Spied time and again, the Corvette Z06 for the 2022 model year has been confirmed with 345/25 ZR21 tires out back. An inch wider than the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 steamrollers found on the previous-generation Z06 and ZR1, the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R compound helped Porsche break the Nürburgring Nordschleife lap record with the 911 GT2 RS.
The Porsche, if you were wondering, rocks 325/30 ZR21 rubber. Corvette Blogger says that “we are most likely looking at the first Corvette to come with a staggered wheel setup of 20 inches up front and 21s in the rear,” translating to more grip and traction in the twisties and off the line.
Spied by a Corvette Blogger reader, Z06 prototypes are benchmarked by General Motors against the 911 GT2 RS from the previous generation. That speaks volumes about the newcomer's performance potential, and the same can be said about the flat-plane crankshaft V8 powerplant.
As opposed to traditional pushrods, the motor's DOHC valvetrain and rev-happy nature will make the Corvette a little more sophisticated than before. Based on the 5.5-liter engine in the C8.R endurance racer, the LT6 in the Z06 is expected with more than 600 horsepower on tap.
Torque is another mystery at this point. For reference, the LT2 free-breathing V8 makes 470 pound-feet (637 Nm) while the LT4 supercharged V8 belts out 650 pound-feet (881 Nm). If the torque rating falls within this range, then Chevrolet could use the TR-9080 with minimal modifications.
As a brief refresher, the dual-clutch transmission supplied by Tremec can handle up to 590 pound-feet (800 Nm) at up to 7,500 revs. The flat-plane crankshaft and double overhead camshaft arrangement enable a redline of more than 8,000 revs, hence the minimal mods mentioned earlier.
When is the Golden Bowtie going to spill the beans on the all-new Corvette Z06, you ask? According to Estero Bay Chevrolet sales specialist Marcus Veiga, the veil will come off sometime in July. Coincidence or not, 2021 model year production is rumored to end on the week of July 19th.
Spied by a Corvette Blogger reader, Z06 prototypes are benchmarked by General Motors against the 911 GT2 RS from the previous generation. That speaks volumes about the newcomer's performance potential, and the same can be said about the flat-plane crankshaft V8 powerplant.
As opposed to traditional pushrods, the motor's DOHC valvetrain and rev-happy nature will make the Corvette a little more sophisticated than before. Based on the 5.5-liter engine in the C8.R endurance racer, the LT6 in the Z06 is expected with more than 600 horsepower on tap.
Torque is another mystery at this point. For reference, the LT2 free-breathing V8 makes 470 pound-feet (637 Nm) while the LT4 supercharged V8 belts out 650 pound-feet (881 Nm). If the torque rating falls within this range, then Chevrolet could use the TR-9080 with minimal modifications.
As a brief refresher, the dual-clutch transmission supplied by Tremec can handle up to 590 pound-feet (800 Nm) at up to 7,500 revs. The flat-plane crankshaft and double overhead camshaft arrangement enable a redline of more than 8,000 revs, hence the minimal mods mentioned earlier.
When is the Golden Bowtie going to spill the beans on the all-new Corvette Z06, you ask? According to Estero Bay Chevrolet sales specialist Marcus Veiga, the veil will come off sometime in July. Coincidence or not, 2021 model year production is rumored to end on the week of July 19th.