A pre-production prototype C8 Corvette Z06 was recently spotted testing on public streets with what looks to be a new, production-ready exhaust setup.
This exclusive GM Authority photo shows a C8 Corvette Z06 prototype with four individual tips placed in a row mounted in the center of the rear bumper. This differs from other C8 Corvette Z06 prototypes we’ve spotted, which featured a similar exhaust setup to the C8 Corvette Stingray with two separate sets of twin-tip exhausts mounted on either side of the rear bumper. The C8 Corvette Stingray tips are also square, whereas this Z06 prototype has large rounded tips with a matte black finish. This new setup has allegedly been implemented to improve the C8 Corvette Z06’s exhaust note.
The rear fascia on this prototype is also different, incorporating new vents on the outer edges of the bumper. The rest of the rear end is covered up by some black camouflage, likely signalling the presence of other rear fascia styling changes. It’s worth noting this prototype does not have the large available rear wing that we’ve seen on other C8 Corvette Z06 prototypes, which will be offered as part of the Z07 Performance Package and will therefore not be present on all Z06 models.
The C8 Corvette Z06 will be powered by a new 5.5L V8 LT6 engine, which will feature a flat-plane crankshaft. The DOHC 32-valve motor is expected to make around 615 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. A version of GM’s Tremec-supplied eight-speed dual-clutch transmission will be present, sending power to the rear wheels through an electronically controlled limited-slip differential.
GM is preparing to pull the wraps off of the C8 Corvette Z06 sometime later this year as a 2023 model year product. The high-performance Corvette variant will be built alongside the standard C8 Corvette Stingray at the GM Bowling Green Assembly plant in Kentucky.
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Comments
I am so freaking stoked for this car!
Been with Chevrolet since 2015 and always been a dream of mine to have a Z06 Corvette.
Now I am 2nd in line for the C8 Z06 at my dealership and it’ll be at MSRP!
Still probably over a year till it’s in my garage but definitely worth the wait!
Awesome, this is going to be an awesome car. The engineers and enthusiasts beat the accountants inside GM on this one.
wow since 2015, GM can now stay operational for a lot longer. Typical newbie Vette person
Jealous much Leo?
Lol
not at all, I’ve owned 35 Vettes, how about you
Yeah, yeah. You probably bought a well used C3 from the seventies to showcase your fake gold chains and wing tipped white shoes at the trailer park.🤣
must be a typical newbie who has never owned anything but some tuner piece of crap, reads all the junk he can on the internet and becomes an authority. I know what I have owned. Go back to your wish list of things you would like to own and save your quarters, You might be able to get a Hot Wheels car. LOL
What dealership are you purchasing it from? I’m on a wait list with Bachmann Chevrolet in Louisville. All the people on this list put up $1000 and were under the impression that they would get the car at MSRP. However, once Chevrolet announced that the car would be debuted in fall they sent out an email saying they are going to sell it at “market price.”
Mike Maroone Chevrolet North in Colorado Springs!
However, I will say we are not currently taking any more deposits as of right now. (Hopefully this doesn’t create an influx in calls asking about it haha 😅)
We just had a long list for the C8 Stingrays & some people have had to wait 2 years since they put their deposit down to recieve theirs.
Still have about a dozen people waiting currently.
What is with the “450 pound-feet of torque”? Please tell me that is a type-o. I’ve been waiting for this car as well and that number is not going to cut it in a Z06.
Flat-plane engines are top end screamers, unlike a cross-plane engine that also has a lot of low-end grunt. When this Z06 is released, I’ll be putting one in my garage with my C7 GS. It’s gonna rip!
Go compare with European mid-engined FPC engines. This is not a low revving small block that runs out of steam at 5000rpms. This engine just get started at that level all the way to 9000.
The difference between the C7 Z06 and C8 Z06. Is that with the C7, the pushrod gets winded at higher speeds due to its design. Which acceleration will start to taper off. The flat-plane will keep accelerating because of its design. In terms of accelerating from a corner, will depend on the transmission, down force, and engine speed. The transmission is probably going to be aggressive, which will keep the engine in its best power band. Down force will help maintain corner speed. With a high revving engine, and down force to keep higher engine speed it should out accelerate the C7 Z06 from a corner despite lower power numbers. From a stop, due to most of the weight being behind the driver in the C8. The C8 Z06 will out accelerate the C7 Z06 easily. Where the C8 w/ Z51 can get to 60 in around 2.8 secs. The Z06 should achieve that 2 possibly 3 tenths quicker, but because of engine design. It has the possibility to get through the quarter mile in the low 10’s. I’d wager 10.1 secs give or take a couple tenths. Trap speed in the low to mid 120 mph. Lower power numbers doesn’t equate to slower times. Power proficiency equates to quicker times.
^^ This guy gets it!!
Typical GMA inside news:
Celestiq will be shown in summer.
Where is it? Gma. Another bs inside news fro gma.
WOW center quad tip exhaust …. man impressed that just made all the difference, lol
Honestly they’ve already shown pics with the quad exhaust before when benchmarking with a 458 and other times.
Just saying I’m really excited for this variant! It’s going to keep up with cars that costs 3x more
Straight up an American Ferrari that’ll scream!
ZO7 What ?
offered as part of the Z07 Performance Package and will therefore not be present on all Z06 ]
Loved my C-7. But lost its place in our garage to our Tesla. The Tesla is easy to enter and exit. It is faster than the C-7. It hauls 4 people and stuff. Almost no maintenance, just tires and wipers. Replacing it in 2022 probably a Tesla Plaid.
I will be driving my son’s C-8 Z06 when it arrives. Great car for a bargain price.
How about some cars now? Not maybe someday.
What is a Z07 Corvette that was mentioned above.