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C8 Corvette Z06 Rumored To Produce 617 Horsepower

With a parade of new aftermarket performance packages for the Chevrolet Corvette C8 coming down the pipeline, it’s important to remember that General Motors has its own line of go-faster eighth-gen Vettes planned as well. That includes the forthcoming C8 Corvette Z06, which, according to one recent report, will produce upwards of 617 horsepower.

In a recent story published by the Australian magazine wheels, the upcoming C8 Corvette Z06 is rumored to boast a naturally aspirated V8 engine related to the twin-turbocharged 4.2L V8 LTA Blackwing engine equipped on the now-discontinued Cadillac CT6-V, with dual overhead cams and a lofty 9,000-rpm rev limit. The V8 in the new C8 Corvette Z06 will have a flat-plane crank and different heads, and will mate to an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.

The recent wheels story falls in line with previous GM Authority reports. As we’ve covered in the past, the C8 Corvette Z06 is expected to feature the 5.5L V8 LT6 engine, with 32 valves, a flat-plane crankshaft, and atmospheric induction. GM Authority expects output be rated at roughly 600 horsepower, which more or less matches the figures published by wheels. Additionally, GM Authority expects torque figures to fall between 480 pound-feet and 550 pound-feet.

The new powerplant will benefit from lessons learned in the Corvette C8.R racer competing in the IMSA GTLM class. The C8.R is also powered by a naturally aspirated 5.5L V8 with a flat-plane crank, with a configuration that is very similar to the 5.5L unit in the upcoming Z06.

As GM Authority covered previously, the naturally aspirated 5.5L V8 returns the Corvette Z06 nameplate to its roots, offering street-legal performance that is suited for use on the racetrack. In addition, the new Z06 will boast unique exterior styling, including a massive rear wing and lightweight carbon fiber wheels as part of the optional Z07 performance package, plus extra-wide rubber measured at 275/30ZR20 in front, and 345/25ZR21 in back.

Look for the new 2022 Corvette Z06 to debut in July.

Subscribe to GM Authority for more C8 Z06 news, mid-engine Corvette news, Corvette C8 news, Corvette news, Chevrolet news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.

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Jonathan is an automotive journalist based out of Southern California. He loves anything and everything on four wheels.

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Comments

  1. Some exotics are about to get smoked

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  2. I am excited see this revealed, and whatever comes after it.

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  3. c8 is about to become the only non-japanese member of the outrageous wing club. congratulations!!!

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  4. Use the LS7 from “project rev”. A tuning company tried to see how fast an engine could spin, no other modifications were made of it didn’t aid in engine speed. Final result was a pushrod motor, sustaining 12000 rpm and breaking 800hp. LT that motor and shoot the moon!

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  5. When can I actually buy one? Or even just a ‘standard’ C8?

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  6. Correction: Rear tires should be 345/25ZR21 – ‘steamrollers’

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    1. That would make more sense… 245s are narrower than has been on the back of a Corvette since 1982.

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    2. Thanks for calling out that typo. Post has been updated

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  7. I can’t wait to see this thing and add one to my stable. #JakeLogo

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  8. Damn, some pizza cutters on the rear, eh? 😉

    345mm boss.

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  9. I think it would be awesome if gm actually opened up the ECU to make tinkering easier. Obviously it would void the warranty, but let’s face it, tinkering is something that many of these owners want to do, and tuning the ECU is the way to do that with modern cars. I know there are work arounds, but why not work with consumers, to make it fun for the performance car community. Just my opinion. Love the C8, don’t love the locked down ECU. Also is the flat plane LT6 dry sump? Full modern racecar… Love to see it.

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  10. …until they can top Demon…they are only pretenders…

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    1. Drag car vs track car…. someone sounds salty that the demon can’t turn while driving fast, lol

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  11. Triple wing with a fart can.

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  12. Wrong about tires! 335/35 20 rear / 275/40-20 front

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  13. This C8 is basically an american Ferrari 458 Italia! For a fraction of the price with better performance! I am very excited for this vehicle. I’m sure Chevy performance will again take the world by surprise just like they did with the Camaro and with each corvette generation. I hope demand remains heavy for all C8’s throughout its life. Just shows that guys still want fun two car sports cars.

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  14. Hey, what do you know a C-8 Z-06 will finally become a real poor man’s Porsche competition match. I just hope that the Z-06 price doesn’t match a Porsche. Of course I could drive my Porsche everyday but I suspect that most of these Z-06’s will become garage queens.

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  15. Poop

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  16. Since the Caddy race cars were forced to downsize their engines by the IMSA sports car racing league, 3 years ago, the Caddy race cars went from a larger 6.2 or 6 liter down to the 5.5 liter. So, GM had some overheating problems when they first started using the 5.5 in the Caddy race car, but that helped debug the engine for mass production, where cars are often stuck in city traffic. Caddy has won many races in the past 3 years with this non turbo engine. Question, will GM offer this version or an even smaller liter version in a high performance Camaro or even an SS Chev or Redline pickup truck?? Works for me. Mass production brings down the cost of design and development for every engine built. If the max torque for the 5.5 liter is 550 pounds feet, then a smaller Camaro version of just 5 liters ( shades of original Z28 ), it would have a max torque of 500 pounds feet or just a touch more with a slightly milder cam for the smaller 5 Liter version. The HP on the smaller 5 liter Camaro version would be 561, all other things being equal. See me smile when the Z28 return with British Racing Green and double wide body stripes shows up at the Chev dealers, just like the original 1967 Z28 Camaro.

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    1. There won’t be another ICE Camaro.

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  17. Lots of talk…let’s see the action. Whilst the potential sees plausible, is there a reality awaiting and could anyone actually be able to buy one…well…unless there are only a chosen few. Cash in hand…but no car?

    Reply

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