The latest spying videos have shown the upcoming Chevrolet Corvette Z06 launching the Nürburgring Nordschleife at high speed. If you’re curious about how the new model sounds compared to the current C8 Corvette, this is a clip you should watch.
Carspotter Jeroen is one of the many people who record what car manufacturers try in the ‘Ring. He put together this video showing the standard C8 of July 2019 and the Z06 of August 2021 on the same stretches of the track. The differences, especially in terms of sound, are staggering.
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As an upgrade, the standard C8 Corvette has a 6.2-liter V8 that makes 490 horsepower (365 kilowatts) and 630 Newton-meters (465 pound-feet). The optional performance exhaust reaches 495 hp (369 kW) and 477 lb-ft (637 Nm). The only gearbox option is an eight-speed automatic.
We don’t know for sure which engine the Z06 uses, but the main rumor is that this is a V8 version of the C8.R race car. The mill would supposedly displace 5.5 liters. It has two overhead camshafts and a flat crankshaft, which allows a straight line of 9,000 rpm. The power could be around 617 hp (460 kW).
The Z06’s gearbox is also a bit mysterious. It looks like it has a magnesium box to save weight. In the videos, you can listen to the broadcast by making quick changes.
When the C8’s 6.2-liter V8 sounds like a muscle car with a lot of bass notes, the Z06’s mill is a scream. He has a emaciated howl that looks more like something was expected of an Italian supercar.
The Z06 also looks much more aggressive. It has larger openings at the front, ducks at the corners, larger side entrances and a large wing. Now the exhausts come out of the center.
The Z06 debuts on October 26, but doesn’t go on sale until the 2023 model year.