Report: C8 Corvette Z06 to Receive Gigantic Rear Spoiler

Matt Posky
by Matt Posky

With the mid-engined C8 Corvette just weeks away from production, hype surrounding the model has died down. The same cannot be said for the Z06 variant, which is the next ‘Vette on Chevrolet’s performance docket. While current details remain scant, news arose this week of the car receiving a humongous rear spoiler.

Sources familiar with the project tell GM Authority that the wing will be exclusive to the Z06 (for now) and larger than the unit found on the C7 ZR1 (pictured below the break), though similar in its overall shape. It’s said to be reminiscent of the spoiler found on the Koenigsegg Agera RS, which is adaptive.

Considering how the presumed unit’s dynamic capabilities are unlikely to come cheaply, there’s a chance the wing will be offered as an optional extra to keep ‘Vette pricing somewhat reasonable. However, the outlet said General Motors is leaning toward offering it as standard equipment. Regardless, the Z06 will offer higher levels of performance than the standard Stingray and serve as top dog until ZR1 variants go into production.

From GM Authority:

At the heart of the upcoming ultra-high-performance machine will be a new engine — a naturally-aspirated 5.5L V8 DOHC with a flat plane crank. The free-revving eight is expected to deliver around 600 horsepower [on the Z06]. A more robust suspension, brakes, and aerodynamic elements — such as the wing spoiler mentioned here — are expected to contribute to the upcoming variant’s higher performance envelope.

ZR1 models are rumored to receive a hybrid-turbo mill with an estimated 900 horsepower, tapping the same 5.5-liter V8 bound for the Z06 (base Stingrays receive the 6.2-liter LT2). Chevrolet is also rumored to deliver a pair of hybridized Corvettes, with at least one using an electric drive unit located in the front cargo hold (or frunk). This model will be called the E-Ray and sounds like an electrified Z06 in terms of combined horsepower and purpose.

The other car is more of a mystery and could supplant the ZR1 as the Corvette’s highest trim level. GM Authority said it’s still using the working title of Zora, though other reports have claimed this is a placeholder name and could actually be referencing the development of the ZR1. GM has trademarked both the Zora and E-Ray names, so anything’s possible. The ZR1 could simply renamed Zora or leave room for an ultra-high-performance trim called the Zora ZR1.

[Images: General Motors]

Matt Posky
Matt Posky

A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.

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  • REAL_sluggo REAL_sluggo on Jan 19, 2020

    Bcz ya need a spoiler on your commute up and down the 405 every day... rubbish

    • NeilM NeilM on Jan 20, 2020

      "Bcz ya need a spoiler on your commute up and down the 405 every day… rubbish" Not a very productive argument, since all you need for that is a 20-year old Corolla that still runs decently. There's no bright line separating a plain Vette that's somehow OK vs. one with a spoiler that somehow isn't.

  • Cognoscenti Cognoscenti on Jan 21, 2020

    I don't believe that any of the folks whining on TTAC about the look of the C8, with or without a huge spoiler, would ever seriously consider buying a Corvette anyway. You are clearly not the target demographic. This car is going to be a fantastic success.

  • Wolfwagen Is it me or have auto shows just turned to meh? To me, there isn't much excitement anymore. it's like we have hit a second malaise era. Every new vehicle is some cookie-cutter CUV. No cutting-edge designs. No talk of any great powertrains, or technological achievements. It's sort of expected with the push to EVs but there is no news on that front either. No new battery tech, no new charging tech. Nothing.
  • CanadaCraig You can just imagine how quickly the tires are going to wear out on a 5,800 lbs AWD 2024 Dodge Charger.
  • Luke42 I tried FSD for a month in December 2022 on my Model Y and wasn’t impressed.The building-blocks were amazing but sum of the all of those amazing parts was about as useful as Honda Sensing in terms of reducing the driver’s workload.I have a list of fixes I need to see in Autopilot before I blow another $200 renting FSD. But I will try it for free for a month.I would love it if FSD v12 lived up to the hype and my mind were changed. But I have no reason to believe I might be wrong at this point, based on the reviews I’ve read so far. [shrug]. I’m sure I’ll have more to say about it once I get to test it.
  • FormerFF We bought three new and one used car last year, so we won't be visiting any showrooms this year unless a meteor hits one of them. Sorry to hear that Mini has terminated the manual transmission, a Mini could be a fun car to drive with a stick.It appears that 2025 is going to see a significant decrease in the number of models that can be had with a stick. The used car we bought is a Mk 7 GTI with a six speed manual, and my younger daughter and I are enjoying it quite a lot. We'll be hanging on to it for many years.
  • Oberkanone Where is the value here? Magna is assembling the vehicles. The IP is not novel. Just buy the IP at bankruptcy stage for next to nothing.
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