Picture via Autoblog and Chris Doane Automotive

When we were at the unveiling of the ZL1 1LE, we asked Camaro head honcho Al Oppenheiser whether a Z/28 was still in the cards for the sixth-gen, or if what we were seeing would be the pinnacle of Camaro performance for the generation. His answer was a closely metered response that seemed to suggest that an even higher echelon vehicle might still be on its way.

“We’ve always said that we’ll bring a Z/28 to market if the formula for one looks right, so it’s not out of the realm of possibility,” Oppenheiser said.

After hearing his response, we felt even more sure that a Z/28 was currently being developed, despite the fact that the ZL1 1LE had just broken cover and surprised everyone that it wasn’t, in fact, the Z/28. However, with the rumors of a dual overhead cam LT5 all but confirmed, and the fact that the ZL1 1LE isn’t nearly as hard core as the outgoing fifth-gen Z/28, we’re almost positive that we have yet to see the final evolution for the sixth-gen Camaro. And now Autoblog brings us photos of something obviously sixth-gen based but yet a distinct departure from the ZL1 1LE.

Could this be the sixth-gen Z/28? We know that a new dual over head cam engine is on its way, destined for an as of yet undisclosed Corvette—most likely the C7 ZR1. At this point, we’re not sure whether the LT5 will be naturally aspirated or boosted via a supercharger—though some speculate it may even be twin turbo (we highly doubt this). One thing is for sure though, the spy shots of the C7 ZR1 seem to suggest that we are about to see a very track-focused Corvette that will be all about turning in quick lap times. It would make sense then that the ZR1’s engine could carry over to a new Z/28 that is just as track-centric.

Picture via Autoblog and Chris Doane Automotive

We like to think that it means the LT5  will be a naturally aspirated mill, using a flat plane crank, dual over head cams and rev to the moon in order to produce 700+ naturally aspirated horsepower. While that might be a bit of a reach for a 6.2 naturally aspirated mill, Oppenheiser did mention at the ZL1 1LE debut that the Z/28 has always been a naturally aspirated track-focused car and that is the formula they would like to carry over. That suggests to us that the LT5 just might be the high-revving track brute we hope it will be.

While that may or may not be true, there are several outlets reporting that an LT6 and LT7 may be on the way as well—despite having absolutely no proof that other LT variants might be in testing. While we are skeptical that anything besides the LT5 is currently in devolvement, that doesn’t rule out the chance that the Z/28 just might have an engine all its own. But, at this point, that is nothing more than conjecture.

What we do know is that apparently a new model of Camaro is likely on its way and it is more than likely the Z/28 we have all been waiting for. Whether it will retain the formula of big displacement and natural aspiration is yet to be seen, but we hope that Z/28 sticks with the tried and true road racer recipe.

See all of the spyshots Autoblog captured here.