With the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette C8 now out of the bag, we’re anxiously looking to the horizon for the new mid-engine sports car’s various go-faster variants, including the C8 Corvette Z06. As luck would have it, a prototype C8 Z06 was recently spotted in Southern California, and we now have a brief video that shows it carving up some twisting two-lane mountain roads.
The video in question was recently posted to Facebook by Jim Lill in San Diego, and shows the C8 Corvette Z06 attack a long right-hand sweeper as it progresses up a hill. The driver is clearly digging into the throttle, giving us an earful of the Z06’s engine – a naturally aspirated DOHC 5.5L flat-plane crank V8, which was recently previewed in the new Corvette C8.R race car. Output on the street-legal Z06 will be set at roughly 650 horsepower.
Chevrolet Corvette C8.R
Outside, we find this C8 Corvette Z06 prototype is testing without its optional aero features. As we’ve covered previously, the Z06 will offer a massive rear wing – in fact, the Z06 will have a wing that’s even larger than the unit on the outgoing Chevrolet Corvette C7 ZR1. Complementary equipment will include a more robust suspension and brake package.
This is actually the very first time we’ve seen the upcoming C8 Corvette Z06 in testing. Earlier this month, we featured spy photos of future C8 Corvette E-Ray Hybrid, which a number of outlets incorrectly identified as the new Z06. Now, however, we not only get to see the Z06 in action, but also get to hear its new V8 engine sing!
Are you excited for the new C8 Corvette Z06? Let us know your thoughts in the comments, and 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
All you GM guys actually want your Corvette to sound like that?! Jesus, and people complained about the Viper’s sound. This “Z06” should have had an “LT-8”, an updated LT-5 for mid engine use. The ZR-1 should have an “LT-9”, a twin turbo version of an “LT8”.
Why don’t you post a sound clip of your Kia Rio so we can comment on it. ..
You sound like the kind of guy who eats Raisin Bran every morning, watches the same sitcom rerun every weeknight, and scours endlessly to buy that same exact 2003 Impala in Bronzemist Metallic every time your old 2003 Bronzemist Metallic Impala bites the dust.
Come on man, don’t you ever move on from the past? Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE GM’s small block V8’s, my favorite engines of all time bar none, and some of the finest engines ever to grace this planet with their ferocious growl and ridiculous power. But the Corvette is evolving, and that means its engines are too. We all praised the LS7, and rightly so; 505 hp from a naturally-aspirated V8 that revved like a champ. There’s something about huge NA power that is so damn addicting. And this new DOHC flat-plane V8 will provide that in spades. 650 hp with no boost? Come on, how can you go against that? Yeah, I prefer the 6.2 sounds over a flat-plane, but there are plenty of upsides, if you’d just open your eyes.
It’d also help, for a little perspective, to maybe be thankful we still HAVE V8’s, what with certain groups and politicians trying to eradicate them forever. If it’s American metal with 8 cylinders, I’ll take it. Gratefully, and every time.
That’s the attitude G8
The viper sounded like a school bus with the 10 cylinders. This is a flat crank that has a much more exotic sound to it.
As it is sizing up we have at least 3 Corvettes coming with three distinct sounds. The base with the traditional sound, the ZO6 with the flat crank. Then a High winding turbo with popping wastegates.
This combination should prove very interesting.
This one already sounds better than the Ford GT V6.
Mid Ohio should be really fun this year. IMSA is great because you can tell the cars by the sound even if you have your eyes shut.
Ew.
That is Ferrari V8 exhaust.
Daytona is coming up and I can’t wait to see the C8 race against other mid engine Exotics :D.
GM can never win with the Corvette, either it doesn’t stick to heritage or they didn’t do enough..all from people who’ll more than likely never own one. The small block is nearing its limits and GM has taken it as far as it can go while still being emissions compliant. I think the LT2 will stick around for a while but I wouldn’t expect another iteration. Times are changing and the Corvette must adapt to keep relevant in the market. Even the 911 is facing these same issues, it’s engine moves closer to mid engine each new generation due to platform sharing with the 714 twins, it’s no longer naturally aspirated (except the most hardcore models) and the hybrid version is pretty much a done deal. This is the future, and there’s no going back.
Let’s get real, guys. Time marches on! I know because I’m old enough to have rubbed my hand along the fender of a brand new 1963 Split Window on my way to the playground. At 6 years old, I fell in love with the pop-up headlights, the hidden windshield wipers (all vacuum controlled no less), and the magic of the Corvette. I’ve owned seven from all generations over the years, ending with my current C7, Grand Sport (with a MANUAL transmission).
However… the old days are gone! The new generation is upon us and we better get used to it. I personally think the C8 is a masterpiece, and I’m glad it came from the U.S.A. and probably only GM could create it at that price point.
However, I cannot and should not ever give up what makes me happy, and that’s a THROATY V8 with a manual tranny.
Long live the Corvette! Can’t wait to see what comes out of the C8 lineup.
I think they will both get an active aero.
Sounds amazing and I can’t wait to hear the Zora.As for the small block Chevy nearing its limits as a pushrod engine,blah blah blah.The wannabes have been saying that for decades. Fraud gave up on it due to never being good enough anyways and now they make their tiny little V8&V6’s DOHC and they can’t make any torque.GM and Dodge have always been the kings of the small block pushrod engine.Keep making them boys!As for new engine I get it, DOHC responds to turbo better as where the pushrod likes a supercharger better.Either way I am good with it because the days of EV are coming and I am never going to buy one.
I cant wait for it to come out, this is the only corvette that I would try to buy I love the high horsepower versions of the corvette. The z06 and zr1 are my favorite versions! Ik some people are not gonna like the difference in the sound of the engine and yes I too miss the old v8 rumble of the c7 but I understand and want corvette to be able to compete better with the exotics so it makes since to have to sacrifice somethings. So I can not wait until it comes out regardless. 🙂
The new Corvette is about two things.
One is to expand the performance of the vehicle as Tadge has pointed out often the RWD was to the limits of what power it could put to the ground. If you want more power the engine had to move.
Second point is to try to expand the interest in the car to a wider range of buyers be it age or just demographic. The old car did well but it really stopped changing and just slowly evolved for many years. Even the die hard owners had a hard time justifying going back to buy a new one as the gains were small. Also there are so many low mile models out there used that they present a great bargain vs buying new.
The new car breaks new ground in interest and performance unlike we have seen since the intro of the C2. This car has changed the whole game and will sell in even greater number than we have already seen.
Just wait for the excitement when these hit the streets soon. People will chase them done to look at them and even listen to them.
The Flat plane crank in this car is not for more power or better emissions. It is for sound and that sound will attract the unconventional owner as well as the traditional. They have had to fight though the vibration issues but the sound track will be a calling card.
I agree, they want to broaden the buyer range
Wrong, GMauthority INCORRECTLY misidentified the recent winter spy shots. That was not an “E-ray” being tested, it was the same Z06 mule you see in this video. There is no E-ray.
Just sayin…
Asparagus,
Just like everybody else, you’re just guessing.
Did you just call me an Asparagus? Am I some kind of joke to you? How do you go from AREOPAGUS to ASPARAGUS?
Areopagus – One of the most important legal institutions under the Athenian democracy
Asparagus – Stupid smelly vegetable
You must be licking bed frames in your spare time, no doubt.
Triggered – (especially of something read, seen, or heard) to be distressed (someone), typically as a result of arousing feelings or memories associated with a particular traumatic experience
Poor little Asparagus,
He has an inflated perception of self and totally lacks a sense of humour.
A little touchy there. There’s no doubt, that in the past, you’ve been called much worse than a vegetable. 🤣
you do realize thats a RUMOR and not an actual, hard point, solid evidence backed FACT. even the idea that the hybrid is a completely different model is also a RUMOR, and did you ever hear that its best to take rumors with a grain of salt and that 99% of rumors are FALSE and misleading. If you remember people were saying the c7 zr1 was mid engined and it turned out to be the c8, or that the c7 was gonna go hybrid but NEVER HAPPENED. so like i said before until solid evidence is shown as these prototypes are not solid evidence or proof of the E Ray or Hybrid vettes existence, I wont believe anything. Also the vette would most likely be an existing model and the hybrid set up would be mild and not a full on plug in since gm even said it was skipping hybrid completely.
I wonder what Fraud will do with the GT after the new C8 versions come out and lay waste to their quarter mile time from their puny V6? It’s like Fraud is afraid to make real engines these days.I own a 2017 Camaro SS and I enjoy it when a Slowstang wants to have a go.Their weak 5.0 doesn’t have the torque to compete.The C8 looks like a masterpiece and the Z06,ZR1 and the Zora cars will lay down some ground shaking times that will be hard to best.The Germans and Italians are worried I believe.
Still spreading the same rumor based on the C8.R engine size. The C8.R is limited by IMSA/FIA to 5.5 liters. Just like all the “R”’s from the C5.R. All Z06 “street” versions have had displacements larger than 5.5 liters. The tendency for FPC engines to have destructive vibrations increases as displacement get larger. Remember the “Cadillac” Black Wing DOHC, TT that’s being assembled at the Bowling Green “Corvette” plant is smaller like 4.2 liters. Why are the regurgitated rumors hanging up on the 5.5?
It’s not that. Referencing the engine as the “5.5” is simply the easiest way to do so, as it’ll be largely based on the racing version 5.5. I’d much rather say “5.5” then “the new DOHC flat-plane unknown displacement V8 engine based off the 5.5 racing version in the C8.R”
I love asparagus….tasty!!
Asparagus is absolutely the best! And it’s even better when you fry it in bacon fat.