C8 Corvette

C8 Corvette

The New 2020 C8 Corvette: How It’s Changing The Automotive World By Challenging Cars That Are More Than Double Its Price

 After decades of wild and hopeful speculation, the holy grail of American sports car fantasies is finally within our grasp – a mid-engine Corvette. It has been announced, presented to the press and the public, and is about to go into production.

Along with the news of its creation came the even more welcome news of the 2020 C8 Corvette’s price. This groundbreaking vehicle will start at an amazing $59,995 including destination charges, a mere $3,000 increase over the base price of the 2019 C7 front-engine Corvette.

This is welcome news to all those enthusiasts who have dreamed of owning a mid-engine supercar but could never before hope to afford one. The 2020 C8 Corvette has turned the world of exotic cars on its head, showing that it is possible to create a “supercar for the masses.”

Let’s take a look at what makes the 2020 C8 Corvette special, unique, and such a great value, whether you are discussing performance, handling, comfort, or utility.

 It has taken some time, but it is finally here

The first mid-engine Corvette test vehicle, named CERV (Chevrolet Engineering Research Vehicle) was built back in 1960. The CERV 1  was engineered by Zora Arkus-Duntov and was used from 1959 to 1964 as a test bed for future Corvette developments. It featured a 500-horsepower small-block V8 located behind the driver, and reached speeds in excess of 200 mph. A series of mid-engine Corvette prototypes and show cars followed at irregular intervals during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. Innovations on these included all-wheel drive, turbocharged engines, an aluminum body, and a molded composite chassis.

Things went quiet until the turn of the 21^st Century, when the 2002 Cadillac Cien prototype appeared, reviving GM’s interest in a mid-engine sports car. Unfortunately, the GM bankruptcy blew things up in 2008, putting the project on the back burner for many years. Work continued in secret, with mid-engine Corvette test vehicles being occasionally caught by spy photographers. The long-rumored mid-engine Corvette was finally revealed to the public on July 18, 2019 as a 2020 model.

Why a mid-engine Corvette?

The front-engine Corvette had reached its performance limits, so the Corvette engineers pursued a mid-engine strategy. In addition to the performance benefits, it was felt that a mid-engine Corvette would broaden the car’s appeal to younger drivers in search of a high-performance sports car.

 The primary performance-related benefit of a mid-engine layout comes from its location of the engine mass in the center of the vehicle. This provides what engineers call a “low polar moment of inertia.” In simple terms, this means that a mid-engine car can change directions very quickly. Why? Because unlike front-engine cars in which the engine mass tries to push the front of the car toward the outside of a curve (also known as understeer), a mid-engine vehicle is more evenly balanced, with better weight distribution and responsiveness.

 Other benefits of the 2020 C8 Corvette’s mid-engine layout include:

 A mid-engine layout is state-of-the-art and is used by most exotic high-performance cars

• The driver sits closer to the front wheels, improving visibility
• It provides room for cargo in both front and rear, enhancing its practicality

 High performance from a tried-and-true engine

The 2020 C8 Corvette’s engine is a development of the C7’s small-block pushrod V8. The LT2 is a 6.2 liter naturally-aspirated powerplant that puts out 490 horsepower. Power increases to 495 horsepower with the performance exhaust system, an increase of 40 horsepower over the C7’s engine. This is good for 0-60 mph times under three seconds!

 The longitudinally-mounted LT2 also features a dry-sump oil system, which allows the engine to sit deeper in the chassis for a lower center of gravity. The C8 Corvette’s engine is cooled by a total of four radiators: there is one in each front corner, and one ahead of each rear wheel.

 Performance options include the Z51 Performance Package, which gives you bigger brakes, better cooling, adjustable performance suspension, a different rear axle ratio, and the performance exhaust that boosts output to 495 horsepower. Also available are launch control, magnetic ride control, an electronic limited-slip differential, performance traction management, a rear spoiler, and a front splitter.

 Sorry, but there is no manual transmission

The 2020 C8 Corvette has joined the ranks of Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren and other exotic carmakers. The only transmission to be offered on the C8 is an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic. First gear gets you moving, second through sixth gears are tuned for maximum acceleration, and both seventh and eight gears are overdrives for relaxed cruising.

However the traditionalists may feel about the lack of a manual, the reality is that a modern dual-clutch automatic with paddle shifters can shift much more quickly, both up and down, than can anyone using a clutch pedal and shift lever. Faster shifts translate directly into faster acceleration. In addition to very fast shifting, the C8 transmission also allows the driver to disconnect the clutch for improved manual control. You can also loaf along at a relaxed pace, and the transmission will adapt to your driving style.

  Suspension upgrades improve ride and handling

The transverse leaf springs that have been a part of Corvette’s rear suspension for many years are gone. The mid-engine layout leaves no room for them. In their place is a short/long arm wishbone suspension with coil springs. Thanks to a combination of advanced engineering and improved technology, the C8 Corvette has both stiffer springs and a smoother ride. Optional adjustable suspension and magnetorheological adaptive shocks allow the driver to tune the suspension precisely to any road or track situation.

Early testing has recorded cornering forces of over 1.0g on the stock tires.

 Brakes: the next generation

You will not find a traditional vacuum brake booster on the 2020 C8 Corvette. Instead, there is an electric motor that adds force through the master cylinder when the driver applies the brakes. This is called E-boost. This allows computer control of the braking feel, which is custom tailored for each of the driving modes. A second set of calipers on the rear wheels is for the exclusive use of the parking brake.

  The best Corvette interior ever

Most people with a nit to pick about the Corvettes of the past would usually start with the low-rent interiors. With the 2020 C8 Corvette, that complaint is no longer valid. The driver’s compartment has been styled into a self-contained cockpit, separated from the passenger area by a low wall that is studded with a long row of 20 climate control buttons. The rectangular steering wheel provides a clear view of the entire programmable instrument panel. Visibility outward is very good, and can be improved with the electronic rearview mirror camera that provides an unobstructed view of what’s behind you.

There are three trim levels (1LT, 2LT, and 3LT) that bring three levels of interior luxury. The top 3LT trim includes supple sewn-leather surfaces just about everywhere. There are three seat options, including aggressive Competition Sports buckets. Carbon fiber trim is another interior option. Most of the materials used are exactly what they appear to be, whether they are leather, suede, aluminum, or carbon fiber. 

 Value for the money: spectacular

Let’s repeat it one more time:

$59,995 including destination charges!

 This is an amazing price for a state-of-the-art, nearly 500-horsepower mid-engine sports car that you can drive to work every day – and to the track on the weekend! Even with some options added, it comes in at a fraction of the price of the mid-engine supercars that it will compete with:

 Acura NSX                                         $159,495

Audi R8                                              $172,850

Ferrari 488GTB                                  $266,397

Ferrari F8 Tributo                               $275,580

Ford GT                                              $500,000

Lamborghini Huracan Evo                 $267,569

McLaren 570S/GT                              $195,000

McLaren 600LT                                  $259,000

The 2020 C8 Corvette also provides plenty of storage space for a weekend trip for two, along with the reliability and durability that you can’t always count on from the more exotic brands.

 The 2020 C8 Corvette is truly a game-changer in the world of high-performance sports cars. In terms of value and performance for the money, everything else suddenly looks extremely overpriced!

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