The mid-engined C8 already stirred up the sports car market with its arrival back in 2019. However, the Chevy Corvette Z06 is right around the corner to take things up a notch. While we don’t know if it will retain the Z06 name, at least we know it might arrive sooner than expected. According to CarBuzz, this brand-new Corvette is set to be a track-focused but will remain road-legal, of course. Additionally, the engine in the middle will likely feature a flat-plane crank.

What makes the 2022 Chevy Corvette Z06 so special?

For years, the Chevy Corvette Z06 has served as one of the most powerful versions available of the standard model. If we take the last-generation Corvette as an example, the Z06 generated significantly more power. The standard C7 developed 455 hp from its naturally aspirated V8, while the Z06 pushed out over 650 hp from its supercharged V8.

If history is anything to go by, this upcoming model should be a major leap forward. The standard 2021 Chevy Corvette develops 490 hp. As a result, this brand-new Z06 model could easily deliver around 700 hp once it arrives.

Aside from the power improvements, the Chevy Corvette Z06 should bring along plenty of visual and suspension upgrades as well. According to CarBuzz, the model’s development team is currently using a Porsche 911 GT2 RS as the benchmark for this new Z06. Given that the Porsche makes 700 hp, chances are the Chevy will find itself in that range.

What will power this new 2022 model?

To make these tremendous figures, the Chevy Corvette Z06 will need a brand new engine. On this front, there are several major improvements as well. According to CarBuzz, this new Z06 will be powered by a naturally-aspirated 5.5-liter V8. If that engine sounds familiar, it’s because it currently lives in the C8.R race car. Additionally, CarBuzz report that it will arrive paired to an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, much like the standard model.

The standard 2021 Chevy Corvette takes just 2.8 seconds to reach 60 mph when equipped with the Z51 package. As a result, CarBuzz report that the Z06 will reach 60 mph somewhere close to the 2.7-second range. It is also worth keeping in mind that faster versions of the C8 will are likely coming down the pipeline. As a result, the Z06 likely won’t be the most powerful version we’ll see in the next few years.

When will this new Z06 formally arrive?

If you’ve made up your mind and want a Chevy Corvette Z06 in your life, you won’t have to wait very long. According to CarBuzz, the new Z06 will arrive sometime in July.

This information comes from the founder of the MidEngineCorvette forum. CarBuzz reports that the originator of the info is an employee of Estero Bay Chevrolet, the 16th largest Chevy dealership in the U.S. As a result there is good reason to take this leak seriously. However, we still don’t know if it will actually be called the Z06. Given how much has changed with the model, we may just get a brand-new name as well.