Originally Posted by jackfrostpdx

New platform, new roll out schedule. Even if this information isn't from your sources your logic is sound.

There are many reasons why the C7-Z06 had a fast introduction that don't apply to today.

Originally Posted by traind

when it comes to cars I do believe I'm more patient than 99% of people on this forum. And I understand that you don't want to post more on the topic, but not only did you not offer any facts as to why the Gap to the ZO6 model would be any different you didn't even really offer any speculation on it either. Which is okay, I am not arguing that it will be introduced as a 2021 model but it is certainly within the realm of possibility as that is what happened the last generation. I agree that you can't look for a pattern and expect it to happen with certainty yet a historical pattern at least provides some rationale for speculation which is a bit more than offered in your post that I responded to.

if I was going to speculate on a longer delay for the Z06 I would combine the new architecture with a brand new engine and throw in very hot sales of the base model for a little additional seasoning. But I also would have guessed they might have waited a bit more before launching the convertible. They did not do that and we now have video of a higher performance model being tested on the street. I think it is possible for an Auto Show reveal in early 2021 or perhaps June 2021 at the Detroit Auto Show.

Originally Posted by vettesweetnos

Video taken east of San Diego but cuts off right before he accelerates. Definitely fpc V8.

Originally Posted by traind

I agree that you can't look for a pattern and expect it to happen with certainty yet a historical pattern at least provides some rationale for speculation

Originally Posted by Phil1098

Don't look at the C5 then, you won't be happy. It came out as a 1997 and first year of Z06 was 2001, not 1998, or 1999, or 2000. I'm sorry, but C7 was a stop gap car and shouldn't be used for any production expectation reference.

Originally Posted by vettesweetnos

Yes, I am thinking a little sooner. Do people actually think 495 hp will be all you can get from Corvette for 2 years? A 35 hp increase from a base C7 from 2014. If the car was 700 pounds lighter, maybe.. More WILL trickle out about this car leading to the reveal later this year, in 9 months or so. JMHO They are not gonna wait 2 more years to release the Z06 performance version, plus the C8R will have some races put behind it by then and people will be screaming for a car closer to it..I would like one right now. The Z06 the past 2 decades has only missed out one year of production for each generation. And even another reason.. COMPETITION. The Z06 is a big deal for Corvette. Just look how much conversation comes from a 9 second clip of a Z06 mule downshifting and going around a curve. It ends before any real acceleration on purpose...

Originally Posted by thill444

I don't see GM having any problem selling every C8 they make at or near MSRP over the next 2 years regardless of the C8 Z06. Perhaps a GS first with more aero, suspenion, tire, etc first. Makes sense to me for the folks that want more than the base car but don't want to or have the means to buy a Z06. Makes complete sense to me. Z06 could come 3rd model year maybe even towards the end of that model year production run. I just don't see the Z06 being do or die in the first 2-3 years, the C8 is so new and different.

Originally Posted by Supermassive

I love all the people who are here spouting the weirdest things. Horsepower by itself does nothing for me, it's one of those things that I always think is amusing about the Corvette crowd and it always boils down to people who seriously think 600hp is too little power...

I want the Z06 to be able to use its power, not be overwhelmed by it. The C7 Z06 is a care where too much power hurt the overall performance, sure it was quick and had the grunt to make passing traffic easy...but so did the base C7 Stingray. The Z06 should be honed for performance in more than just straight line speed and that requires a balance between what the chassis, brakes, and suspension can handle. The C8R ad a race car is limited to probably 500ish horsepower but would blow a C7 ZR1 away on a race track. Sure it is likely much lighter, but the race car is built around making the car work with the engine...not the other way around.

If GM really wants to offer a super car experience then they need to dial in the handling, offer an exhilarating engine, and make the car a bit more aggressive than what I am hearing about how the C8 Stingray behaves.

The C7 Z06 even with the Z07 package was too soft as evidenced by how the ZR1 was way more powerful yet easier to drive. The supercharged LT4 is a cool engine,enginforced induction is kinda meh in a real sports car. Why is the GT3 RS the more desirable Porsche than the GT2 RS? Because the engine is more engaging is completed the experience, a scalpel compared the the GT2 RS sledge hammer. Different stroke for different folks but the simple fact remains that turbos, superchargers, and hybrid motors take some of that "experience" away. Anyone, and I mean anyone who has had the experience of driving F355, 360, 430, or even the 458 understands that while some cars may be faster, none touch the feeling you get from these cars. The 488 is a better car in almost every performance metric than the 458...but it just doesn't feel as special...and the car shares the 458 structure.

So after all that blather, I am of the persuasion that GM could release an NA engine in the Z06 that makes less power than the C7 Z06 and still absolutely crush it. If they decide to go with turbos, I just hope the Grand Sport gets a version of the turbo engine without turbos because I want an engine with character over just MOAR POWAH!

Originally Posted by The Onederman

Has no one thought that the engine in this one might not be the 5.5l C8R motor but a variation of Cadillac's Blackwing V8 with a different crankshaft, heads and bored out displacement to 4.4l or so.

Sure, Cadillac claims it will be exclusive to them but those changes made while retaining the same basic block design would be different enough that it won't be a Blackwing anymore. Plus it also helps with vibrations and reliability since the displacement is smaller.

Originally Posted by 05dsom

Here's a brief sample of my FPC 458 from inside the car!!

Originally Posted by vettesweetnos

The Cadillac CT6-V production is ending. Every Blackwing is assembled in the same Bowling Green, Kentucky, plant where the 2020 Corvette is made, so expect performance variants to have overhead-cam engines. But rumors suggest the most powerful Corvette engines will not be based on the Blackwing and will instead use a flat-plane-crank V-8 with turbos mounted on either side of the block. That makes one wonder what will become of the Cadillac engine. It would make a natural fit in another performance Cadillac, although that car may get a lower-cost small-block V-8 like LT2. Those claims were made in March of 2019 and things are changing now. They could very well use that block with a different crankshaft. Move the turbos down.

Originally Posted by vettesweetnos

Sweet noise. Great cars. I wonder what that green would look like on a 458.

Originally Posted by vettesweetnos

Yes, I am thinking a little sooner. Do people actually think 495 hp will be all you can get from Corvette for 2 years? A 35 hp increase from a base C7 from 2014. If the car was 700 pounds lighter, maybe.. More WILL trickle out about this car leading to the reveal later this year, in 9 months or so. JMHO They are not gonna wait 2 more years to release the Z06 performance version, plus the C8R will have some races put behind it by then and people will be screaming for a car closer to it..I would like one right now. The Z06 the past 2 decades has only missed out one year of production for each generation. And even another reason.. COMPETITION. The Z06 is a big deal for Corvette. Just look how much conversation comes from a 9 second clip of a Z06 mule downshifting and going around a curve. It ends before any real acceleration on purpose...