Earlier this year, GM Authority was first to report that the upcoming 2022 Corvette C8 Z06 will offer a relatively large rear wing, most likely as part of the optional Z07 package. Now, whispers circulating around the web might shed some light on the upcoming track-focused missile’s tire size.
Sizing
The C8 Z06 is tipped to ride on 20-inch wheels up front wrapped in 275/30R20 rubber, and 21-inch wheels out back wrapped in 345/25R21 meats. Compared to the C7 Z06, that would represent an increase of 1 inch in diameter across at all four corners, along with a 10mm decrease in width in the front and a 10mm increase in width out back.
| Front | Rear | |
|---|---|---|
| C8 Z06 | 275/30-20 | 345/25-21 |
| C7 Z06 | 285/30-19 | 335/25-20 |
Tire
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires will be offered. Developed specifically for track use, the Z-rated tires use a tread compound taken directly from Michelin’s motorsport tires for enhanced grip during acceleration, braking and cornering. Furthermore, the Pilot Sport Cup 2R tires are intended for supercars and sports cars for which they were homologated, meaning that this isn’t an off-the-shelf tire by any stretch.
One of the better-known vehicles to use the Cup 2R rubber currently are the 911 GT2 RS and 911 GT3 RS. Since the sizes used by Porsche and other automakers offering the tires are not big enough for the 2022 Corvette C8 Z06, Michelin will create a custom size specifically for Chevrolet.
A few other noteworthy characteristics of the tire is a massive outboard shoulder with fewer lateral notches. Additionally, the tire’s circumferential grooves are narrower, creating wider tread ribs for more rubber in the contact patch. The inner shoulder is focused on wet traction, with deep, lateral notches to evacuate water from the tire’s footprint.
Despite the fact that the Sport Cup 2 R tires meet DOT requirements, along with Michelin’s intent for the rubber to handle wet environments, the tires’ primary purpose is realizing a vehicle’s full potential in dry driving conditions. As such, the rubber is not recommended for driving in wet conditions where standing water is present and there is the risk of hydroplaning, particularly if the tires are shaved or worn. Use in climates below 14°F (-10°C) is also a no-no.
As of this writing, the Sport Cup 2 R tires sell between $717 and $920 USD per unit at various tire retailers.
Carbon Fiber Wheels
What’s more, the 2022 Corvette C8 Z06 is also tipped to offer an optional set of carbon fiber wheels. These light rollers will likely be part of the optional Z07 package, which is typically offered on the Z06.
About C8 Z06
The 2022 Corvette C8 Z06 will be focused on all-out performance at the track. GM Authority expects it to be powered by a naturally-aspirated 5.5L V8 LT6 engine with a flat-plane crankshaft. The rev-happy DOHC 32-valver is expected to be rated at around 600 horses, while torque should land between 480 and 550 pound-feet.
Availability
We initially expected the Corvette C8 Z06 to arrive in the second half of the 2021 calendar year as a 2022 model year vehicle. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed that timeline back by a few months, and the launch might now slip to late 2021 or early 2022.
Besides the 2022 Corvette Z06, Chevrolet is expected to launch several other variants of the C8, including the C8 E-Ray, C8 Grand Sport, C8 ZR1, and C8 Zora.
We’ll be back soon for more on the future Z06, so be sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more C8 Z06 news, Corvette news, Chevrolet news and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
I do believe a set of the exposed carbon fiber 5 spike wheels hit the market last year for 5,000 if I remember right. They had a nice offset and the exposed weave looked amazing.
Something wicked this way coming as the bigger tires translate to body work given that the wheel well of the C8 Corvette has barely enough room for any changes which suggest a wide-body kit from the factory to allow for the fatter tires; but what is on everyone’s mind is what will type of engine will the C8 Z06 feature.. will it be an enhanced LT2 or a totally different animal.
I thought the LT6 (5.5L DOHC flat-plane crank naturally aspirated V8 engine) was confirmed for the Z06?
No manual? No thanx Chevy!
You must say that to all the midengine girls…
anyone know the upcoming price without all the fancy options?
$59,995 would be really cool lol
….but probably more like $89,995 !!!
have a great day guys and dolls
R <3
Ronnie: If you had been reading these pages for the past several months, you’d know that the base price for a new C8 Corvette is, indeed, $60K, plus sales tax, license plates, etc., with out any factory options, and the base LT1 interior. However, it’s likely that many Chevy dealers are likely to tack on an additional profit, anywhere from, say, $5K to $20K, depending on the individual car because of its scarcity due to production shortages. It has been reported, though, that General Motors has been strongly pressuring dealers not to “gouge” buyers with extra fees, and sell the Corvettes at MSRP, plus tax and other incidental state fees.
However, it has also been reported here that most new C8 coupes are leaving the factory with either the LT2 and/or the LT3 interior option, which retail for $7300 and $11,950 more, respectively. Plus, the popular Z51 performance option runs an additional $5K. And there are other options, like certain paint colors, wheels options, carbon fiber accessories, that could add at least another $5K+ to the final price. So it’s likely that a typical new C8 Corvette coupe, sitting in a dealer’s lot (if there are any to be found) would likely have a Maroney MSRP window sticker price pushing $80K, and likely even more. And if you want a convertible version, add $7500 to the price of the coupe. A new coupe with every available factory-installed option will sticker very near $100K. Due to the production problems from the 2019 UAW strike and the COVID-19 shutdown, General Motors has said the new 2021 models will be offered at the same price as the 2020 models. at least for the first several months of 2021 production.
GM Authority you have it wrong 600+ hp and 600 lb ft of torque!!!! That car is going to fly, and it naturally aspirated. I know the Zora is going to have hybrid technology for more speed, but I some point I want to see a mid engine 12cyclinder Vette.
Actually GMA has it right and you have it wrong in your head.
An early version of this engine put out 600 pound feet of torque in lab but it’s not going to come to production that way. 590 is more realistic.
There’s zero chance that a naturally aspirated, gasoline fueled 5.5L 4 stroke put out 600 pound feet. The limit for gasoline NA is around 86 ft-lb/L, so a 5.5 is going to put down 470-480 ft-lb at the absolute most.
Somebody is going to be disappointed!
Yeah, anyone expecting 600 ft-lb from a naturally aspirated 5.5L.
This is really just a matter of fundamental engine physics. Torque basically only depends on average cylinder pressure during the power stroke and displacement, and cylinder pressure is limited by the amount of fuel and air you can fit in the cylinder. For an N/A motor, you basically can’t get the cylinder at BDC at the end of the intake stroke to have any more pressure than 1 atmosphere, since nothing is forcing the air inside, so there’s basically a hard limit on N/A motor torque. For anything remotely streetable, this limit is around 86-87 ft-lb/L.
Calculate out any of the most exotic N/A engines you can think of if you don’t believe me. Ferrari 458 Speciale? 87 ft-lb/L. Porsche GT3 RS? 86 ft-lb/L. Porsche 918 Spyder? 86.5 ft-lb/L. R8 V10 plus? 79.5 ft-lb/l. Aventador SVJ? 78 ft-lb/L.
Run the number on any naturally aspirated engine you want – if it’s 4 stroke and running on gasoline (and not an NHRA pro stock), it’ll be sub-90 ft-lb/L. There’s zero chance Chevy figured out how to make 600 ft-lb out of a 5.5 N/A, since that would require them to achieve a specific torque level over 25% better than Porsche, Ferrari, or Lamborghini is able to achieve, and to do so with significantly less budget. Simply, it isn’t going to happen.
Lol I see my genuinely helpful comment was deleted. Does that mean I got the job? Sometimes the critics makes the best employees, they sometimes happen to know more with less resources at their disposal. Call me.
I don’t know what you’re on about but sounds like you have issues, get a life.
Back to the topic at hand: 345 is significant… I have 325 on my heavily modified GNX and it has massive grip. Imagine another 20!
You would have had to have been hear early, Brandon.
Early or late doesn’t change that you sound like an entitled boy with an axe to grind. Get a life.
Just correcting all-too-common errors, Brandon.
Counting the days until I can order one
Robert A.
lol, i’m fully aware of the C8 base prices …
obviously you did not read the GM article posted about the Zora model of which i was referring to ..and Not the introductory model C8 for under $60k…
…judging by your post you seem to know everything about Corvettes…
i learned as a child that people who think they know everything really know little at all…
have a nice day!