Previous rumors indicated that the upcoming 2022 Corvette Z06 would only be offered as a coupe, with a removable hard top panel. Now, however, it looks as though the C8 Z06 will be offered as both a coupe and a convertible.
Before we dive into the spy shots, a little background info is in order. It was originally thought that the 2022 Corvette Z06 would “return to its roots” as an all-out track machine, something that would take inspiration from the older C6-generation Z06. As a reminder, the C6 Z06 was equipped with the atmospheric 7.0L V8 LS7, and was only offered with a coupe body style. It’s a combo that’s perfect for the track – after all, a convertible for race day doesn’t make as much sense as a fixed hard top.
We already know the new Z06 will follow the C6 generation with a naturally aspirated engine, namely the 5.5L V8 LT6. This sets it apart from the outgoing supercharged C7-generation Z06, which is not considered the greatest representation of the track-ready Z06 philosophy – and in fact, the C7 Z06 is notorious for overheating when pushed for every last tenth, which is a result of the supercharged aspiration.
So then, with the 2022 Corvette Z06 going back to the C6-gen model for inspiration, it would follow that it too would only be offered as a coupe. However, as evidenced by these new spy shots, it turns out that is not the case. Check out this C8 Z06 Convertible prototype testing on public roads:
C8 Z06 Convertible prototype
C8 Z06 Coupe prototype
It’s an interesting choice for the model, but isn’t terribly surprising considering the C8 was developed to offer an open-air experience from the very beginning, similar to the C7. As such, the C8 hardtop convertible does not need any additional structural bracing compared to the coupe. In fact, one could consider the coupe model to be a sort of convertible with the roof panel removed.
C8 Z06 Convertible prototype
As a reminder, the 2022 Corvette Z06’s new 5.5L V8 LT6 will feature a flat-plane crankshaft, DOHC, and 32 valves. Output is expected to hit at roughly 600 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. The engine will connect to a beefier version of GM’s eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, which will feed the rear wheels exclusively.
The 2022 Corvette Z06 will also feature a prominent rear wing as part of an optional package, plus a revised front fascia.
Which body style do you prefer? Let us know in the poll below, 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
Coupe hands down! Why bother building the other?
Choice?
The Convertible will help increase Z06 sales.
Want to see 650 hp
The vast majority of Corvette owners have never given a thought to taking the car racing, let alone actually doing so. So if they want to buy a C8 Z06 convertible just for driving around town, let them do so. It’s no skin off anyone else’s back. The racing crowd will buy the coupes, anyway, and the profits form the convertible sales can go toward improving future Corvette models.
While technically not a Z06, the 2013 Corvette 427 60th Anniversary Convertible was pretty close. The Tim Allen voiced convertible about “we still build rockets” immortalized that car and its engine.
Being a track guy, I would prefer a fixed roof. But having seen both versions, the convertible looks more upscale if that’s important to you. With the right colour, the convertible has a luxury vibe/style to it.
Now they have to have the rear windscreen angle correctly when the top is down because of the bald middle aged boggies will blind drivers behind them with the shine..😉😁😉…
No one going to talk about the center exhausts?
I really dont care about where the exhaust are located. If GM puts them there great if not no big deal. What matters to me are the 0-60 and 1/4 numbers? The rest is just icying on the cake.
If the Z51 post sub 3 seconds 0 to 60 then are we talking about 2.4 or 2.5 sec?
According to history, Corvette convertibles generally maintain their value better than coupes. There is no engine window on the convertibles, sucks so Targa Top coupe.
Who needs an engine window when you have those sexy nacelles?
Convertibles are a waste of time and money in my opinion. Targa top I get but the ZO6 is supposed to be a track car. So why would you choose a convertible for a ZO6? Convertibles are heavier, slower, and generally dont handle as well as coupes!
Performance cars should focus on what makes the car faster or handles and brakes better.
Actually if the car is engineered to be a performance convertible from the start you wouldn’t have the convertible issues like body flex and shuttering. Old school Jags and A/C Cobras were feared on the track and they’re convertibles, the C5 solved most of the drop-top issues on the Vette. A shocker would be a C8 convertible in a racing series.
The convertible is only 80 lb heavier, that’s about a 2% difference. And since the “coupe” is actually a targa both have the same chassis rigidity.
Unless you’re a total track rat, that 80lb will be negligible. It isn’t mentioned, but all the other options like full cabin leather also add weight and together can be quite significant. The good thing is, if you want a track monster, you can order one bare bones with only the go fast stuff like competition seats.
The 2022 Chevrolet C8 Corvette Z06 is a reminder that it is like an Apple iPad; it’s great and all except you need to buy what they give you as unlike the C7 Corvette where you can get monster horsepower on the cheap.. everything in a C8 Corvette is essentially soldered in and no physical room for superchargers.
Not everyone wants to wipe out a wet engine bay after every wash or a rainy day !
Plus if you’re not tracking your Z06 why not go with a drop top? Will never have to rush to put your roof back on when bad weather pops up…..
I’m 64 yrs old and have owned 6 Vettes since the early 70’s My first was a 69 t-top with the removable rear window. The rest were all convertibles . As great as that 69 was there is still nothing like the feeling of a true open convertible IMHO. I have a 2016 Z06 convertible 7sp and a 66 427/390 convertible 4 speed. As great as the C8 is the convertible is more like a modified targa with those pillars behind your head not the same true open feel. That and the fact there is no third pedal makes it a non starter for me personally. I never tracked any of my cars. To me cruising with the top down at speed on those perfect days is what its all about. Save the wave!!
I had a 2006 Couple which I liked because of the styling of the roof lines and greater cargo capacity as we travel a lot in our car. I have never like the looks , vulnerability, crudeness or extra maintenance of a soft top. Then we bought the 2017 C7 Grandsport bexause it looked more exotic and the wide body. But what we hate about it is having to lstop and get out to put the top on iif it starts raining. Plus travelling you have to wait till you csn take yorv luggage out before you csn take the top off. We immediately liked the exotic look of the convertible with the nacelles, but ince you have had a wide body car you don’t want to go back to a Stingray and that would be my only reason for buying a C8 Z06 Convertible. I don’t care about all of that extra track capability, because it will be used very little on the track. The only reason we would be buying the C8 Z06 Convertible is because of the nacelles, that sexy wide body and no available C8 Grandsport Convertible.