Rumored since approximately the Taft Administration, the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette, the mystical mid-engine Corvette, has finally transcended myth and arrived in reality. It’s finally here (well, after a leak from earlier tonight). Time to run down everything we know.
With a 6.2-liter LT2 V8in the between its axles, the C8 Corvette makes 495 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque and uses an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. Power is sent to the rear wheels. The car has a claimed zero to 60 time of under three seconds if you option it with the Z51 pack, which gives you bigger brakes, a performance exhaust, improved cooling and a performance suspension system.
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Also, there’s a front trunk and a rear trunk! Does that mean that the front space could be re-purposed to fit an electric motor? It’s too early to tell, but I wouldn’t put it past General Motors to use this platform to show off some electrified performance later on. I mean, Ferrari, McLaren, Porsche and even Acura have all done it already.
We’re watching the stream as it unfolds live and here are the technical details:
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- Dual-clutch manufactured by Tremec
- Chassis built from mixed-materials and uses die-cast aluminum components
- Entry level 2020 model will weigh 3,366 pounds
- Will have launch control and an electronic limited-slip differential
- Six driving modes: Weather, Tour, Sport, Track, MyMode (individually configurable) and Z Mode (for the most performance-oriented driving)
- Removable targa roof panel that you can store in the trunk
- Will be available as a right-hand drive model
- Compression ratio 11.5:1
- Coil springs instead of leaf springs
- Front nose-lift is GPS-based (you can geo-tag where you want the nose to lift)
- Geared for being quick off the line and efficient on the highway with the seventh and eighth gears
- Will be offered with 12 exterior colors
- Will start at less than $60,000
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(This is a breaking news post and is being updated.)
I do think it looks pretty good! I still prefer the more rounded shapes that defined the C5 and C6 generations, but since everything these days has gone pointy and aggro, the new Corvette offers a decent take on modern styling. It looks like a sleeker C7 and the rear does manage to maintain Corvette-ish looks, despite being slightly squashed-looking. I’m digging those contrast-colored side vents, though.
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The interior, as you saw earlier today, is quite button-heavy. The rest of it doesn’t look bad, it just looks very… snug. Cozy, actually. Like a cocoon of Corvette wrapped around you. And thank the Lord the infotainment screen wasn’t tacked cheaply on top of the dash. I’m still not sold on that steering wheel, though.
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Hm. Maybe it’s because this car is reportedly pissing off Boomers, a favorite pastime of mine, but I’m on board with it. It’s a few years too late, but it’s here at the very least. It’s also nice to see GM break free from all the crossovers and give us something we are actually interested in driving.
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And the C8 should drive great. The C7 ‘Vettes were great. So were the C6 ones. Fast, planted, with plenty of feedback and giving the European supercars a run for their money. GM can build a good car when it wants to.
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