NEW CORVETTE UNVEILED
Mid-engine design is a rarity
An American icon just took it to a new level.
On Thursday, Chevrolet took the next big step as General Motors President Mark Reuss took the wraps off the all new mid-engine C8 Corvette Stingray in Orange County, Calif.
The 2020 C8 is the first midengine supercar produced by Chevrolet in the 21st century. Its all-new LS2 6.2-liter V8 small block engine produces 490 horsepower and 470 lb.-ft. of torque for its base model. It’s mated to a new eight-speed dualclutch automatic transmission — forcing old-school manual transmission owners to resort to paddle shifters if they want more control.
But the most eye-catching number might be this: The C8 will start just under $60,000 for its base model with no options — only a few thousand dollars more than the most recent C7 model. However, anticipated demand might lead to a hefty dealer pricing premium for more advanced models, such as the convertible and the Z51 model to be released at a future date. Those high-demand models could drive the base price near the six-figure mark, depending on options.
Bob Jackson, treasurer and past president of the Citrus County, Fla., Corvette Club — and a C7 Z06 Corvette owner — says, “The C8 will be legendary in its continued efforts to provide power, comfort and appearance while offering a great price to the American consumer.”
The C8 will compete against the Acura NSX, starting at $157,000, and the Porsche 718 at just over $61,000 in the mid-engine (with the engine placed between the front and rear axles) class. Chevrolet has announced it is now accepting orders for the new car at local dealers and will begin selling them in late 2019.