We’ve brought you spy shots of the Corvette C8 Z06 several times already. All of those times, the mid-engine Corvette Z06 has worn heavy vinyl camo, until today – when our spies caught Chevy engineers testing a prototype with body-hugging checkered camouflage. The removal of the heavy vinyl camo gives us our best look yet at the track-focused mid-engine beast.
First and foremost, the wide-body treatment can be prominently seen at the front fenders and rear fenders. We should also note that, as the engine cover suggests, this is a Coupe model with the manually-removable roof panel (as opposed to the hard top Convertible).
The front end features what appears to be a more aggressive front fascia compared to the C8 Stingray, with a different lower intake configuration within the lower fascia. The wider front fenders an aggressive front splitter joins up with a set of canards / dive planes reminiscent of those used on the 2019 Corvette ZR1, 2018 Camaro ZL1 1LE, and Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing.
The side profile features a set of side rocker panel extensions that appear to be the same as those on the C8 Stingray. The rockers fold into the wider rear fenders.
The entire ensemble is riding on a set of dark, five-spoke wheels that appear to have an exposed carbon fiber weave. As GM Authority reported previously, the C8 Z06 will ride on a set of 20-inch 275/30R20 tires up front and 21-inch 345/25R21 meats out back. Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires will likely be standard, while Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires will be offered as an option.
Out back is a prominent wing spoiler, which GM Authority was the first to tell you about back in January 2020, way before any spy shots showed the aero feature. There’s also a set of four round center-mounted exhaust pipes, which GMA was the first to show you photos of just yesterday. The exhaust setup features four individual tips placed in a row mounted in the center of the lower rear fascia.
The new exhaust treatment on this Corvette C8 Z06 prototype is also different than that of the C8 Stingray, incorporating new vents on the outer edges of the bumper.
The Corvette C8 Z06 will be powered by a new, naturally-aspirated 5.5L V8 LT6 engine. The high-revving, DOHC 32-valve motor will feature a flat-plane crank and 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 Corvette C8 Z06 sometime later this year as a 2023 model year vehicle. The high-performance Corvette variant will be built alongside the standard C8 Corvette Stingray and all subsequent C8 variants at the GM Bowling Green plant in Kentucky.
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Comments
Sweet, that is going to be a good looker…
Rear still looks cheap dated and fugly. 5uckin camaro
It looks bad to you because you’re an idiot.
What a goat5ucker u are. It’s fugly.
Mohammad doesn’t like others having a different opinion then him lol.
Will they bring the C8 Z06 to Australia? If so how can I order one, the dealers out here are not helpful at all.
Probably wait untill 2022, best of luck with the Australian prices🤔😕😢
The real question: will there be a Grand Sport that has all of these goodies but retains the LT2?
Sorta. The E-Ray (nee Grand Sport) will get the LT2, with electric motors in the frunk. Body pack, spoiler, and suspension I’m not sure on, but I’d assume.
That front splitter though!!
Going to be so aggressive even with stock aero!
Anyone else notice that there looks like two different exhaust tips… Are two larger or false?
Two large and two small
I believe that design approach was done on purpose, it doesn’t look bad.
The different sizes are from the valve treatment and the muffler bypass.
Yes one is made out of plastic
strange they are not going for at least the outgoing power output. Anything under 700 HP seems small these days.
I don’t disagree, but I don’t there is much to be done. THE most powerful N/A V8 (that I can find) was Ferrai 458 or MB SLS making 597 HP and 622 HP respectively (and the SLS was 6.2L). If they can get 600 here, I think that’s plenty.
While that sort of statement seems absurd, you are correct. But this is “just” the Z06. Remember, there’s supposed to be another even hotter version coming down the pipeline.
It’s all how you get it to the wheels and how quickly. That’s why the Porsche 911 wins so many races as it doesn’t have the most power but delivers it so well.
The car speaks volumes about overall performance capability. It is a well balanced machine which has had much homework done on it thus making it a very capable car for far less money than the cars it competes with. 615hp in that car is pretty impressive and will likely take some talent to fully utilize. The C8 is not exactly a drag strip type car.
Tadge stated that they dont have to go balls out on HP on the Z06 and the C8 generation due to new mid engine layout and DCT. They got such a massive performance increase that the “lower” hp/tq figures are quite impressive and they are killing track times by seconds not tenths of seconds with just the Z51. I believe it was Matt Farah from Smoking Tire where he and Zak was talking about how the C7 vs C8 Z51 dropped 4 seconds off a lap at a 3 mile track, I think it was VIR . Check out their video with the Z51 HTC they talk about it. That’s the dynamic chassis improvements by going Mid engine and using a worthy DCT. They are dropping a ton of weight out of the Z06 also via the magnesium parts. So, the total sum of mid, DCT & weight reduction will be MORE than enough for the Z06 to put a smile on MY face. You can Twin charge the car if u like. Im fine until the warranty is out, then calling up Andrew @ Complete Street Performance or Steven @ LMR.
When I drove the C8 Z51 at NCM track and its dam fast and handles like a dream. I just want the wide body and roar of the Flat Plane Crank at 9k, just like my motorcycle does.
Not just can I not wait for this to come out but also for the customer cars from the racing versions to get made already.
650’ish hp in that car with a high revving 8000 – 9000rpm is going to awesome in this car! Time to trade in the ’16 SS!
Sorry but that rear spoiler imo is not a good look. I wish they would of went with the retractable. Or just a rear wing with an aggressive high back with gurney.
“Would of” 😆
lol…I should of said “would go” since the car is still in the production phase
This car is about performance, not looks… The wing is likely the result of hundreds of hours of data from the wind tunnel to get the downforce where they want at the speed they want without being too draggy. You don’t like it, don’t buy it, plenty of others will…
Retractable mechanisms add weight, weight is the enemy of performance. Get it?
I get it…but its still ugly. IMO… performance or not..If I get one its coming off.
The wing looks like handlebars off a mountain bicycle.
And the wing will be optional. Don’t get it if you don’t like it.
I thought you were going to say it looks like a “Handlebar Mustache”. Lmao
You sound like a cuck donavan
I agree these dumb tall spoilers look like what the kids are putting on cars and just a taller body type would be better similar to the C7 Z06 but they put that airplane wing on the C7 ZR1 too. And I get it about the 615 Hp is naturally aspirated but why not up around 700hp?
Why not 700HP, will the transmission be able to handle 9000rpm, emission and sound regulations, will the 5.5L DOHC FPC V8 rev to 8500rpm or 9000rpm(will engine block bore spacing be big enough to have short stroke(slower piston speed at a given rpm) to lessen the vibrations of a 5.5L flat plane crank V8(light weight forged aluminum pistons equals insignificant weight difference of 104mm(4.4inch sbc bore spacing) vs 94mm(Ferrari 458) with a 80.9mm stroke(C7.R) vs a 81mm stroke(Ferrari 458) and the engine cost for a 90K sportscar(even with GM’s leverage/volume)). YES GM could have produced a C8 Z06 with a 700 HP naturlly aspirated 5.5L DOHC FPC V8 with a 150K base price(or 300K for Ferrari and 110mm bore spacing means a new engine block as the 458 had 100mm bore spacing) but that price point will be occupied by a the ZR1.
At least the wheels look good.
ehhh, looks like a lambo
I concur with those who dislike the rear wing. It is fugly and Corvette should make it optional to delete it.
It IS optional. This has been known for a long time. The wing and aero bits are part of the Z07 package
They are, I’m nearly certain this spy shot is of the z07 package, it’s got enough aero for it.
Oh, I double commented the same thing, sorry
People may not like the wing but it’s optimized for the best performance of the car.
If you think to wing on the c8 z06 is Hideous, check out the 911 GT3.
The 992 GT3 has one of the better looking rear wings, you must not like rear wings. Look at the 992 GT3 as it is and you will see it with fresh eyes, and realize the good it has.
The last good looking wing was on a 1970 Superbird
That thing looked like a carrying handle for a small ice chest.
still has an ugly rear end, but that’s all you can expect from gm designers.
It is ugly to you because you have some vision issues, you need to go see the doctors for a change.
I believe you should be the one to go see the mental health doctor for your manic behavior replying to anyone who doesn’t like the look of the car.
Looks like the exhaust on a C7.
OVERALL LOOKS GREAT. I STILL THINK THEY COULD HAVE COME UP WITH A MUCH BETTER REAR SPOILER. THERE ARE MUCH BETTER-LOOKING ONES THAT CAN BEAUTIFY THIS MONSTER.
For everyone saying that the spoiler is ugly:
1. Appearance is 100% subjective.
2. The Z06 is a track focused vehicle and the spoiler serves a purpose to better the performance of the vehicle. Lets look at the ZL1 1LE for example. Does everyone applaud the dive planes, tall spoiler and super harsh DSSV’s ? No. For some, it is way over the top for a street car, but it serves a purpose for track use. These “questionable” aesthetic add-ons make the vehicle a monster on the track and are not simply there to make it “look fast” (a la Fast and the Furious). Pep Boys fake side vents, hood scoops, etc. are hideous and embarrassing. IMHO, these GM track focused cars look the part and also perform as such. If you dislike the extreme aero, don’t buy one. For me, I’ll be adding a C8 Z06 to my stable.
That’s a great summary on the extreme look of it, I just like it with it, because, I know this isn’t just a road car to drive on backroads, this is a track car to take to the track and set some fast laps, and it means the aero is functional, so I like it for that, just because it fits the car and looks good.
Better looking wheels. Finally
CAN’T WAIT FOR ALL THE SPECS. AND PERFORMANCE NUMBERS
I can tell since you wrote that in all capitals
Having to look at a c8 and a c7 nearly every day at work….I hated the c7 when new but c8 is just ugly and making me like c7. C8 is a dollar store knock off deluxe and this is even worse …it’s cartoonish as hell! Heck a 2 generation old Malibu is more polished than the c8. gm tried killing my love of it with the death of Pontiac, Holden, and Vauxhall, but ultimately it is being done with shi##y design! Way to go! I still owe 90 grand after 11 years of $1,157 on a design degree due to my love of gm, but despite Mike Simcoe having designed my current car, AKA GTO, I really think I’m done with gm.
English is not first language right?
Finally some real shots without heavy camo!! 1st-LOVE the wide body kit, however I’m going to destroy that front splitter most likely. I hope the curb sensors work in this and the cameras too, my 16 ATSV front sensors work only 30% of the time and I curbed my carbon fiber splitter. I love the looks, the front intakes and the huge aero for downforce. Im putting money down Jan 22 and yes, it will be later than others but they will find the bugs before I do and I want to put half down, so I have a little time to save up.
Seems like nobody noticed the signs in the background on the 5th pic down in the article. Would appear these were taken at the Nurburgring. If it was, and it does appear that these were taken at the famed track, wonder if we will see a timed run video when the z06 is introduced to the public officially?
As for the rear wing, it will probably grown on everyone who thinks it is a bit goofy looking, even the current high wing option for the current c8 doesn’t really match the car, but this z06 one seems to fit the c8’s body flow a bit better. I hope there will be a GTD option wing that will look like the one on the GTLM/GTD race car. Also, if you recall GM applied for a number of active aero patents a while back which included an active rear wing? I know they applied for a front active splitter patent. At the moment it would appear GM hasn’t left much room on the rear bumper width wise to have such a device if it is retractable. Possibly it could be put on hydraulic/pneumatic rams if they ever introduce something like that. Maybe for the Zora they will have something.
Impossibly ugly. A design atrocity. What were they thinking? All the C8 needed was to look stubbier–with even more lines and angles to nowhere.
Gotta be a demikratt to not like the C8. Go get yer new Prius feller.
Z06 reveal date
Reveal date