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Here’s Everything We Know About The Mid-Engine Corvette C8

Tomorrow is July 18th, 2019 – zero hour for the debut of the new mid-engine Corvette C8. Anticipation has been mounting for years at this point, decades even, and we’ve dutifully reported on every announcement, every detail, every leak and every rumor we could get our hands on in the run-up to this crucial generational changeover. GM Authority will be on the scene to cover the release of the mid-engine Corvette C8 as it happens, but before the big sheet pull, we’ve assembled everything we know about this vehicle into one handy post, complete with all the links needed for those readers who want to dig even deeper.

What Will Debut

Mid-Engine-Corvette-C8-Nurburgring-Video-4

Exterior

2020 mid-engine C8 Corvette prototype

  • The mid-engine C8 Corvette will offer a completely new profile compared to the current Corvette C7. Gone will be the long, shark-like nose, replaced with more balanced, exotic proportions similar to European sports cars like Ferrari, McLaren, or Lamborghini
  • The various styling elements will still be a natural progression of the current Corvette design language
  • The front end will be aggressive and sharp with prominent aero elements
  • Front end will house a small “frunk” (front trunk)
  • Rear end will be dominated by large engine cover/hood
  • Large air intakes are placed ahead of the rear wheels
  • The door handles appear to be hidden near the large side intakes
  • The rear engine cover will be massive, and continue the upper roofline into the tail

2020 Chevrolet Corvette C8 Mid Engine - New York Drive 004 - Headlamp Image

  • LED lighting elements up front, an upgrade from the C7’s HID units
  • Squared rear end similar to the C7, but with more creases and aero drama
  • Exhaust pipes are mounted in the corners of the rear bumper, rather than in the center. This is a major design change compared to previous model years
  • Customization options for the exterior will be extensive, and will include numerous paint choices, racing stripes, wheel designs, and more

Interior

Mid-Engine-Chevrolet-Corvette-C8-interior-spy-shot

  • Spy shots have revealed much of the interior layout already
  • Recent spy shots reveal a digital gauge cluster, as well as a next-generation head-up display (HUD)
  • Brand-new squared-off steering wheel design, complete with a heating function, a first for the Corvette nameplate
  • The cabin layout is extremely “driver oriented,” even more so than the C7, with the various controls cocooning the driver
  • The mid-engine Corvette C8 will offer a true “cockpit” cabin design. Unlike the C7, the C8 won’t offer any space behind the seats, given the firewall is located directly behind the driver
  • The interior materials will see a step up in terms of quality and refinement compared to the C7
  • Heated and cooled seats will continue on as an available option
  • The front trunk (“frunk”) is rumored to be large enough to hold a set of golf clubs. While not yet confirmed, we do know the mid-engine C8 Corvette will offer storage that’s at least deeper than that of the C7’s rear trunk
  • Interior customization options will include a variety of different seats (comfort-oriented touring seats versus aggressively bolstered track seats), upholstery colors, unique colors for the 12 o’clock center mark on the steering wheel, and unique door panel inserts

Powertrain

2020 Mid-Engine Chevrolet Corvette C8 Rear End Leak

  • The base-model mid-engine Corvette C8 Stingray will be powered by the naturally aspirated 6.2L LT2 V8 engine
  • The 6.2L LT2 V8 is similar to the 6.2L LT1 V8, but modified slightly for use in a mid-engine platform
  • The LT2 sounds a bit like the LT1
  • Output will range between 480 and 500 horsepower
  • A dual-clutch seven-speed automatic transmission will be the only transmission option at launch

Frame, Chassis, Suspension

Mid Engine 2020 Chevrolet Corvette C8 Spy Shots - May 2018 013

  • Under the skin, the mid-engine Corvette C8 will be built on an evolution of the C7’s aluminum space frame
  • Exotic materials (carbon fiber, magnesium, etc.) won’t be used for the frame, which will keep costs low
  • Average curb weight is expected to be slightly higher than that of the C7, but not by much
  • Reduction of average NVH (noise/vibration/harness) was a major focus of development
  • Suspension offerings will follow the same general progression seen with the C7, with ever-increasing levels of performance higher in the C8 lineup

Mid Engine Corvette C8 Video N Ring 002

  • Magnetic Ride Control will be optional. This is the first implementation of MRC for a mid-engine platform
  • Extra traction courtesy of an electronic limited-slip differential, or eLSD
  • Upgraded braking offered with the Z51 package
  • Throttle, steering, shifting and braking will all be digital (fly-by-wire)

Technology

Mid-Engine-Corvette-C8-Nurburgring-Video-1

Production

GM to Add Second Shift and More Than 400 Hourly Jobs at Bowling Green (Ky.) Assembly Plant

Price

Mid-Engine 2020 Chevrolet Corvette C8 Crossflags Symbol Logo and Script in Chrome on White

 

  • The current Corvette C7 is most definitely a winner when it comes to sales. It’s currently the best-selling dedicated sports car in North America
  • We’ve been told that the mid-engine Corvette C8 will come tagged with an MSRP relatively close to that of the C7, slotting in around the $60,000 range. Official pricing information is not expected at the C8 reveal on Thursday, as management is still going back and forth on the final decision

Naming

Mid-Engine 2020 Chevrolet Corvette C8 Stingray Logo in Carbon on White

 

Later On In Lifecycle

Mid Engine 2020 Chevrolet Corvette C8 leaving Nurburgring July 15 2019 001

  • High-spec Z06 and ZR1 models planned for later in the C8 lifecycle
  • Other names trademarked thus far include Zora, Manta Ray and eRay, suggesting additional high-spec models coming down the pipeline
  • The forthcoming Corvette C8 Z06 will come with a twin-turbo 5.5L V8, dubbed the LT7
  • Thanks to GM’s push head-first dive into electrification, engineers have developed an ultra-high-performance hybrid model that could produce upwards of 900 horsepower. Thanks to the new mid-engine platform, all that power will actually get put to good use

The Debut

2020 Corvette C8 reveal location 005

Will The Mid-Engine Corvette C8 Be Fast?

Mid-Engine Corvette C8 - Spy Shots - Exterior - March 2019 002 - Headlights

Don’t forget to subscribe to GM Authority for more mid-engine Corvette news, Corvette C8 news, Corvette news, Chevrolet news and around-the-clock GM news coverage.

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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. No stick. No deal. Wow,that was a huge swing and a miss. No thanks

    Reply
    1. Let’s be realistic. You weren’t going to buy one anyway.

      Reply
    2. Lets see here is a list of modern sports cars that do not offer a manual as of August of 2018.

      Acura NSX, Alfa Romeo 4C, Aston Martin DB11, Aston Martin DBS Superleggera, Aston Martin Vantage, Audi R8, Audi TT RS, BMW i8, Bugatti Chiron, Ferrari 488GTB / 488 Pista, Ferrari 812 Superfast, Ford GT, Jaguar F-type 2.0T / R / SVR, Lamborghini Aventador S, Lamborghini Huracán / Huracán Performante, McLaren 570S / 570GT / 600LT, McLaren 720S, McLaren Senna, Mercedes-AMG GT / GT C / GT S / GT R, Nissan GT-R, Porsche 911 GT3 RS, Porsche 911 GT2 RS, Porsche 911 Turbo / Turbo S.

      Reply
      1. I was gonna buy a Chiron, but no stick? Nope. Not anymore. lol

        Reply
    3. He cant Afford anyways! HAHA probably drives kia stinger!

      Reply
    4. I’m so tired of these ignorant comments.

      You don’t know if it has a stick or not.
      You wouldn’t have bought one anyways.
      You just want to complain to hear yourself talk.

      Let’s hear what vehicles you currently own that have a manual transmission. Not that I’ll believe your response anyways.

      How about we wait until it’s unveiled before these dumb comments. We’ll at least know what it has to offer.

      Reply
  2. As the current owner of both an ’11 Camaro SS Convertible and a ’17 GS Corvette (both manuals), I see GM offering a manual in the future. Many enthusiasts still enjoy rowing the gears. I know I do. I will be in the market for a C8 in a few years and I sure hope they will implement a stick.

    I’m speaking on this in terms of the new Ford GT500 conundrum. At first, Ford stated that only a DCT would be available. Shortly thereafter, the Ford faithful began to groan over the announcement. The next week (I believe), one of the GT500 engineers made a statement and said that the GT500 could potentially get a manual in the future. Give people the option.

    The manual is much cheaper anyways! 🙂

    Reply
  3. While Chevrolet’s C8 Corvette looks to be the natural progression as it’s what technology and performance is demanding that the Corvette do to keep up; but it’s sad that Chevrolet needs to abandon it’s front engine rear drive heritage as it’s probably why Corvettes of yesteryear are still adored like C2 and C3 cars as who wouldn’t want a C2 or C3 with the underpinnings of a C7.

    Reply
  4. “Magnetic Ride Control will be optional. This is the first implementation of MRC for a mid-engine platform”

    I’m assuming you mean GM’s first application to its Mid Engine Vehicles. Audi has implemented their version of MRC into the R8 years ago.

    Reply
  5. I’d like to have one in my garage, and if the price is right, it may happen. Certainly with the auto transmission as the only option, any price increase has to factor this into the cost. So, if the car starts at $62000, $2000 has to account for the transmission.

    Reply

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