Corvette C8 Z06 Drops Heavy Camo For The Very First Time: Breaking
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. A set of canards / dive planes reminiscent of those used on the 2019 Corvette ZR1, 2018 Camaro ZL1 1LE, and Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing can be prominently seen extending from the lower lip, working together with the wider front fenders.
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.
SOURCE: GM AUTHORITY