And as you may already know, it’s mid-engined. It only took 60 years to arrive. In true Corvette fashion, it offers incredible performance per dollar.
Exactly how much performance and how many dollars? How does 0-60 under 3 seconds for $60k sound? Granted, it only does 0-60 in under 3 seconds with the Z51 performance package, which includes better suspension, cooling, exhaust, and brakes, but what else offers this level of performance at this price point? A Porsche 718 Cayman doesn’t come close, and its engine has half the number of cylinders.
Traction must be incredible, because the base C8 Stingray isn’t massively powerful for supercar standards, with its dry-sump 6.2 liter LT2 V8 making 495 hp and 470 lb ft of torque which all goes to the rear wheels via an electronic limited-slip differential. Unfortunately, there is currently no manual option- just a Tremec 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. However, GM have patented a new manual transmission with a clutch by wire design, so there is hope.
GM would be wise to give the C8 Corvette a manual. All you have to do is look at the market for used mid-engine supercars with manuals. Regardless of the supercar- Audi R8, Ferrari 360, Lamborghini Murcielago- in literally any supercar, manuals command a premium, as there is greater demand for them. If the new Corvette has a manual, it would be the only mid-engine supercar on sale with a manual, and that would help it find enthusiast buyers, and help shake its “old man car” image.
For the first time ever, the Corvette no longer uses a body-on-frame construction. The new C8 ditches the C7’s perimeter frame for an aluminum backbone chassis, with the front end having a separate subframe. This likely makes the car lighter and improves structural rigidity. It weighs 3366 lbs (1526 kg). Another first for the Corvette- it uses coil springs all-round, with no leaf springs in sight. As before, it uses double-wishbones, but it has a new feature- it has a front axle lifting system, and the cars GPS remembers where you use it, so it’ll remember to lift for steep driveways or the speedbumps at the entrance of the McDonalds drive-thru.
It also has a trunk at the front, as well as behind the engine. Its no wagon, but it should continue to be practical by sports car standards. On the inside, it looks very different to the C7. Based on the pictures, it appears to be much higher quality than before. And if you think that it looks like a fighter-jet cockpit, that’s intentional- GM claim to have been inspired by the F22 and F35. To allow you to see the digital gauges better, the steering wheel is slightly square shaped at the top, which won’t be to everyone’s taste. It also has the spokes at the 8 and 4 positions, which will likely make the wheel less comfortable to hold.
The new Corvette will also be available in RHD, so people in the UK may actually buy it, unlike the C7 which barely sold at all.
The C8 Corvette also keeps the targa roof, which every generation of Corvette has had since the C3. Its body colored as standard, but you can pay extra for a carbon fiber or a transparent panel.
The new Corvette will be built at GM’s Bowling Green Kentucky plant and is available to pre-order now.
