GM source says Chevy planned to revive Z/28 with C8 Z06 engine

According to a source working for GM who spoke to Motor Trend, Chevrolet planned to once again revive the Z/28 name by dropping the flat-plane crank, 5.5-liter V8 from the upcoming C8 Corvette Z06 in the current-gen Camaro.

That source, known only as “Deep Burble,” also noted that the Z06 engine is good for a little over 600 horsepower. That’s slightly less than the 650 horsepower on tap in the current-gen, supercharged LT1-powered Camaro ZL1, but a considerable bump from the 505 horsepower found in the last version of the Z/28 available on the fifth-gen Camaro.

That Z/28, sold as one of the most track-capable versions of the Camaro, is said to have been built on the “legacy of the original SCCA Trans Am-series contender introduced in 1967.” The model’s biggest claim to fame, though, was a Nürburgring lap time of 7:37.47–some four seconds faster the ZL1 Camaro of the time.

Why did Chevrolet scrap the plan? Deep Burble has an explanation, too, and claims the cancelation was caused by the Camaro’s polarizing exterior design:

Are you sad to hear that the Z/28 won’t be making a comeback anytime soon, or does the ZL1 fill the void enough for you when it comes to a track-focused Camaro?

Comments

Snrub Dork
7/1/21 9:51 a.m.

As much as it sounds like a cool engine, I'm not sure how many extreme track variants of Camaro are needed. The ZL1 1LE really seems to be the same concept as the Z28, with similar execution.

I thought the initial 6th gen Camaro's were attractive enough, but the mid generation facelift was poorly conceived.

350z247 Reader
7/1/21 10:58 a.m.

I'm bummed as this sounds like it would have been incredible. I am not a fan at all of using FI on track; so, I would never even consider a ZL1 (yes, it can be done, but NA is better for a number of reasons). However, the GT350 still exists and in pretty big numbers too. One of those is on my list right after a Boxster GTS.

iansane GRM+ Memberand HalfDork
7/1/21 11:08 a.m.

When they inevitably option the camaro in an electric drivetrain, will it be the E/28?

Olemiss540 HalfDork
7/1/21 11:16 a.m.

Bummed this did not go into production.

z31maniac MegaDork
7/1/21 11:22 a.m.

In reply to Snrub :

Even just the SS 1LE is a pretty bonkers track car.

Colin Wood Associate Editor
7/1/21 11:33 a.m.

iansane said:
When they inevitably option the camaro in an electric drivetrain, will it be the E/28?

GM after reading your commet:

thatsnowinnebago GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
7/1/21 11:39 a.m.

Colin Wood said:
iansane said:
When they inevitably option the camaro in an electric drivetrain, will it be the E/28?

GM after reading your commet:

It costs nothing to be kind. Instagram: @theother_woodbrother.

BMW's lawyers watching GM after they read your comment:

crankwalk (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
7/1/21 1:08 p.m.

iansane said:
When they inevitably option the camaro in an electric drivetrain, will it be the E/28?

Didn't they do this several years ago?

The electric COPO or something.

Edit:

Yeah this thing . Meh.

BA5 GRM+ Memberand Reader
7/1/21 1:29 p.m.

They messed up the sixth-gen [Camaro's] styling." Yes, friends, Chevy made the current Camaro so unattractive that it led to ...

I keep reading statements like this, but I really don't see how it's any more ugly than any camaro that's been made since 2002?

iansane GRM+ Memberand HalfDork
7/1/21 1:44 p.m.

crankwalk (Forum Supporter) said:
iansane said:
When they inevitably option the camaro in an electric drivetrain, will it be the E/28?

Didn't they do this several years ago?

The electric COPO or something.

Edit:

Yeah this thing . Meh.

Okay. This demonstrates how information lays dormant in the back of your brain and seeps out at random later times. I used to sell parts to the high school that built that. (I was the wholesale department at the O'Reilly Auto down the road) Seriously, how did I not remember that? The teacher Pat McCue is a really cool, down to earth guy.