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.
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.
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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. :)