Watch: Flat-plane crank Corvette C8 Z06 spotted testing at the Nürburgring

The upcoming Chevrolet Corvette C8 Z06 has been filmed at the Nürburgring, undertaking valuable development kilometres before its official debut next year.

Although the Z06 name is nothing new – tagged on to performance-focused Corvette variants since the C5 in 2001 – the C8 generation model will be the first in Chevy history to feature a flat-plane crank V8, making it sound more like a European screamer rather than an American bruiser.

Uploaded to YouTube, user Carspotter Jeroen highlighted the difference between the base C8 and the Z06 while testing at the ‘Ring in a comparison video, also allowing us to see some of the Z06’s body modifications.

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Standing out like a sore thumb is the Z06’s larger rear wing, now featuring endplates which are separated from the main part of the body, also sitting higher than the C8’s standard wing – which contours with the shape of the rear deck.

At the front there’s a sizeable splitter, helping to balance the front and rear downforce, although the aerodynamic modifications aren’t as drastic as the racing-spec C8.R’s front canards and rear diffuser.

While the Z06 hasn’t been officially uncovered in the United States, a trademark application in Australia has hinted at the mid-engined performance car coming to the local market in the future – as the first deliveries of the C8 are expected some time next year.