[VIDEO] C8 Corvette Z06 Coupe and Convertible Prototypes Spied with Center Mounted Exhaust

Jun 19, 2020

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[VIDEO] C8 Corvette Z06 Coupe and Convertible Spied with Center Mounted Exhaust

Photo Credit: Brian Willaims (Spiedbilde)

New spy photos from Brian Williams (Spiedbilde) were offered up today and I had to have them as they not only show the C8 Corvette Z06 coupe and convertible out on public roads, but for the first time, we are seeing a center-mounted exhaust on the mid-engine sportscar. Brian was also able to capture the sound of the high-revving DOHC V8 engine as a prototype rapidly accelerated through the first few gears of the dual-clutch transmission.

Brian reports that as compared with the regular C8 Corvette Stingray in the group, the prototype Z06 features a much wider stance. The wheels for the Z06 are staggered with 20s in the front and 21s in the back and sized 275 and 345 respectively. Michelin is once again providing the massive grip with their Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires.

As we saw yesterday, the Z06’s wheels and brakes are hidden, but it’s been previously rumored that factory-optioned carbon fiber wheels may be coming to the Corvette line-up with the Z06 as another first.

C8 Corvette Z06 Coupe and Convertible Spied with Center Mounted Exhaust

The center-mounted exhaust was unexpected but again something that was recently rumored, and the set-up is shown on both the Coupe and Convertible Z06 models. Based on a close-up photo of the exhaust tips, it looks like there will be two large center-mounted exhaust ports with a single, smaller-diameter port stationed off to each side. I really like how thick and beefy those center tips look as well!

The video captures that exhaust note and listen to how high the engine is revved before you hear the gear change:

The photo gallery features 22 photos of the car and you can enlarge the photos by click on them. As I was reviewing the photos, I noticed that Corvette Chief Engineer Ed Piatek appears to be driving one of the prototypes.

Source:
Photos and Video: Brian Willaims (Spiedbilde)

8 COMMENTS

Brian L Jun 19, 2020 At 1:59 pm

1. I have always been a fan of the disc-like wheel covers, similar to KITT, but also a huge fan of the turbine-style C4 wheels. Would be super cool to see either one on a C8…

2. The exhaust is prototype so far…especially with the cut-out stock rear facia, but will be super cool to see how the facia gets styled…

3. That DOHC flat plane V8 sounds awesome!!!

Great spy shots!!
Joe Riefer Jun 19, 2020 At 4:28 pm

Fake center exhaust. Bailing wire looking mess. Phot chop!
Stephen Sartain Jun 19, 2020 At 7:45 pm

Why would you have two different types of exhaust tubes.??!!
George C. Jun 19, 2020 At 9:11 pm

The rear tires & wheels are insanely huge — like something you’d find on a slingshot dragster. No US car has ever been equipped with tires this wide from the factory. They may be great for traction, but I definitely don’t like the way they look. Sorry. And they’re certainly going to be unusable in winter weather. Not practical at all. Thus not for me, and I presume many others.
Mike Jun 19, 2020 At 10:20 pm

I live in the Midwest. I can honestly say I never see corvettes on the road in the winter. I see mustangs all the time.
Dennis Jun 19, 2020 At 11:30 pm

Almost sounds as good as my 69 Z28 302 camaro with headers ..
GS11 Jun 20, 2020 At 12:52 am

Does Corvette have a new Chief Engineer?
Keith Cornett Jun 20, 2020 At 2:38 pm

No, just GM confusing us with job titles. Tadge Juechter is the “Chief Engineer but officially his title is “Chief Engineer/ Vehicle Line Director – Corvette”. Ed Piatek is the “Chief Engineer” of the C8 program and works under Tadge Juechter.