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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]
Michael Simcoe has been a colossal disappointment as head of GM design. He must’ve taken credit for someone else’s work on the Holden Monaro.
This is another car that will improve on looks the moment it is totaled.
Worked for the Dodge charger Daytona/Superbird! I think tacky on a vette!
Actually, it didn’t, dealers could not sell them at the time, they just sat on the lots, as they were too extreme. We have just gotten used to them over time.
SilverCoupe – worth what now $ 1,000,000 + ?
Yes and no. The 500 or so 1969 Dodge Charger Daytonas sold out quickly.
But the ~1900 1970 Plymouth Superbirds were, in industry parlance, ‘nailed to the showroom floor’. Two years later, they were still trying to unload them at giveaway prices. A few dealers were so desperate (mainly in Maryland where the nosecone did not qualify as a bumper, which it wasn’t) that some Superbirds were converted back to a standard Road Runner. The conversion was no easy feat, either, since the Superbird used Coronet fenders and hood, not to mention having to fill in the trunk spoiler holes.
I still find it remarkable that this car justifies an all new bespoke engine, sharing nothing with either the LT or Blackwing.
As an unapologetic NA V8 enthusiast, I’m glad to see it and anxious to drive one, I’m just surprised they were able to make the numbers work on a third V8 family.
This does seem like an odd choice. However given the heat problems with the Z06 maybe keeping a supercharged 6.2 LT4 stuffed in the middle became a cooling nightmare.
That’s probably correct.
It would be neat to see a riff on a modern LS7 though, big displacement NA LT variant. That said this 5.5 sounds awesome too.
I would be surprised if this engine truly shares *nothing* at all with the Blackwing.
This 5.5L does sound promising. The Z06 should be the GT3 level and the ZR1 should be GT2 level, so I’m glad they’re going naturally-aspirated here. Hopefully a manual transmission shows up too.
I would love a manual too but I think that ship has sailed. Given the packaging of the mid-engine configuration and the low take rate they likely aren’t going to put any R&D money into stuffing a manual back there.
I will say the hard top convertible is a great option as I’ve never been a soft top fan.
Take rate really was not really that low. 2014 saw about 40% which dropped to 20% by the end. I guess that was
Not enough to justify developing a unit that would work in the mid engine configuration. Too bad. Not likely that the C8 will end up in my garage….
Spoiler alert.
Bad Tool guy. BAD.
(rimshot)
The spoiler on the C7 ZR1 is horrible. So is this one. GM do us a favor. Make it optional. Most Vette owners are not going to like it. The new engine however seems to be very interesting.
I’m the furthest thing from the target market, but I think that’s sort of the point: the ZR1 should be a track car, and if you’re buying a track car, then you get the ugly-azs aero kit whether you like it or not, because if you don’t you’re going to end up killing yourself.
As is the C8 looks best with NO spoiler at all. Most of the pre-production / press photo cars are Z51s with the spoiler but if you dig around you’ll see pics of the base car – sans spoiler – and it looks SO much better.
Will it have optional, color-changing, LED accent lights? Tacky is as tacky does.
“Will it have optional, color-changing, LED accent lights?”
The Fast and the Bi-Curious.
It will be the same wing as is on the C8 R, or very close to it. No surprise there.
Likely yes. One of things I like about my C7 is all the areo is functional. A lot of companies claim racing developement filters down to their street cars, but in the case of Corvette this statement seems very accurate.
“So we had to hire two new engineers, right? ‘Cuz of that whole street racing thing. Anyway, into the office comes this dude, says he used to work at Honda and helped bring the Civic Type R to this country…”
bring back the 1963 Stingray – this thing is a bloated hot mess
Yes, because its nothing without a giant obnoxious spoiler.
So some Fast & Furious fanboy is finally in charge of car design? Bestill my beating heart.
Bcz ya need a spoiler on your commute up and down the 405 every day… rubbish
“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.
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.