This base car is so good that I may not even desire a ZO6.

[NavySuppo]

Since the C5, I’ve always much preferred the Z versions. The base (narrow body) cars never appealed to me. This is the first generation in a VERY long time where the base car may be “enough.”

Hear me out...

I always appreciated the Z variants because they offered the wide body design in addition to the added performance. Added performance was always secondary to me because, i’ll admit, I wouldn’t know what to do with the added power. 300hp is probably more than I can use without killing myself on a race track.

The base C8 is already significantly wider. The Z51 car goes sub 3 second 0-60 and lateral G’s are said to be insane. As such, it already looks low, wide, and amazing. Performance will approach that of a C7 ZO6/911 GT3 on the race track. Interior is freaking gorgeous...etc, etc.

What will the ZO6 offer other than added performance? Can the car get any wider? I can’t imagine going even wider. My guess is that this C8 generation Z will have more racing bits added on but the body won’t get much different. Perhaps more extreme aero bits and maybe some fender cut outs but that’s really all.

Also, this base C8 may be THE last naturally aspirated V8. That is also a huge deal to me because I much prefer naturally aspirated motors. Bottom line, for the first time in a very long time, I think I may be perfectly content with the base Z51 car. Is anyone else feeling the same way?

Now, if the ZO6 comes out with a more glorious naturally aspirated motor....Z it is. However, beyond that, if we just get a blower or complicated turbos and some added aero, the naturally aspirated Z51 will be the perfectly balanced machine for me.

If the C8Z looks better than this for $80k, they really should just award the Nobel Peace Prize to GM.

[John]

Great post NavySuppo. Thank you.

[Ateupjoe]

Someone say WIDE? Saw this C6 at Corvette Invasion this weekend in Austin. It's W-I-D-E.

[TtiME]

This is what people say, buy a Z51 then boom, Z06 comes out and you know you want it!! I’m just waiting for the Z06!! John, any fresh intel on the Z06?!

[455SDguy]

Good sell for the Z51. I am with you on that look is awesome. Nice post,

[George]

Right on for me, Navysuppo. If my C7 Z51 had been a wide-body, I would have kept it. I'm one who has no desire whatsoever for more power than the base car, and I share your thoughts on turbos. Though they're getting more dependable all of the time, they'll always present additional potential issues.

[ZORA 69]

Someone say WIDE? Saw this C6 at Corvette Invasion this weekend in Austin. It's W-I-D-E.

I had a 68 custom wanna be L88 wide body, it does take a skinny girl and make her one fine round lady

[John]

This is what people say, buy a Z51 then boom, Z06 comes out and you know you want it!! I’m just waiting for the Z06!! John, any fresh intel on the Z06?!

Under 3.0 seconds and under $60K for the Stingray, what the XXXX will the Z06 offer?

Sorry I have no Z06 intel; however if those two metrics are metrics are for the SR, the Z06 will be over the moon.

[TtiME]

We both know the Z06 will be another level of performance!! Hopefully a significant weight reduction as I’m expecting the stingray to have a curb of 3550-3600 lbs or at least no weight gain. I’m expecting it to come in between 911 turbo S and 720s performance.

[Meldoon]

Can we get our resident “designers” to rendition some “widebody” C8’s ? Using the new stingray and the C8R, should be interesting! Even if only a couple inches of fender flare.....

[JDMilw]

I really like the wide body look of my '18 GS. The new C8 is less than an inch narrower. That's something I could live with. But if down the road a wide body was produced
I'd want one. I wouldn't need a turbo or supercharger for my needs, so I can live with a wide body naturally aspirated version. Another Grand Sport? GT?

More hp wouldn't bother me either.

[meyerweb]

Under 3.0 seconds and under $60K for the Stingray, what the XXXX will the Z06 offer?

Sorry I have no Z06 intel; however if those two metrics are metrics are for the SR, the Z06 will be over the moon.

0-60 in 2.5? But who can really take advantage of that on the street? A higher top speed (with the aero tuned correctly), but even on most race tracks you can't reach the top speed of a C7. Texas Mile fans will like the extra power, though. If you track the car, the extra power will let you dial in significantly more downforce, though, which will improve lap times on many tracks.

I don't think GM will make the Z06 (or whatever they call it) significantly wider. It's still got to be practical on the street. I expect the body differentiation to be more in the area of aero. A front hood vent, a la Ferrari Pista (at the expense of some frunk room), perhaps an active rear spoiler. We've seen an overhead render of a car with extra vents on the rear deck. Intakes for more cooling, or air that's channeled out the back for more downforce without more drag? Or just an early, inaccurate render. There's no spoiler on it, and you'd think the high performance version would have one. (The image WAS on the Chevy website, and on Jalopnik, but seems to be gone from both places now. Did GM accidentally reveal something they didn't want to?)

Edit, found the picture on Jalopnik after all:

[JDMilw]

I misspoke. It's slightly more than an inch narrower.

[Jljordann922]

In this predicament now ... Coming from a C7 Z06 which I loved every dimension and angle ... However it seems the C8 Z51 may very well match the performance and the looks are stunning ... So I don't know at this point

[Meldoon]

Ask, and he shall receive!