Anticipation for the C8 Corvette Z06 continues to rise and rise as the automotive world looks forward to the spiciest C8 Corvette yet. Despite the recent reveal of the electrified Corvette painting a broader picture for the future of the mid-engine legend, there’s no sign of retirement of the V8 powerplant any time soon. In fact, Chevrolet confirmed that the C8 Corvette Z06 has the most powerful naturally-aspirated V8 engine ever put in a production car. Now, it looks like it’s going to have a pretty insane top speed, too.

Leak suggests that the Z06 will have a supercar-killing top speed

According to Carbuzz, the 2023 Chevrolet C8 Corvette Z06 is coming with a top speed of over 200 miles per hour. However, there is no specified number due to the leak that led to this top speed claim.

This theoretical top speed comes from a leak of the Z06’s owner’s manual information. The manual states that the 188 mph mark is where the Corvette will limit you from downshifting to sixth gear when it seventh. So, this means that the Corvette is capable of reaching 188 miles per hour in sixth gear with a whole extra gear still on the table. Given the Z06’s 670 horsepower and extremely efficient aerodynamics, there’s no question as to whether or not it has the power and capability to make up that extra 12 miles per hour in seventh gear. Just how fast will it go, though?

The base C8 Corvette Stingray with its “measly” 495 horsepower, is capable of an official top speed of 194 miles per hour. On the contrary, the Z06 has a lot more theoretical running room in each gear as the engine is capable of revving up to 8,600 RPM. The Z06 could run deep into the 200 mph range. Like, scary deep.

Of course, it’s worth keeping in mind that even the pre-mid-engine Corvettes had some eye-watering top speed capabilities. A 2020 Motor1 article outlines a video in which a stock 2019 C7 Corvette ZR1 climbs its way to an eye-watering top speed of 214 miles per hour.

Is the C8 Corvette Z06 the fastest Corvette ever made?

Overall, it seems like there’s a pretty decent chance that the C8 Corvette Z06 will reign king as the fastest Corvette in history. However, 214 miles per hour is certainly no small target. That’s especially true when you consider the fact that the 2019 Corvette ZR1 was advertised as having a 212 mph top speed. If the C7 beat its own top speed, the C8 certainly should!

Of course, that’s not exactly a fair comparison, as the C7 Corvette Z06 has a top speed of 196 miles per hour.
At any rate, the C8 Z06 should have a good shot at it. With its 670 horsepower flat-plane crank V8 that resembles a Ferrari engine by no coincidence, it’s undoubtedly an absolute weapon for the road.

There are still no official performance records for the C8 Z06 as of yet from Chevrolet. However, with the standard C8 Corvette Stingray having a sub-three-second zero to 60 sprint, we can only imagine the C8 Z06 will be downright insanity.

Now, all we can do is wait to see what this beast can do upon its official performance specs release!