in , , , ,

C8 CORVETTE Z06 PROTOTYPES CONFIRM CENTER MOUNT EXHAUST

The Mid-Engined Corvette Is Getting Much More Exotic

2022 C8 Corvette Z06 Center Exhaust

The C8 Corvette Z06 rumor mill has been circulating lately, with our major report detailing the tires, aerodynamics and exhaust that will be offered. Just this week, we got exciting new footage of three Z06 prototypes testing alongside a Ferrari 458 Italia and a Porsche 911 GT2 RS. Pretty big benchmarks to be gunning for, but the Corvette has always had a habit of embarrassing the European competition at a much more attainable price.

There’s also something that we missed in the excitement: one of the C8 Corvette Z06 prototypes featured a center-mounted exhaust, confirming our exclusive reports that this feature was in development.

While all three of the test cars in the video appear to be the upcoming Z06, the second and third cars have side mounted exhausts similar to the standard Corvette Stingray. The first Corvette has a center mounted system, though. In the video, you can even tell the two setups sound slightly different.

The 2022 Corvette Z06 is getting a high revving flat plane crank V8 first teased in the C8.R racecar. This will give the Corvette a far more exotic sound than the pushrod LT2 V8 found in the standard car, and have a much more “supercar” experience. In our Z06 report, we covered how the engineering team is considering ramping up that exotic sound with a center mounted exhaust option.

Callaway C8 Corvette
The C8 Corvette Z06 could have a similar exhaust design to what’s recently been teased by Callaway Performance.

As far as we know, this isn’t set in stone yet, as the center mounted exhaust would require more funding, and complete approval, before it moves beyond this initial stage. We don’t get a chance to hear the vehicle accelerating hard in this particular video, so we’ll have to leave it to the engineers to make the final call.

Written by Sam Krahn

Sam graduated with a communications Degree from Wayne State University, where he was also a member of the swim team. He's interested to see how new technology will affect the American performance vehicle landscape.

2021 Ford Bronco Teaser

2021 FORD BRONCO REVEAL DATE CHANGED AMID CONTROVERSY, ORDER INFO LEAKS

How To Watch The 2021 Ford F-150 Reveal

2021 FORD F-150 PASSENGER SEAT TO FOLD FLAT FOR SLEEPING: REPORT