has some good starting #’s.
It’d also be nice to see Chevy drop in the LT5 & the C8’s (modified for Camaro) DCT into the ZL1 or ZL1-1LE at least. Especially now that the C8 is mid engine & likely won’t get it’s toes stepped on by Camaro.
Chevy is doing their homework in efforts to develop a C8 Corvette Z06 to be superior over the Porsche 911 GT2 RS which is recognized essentially as the standard; thus, they will be looking at ways to tweak the suspension, transmission and the powerplant so that the C8 Corvette Z06 is superior than the Porsche.