The redesigned Chevrolet C8 Corvette Z06 has been teased in a short video posted by Chevrolet, ahead of a full reveal later in 2021.
The upcoming supercar won’t sound like your typical Corvette, though, with the clip revealing the Z06 will likely be fitted with a flat-plane crank V8 engine.
Usually found in supercars from Maranello, flat-plane crank engines rev much higher than their cross-plane counterparts and produce a unique sound.
Last year, Car and Driver reported the new Z06 would be fitted with a 5.5-litre flat-plane V8 engine which would rev to around 9000rpm. It was expected to make at least 447kW of power.
However, EVO Magazine reports the new Z06 will produce more power than its C7 Z06 predecessor, which used a supercharged 6.2-litre V8 engine producing 485kW of power.
The next-gen Z06 will likely use the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission featured on the ‘regular’ Corvette Stingray.
The Corvette is a fast car already, hitting 0-100km/h in just 2.9 seconds, so expect the Z06 to take things to a whole new level.
Pictured: Corvette Stingray
Along with a new powertrain, it’s likely the Z06 will receive wider bodywork along with uprated cooling and modified aero.
The mid-engine Corvette will soon touch down in Australia in 2LT and 3LT specification with the Z51 Performance Pack as standard. It’s produced in factory right-hand drive, unlike the Camaro and Silverado which are local conversions.
Carsguide reports GM Specialty Vehicles has trademarked the Corvette Z06 nameplate for Australia, suggesting the sonorous beast will make its way here.
We might be waiting some time for the Z06 version to hit Australian shores but, in the meantime, the regular Corvette will be more than enough to challenge European supercars.
And if you think the Z06 will be the top-spec powerhouse of the range, you’d be wrong.
According to GM Authority, an even mightier ZR1 model will reportedly bolt two turbochargers onto the Z06’s 5.5-litre V8 engine and boost power to 633kW and torque to 1016Nm.
If pure petrol power isn’t your thing these days, the E-Ray will be your choice.
Utilising hybrid power with both electric and V8 grunt, the E-Ray will be the first hybrid and all-wheel drive Corvette to ever see production.
Finally, the Corvette Zora will reportedly utilise a twin-turbocharged version of the 5.5-litre V8 engine and hybrid electric assistance to boost power outputs to 745kW and 1355Nm.
