The new Chevrolet Corvette Z06 has been spied testing in the US ahead of its expected unveiling at next year’s Detroit auto show.
Based on the C7 Corvette Stingray, the hardcore 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 promises to be faster and more powerful than the standard car that debuted in Detroit at the beginning of this year.
The muscled up ‘Vette – snapped in heavy camouflage by CarAdvice’s spy photographers – is rumoured to possibly wear a ‘Z07′ badge for the first time in the model’s 50-year history, alluding to the seventh generation of the base car.
Hinting at the new car’s performance credentials are large, undisguised cross-drilled brake rotors and black calipers. Definitely significant in size, the discs also look as though they may be carbon ceramic items.
Covering the comprehensive brake package are new black multi-spoke wheels wrapped in sufficiently wide rubber with a near-slick high-performance tread pattern.
New front-end aero can be seen through the camouflage and appears to comprise a revised front bumper and grille, with a unique lip spoiler also likely. A sharper side skirt maintains the more aggressive theme and is joined by a newly added air vent positioned just in front of the rear wheel.
The bonnet covering is believed to be hiding a more pronounced power bulge and extra venting that is suggested to provide additional space and cooling for a supercharged version of the standard Corvette’s 339kW/624Nm naturally aspirated 6.2-litre V8. Early speculation suggests an output of between 447kW and 485kW. Rumours of an alternative twin-turbo powerplant have also been appeared in US media.
The previous C6-based Corvette Z06, launched in 2006, churned out 377kW and 637Nm from its 7.0-litre Gen IV LS7 V8. Weighing 1420kg, the car claimed 0-100km/h in 3.7 seconds and a top speed just shy of 320km/h.
