The C8, of course, was the first mid-engined Corvette to hit the market. As such, talk about that motor location stole the show. Now that we’ve all had a few years to get used to the angularly distinctive new ‘Vette, with the Z06 we can go back to talking about the engine proper.
Speak loudly, though, because it can be pretty loud. This is the new LT6, a 5.5-liter V8 that puts down a ridiculous 670 horsepower. No, it doesn’t have a turbocharger or a supercharger, nor is that number boosted by any sort of electrical motors or the like. This is a good ol’ American, naturally aspirated V8.
How does it get that much power, then? By revving to the moon. The LT6 makes peak power at a remarkable 8,400 RPM, just a couple ticks short of the 8,600 RPM redline. That sky-high rotational speed is enabled by a flat-plane crankshaft, a distinctive engine configuration often used on race-ready motors. The symmetrical design of that crank means the engine can get away with less internal counterbalancing, thus enabling a higher rev-limit without spinning itself to pieces.
