C8 Corvette Z06 To Feature Massive Rear Wing: Exclusive
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Chevrolet’s upcoming and much-rumored C8 Corvette Z06 will feature a massive rear wing spoiler, GM Authority has learned.
According to sources familiar with the project, the C8 Z06 wing will be larger than the unit found on the outgoing Corvette C7 ZR1. It will deliver even higher levels of downforce and create less drag.
Koenigsegg Agera RS
It’s understood that the C8 Z06 wing will differ in appearance and functionality from the wing on the race-going C8.R, while being reminiscent of the unit used on the Koenigsegg Agera RS.
Koenigsegg Agera RS
It’s unclear whether the Corvette C8 Z06 will offer this large wing as standard equipment, or whether it will be an option. However, sources say that the team is leaning towards making it standard equipment.
Expected to go on sale in roughly two years, the Chevrolet C8 Corvette Z06 will build on the winning formula introduced by the all-new, 2020 Corvette Stingray – the 2020 North American Car of the Year while delivering higher levels of performance.
At the heart of the upcoming ultra-high-performance machine will be a new engine – a naturally-aspirated 5.5L V8 DOHC with a flat plane crank. The free-revving eight is expected to deliver around 600 horsepower. A more robust suspension, brakes, and aerodynamic elements – such as the wing spoiler mentioned here – are expected to contribute to the upcoming variant’s higher performance envelope.
2020 Corvette C8 Stingray Coupe
The C8 Corvette Z06 will be joined by a hybrid-electric variant expected to be called Corvette E-Ray. In fact, the E-Ray will be the first of two electrified Corvette C8 models. A second electrified C8 variant, potentially called Zora, will arrive later on in the model’s lifecycle to occupy the top rung of the C8 model hierarchy.
We’ll have more on the all this in the near future. In the meantime, be sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more mid-engine Corvette news, Corvette C8 news, Corvette news, Chevrolet news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
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Oh he!! to the yes! This is great news… world class sports car becomes a world class supercar. Now get those Silverado and Sierra interiors fixed ASAP.
Fixed, what’s wrong with them? They have an excellent layout and good materials. Maybe a little nip tuck and slight upgrade in materials but please don’t lose the truck function of them, that car interior of the Ram is just not good in a truck long term or from a functionality standpoint.
I sure hope they do not adopt a NA engines, the C8 has a massive ability to put down bottom end power and a NA engine will be anemic compared to the outgoing boosted Z06 engines..IMO this would be a move in a very bad direction and would replace an awesome, low maintenance engine with a high maintenance ,high RPM engine with crappy low RPM performance..
Obviously you have very little clue in what an NA engine brings to the table or any experience with a good one on a track. Staying NA keeps the weight down, increase the throttle response and give much better noise. It won’t be lacking low RPM performance. Most any person that races or sees track time would much prefer the simplicity of an NA engine. Going forced induction is just to appease the the folks with power numbers, not a pure driving standpoint. Porsche and Ferrari lost some of that charm going boosted, they have been able to save some of the charm but just improving numbers isn’t an end all be all. A higher HP NA motor is an excellent choice and probably saves 150lbs of weight on the car which is already high enough.
For downforce?, Nah Just a mobile park bench for all the old folk Vette buyers to sit and feed pidgins while they’re bored…..🙃….
Be sad to see a C8 Z06 get completely gapped by a C7 Z06, which is exactly what will happen if it really has a NA 5.5L
You have no idea what the NA 5.5 will be capable of. It’s the difference between modern and somewhat dated engine technology.
Your absolutely dreaming if you think any NA 5.5 will run with a boosted 6.2 in a 3600 lb car.
Did you miss the current C8 engine is just a upgraded 6.2 with less than 500hp beating cars that cost 100k more from 0-60. You put a 600 hp 5.5 in the new C8 it will destroy almost all supercars. Then add front electric Hybrid…the Corvette will be the most sought after car for years to come.
You have zero clue on how this works, just please stop talking. That NA 3600lb car (probably lighter in Z06 trim) already has a huge performance advantage over the current Z06 in terms of the chassis and power application. If they went boosted on the C8 it would be a 3800 lb car and weight is an enemy, staying NA keeps that down and gives performance and feel back to the driver. The mid engine rear wheel drive car is nearly 3 seconds faster than the C7 Z51, less than 6 seconds slower than the C7 Z06 at VIR down a bunch of down force, a good set of tires and a bunch of aero and added braking. The Current Z06 went 1.55.95 on the VIR full course (3.27 miles) and the C8 went 2.01.91 with a passenger (might be less than 5 seconds with Randy driving himself and no one else in the car). So add in another 100+ hp (I have heard anywhere from 600-650 NA HP in the next Z06), the amazingly fast and superior geared 8 speed DCT, stickier tires, bigger brakes and a superior downforce package (did the Z06 even have a tall wing option?) and I promise it will be faster on the course than the current forced induction Z06. GM isn’t going to let the C8 be slower. So have a seat, dream about your automatic forced induction hi-powered corvette that will only be used for starbucks runs and let the car guys who track their cars worry about and dream about the proper road course setup…
you do realize the 500 hp LTsomethingR one is specifically for racing right. it wont go into production the only reason they have that engine is due to IMSA/FIA ACO regs. the real one will probably be somwhere between 650 to 750 hp which is over the current z06s power ratings. will still be flat plane though most likely
They’ll have plenty of offerings, you want boosted you can wait a bit.
Man, why all the negativity today? Geez.
C7 Z06 ain’t gapping the C8 Z06, my friend. I don’t care how many hours of dyno testing you have under your belt (though I admit you have my envy). Yes, you’re going to get way more power down low with the 6.2 LT4 V8 by virtue of it’s supercharger, than you will with the rev-happy pulling-up-high DOHC flat-plane 5.5 V8. That torque is the real deal. But one of the biggest issues with the C7 Z06 was always power delivery; with all the weight up front, sending that down-low power to the rear made it a bit squirrelly. It had issues putting down that power. Comparatively, the C8 BASE (not Z06, BASE) with the N/A 6.2 matched the C7 Z06 in the 0-60 tests (both just under 3 seconds) with 150 fewer ponies. The C8 base does the quarter in 11.2, the C7 Z06 in 11. For that kind of hp difference…that’s damn close.
Even though the 5.5 will add weight, I expect weight to be shed in other areas, as to not effect the general formula. Add over 100 hp to the C8 mid-engine equation, N/A or otherwise, and I expect the C8 Z06 equals or outruns the C7 Z06.
you people clearly dont know your sportscar regs. the ONLY REASON the engine is 5.5 and 500 hp is because of the GTE/LM regs used by the weathertech sports car championship which restrict engines above 5.5L and 500 hp.
I’m well aware of this, jeddj45. I never said the 5.5 liter displacement was definitive, its simply the best way to reference the engine. I don’t care what the displacement is – what matters is the horsepower, which will be over 600, per reports. This changes nothing from what I said above.
So we wont see an active aero? What a shame. These huge wings look ugly and dated. Even the Chrysler Crossfire had an automatic rear wing lol
No active aero on Z06… but not necessarily for other models 😉
A lot of piss and moan here today.
As for the Active Aero . It may be used with wings as they can use doors in the front to increase air flow to and around the car at speed.
As for flapper wings they just advertise you are speeding as many go up at speeds over the limits. Why advertise?
A wing on the street car similar to the race car would do well. It would be cool to have a street car that looks much like the race car.
I had wished they offered more of the body kits like the Earnhardts C5 cars SR and JR had back in 2001. SR had two cars built with the race bodies on the street legal chassis..
Note too a wing like they are talking about can still be active. It may flatten out at straight speeds and increase the angle of attack in turns and braking much like Mclaren and Chaparral used .
a NA 5.5 DOHC FPC will have substantially less bottom end grunt then the 6.2 LT2, it will also weigh more and take up more space… the outgoing LT4 in the new C8 would have been an epic low 10 second car with massive off the line traction… Boosted 6.2 will outgun any and every NA 5.5 you could build bar none when its pushing a 3600 lb car running street gas. maybe if were talking stripped down track car weighing 2500 lbs the 5.5 would have a chance, but in a 3600 lb street car the 6.2 LT4 will annihilate it .
Again you have absolutely not a clue what you’re talking about. Your thinking is extremely limited because you think you know but in reality you don’t know because youre basing your thinking on limited info. Let them intrude it and then you’ll be blown away.
I do know, I have spent the majority of my adult life working with engines, I have over 2000 hours of dyno testing under my best, even built my own dyno system a few years back, owned a race track and currently my brother owns a engine machine shop specializing in race engines… So yes a NA 5.5 will get punched out bad by a boosted 6.2, you just can’t fight the physics of increased displacement and added boost which essentially makes the LT4 a much much larger engine in terms of power density under the curve.,
You know a thing or two about engines? Hurray! Good for you.
Do you know anything about what the corvette team is cooking up for the C8 Z06? Do you know what technologies and resources are at their disposal? No you do not.
So all of your alleged knowledge about engines is useless jibber jabber. Again, reserve judgement until it’s out. But when it is out And wipes the C7 Z06, I fully expect you to come back here and eat crow.
Then how in the world are you so oblivious to what is in front of your eyes? Are you just arguing the current Z makes more power? You may be right. More torque, I would bet my house on it. Will the current Z be faster? Nope. Look at everything. How about some track numbers? The Current Z06 went 1.55.95 on the VIR full course (3.27 miles) and the C8 went 2.01.91 with a passenger (might be less than 5 seconds with Randy driving himself and no one else in the car). Better suspension, far superior application of power out of corners, better handling and turn in. The engineers don’t have far to go to past the current Z, it will be easy for them with another 100+ hp and a massive wing and aero. I wish I was there to watch you back track when you learn the times of the new car, I would bet the new Z06 will be a couple seconds slower than the ZR1, now that car you can maybe make your argument hold water but that car also has another 260hp…
DO YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT MODERN DAY PRO MOTORSPORTS! THE ONLY REASON THE C8R IS 5.5L IS BECAUSE OF THE FIA ACO REGS WHICH RESTRICT EVERYTHING UNLIKE THERE PREDECESSORS WHICH HAD UP TO 850+ HP
Wow, ignorance obviously is bliss!
There is a lot more to mechanical engineering than just the engine. The OLD MAN thought process that more power equals more acceleration and speed, went out with Dinosaur solid rear axle muscle cars.
The power levels today can not be contained or properly applied to the ground by a front engine rear drive layout. It is about weight over the rear axle (or AWD) and gearing, so, a medium powered mid engine with an 8 speed DCT will destroy the old high powered clunkers (C7 and back).
Considering the standard 495HP C8 Stingray has been tested to be as quick, or quicker than a C7 ZR1, is proof that the new ZO6 with another 100 plus HP and more advanced dynamics, will send the clunkers back to the stone age!
However, if you are someone that just loves to sit and spin the rear wheels in the hope that traction will one day arrive, just stick with Dinosaurs and trot down to you’re nearest retirement home, so you can find people that think like you.
Here’s the thing … take one C8 and install a NA 600 HP FPC DOHC screamer that your all jizzing over, then in another C8 install a updated version of the 6.2 LT4… then put those 2 C8’s side by side and that NA C8 is going to get gapped in in every conceivable way , not only that but that boosted 6.2 is going to do it with less maintenance and higher reliability …even with the current LT4 in a C8 next to a NA 5.5 the results will be the same, the boosted car will obliterate the NA car… yes a C7 Z06 has issues planting the power of the LT4 but the C8 wont have those issues it would be an absolute monster if it didn’t break, which brings me to to thinking that the only reason I could see GM wanting to stay away from the LT4 is thay the new gearbox can’t handle the jam .. a 700 HP LT4.5 in a C8 would be a 9 second car all day long.
A 585-600hp NA FPC C8 Z06 would beat the C7 Z06 in any drag race and on every road course besides (possibly) the Nurburgring’s north loop. The C7 Z06 does 0-60 in 3 seconds and the Quarter mile in 10.95. The C8 does 0-60 in 2.8 seconds and the quarter mile in 11.1 seconds. That’s a difference of 155hp but only a tenth and a half, assuming that you even launch the C7 perfectly. Then consider the difference in grip between the two cars: The C7 Z06 can’t put power down in corners and it has bad snap-oversteer that even professionals have trouble managing. The C8 has much more weight on the rear end, and the C8 Z06 would have more downforce and a more rigid chassis than the C7, allowing it to put power down in the middle of corners and to take off on corner exit. The only place a C7 Z06 would make up time is on long straights, so it’d never be quicker on a track like Willow Springs or Buttonwillow. The C8 Z06 would be Corvette’s equivalent of the GT3/GT3 RS in that it uses grip, aero, and traction to make up for its lack of power.
The lack of torque from a DOHC FPC would be partially made up for by the higher final drive and the DCT vs the C7 Z. The big difference will be at high speeds, where you need more torque/power to overcome the drag.
Here’s the thing … take one C8 and install a NA 600 HP FPC DOHC screamer that your all jizzing over, then in another C8 install a updated version of the 6.2 LT4… then put those 2 C8’s side by side and that NA C8 is going to get gapped in in every conceivable way , not only that but that boosted 6.2 is going to do it with less maintenance and higher reliability …even with the current LT4 in a C8 next to a NA 5.5 the results will be the same, the boosted car will obliterate the NA car… yes a C7 Z06 has issues planting the power of the LT4 but the C8 wont have those issues it would be an absolute monster if it didn’t break, which brings me to to thinking that the only reason I could see GM wanting to stay away from the LT4 is thay the new gearbox can’t handle the jam .. a 700 HP LT4.5 in a C8 would be a 9 second car all day long.
You do realize the vette is going turbo right? It won’t take up less space and it won’t be lighter with all the plumbing. Serious, you are barking up a tree you have zero clue about. An inferior chassis that has problems applying power, dull steering, an antique leaf spring suspension, reduced braking (the heavy rear engine car and add more rear brake to the massive rear tires to compliment braking) it is the entire package. All you can say is the current Z06 is more powerful (unless the 650hp rumor is hit) and that is has more low end torque, that is it. The entire package is what makes a car as fast as it is and just the base model lap times and 1/4 times should be an indicator that there is zero chance the current Z06 will be faster, that is all you are basing your argument on is the current Z06 is more powerful, everywhere else is comes up lacking. The curb weight of the current Z is over 3500 lbs, barely 100 more than the Z51 and I bet they lighten up the C8 Z06 to being a track focused car.
Dislike!
Some of us would love to have the piercing wail of a flat-plane crank V8 without the need for a grotesque rearview obstruction.
My C8 order is on pause until I see what the Z06 will be. Huge wing would be a dealbreaker.
In that case, a stingray is more up your alley. A Z06 is not for posers.
A poser = someone who wants a big engine but won’t use it as intended. You’ll need the wing to use the C8 Z06 as intended.
STRONGLY disagree. The Z06 is a road car first, track car second. The rear wing should be optional.
Using your definition, most drivers buying the Z06 are posers. Honestly, it’s like using the term deplorables in 2016.
One has to imagine that Chevrolet C8 Corvette Chief Engineer Tadge Juechter has done the development to conclude that the new rear wing is necessary to increase performance and traction characteristics of the C8 and this wasn’t done for any other reason.
LT4, LT4, LT4. To all of you guys suggesting the use of an LT4, you’re forgetting one important thing. The LT5. Remember overkill is underrated.
I have to hope that the Corvette engineering department would not bring forth the C-8 Z06 and it not be able to out perform the C-7 Z06 or even the ZR1. I think that sentiment is what powers the belief that the 5.5 will out gun a SC 6.2. I will be honest, I don’t personally see how that is possible, but again, the incoming C8 cannot give up anything to the C7. I will trust that idea, even though it defies what I believe to be possible. I have an LSA in a ’15 ZL1, mildly modified. The boosted 6.2 is simply a beast. That car puts down incredible torque and hp as soon as you hit the throttle. I don’t have to wait to hit 7K for it to find its stride. If the 5.5 runs faster, it will be an incredible achievement.
Americans love comparing nurburgring times. It’s a massive, fast, and hard to drive perfectly and somewhat irrelevant. On normal tracks there is diminishing returns for added power. Aero will have a much bigger effect on lap times than an extra 100hp.
C7 Z06 is a great handling car with the proper alignment. C8 will beat it in the real world. LT2 is Ward’s best engine btw. 495 hp and near 30mpg.
1 – closer to 700hp than 600hp
2 – big wing will be optional, not standard. On a Z07-like track focused variant of the Z06
N/A part is correct. Getting closer, Alex!
Yes, NA in-plane crank has slightly less horse, and with higher RPM is much more robust on the top end, and lacking in the traditional torque department which we are used to seeing, especially on a Z-06. HOWEVER, you are forgetting that Chevy will be adding electric power to the wheels, which will MORE than make up for the missing low end launch power. This car will carry the best of both worlds, and dominate all….
You do realize the only reason its 5.5 and 500hp is because of the sad ACO REGS which RESTRICT THE ENGINES TO UNDER 6.0 AND UNDER 550 HP (gt era race cars had 2x the power and performance of there counterparts) GOT THE NA FLAT PLANE PART RIGHT THOUGH!. by the way electric wont be on Z06 as they already said it wouldn’t be a hybrid and that would most likely be the ZR1 or a completely different model.
Well, if they add the electric motors to the E-Ray, and not the Z-06, then they are idiots. They will be destroying the brand of the Z-06 because it has always been a torque monster. They can’t just throw an in-plane crank in an NA Z-06 and just leave it like some flaccid euro 90’s broken-down ex-supercar that can’t even keep up with a Porche.
Does it come with a trailering package? Will a rear wing obscure the view of a trailer? It seems Corvettes are SUVs now.
Seriously, my brother got to track a C8 today and said it is the best car he has ever driven. Z06 versions will be even better! This is what we want the Corvette engineering team to be working on! I have to figure out what I need to sell to make a Z51 C8 happen… you don’t need both kidneys, right?