Best Reactions to Nurburgring C8 Z06 Spy Shots!

We are finally getting to see the long-awaited high-performance Z06 model hit the track. Does it live up to the hype?

It seems like just yesterday that the C8 Corvette was making its way onto public roads for the first time. Production of the base model Stingray may have begun over a year ago, but this step was just the beginning of a long journey for the new mid-engine sports car.

As we make our way well into the second half of 2021, we have been desperately waiting for more details about the upcoming performance-first Z06 model. Set for official announcement sometime this fall, we have been blessed with a teaser featuring some juicy details.

The good folks at HorsePowerObessed on YouTube released a video featuring new spy shots of a camo-equipped test C8, doing some mandatory benchmarking at the iconic Nurburgring Nordschliefe. We are assuming the aggressive shape of this C8 will confirm that this will be the Z06 model we have been waiting for.

The 2023 model year Z06 proves to host a healthy amount of upgrades over the base C8. Some of our forums members here at CorvetteForum have given their take on what they think about the latest and greatest to come out of GM’s performance engineering department on a recent post.

One of the first comments on the thread by Racer X states, “Wow! Do those look like carbon fiber wheels to anyone else? And Carbon/Ceramic brakes as well? I guess they went with the big guns.” Yes! We can say with certainty these are the long-awaited carbon wheels as confirmed with the porcelain inserts sitting within the wheel well.

The carbon-ceramic brakes are also a must for a vehicle with the performance aspirations this track-focused variant seeks to achieve. Considering the car will feature a massive 21″ rear 20″ front staggered wheel setup, the sheer size of the rotors displayed will provide insane levels of braking performance.

Forum member VER provided his input on the updates, “With the carbon brakes and wheels on top of that, think we’re looking at a $110-120K version of the car. ” Without a doubt, these upgrades are major changes and will not be cheap.

The Z06 variant is usually about 20-30k more than the base model, but in this case with a Z07 package, you may expect to see a bigger gap in price than before. However, will we see a doubling in price? Most likely not, but time will tell.

Many of us thought that the Z06 Corvette would offer the potential for active aero. Forum member Blue_bomber697 however added, “one thing I am not getting though is Active Aero. The magazines keep saying the Wing on it is active. Why do they think that? Looks like a normal fixed wing to me, nothing to indicate that it moves other than maybe some manual angle adjustment with bolts.”

Definitely not wrong here, it seems that active aero will be something that will most likely be left for the ZR1 model to come next.

However, the lack of active aero will definitely not result in this car having a lack of grip. Forum member EasyLivin noticed this with the comment, “those are some steam rollers out back” and we have to agree.

The Z06 should be receiving 345 section width Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires in the rear. That is some seriously wild levels of grip for any chassis. We should expect this Z06 to be fast, very fast.

Some of the new styling cues got mixed results from forum members, including Vndkshn, who wrote, “I don’t like the hard line from the point where the two leading edges meet back to a point slightly above and forward the wheel well. I don’t care for the line from the top of the door handle back to to that same point.”

When comparing to the obvious styling inspiration for this variant, the C8.R, it demonstrates much smoother lines for the overall side panel design. This is also accomplished by large sideskirt extensions which the pictured Z06 do not have. This critical piece of aero definitely makes an overall large difference in the aesthetic quality of the profile of the car.

However, we will say that this new styling will definitely take the C8 to a new level. Forum member Foreignbishop commented a hot take on the matter, “now that we have 2 models to compare side by side you can really find value in the statement ‘nobody knows how unimpressive the base model looks until you see it side by side with the wide body.’”

We aren’t sure we exactly agree with the unimpressive part. However, it wouldn’t really be possible to say until we get the chance to truly see two productions models of the two versions side by side in person. These spy shots will not cut it, let’s be honest. If you want to join in on the conversation this thread is on-going here on CorvetteForum, feel free to add your thoughts!