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2020 Corvette Stingray: First Real-Life Pictures

While all the Corvette fans out there are no doubt still pouring over the official press shots from last night’s debut of the all-new mid-engine C8, we’ve got something special in store – the very first look at the 2020 Corvette out on public roads without any camouflage.

Now that the big sheet pull in Tustin, California is officially in the history books, the new 2020 Corvette is starting to filter out into the public completely uncovered. We recently snagged a few shots of this base-model Stingray out and about in the Metro Detroit area sans camo, draped in what appears to be Shadow Grey Metallic paint, with five-spoke wheels finished in silver. Heads were turning as the 2020 Corvette made its way through traffic, and it definitely looked better on the road than it did on last night’s stage.

2020 Chevrolet Corvette C8 Stingray Coupe Base - Real World - July 2019 - Exterior 004

2020 Chevrolet Corvette C8 Stingray Coupe Base - Real World - July 2019 - Exterior 007

Standard equipment for the base-model 2020 Corvette Stingray includes:

  • Dual-element LED tail lamps with animated turn signal graphics
  • 12-inch reconfigurable cluster display
  • Leather upholstery and metal interior trim
  • A front suspension lift system
  • Learn-as-you-go voice recognition
  • Wireless phone charging
  • A heated steering wheel
  • 10-speaker Bose audio

Mounted just behind the cabin space is the new naturally aspirated 6.2L LT2 V8 engine. Peak output is rated at 495 horsepower at 6,450 rpm and 470 pound-feet of torque at 5,150 when equipped with the optional performance exhaust. The LT2 is similar to the 6.2L LT1 V8, but modified to better suit a mid-engine platform, not to mention tuned to deliver an an extra 40 horsepower and 15 pound-feet of torque compared to the standard Corvette C7 Stingray.

2020 Chevrolet Corvette C8 Stingray Coupe Base - Real World - July 2019 - Exterior 013

The LT2 mates to the new M1L eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, the only transmission option available. The sprint to 60 mph takes less than three seconds when equipped with the optional Z51 Performance Package, making the new 2020 Corvette Stingray the quickest entry-level Corvette ever produced.

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Jonathan is an automotive journalist based out of Southern California. He loves anything and everything on four wheels.

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Comments

  1. Don’t you mean 495 hp/475 torque? 465 hp is only 5 more than with optional exhaust on C7

    Reply
    1. You are correct about the horsepower figure, that was indeed a typo. Thank you for calling that out. It should be corrected now. However, 470 lb-ft is the correct torque figure w/ the performance exhaust

      Reply
  2. Standard: 490-hp / 465 lb-ft.

    w/performance exhaust: 495-hp / 470 lb-ft.

    I’m presuming the performance exhaust is part of the Z51 package and probably available as a stand-alone option.

    Reply
    1. I’ve been looking as deep as possible into the engine bay to ascertain whether the “after market” exhaust companies, ie Corsa, will be able to modify the headers or cat-back system. Could be an opportunity there for more than 5hp.

      Reply
  3. The article states the paint color of the C8 Corvette pictured as ceramic matrix gray metallic but that would be the shadow gray metallic color option.

    Reply
    1. Yikes, we were definitely wrong about that one. Thank you for the correction. The post should be updated with the correct paint color now.

      Reply
  4. It’s all HYPE ! Pony power, not HORSEPOWER !!!

    Reply
  5. It’s a new era.. as the 2020 Chevrolet C8 Corvette is a shot across the bow of European sports car builders that think high performance sports cars need to have 6-digit pricing and with the C8 Corvette designed for right-hand steering, the Corvette is ready to take the battle to Europe.

    Reply
    1. Unfortunately there’s a good chance it won’t meet European emissions standards…

      Reply
    2. And Australia, as a Facebook friend so vociferously reminded me when I posted the Corvette would be more readily available to Great Britain with RHD.

      Reply
  6. It’s going to take time to adjust, but its just not a Corvette without the camouflage wrap.

    Reply
  7. With what was presented last night GM has a vehicle that could help change the perception of the entire company.

    If this car has the quality and reliability along with the performance at this price point it could change minds on the other product many never give a second thought about.

    It also could teach GM more about getting it right and not taking short cuts to the parts bin.

    This will be interesting as this could sell more than just a Corvettes.

    Also with all the silly claims made about this car during development like it was going to be a mistake, over $100,000, no trunk etc. I hope it gives pause on future vehicles as what many think they know often is not based on anything.

    Like now there are some complaining this car will not meet Euro emissions. Well it will and you just need to wait till they show you their plan.

    There will be more excitement here on this car than any Chevy since the C2. The C2 set the decade moving forward for over 10 years at Chevy.

    Right now the tail styling of the Blazer makes sense looking at the C8 and I expect the Trailblazer and others will share styling so all Chevys look related vs disjointed.

    Reply
    1. “The C2 set the decade moving forward for over 10 years at Chevy.” Maybe for you but the C3 was the generation that created the “Stingray” and the new styling caught on in America sooner than the C1 or C2 did. I was a high school student when the C3 appeared, and my classmates and I went to see a gold 1963 C3 Stingray arrived at the Chevy dealer near the school.

      Reply
      1. If it was a C3, it was a ’68 Corvette. The name “Stingray” didn’t appear again until 1969. The 1963 Sting Ray was a C2.

        Reply
      2. The C3 built on the ac2 but nearly killed the car when it was left to linger too long and suffered the lack of investment in the mid 70’s.

        The Vega steering wheel C3 was when the Corvette bottomed out. This is what tarnished the C3.

        I still get people calling to find a replacement steering wheel but none are offered for that year.

        Reply
        1. That stupid wheel also showed up in the Camaro along with it’s seats.

          Reply
          1. Yep! Dark times in history.

            Reply
            1. Dark times? For performance yes, but sales/production of the Corvette steadily increased throughout the 70’s. From just over 17K in the “short” 1970 MY to more than 53K in 1979, still an all time record for single year Corvette production. It wasn’t about big performance or lap times back then, not for Corvette not for just about any car. Mid 70’s non turbo Porsche 911’s had just 150-170 hp. It was a different time! Besides, why were over 6500 78 pace cars made? Because of huge demand!

              Reply
    2. so are you saying the gm’s current crop of products is mediocre due to shortcuts and consumers should wait until they get the corvette treatment?

      Reply
    3. The C2 still looks awesome today – best looking Corvette ever! The C3 is the epitome of the open shirt, hairy chest, gold chain wearing, moustached, cheesey 1970’s macho man. Ugh.

      Reply
      1. So 2002, which car does this interesting man drive today? From what I can see, that type of individual has mostly gravitated towards BMW which has lost substance in the last decade. Even hardcore BMW fans openly criticize the company for it.

        Reply
        1. I’ll agree with you on that point. Completely!

          Reply
  8. Where are all the BS ers and naysayers now! What a F?%ked-up society we have in the US with all the negativity, when good people are working to create something positive and even exceptional.

    Reply
  9. It’s interesting that none of the Corvettes pictured have any emblems.

    Reply
    1. I noticed this at first and thought it was eliminated. I now see others with them in place.

      Reply
    2. Pre-production models, so emblems aren’t critical. Also, those cars may have been running around with camo on them until just the other day – they wouldn’t bother with emblems under the wrap. 😉

      Reply
  10. It’s a beauty…however I’m afraid I’ll have to pass….. No room for my groceries/dog food…No room for the dog either, I don’t think. Always had a soft spot for the Stingray.

    Reply
    1. Rose put your glasses back on and your hearing aids back in. Did you not watch & listen to the intro the other night. Did you not see that it has two I repeat 2 storage compartments. Did you not see the luggage that GM put into it? Did you not see the golf clubs down in the rear storage area? The new vette has a lot of storage!

      Reply
      1. Reply
        1. Thx Eric, that IS a lot of luggage. I’m impressed.

          Reply
      2. I apologize Steve, I didn’t have a chance to see the intro the other night. So, assuming it will carry 2 30 lb bags of dog food, 75 lbs of corn, plus my grub, will it still have room for my 120 lb 4 footed companion??? And can we still travel over gravel fire ranger roads up the side of Mount Mansfield in Vermont? Oh & I also ford streams, take short cuts over fields….Like I said, I love ‘vettes,especially the Stingrays,but they don’t fit my life style any more. It would spend a lot of time in my garage, much like my old Malibu Classic. That being said, man, I’d LOVE to test drive one of those babies!

        Reply
        1. LOL not sure which Vettes in history would be good at crossing creeks and offroading across fields, maybe just maybe you should keep a truck or large SUV on hand for some of your activities…….

          Reply
          1. Right on…..I have both, long live the 4X4!! Now off to the next adventure!

            Reply
  11. GM is doing a great thing by offering many options to personalize your car and your budget….this will increase sales ten fold.

    Reply

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