First, a Little Corvette History
1953 marked the start of the Corvette, with the first production model assembled in Flint, Michigan. The original two-seat Corvette’s shape came from the drawing board of famed General Motors designer Harley Earl.
Only 300 cars were built during that first year, each fitted with a fiberglass body, a V6, and a two-speed automatic. The Corvette gained true sports car credibility in 1955 when a V8 became an option. Led by Belgium-born Zora Arkus-Duntov, who later became known as the "Father of the Corvette," Chevy's engineers transformed the relaxed roadster into a respected performance car.
In 1963, the Corvette gained the Sting Ray (then two words) nameplate and a coupe body with a split-rear window. The split-window Corvette, which was only built for one year, has become one of the greatest collector cars of all time. The Corvette survived through the 1970s to the present day, gaining new technology and improved performance with each successive generation.
The current generation of the car, the C7 Corvette, came with tremendous performance, interior, and design enhancements that are only eclipsed by the groundbreaking changes introduced for 2020.
Throughout the history of the Corvette project, GM was experimenting with mid-engine sports cars. Arkus-Duntov’s CERV I in 1960 was the first in a series of mid-engine CERV concepts created by the company. The C8 marks the first time a mid-engine sports car has made it into production as a Corvette.
Exterior Design: The Corvette Gets a New Shape
The original Corvette was designed with a shape inspired by the aeronautical advancements of the time. In keeping with that tradition, the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette’s design is inspired by the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II fighter jets – as well as the supercars the Corvette is designed to compete with. Its lines are curvy, yet crisp, with a dramatic profile.
While there are design elements that show the C8 is a descendant of the C7 Corvette, the body’s proportions are drastically different. Gone is the Corvette’s signature long hood. It has been replaced by an aggressively sculpted short hood, and the cabin has been moved ahead by 16.5 inches.
The sides of the new Corvette C8 are dominated by massive air intakes that look like they could have come from a Ferrari LaFerrari or Ford GT. Those air intakes are needed to feed the V8 that's located behind the cabin, forward of the rear wheels. That V8 is visible below a large rear window that displays the powerplant like a fierce zoo animal.
Of course, you won’t find traditional door handles to break up the Corvette’s lines. They’re hidden at the front edge of the air intake.
Exterior Design: Four Lights, Four Pipes
At the rear of the car is a modernized take on the Corvette’s classic four-tail-light design, with four squared exhaust pipes emerging from the lower valance.
Exterior Design: Semi-Convertible
While we won’t see the convertible version of the C8 Corvette until a little later, the standard coupe comes with a removable roof panel, just like previous versions of the car. The panel can be stored in the rear cargo area, so you can experience open-air driving while you’re on the go.
Powertrain: One Engine for Now, but It’s Potent
Chevrolet made a splash at the recent Corvette C8 introduction when they announced the base Stingray model’s engine. It will come with a 6.2-liter small-block LT2 V8 engine that produces 495 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque when equipped with the optional performance exhaust.
That’s 40 horsepower more than the LT1 V8 in the current C7 Corvette Stingray, and the most ever provided in a base Corvette. It is the only non-turbo- or supercharged V8 in the class. According to Chevy, a C8 Stingray equipped with the Z51 package will launch from zero to 60 mph in less than three seconds.
Since the engine is on display through the rear window, Chevy designed every visible part with appearance in mind. They refer to the engine as a “jewel in the center” of the car.
Powertrain: No Manual Transmission
The Corvette’s beefy V8 sends its power to the rear wheels through an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and only an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. For the first time since the 1953 Chevrolet Corvette, there will not be a manual transmission available for the C8.
Chevy cites the cost and difficulty of engineering and building a manual for the few buyers who would want one as the reason for their decision.
There’s no shift lever for the automatic. Instead, drivers will use a push-button shifter that’s not much different than the one found in the Honda Odyssey minivan. Thankfully, the Corvette comes equipped with a sophisticated paddle-shifting system for some semblance of manual control.
World-Class Ride and Handling Expected
When asked why the Corvette went to a mid-engine layout, Chevrolet engineers stated that the former front-engine design had reached its handling limits. The engine amidships setup allows them to wring out maximum handling prowess, provide excellent visibility, and precisely manage weight distribution. The car’s center of gravity is now located near the driver’s hip.
The structure of the C8 is all new, using aluminum and carbon fiber fitted to an exceptionally stiff center tunnel. For the first time, the Corvette abandons rear transverse leaf springs and employs coil-over suspension dampers in its sophisticated suspension setup. Magnetic ride control is available on C8 Corvettes equipped with the Z51 performance package. A low front splitter and rear wing add as much as 400 pounds of downforce to improve cornering.
Some of the biggest obstacles low-slung sports cars face are high curbs and speed bumps. Not only can the Corvette Stingray’s vertical-lifting nose rise by 40 millimeters to clear obstacles, but its GPS-based navigation can also remember where as many as 1,000 of those obstacles are. It then automatically adjusts the nose height as you approach them.
Unlike some luxury sports cars, including the Acura NSX, Audi TT, and Mercedes-Benz GT, which are available with all-wheel drive, the mid-engine C8 Corvette will only come with rear-wheel drive.
Striking Interior Design
If you’re looking for a sports car with understated interior elegance, you should probably skip the C8 and head to your dealer for a Lexus LC. The interior of the new Chevy Corvette C8 is a blend of jet fighter cockpit and luxury supercar.
The dash is dominated by a pair of screens. The instrument cluster is a 12.0-inch customizable display that changes hue and design based on the driving mode you choose. Topping the center of the dash is a large touch-screen infotainment system. Below the infotainment screen is a rotary drive mode controller and the push-button shifter.
One of the most polarizing features of the new Corvette is a ridge of buttons that forms a divider between the driver and passenger spaces. The buttons on the strip manage HVAC and seat climate controls.
Unlike Corvettes of old, you don't look out over a massive hood with bulbous fenders. Instead, there's a short, low nose that you can barely see.
Interior Design: Squared-Off Steering Wheel
The two-spoke, squared-off steering wheel is unlike anything you’ll see in a mainstream car. Befitting the luxury car price tag, it has power-adjustable tilt and telescoping standard. Steering wheel heating is optional.
The steering wheel includes a “Z-Mode” button to put the car into a performance setup you customize.
Updated Infotainment System
The 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray will include the company’s most advanced infotainment system, supported by an all-new electrical system that permits higher-resolution touch screens and lightning-fast data transmission. An 8-inch infotainment touch screen comes standard.
Chevy says the new wiring architecture will support over-the-air updates and has been designed with cybersecurity in mind.
The new system can be outfitted with an advanced Performance Data Recorder (PDR). It monitors vehicle data and matches it with video from a forward-facing camera. When not being used as an analysis tool, the camera acts like a traditional dashcam, triggered each time the car starts or when it is put in valet mode. To help you avoid damaging the Corvette’s massive wheels, you can add a curb-view camera.
Every Corvette features a 12-inch customizable instrument panel display and a host of other advanced features that are new to the model. Buyers with some smartphones can perform Bluetooth pairing by putting their phone near an available near-field communication spot on the dash. A wireless phone charger is available.
The C8 Corvette’s voice recognition system will learn as you go, according to Chevrolet. The available navigation system features improved real-time traffic updates, though they’re redundant if you use Waze with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
An available full-color head-up display projects driving information into the driver’s line of sight.
Infotainment System: Music to Your Ears
A 10-speaker audio system comes standard, while a 14-speaker Bose system is available.
Interior Comfort: Pick Your Throne
Chevrolet will offer three different seats in the eighth-generation Corvette. Base models will receive eight-way power-adjustable GT1 Mulan leather seats with lumbar support and side bolster adjustment.
You can upgrade to race-inspired GT2 seats with Mulan leather bolsters, Napa leather inserts, and carbon fiber trim. The GT2 seats are both heated and ventilated.
If spending long days at the track is your plan, you’ll want to opt for the Competition Sport seats. The full Napa leather-surfaced seats come with heating and ventilation, plus aggressive bolsters, carbon fiber headrest trim, and a Kevlar vest-like performance textile.
Unlike many mid-engine supercars, which can be a chore to get into and out of, the mid-engine Corvette is designed with shallow side sills that don’t require gymnastics to clear. Without the long, high hood, forward visibility is much improved.
Memory settings for the driver and passenger seats are available. Dual-zone automatic climate control comes standard.
Safety Features
Hidden by all of the hype surrounding the mid-engine Corvette’s performance specs and pricing is the fact that Chevrolet said very little about any advanced safety and driver assistance features that will be available on the car.
A high-definition rearview camera and rear park assist will come standard. Blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert are available. Chevy hasn’t mentioned automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, or lane-keeping assist.
Divided Cargo Capacity
If cargo volume is one of your most important buying criteria, the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette might not be your best choice. One of the challenges with a mid-engine design is providing enough space for cargo.
Where the old Corvette had a fair amount of space under its rear hatch, the new Corvette has a pair of smaller cargo compartments – one in the front and one in the rear.
The front compartment, between the headlights, will fit a standard airline carry-on. The rear cargo compartment, behind the engine, is big enough for two golf bags, according to Chevrolet. Between the two areas, there's a total of 12.6 cubic feet of cargo volume. The current model has 15 cubic feet of room for your stuff.
Price and Trims
At launch, the Corvette will only be available in the Stingray coupe trim with a base price under $60,000. Three trims – 1LT, 2LT, and 3LT – will be offered. The 2LT adds a host of comfort, technology, and safety tech, while the 3LT gets you Napa leather and other interior upgrades.
The Z51 Performance Package will likely be the most expensive option, as it adds a host of spendy go-fast features to the car. Available in the Z51 package is Magnetic Ride Control, which continually adjusts the suspension for different road and driving conditions.
Chevy will offer multiple roof, engine cover, stripe, brake caliper, and rear wing options so you can make your C8 different from your neighbor’s. According to several sources, you can even customize your mid-engine Corvette’s vehicle identification number (VIN).
It’s likely that more-powerful C8 Corvettes – successors to today’s supercharged V8-powered Z06 and range-topping 755-horsepower LT5-powered ZR1 – are on the horizon. A C8 convertible is likely on the way, as well.
In other words, $60K is just the start.
Everyone’s a Competitor
When it comes to fighting for sales, the mid-engine Corvette will face a variety of rivals. Its $60,000 base price puts it on par with high-end versions of domestic competitors such as the Dodge Challenger Hellcat, Ford Mustang GT 350, and even the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.
Its mid-engine design and impressive performance numbers could make it a viable competitor of vehicles such as the Audi R8, Acura NSX, Nissan GT-R, and BMW i8, plus exotic rivals from Ferrari and Lamborghini. It’s a less expensive and more powerful competitor to the Lexus LC.
Of course, it will also face stiff competition from the Porsche Cayman, Porsche 911, Mercedes-Benz GT, all-new Toyota Supra, and redesigned BMW Z4.
Market analysts will be watching to see if the new Chevy Corvette retains its loyal, yet aging, customer base, and if it can attract younger buyers. The average age of current Corvette buyers is 67 years old, according to market research firm Strategic Vision and Yahoo! Finance.
Production and Availability
The 2020 Corvette Stingray will start rolling off the Chevrolet assembly line in Bowling Green, Kentucky this fall, with an on-sale date in late 2019 or early 2020. You can visit Chevrolet’s home page on the Internet and configure your perfect Corvette now, though detailed pricing information is not available.
The Corvette Visualizer, available on Chevrolet.com, allows prospective buyers to see vehicles they customize in extreme detail. You can turn interior and exterior lights on and off, remove the roof panel, and share your creations on social media.
Early Reviews
The mid-engine Corvette is a monumental departure from previous Corvettes. As you may have guessed, there are fans and detractors of the new design. While the world’s automotive media won’t drive the C8 Corvette for a few months, many already have opinions about the new car.
“Impressive engineering, relatively low list price and striking looks aside the 2020 Corvette C8 really is one of the most significant things to happen in cars in a long time.” – Jalopnik
“When the C8 Corvette Stingray debuts later this year, it will be priced under $60,000. That is, frankly, a shocking deal.” – Road and Track
“Overall, the new Vette's cabin appears to be quite good, but what we are really looking forward to is our first chance to get this car out on the road.” – Car and Driver
“Lower, wider, and longer than before, the new, mid-engine Corvette is certainly striking. And with a base price suggested to be close to the current car, the Corvette’s giant-killer status should hold true as well.” – Autoweek
“But many of the Corvette faithful – men pushing over 60, possibly pony-tailed and post-second divorce (I kid, I kid) – aren’t happy about the massive changes to the Corvette’s tried and true formula — namely a huge front hood with a big V-8 engine underneath, tall front fenders, and small back end buttoning up that long coupe silhouette. And don’t get them started on the lack of a manual transmission in the new C8.” – Yahoo! Finance
What About the Current ‘Vette?
Despite some early rumors, the Corvette C7 will go away when the Corvette C8 arrives. That doesn’t mean you’re out of luck, however. According to CorvetteBlogger.com, there are more than 6,000 remaining on U.S. dealer lots.
The supply of 2018 and 2019 models remaining on dealer lots has led to financing incentives from Chevy and deep dealer discounting over the last several months. Be sure to check out our Chevrolet car deals page before you head for the dealer to find out if there are factory offers available.
Production of the front-engine Chevrolet Corvette is expected to end soon so the plant can be converted for the production of the C8. The final C7 Corvette to be produced – a Corvette Z06 with a manual transmission – recently sold at the Barrett-Jackson Northeast auction for $2.7 million. The proceeds from the sale of the car, which was donated by Chevrolet, went to charity.
European customers will have to buy their C7 Chevrolet Corvettes before August 31, when stringent EU emissions standards go into force.
2020 Chevrolet Corvette: Additional Photos
For additional photos of the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, click through the following pages.
Above: Corvette, aerial view with top up
2020 Chevrolet Corvette: Additional Photos
Corvette concept art
2020 Chevrolet Corvette: Additional Photos
Corvette overhead view
2020 Chevrolet Corvette: Additional Photos
Corvette push-button ignition
2020 Chevrolet Corvette: Additional Photos
Corvette wheel close-up
2020 Chevrolet Corvette: Additional Photos
Corvette headlight close-up
2020 Chevrolet Corvette: Additional Photos
Corvette tailpipe close-up
2020 Chevrolet Corvette: Additional Photos
Corvette targa top stowed in trunk
2020 Chevrolet Corvette: Additional Photos
Corvette engine detail
More Shopping Tools From U.S. News & World Report
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The 8th Generation of the Iconic Corvette Arrives
After a long wait, the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette has shed its camouflage and made its debut. As the spy shots predicted, the eighth generation of America’s iconic sports car is revolutionary, shredding many of the ideas of what a Corvette should be.
Above all is the fact that the C8 Corvette Stingray has a mid-engine design. (Corvette fans refer to the different eras of the car by their generation number; hence, the new version is the C8 Corvette, while the current model is the C7.)
Over its 66-year history, the previous seven generations of the 'Vette have been front-engine designs, with mile-long hoods covering potent engines. Chevy says the front-engine layout had reached its pinnacle of performance with the C7 Corvette. The engine has been moved behind the seats for the first time in the 2020 Corvette.
The Stingray coupe is just the first of the new Corvettes to be introduced. It’s expected to be followed by a convertible and higher-performance variants. It's the first 'Vette that will also be built with right-hand drive, so the rest of the world can experience America's affordable supercar.
We’ll look at all you need to know about the 2020 Chevy Corvette on the following pages.