---
title: "Listen to What May Be the Corvette Z06’s Flat-Plane Crank V8"
description: "GM's faster C8 Z06 is right around the corner."
date: "2020-08-18"
modified: "2020-08-19"
authors:
  - name: "Máté Petrány"
    job_title: "Contributor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/mate-petrany"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/35805/listen-to-what-may-be-the-corvette-z06s-flat-plane-crank-v8"
categories:
  - "Chevrolet News"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
  - "Watch This"
tags:
  - "2022 Corvette Z06"
  - "Chevrolet"
  - "chevrolet corvette"
  - "Chevrolet Corvette C8 Z06"
  - "Corvette"
  - "Corvette C8"
  - "corvette z06"
  - "Coupe"
  - "prototype"
  - "sports car"
---

# Listen to What May Be the Corvette Z06’s Flat-Plane Crank V8

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2020/08/Screen-Shot-2020-08-18-at-12.36.01-PM.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

Starting at $59,995, [Chevy's mid-engine Corvette C8](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/32354/2020-chevrolet-corvette-c8-review-a-mid-engine-marvel>) is an unbelievable performance deal that you can also upgrade with the Z51 package for kicks such as a [zero to 60 run in just 2.9 seconds](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/30900/2020-chevrolet-corvette-c8-with-z51-package-does-0-60-in-just-2-9-seconds>). Corvette Racing also cooked up a new [motorsport version called the C8.R](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/30140/chevrolet-corvette-c8-r-the-bowties-le-mans-contender-makes-surprise-debut>), which packs a 5.5-liter, double-overhead-cam [V8 with a flat-plane crank](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/30317/chevrolets-corvette-c8-r-race-car-uses-a-dohc-5-5-liter-flat-plane-crank-v-8>). A close relative of this engine is reportedly set to find its way [into a faster road-going C8](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/30360/chevy-corvette-c8-r-based-engine-on-its-way-to-high-performance-road-car-variant>), and following the Stingray, that would be the 2022 Z06.

While we fantasize about [200-mph electric C8s](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/35419/did-joe-biden-just-blow-the-lid-on-a-200-mph-electric-corvette>) and [a ZR1 that packs all-wheel-drive](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/32674/2021-chevrolet-corvette-c8-hybrid-spy-photos-is-this-the-awd-supercar-slayer>) and hybrid tech, [*GM Authority* managed to grab](<https://gmauthority.com/blog/2020/06/watch-the-2022-corvette-z06-accelerate-shift-through-the-gears-video/>) a few seconds of a camouflaged C8 prototype shifting through its gears around the Milford Proving Ground. As the site points out, GM's latest test subject shows a central exhaust layout, a different rear wing and larger Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires.

https://youtube.com/embed/-cSh0-CAWRA

Given that GM already has a flat-plane crank DOHC designed to handle 24 hours of endurance racing, you can bet whatever V8 it ends up jamming in the Z06 will be solid. It'll undoubtedly be faster around the Nürburgring [than Porsche's upcoming Panamera](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/35682/upcoming-porsche-panamera-laps-nurburgring-faster-than-chevy-corvette-c8>), too.

As [*Road & Track*](<https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/future-cars/a30607874/flat-plane-v-8-chevy-mid-engine-corvette-z06-spy-video/>) recalled, this isn't the first time we've heard this engine. Back in January, a video by Jim Lill popped up on the C8 Corvette Owners Group on Facebook, showing a camouflaged prototype enjoying the twisties over San Diego.

The C8.R's flat-plane crank V8 makes around 500 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque. However, the road car is not bound by FIA regulations, and given how the previous Z06 was a supercharged beast producing 650 horsepower and the same amount in torque, 2022's mid-ship variant shouldn't stop anywhere under the 700-hp mark. With 755 on tap, the C7 ZR1 is even faster than what Chevy quotes, topping out over [214 miles per hour](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/35711/watch-a-stock-chevy-corvette-zr1-do-214-mph-on-floridas-space-shuttle-strip>).

*Got a tip? Send us a note: tips@thedrive.com*

## Author
As a fan of old cars, new cars, trains, planes, buses, and you-name-it, Máté can sometimes be seen driving an Autobianchi around Budapest, much to the amusement of the children, mostly. When not time-traveling, he continues to report from the future to his American colleagues, often talking about Lotus, Ozzy Osbourne, or both.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://instagram.com/mpetrany>)  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/petrany>)