New images of a C8 Corvette prototype have appeared online, showing off what appears to be an up-and-coming go-faster variant of the latest mid-engine Chevy sports car. However, while some are labeling this as the C8 Grand Sport, we’re here to tell you that it is in fact the C8 Corvette Z06.
According to GM Authority sources, this prototype is the C8 Corvette Z06 model, and not the Grand Sport. For now, the future of the C8 Corvette Grand Sport is a bit hazy, and it’s possible Chevy may not make a C8 Grand Sport at all. Rather, the Grand Sport could instead be folded into the upcoming C8 Corvette E-Ray, but as of this writing, there are no C8 Corvette Grand Sport mules or prototypes in existence.
As for the C8 Corvette Z06 prototype pictured here, we see the same camouflage and exterior components as previous Z06 prototypes, including heavy black body covers, white-and-black camo for the body panels, and wheel covers at all four corners hiding carbon fiber rollers.
As GM Authority has reported for the last year, the C8 Corvette Z06 will come equipped with the naturally aspirated 5.5L V8 LT6, which includes a flat-plane crank, dual overhead cams, and 32 valves, with a redline in the 8,500- to 9,000-rpm range. Output should be around 600 horsepower and between 480 and 550 pound-feet of torque. This engine is previewed in the competition-spec Corvette C8.R, and brings the Z06 nameplate back to its roots as an atmospheric track-ready speed sled.
Additionally, the new Z06 is expected to offer three individual aero packages with a mix of active and passive features.
The upcoming C8 Corvette Z06 is expected to arrive in the second half of the 2021 calendar year for the 2022 model year.
The new C8 Corvette Z06 will also be the first of several go-faster mid-engine Chevrolet Corvette variants, with the C8 E-Ray, C8 ZR1, and C8 Zora following later on in the model’s lifecycle.
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Well that is fine. The ZO6 and Grand Sport kind of stepped on each other in a way.
Also the GS was based on a specific historic model and it was not a Mid Engine car. So it is time to bring a new model to create a new historic name to the model line.
I think they should still provide the GS as it's come to be known to have Z06 goodies but not the more powerful engine. Basically a track pack for the base model. Brakes, tires, suspension, aero, cooling.
The package makes sense and makes the platform performance more attainable and usable for more drivers on track days. Too much power is wasted on a novice driver. And it also gives those just wanting the Z06 looks a cheaper foot in the door.
Yep, a more track focused Z51 package and use the GS name.
Note it may only be the name that is changing a similar model may more than likely appear. They may just choose a name that better fits the mid engine platform.
How about a ZO6 with a push rod engine?
Flat Plane Crank, I wonder who thought of that Chevy always following the Leaders. Great timing the Shelby GT350 is going out of production. Did Chevy fit all the other issues with C8 already ?
You sir, are a moron.
Are you telling us that ford invented the flat plane crank? A car with four wheels? A steering wheel?
You sir are a bigger moron for thinking I said something that I did not say. These blog will be better when people like you STOP trying to attack and bully others you don’t agree with or understand. Now let me Educate you Ferrari and Lotus are the 1st to use a flat plane crank
Ford has had plenty of issues with the GT-350. In the first two years, they had major oil burning issues and plenty of engines that blew up.
One has to take what Chevrolet has to say with a grain of salt because prior to the official introduction of the C8 Corvette, Chevrolet's C8 Corvette's Chief Engineer, Tadge Juechter, was forever saying that he had no knowledge of Chevrolet developing a car with a mid-engine layout and pushed the idea that the mules being seen on the road was possibly a pre-production Cadillac Cien.
the grand sports were always a spin off because GM has the parts needed to build them were already in the parts bin and no more engineering and testing needed.
It would be nice if GM could or would fill the orders like mine that’s been in for 8 months plus the talk of right hand drives, ZO6 and grand sport doesn’t interest anyone that’s waiting on there order
Don't worry, you're going to get it just in time to celebrate Christmas.👍🏾
I refuse to believe the upcoming Z06 will have 50 less HP and 100 to 170 less ft. lb. of torque than the previous generation Z06. If so, hard sell.
@john
If so, you have to look at the whole package, look at how the base C8 Corvette keeps up with the top model C7 ZR1 from 0 up to around 60 mph, then the ZR1s HP takes over from there, the C8 seems to put down the power better, so I imagine this Z06 could be as good or better than the last ZR1.
@john it’s not about beating past Vettes it’s about beating Ford GT, 911, McLaren, Ferrari, Lamborghini. See as a Corvette fan and enthusiast I want my favorite sport car to be the best not just besting previous awesome Vettes.
Also @john I want Chevrolet to make the car even lighter, once it’s gets lighter then it can really go after McLaren models like the Senna which only weighs 2800lbs, can you image a Vette only weighing 2800-3000 lbs with a powerful 5.5 or 6.2 again we would destroy everybody. Thank you for the response I love talking Vettes. Also Suburban is King of all Trucks!!!!
Thanks first of all to GM Authority for allowing usto comment upon these issues which are important to us. Thank you to Jonathan for helping us to get some of this material out here where we can compare notes, as it were. If two heads are better than one, many may also be quite helpful. That said, I've seen a number of the spy photos that have provided both some audio & photos. We've noted two distinct exhaust notes coming from the test cars: at least one of them has the sound of a flat plane crank engine. Secondly, the esteemed members/readers of GMA have spotted two different exhaust configurations: center (or central) exiting from that general area of the rear of the car, and exits on each side of the rear of the car. Speculation on mostly the Z06 has resulted. Some claim that testing is also being done on the 2022 C8. In any event, GM likes to mix it up and keep us guessing, Tadge us likely under managerial requirements of the job to not disclose what GM is working on. But like Jay Leno we can keep that fact in mindm All the recalls are mostly to do with the parts suppliers, chosen for quality, but also to keeo costs down. Other Z06 claims made by those familiar with Corvette, is that there will be either two or three options of the flat plane crank engine, so we should keep that in mind. I would think twice prior to ordering carbon fiber wheels or brakes, for that matter. Lastly, if you order a Z06, be careful how you order it and also who you order it from. AF
Bill Christmas would be great although I’ve ordered a convertible so I don’t expect it that soon thanks