2022 Corvette Z06 Spotted in the Mountains… Again!

CorvetteForum member spots a fleet of C8s testing on the road. Are we looking at the next naturally aspirated Corvette?

The 2020 C8 Corvette was a long time coming. We waited with bated breathe for the new generation to be revealed. With a new look, and a new mid-engine layout, the C8 ended up being a history-shifting hit. With this new C8 generation off to an extraordinary start, we can’t help but ask: What next?

There has been a lot of speculation as to what we will see in upcoming model years of the C8 Corvette. And to that end, we are always given an extra jolt of excitement when someone gets an inside tip or a rare look behind the curtain at General Motors. Recently, a Corvette Forum member not only caught a fleet of C8 mules on the road; he got them on video. Take a look, and let us know your thoughts. Is this the 2022 Corvette?

This big, juicy spy video was shared on our forums courtesy of Corvette Forum member JBSBlownC5. In a thread entitled “Lightning Strikes Twice,” JB posted a video of what looks to be 2022 C8 Corvettes.

“Yup, just under 2 years ago, I got a hot tip that base model C8s were testing in the mountains where I live. Well it happened again yesterday, uploading and editing, say tuned….”

In the video posted below, we get a nice look (and listen) to the Corvettes. And, yes, this seems to be in line with what we know so far about the upcoming 2021, 2022 Corvettes. The biggest story on the upcoming ’22 C8 Z06 is that it will run on a naturally aspirated 5.5-liter flat-plane twin-cam V8. Capable of redlining at 9,000 rpm and producing major horsepower; this is a car that put Chevy in the same league as Porsche, Ferrari, and even supercars.

In addition to which, the more performance-built Z06 will have some minor–but aggressive–aesthetic changes such as flared fenders, wider fenders and rear components, larger air scoops, and cues from the C8.R.

Our forum members agreed that the pictures and the video are indeed intriguing. And most agreed that it definitely appears that we’re looking a a NA FPC, so yes–that points to the Z06. But others felt that the body (while undercover) does look like a base model. It may be a Stingray, or even a hybrid model. DSOMrulz had an eagle-eye, and pointed out the tail end gave away some info.

“We’ve seen ‘spy’ shots of camo’d C8s with 4 center exhaust tips; two large in the middle and two small outside those. Those are almost certainly twin-turbos with the 2 smaller pipes for the wastegates. The cars in the photo…have 4 tips at the corners, so probably not the twin turbo cars.”

Check out the video and let us know what you think. Join in the conversation over at the forums.

Photos: Corvette Forum

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Sherry Bryan

Longtime automotive journalist S.J. Bryan has been covering the automotive industry for over five years and is an editor with Ford Truck Enthusiasts and regular contributor to F-150 Online, Harley-Davidson Forums, and The Mustang Source, among other popular auto sites.

Bryan first discovered her passion for all things automotive while riding in her parent's 1968 Ford Mustang. The automotive expert cut her teeth growing up riding on Harleys, and her first car was a Chevy Nova. Despite her lead foot, Bryan has yet to receive a speeding ticket.

The award-winning former playwright was first published at age 18. She has worked extensively as a writer and editor for a number of lifestyle and pop culture publications. The diehard gearhead is a big fan of American muscle cars, sixth-gen Ford trucks, and Oxford commas.

S.J. can be reached at sherryjbry@gmail.com.