Corvette Stingray Coupe

Make
Chevrolet
Segment
Coupe

It will be two years this coming July since the C8 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray made its debut. Since then, the Convertible variant has arrived and demand for both has been high. Unfortunately, that demand couldn't be met because of the five-week-long UAW strike in September 2019 and the onset of the pandemic not long after. Many 2020 C8 buyers were pushed to the 2021 model year list. But, in general, the dust has settled and the C8 has been deemed by many as the best Corvette ever.

It'll soon get even better.

The track-focused and fully street-legal C8 Z06 will supposedly debut this July. This information comes from a shared post on the MidEngineCorvette forum by the site's founder. The originator of the info comes from an employee of Estero Bay Chevrolet, America's 16th largest Chevy dealership.

We've reached out to Chevrolet seeking confirmation and we'll update this space if a relevant reply is received. A two-year launch difference between the C8 Stingray and Z06 would actually be one year longer than that of the C7 and C7 Z06, which arrived in 2014 and 2015, respectively. Details about the new Z06 remain unofficial at this time, though enough relevant information has been leaked over the past few months.

Power will come from a naturally aspirated DOHC 32-valve flat-plane crank 5.5-liter V8, the same engine used in the C8.R race car, with an output of around 600 horsepower and paired to an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox co-developed with Tremec. The Stingray, to compare, is powered by an NA 6.2-liter V8 with 490 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque.

The Corvette development team, led by longtime chief engineer Tadge Juechter, supposedly benchmarked the new Z06 against the Porsche 911 GT2 RS. Chassis upgrades could involve the Magnetic Ride Control system being replaced by a new version of GM's Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve system, also in use on the Camaro ZL2 1LE.

The exterior will feature an all-new aerodynamics package such as a massive rear wing and even some active aero. All of this will amount to supercar levels of performance. Zero to 60 mph is expected in no more than 2.7 seconds. Inside, expect things like lightweight track seats (possibly with factory safety harnesses), more Alcantara trim, and Z06 badges.

The nearly sixth-month wait until July will require patience.