2022 C8 CORVETTE Z06 SPIED TESTING IN CALIFORNIA, YET AGAIN

Earlier this week, news broke that the 2022 Chevrolet C8 Corvette Z06 could make its debut in July, finally giving us a plausible timeframe for the pumped up Corvette’s arrival. But until that reveal, whenever it is, Chevrolet is hard at work prepping their supercar on road and track, where it should strike an ideal balance of performance. The team over at Motor Trend managed to capture some pictures and a video of the C8 Corvette Z06 testing out in California, and it confirms some information we first reported on at MC&T.

We were the first to report that the new Z06 will swap to a flat plane crank, 5.5 liter V8 that’s based directly on the C8.R race car’s powertrain. This new spy video, based on sound alone, seems to give even more confirmation. It sounds nothing like the C8 Corvette Stingray’s pushrod V8, with a high pitched howl that sounds more exotic than any Corvette before.

As for the rest of the Corvette test mule, it looks like every other C8 Z06 prototype we’ve seen before. That means the aero improvements, widened fenders, central exhaust, and imminent bodywork changes are either not on this vehicle, or hidden under the heavy camo. There’s a good chance these could be the rumored carbon fiber wheels out for testing, otherwise Chevy would have many alloy wheels they could use without need for disguise. That said, we can tell those Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R rear tires are extremely wide. As we first reported, they should measure  345/25R21 in the rear and 275/30R20 in the front.

Seeing photos and videos like this only makes us more excited for the C8 Corvette Z06 reveal, whether it does indeed happen this July or some other time altogether. With all of the track focused modifications, especially that race-derived engine, this could be the most track capable and racecar-esque Corvette we’ve seen in decades. It should also firmly push the Corvette beyond the title of “America’s Sports Car” and into “America’s Super Car.” Color us excited.

You can view the Motor Trend video and photos by clicking these words.