Our favorite mid-engined sports car has been spotted yet again. Of course, we’re talking about the C8 Corvette, and this time, it’s wearing even less camouflage.
Notably, we can see headlights poking through the front end, and we get our best shot yet of the rear end. Up front, we can’t tell if there’s a pair of thin LED headlights, or if the camouflage’s shape is simply making it look that way. Thus far, we don’t really have any indication of what the car will look like. It could retain some C7 Corvette design cues, or it may usher in a revolutionary new look for the Corvette—along with a revolutionary engine layout.
At the rear, we can see the rearward window, engine cover and a slight look at the taillights. Again, the camo is doing a wonderful job to cover up shapes and lines, but the quad, dual-exhaust outlets remain from earlier spy shots.
The most information we’ve learned about the C8 Corvette actually has to do with its powertrain. Last year, a CAD drawing allegedly showed the car’s forthcoming LT7 V8 engine, though we didn’t learn about displacement. An even earlier round of leaked information mentioned three engine options for the future car: a familiar 6.2-liter LT1 V8 engine, a 4.2-liter DOHC V8 and a 5.5-liter DOHC V8 engine.
All info has pointed to a 2019 debut for the mid-engine Corvette, and as we spy the car out in the wild more often, we’ll likely draw closer to a reveal.
Spy Shots: Autoblog
Comments
There’s no doubt that the C8 Corvette will be a sexy beast when it’s officially introduced and like all Corvettes, the C8 Corvette is purpose designed and built to beat the best of Europe while still remaining relatively affordable to the every man as the C7 Corvette ZR1 being quicker around Virginia International Raceway than a Ford GT continues to prove this objective.
What is considered affordable? I am not talking about zr1 zo6! I am talking about base stingray or z51!
70k start for base?
Base Prices:
Coupe Most Popular Styles MPG MSRP
Stingray Coupe 1LT 16/25 $56,445
Stingray Coupe 2LT 16/25 $60,900
Stingray Coupe Z51 1LT 16/25 $61,445
Stingray Coupe Z51 2LT 16/25 $65,900
i think the base price will be low but the options are going to be expensive to make up the difference
If the rumors are true which engine would you choose?
4.2, 5.5, 6.2
My choice would be a basic non-turbo lightweight with manual with 525-550hp with the track pack which includes upgraded brakes and cooling. If that falls in the 75-90K area, (depending on options) that works for me.
Manual is suppose to go by by because going faster is more important then being able to say I row my own gears.
The last time I looked at the figures, the overall take rate for manuals for the Corvette was approx. 30%. Porsche brought in back for the GT3 due to repeated requests from enthusiasts. Aston Martin is doing the same.
This is enough demand to make it profitable and justify the option, at the very least on the entry level version.
4.2 V8 TT DOHC for weight saving and fuel economy, but particularly weight saving.
A lighter car with more power is an obvious sports car.
How does that choice make it lighter then the 6.2?
The 6.2L will more than likely get a supercharger (more weight), bigger engine by default (unless all components go aluminium…unlikely). I cannot see the economic benefits for GM in a very low specced C8 with 400-450bhp. It also would not help the “supercar” image they are trying to push for Corvette. “Supercars” are a 600+hp item these days. Leave that “sport car” level of horsepower for the likes of Camaro.
If we compare a compact all aluminium push rod engine vs a much taller DOHC with two turbos, plumbing, intercoolers… The twin cam may not be lighter.
True. I just figured if McLaren can build a lightweight 4.0L V8 TT DOHC, then so can GM.
My bad. I forgot how American engineering is so far behind European / Japanese vehicle engineering (sarcasm).
I still think that if GM really wants to make a statement to show they can build a world class car, the best place to show the concept is Geneva where all the best supercars will be. Then reveal the production version in Detroit 2019.
This would also allow them to test without all that cluttered camouflage.
We cannot know, but Probability is that:
The C8 will look the 458 Italia, 488 the GTB, the 570S and 720S Mclaren . Maybe it will have a slightly longer front snoot, like the Ford GT. Extra front length might be designed to create storage . The Ford has a pushrod suspension in that front space and no meaningful storage.
It will not look like the the Porsches, the Lambos, the R8 and etc.
So dose this ultimately replace the C7 rear drive front engine model? I am not sure if GM would want to take a chance on losing the traditional Vette buyer by only offering this version. But in that case would they keep 2 versions of the Vette going forward. Its going to be interesting to see how they have that planned.
Yes it will replace it. There could be a time of overlap but the C7 will go away.
You keep the pricing similar and the performance better and it will continue to sell in better numbers.
The present sales are dropping fast as the traditional buyers are growing tired of it.
Keep in mind that this will be the first world class Corvette. The target market isn’t only the US but there are plenty of new young millionaires in many countries that can easily afford this car.
The middle class in China is already double the size of the entire US population at over 650 million people.
I hope to god that they keep at least 1 version of the current, front engine Vette. If I wanted a mid engine car, I would go out and buy an R8. I love the corvette, mainly because it is a front engine car that can compete and even surpass the likes of mid engine super cars…… while still looking AMAZING. I personally do not like the “stubby nose” look of mid/rear engine cars.
The answer is yes, if corvette does discontinue the front engine car completely; they will lose at least 1 buyer.
But they will gain 100 more with real money. This is no longer a blue collar car for the gold chain and pork chop sideburn crowd. Lol