General Motors is currently hard at work developing the new C8 Corvette Z06, which will offer more power and performance over the standard model and utilize lessons learned in the development of the Corvette C8.R race car.
The automaker has set a high bar for the C8 Corvette Z06, it would seem, as a prototype for the upcoming supercar was spied testing alongside two extremely fast and very pricy rivals: a Porsche 911 GT2 RS and a Ferrari 458 Italia.
Some of the GM-crazy readers of this site may not be very familiar with either the Porsche 911 GT2 RS or the Ferrari 458 Italia and we’re happy to fill them in. The 911 GT2 RS, which is based on the previous-generation 991 911 model, is the fastest available variant of the rear-engined sports car. It features a twin-turbocharged 3.8L flat-six engine that produces 691 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a quick-shifting seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, the flat-six will power the GT2 RS from 0 to 60 mph in 2.7 seconds and take it onward to a top speed of 211 mph. The 911 GT2 RS also lapped the Nurburgring Nordschleife in an extremely impressive 6 minutes and 43 seconds – briefly setting the production car lap record at the track. It carried a price tag of $293,200 when new.
The Ferrari 458 Italia, meanwhile, is an older Ferrari mid-engine model that was produced between 2009 and 2015. It features a naturally aspirated 4.5L V8 engine that produces 562 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque, which is paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch. It will accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds and has a top speed of 210 mph. While not a blistering-fast supercar by 2020 standards, the 458 Italia was well-received by the automotive press thanks to its sharp steering and high-revving V8 engine. The 458 Italia carried a price tag of $239,340 when it was still at dealers.
Model | Engine | Transmission | Drive Wheels | Power (hp / kW @ rpm) | Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ rpm) | 0-60 mph (sec.) | Top Speed (mph) | Base Price (USD) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chevrolet Corvette Z06 | Atmospheric 5.5L V8 | 8-speed DCT | RWD | 600 / 447 @ TBD (est.) | 480-550 / 651-746 @ TBD (est.) | TBD | TBD | $81,995 (2019) |
Ferrari 458 Italia | Atmospheric 4.5L V8 | 7-speed DCT | RWD | 562 / 419 @ 9000 | 398 / 540 @ 6000 | 3.3 | 210 | $239,340 (2015) |
Porsche 911 GT2 RS | Twin-turbo 3.8L H6 | 7-speed DCT | RWD | 700 / 515 @ 7000 | 553 / 750 @ 2500-4500 | 2.7 | 211 | $293,200 (2018) |
This sighting comes on the heels of multiple other recent sightings of C8 Corvette Z06 prototypes. On one occasion, the vehicle was seen accelerating quickly down an empty road, allowing us to hear its unique, exotic-sounding exhaust note. GM Authority expects the vehicle will be powered by the automaker’s upcoming naturally-aspirated 5.5L V8 LT6 engine, which will feature a flat-plane crankshaft. The DOHC 32-valve motor is expected to make around 600 horsepower and between 480 and 550 pound-feet of torque. A more robust version of GM’s eight-speed dual-clutch transmission will likely be present, sending power to the rear wheels.
The C8 Corvette Z06 will be the first C8 Corvette variant to join the existing Stingray Coupe and Convertible models. Other models will also join the Z06 later in the vehicle’s lifecycle, including the C8 E-Ray, C8 Grand Sport, C8 ZR1, and range-topping C8 Zora.
We’ll have more on the 2022 Corvette Z06 soon, 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 would be very interested to learn more details about the C8’s transmission. What exactly are they doing to make it more “robust”? What is its ultimate torque capacity? Perhaps GM Authority can go to the source and get details from the Transmission vendor? Lets do some real reporting guys.
While I agree that this info would indeed be interesting, I think it’s safe to say that GMA does plenty of “real” reporting; they are always the first to report exclusive GM info and we should thank them more for the work that they do!
Two thumbs up to gmauthority’s unbiased automotive reporting. A daily read I thoroughly enjoy.
How about some sort of contest, guys?
Thanks, Bruce! Readers like you make what we do possible. We love bringing you guys great GM-related content!
How about some information on the 2020 model year. I have a convertible ordered and would like to know if I’m going to get it and when? Help me out here guys…………..
Gm Authority, please, could you comment about that small raised section on the front hood, its purpose.
Thanks.
It’s hard to say, manufacturers sometimes even put little decoy pieces on these prototypes to throw off onlookers, so without getting a closer look it’s hard to speculate!
Thanks Sam.. They had these on early C8 Stingray prototypes and I thought they were on the ZR1/Zora hybrid cars.
Two small exhaust tips and two bigger ones???……..That just doesn’t work for me.
While they may not be aesthetically pleasing they may be that way for a reason. If they’re testing a twin turbo setup the 2 larger ones would be the main exhaust out and the 2 smaller ones would be for the wastegates.
Just a guess though and some audio of the exhaust would confirm or deny this theory.
Hummm, could be, but regardless of the function, I still think they should all look alike.
I agree with you but you must realize this is a test mule and it’s all about function over form. If it makes production, the final product may look like traditional exhaust tips, again, for aesthetics.
Wouldn’t twin turbos be awesome though??
For sure, but the more stuff they stack on it , the higher the price. I understand the Z06 in 2022 will start at about 85k. I have a 2020 conv ordered at 92k that I’m not sure I will get. I almost hope I don’t…..I could wait another 14 months or so and get a Z06. But at 75 yoa I don’t want to wait too long. lol
Lol, I understand. Not that much younger than you so I would suggest you get a C8 z51 and enjoy what you have. Dad who is older than you, enjoys his C4 ‘Vette and that is what it’s all about. Enjoy while you can, especially in this day and age. Enjoy it while you can. IF your around when a C8 Z06 comes around, more power to you and HOPE you get it, seriously. Life is short and even shorter now, enjoy.
This is another shot across the bow and demonstrates that Chevrolet won’t sit on laurels and is coming after those that consider themselves as being elite as Chevrolet plans to be the top performing sports car builder in the world.
I have watched several times the videos of these cars and have some comments and questions……
1st, Am I the only one that noticed the big oil spill, or whatever, on the pavement under the C8 ZO6 test mule immediately behind the Ferrari. It becomes visible when the cars begin to move out. It also looks very fresh..
2nd, There were both side, and center exhaust outlets on the three test mules which could indicate that they may also be testing other setups besides the ZO6. We do know there will be Grand Sport, E-Ray, ZR1, and Zora variants
3rd, Did anyone else besides me notice that the people taking the pics seemed more interested in the Ferrari and Porsche, than the Corvette test mules. We have No close -up pics of anything in the video……interior, front and rear facia…etc.
‘I did not watch the videos, however, I understand the photo opportunity with the 3 cars; however the C8 mule was in cognitions, while the other two were ripe for photography. I hope the oil spill was cleaned up.
Bruce, you need to see the video.Brink of Speed has it on You Tube…I’m not concerned about cleaning up the spill, or LEAK, I’m concerned about …where it came from. If this leak is from the C8 mule,….why?