2020 Corvette C8 Is Heavier Than C7 And Some Other Mid-Engine Cars
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Although the 2020 Corvette C8 has officially been announced and is now on tour across U.S. dealerships, we’re still waiting on all the official numbers and specs from Chevrolet. Luckily enough, a recently leaked GM document appears to provide a good deal of the info we’ve been waiting for, including vitals like its curb weight. So, with that in hand, we’re putting the C8 side-by-side with both the previous-generation C7 and several other mid-engine sports cars to see how it stacks up in regards to heft.
Previously, Chevy provided us with the 2020 Corvette C8’s dry weight of 3,366 pounds. However, dry weight figures can be deceptive, as they don’t include all of the stuff necessary to, you know, actually drive the car (engine oil, coolant, transmission fluid, and the like). By contrast, curb weight is a better measurement when it comes to vehicle comparisons, as it includes all of those necessary fluids.
According to the leaked GM document, we know the base-model 2020 Corvette Stingray Coupe has a 3,535-pound curb weight, while the C8 Stingray with the Z51 package tips the scales at 3,577 pounds. For this comparison, we’ll focus only on hardtop models.
By comparison, the previous-generation C7 was quite a bit lighter, with the C7 Stingray Coupe weighing in at 3,298 pounds, a full 237 pounds less than the base-model C8 Stingray Coupe.
| Model | Curb Weight (pounds) |
|---|---|
| Base 2020 Corvette C8 | 3535 |
| 2020 Corvette C8 Z51 | 3577 |
| C7 Corvette Stingray Coupe | 3298 |
| C7 Corvette Grand Sport | 3428 |
| C7 Corvette Z06 | 3524 |
| C7 Corvette ZR1 Coupe | 3560 |
It should come as no surprise that the generational transition included some weight gain (the same thing happened between the C6 and C7 generations), but how does the 2020 Corvette compare to other mid-engine sports cars? To find out, we gathered up the specs.
Note that the vehicles listed here are not necessarily direct rivals for the 2020 Corvette, but rather, they are listed merely for comparison purposes:
| Model | Curb Weight (pounds) |
|---|---|
| Porsche 718 Cayman | 2944 |
| Porsche 911 Carrera | 3153 |
| McLaren 570S | 3212 |
| Ford GT | 3354 |
| Lamborghini Huracan EVO | 3500 (estimated) |
| Audi R8 RWS | 3505 |
| 2020 Corvette C8 Stingray | 3535 |
| 2020 Corvette C8 Stingray Z51 | 3577 |
| Acura NSX | 3803 |
Clearly, the 2020 Corvette is on the heavier end among current rear-and mid-engine sports cars. However, let’s keep in mind two things.
First, this is the base Stingray model we’re talking about. Meanwhile, the forthcoming Corvette C8 Grand Sport could replace some body panels with lighter ones, similar to the previous C7 Grand Sport, so the Corvette C8 GS might be lighter still.
Second, is the price. The 2020 Corvette C8 is the second least-expensive car in the comparison, starting at just a few thousand more than the least-expensive car in the class – the Porsche 718 Cayman. Hence, being slightly heavier than some other mid-engine cars that are significantly more expensive does not prevent it from being a true world-class super car in every sense of the phrase.
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Well we should table some more info as like dry weights this could be misleading if you don’t present some facts and reasons to go with this,
The weight could be less but then you would not have a car starting at $59k. The cost in most exotics are not where the engine is but in the tub it is bolted too. It was imparative the Corvette base price low as that is part of what makes a Corvette a Corvette. Low price yet high performance. The Aluminum chassis while very stiff it cost much less and adds some weight.
The second part is the car needed to retain the ability to be driven daily or weekends. It has a trunk that adds to the size of the car. Most exotic cars don’t offer this so size is smaller. Adding more usability adds size and weight.
While adding weight and size is not ideal. The reasons here make sense. This is not a $350k car rear will sell at 2k units per year. It is a car that will sell closer to 40k units per year at an average of $79k. It is a formula GM has perfected and they know what they are doing.
Correct, making the C8 tub and body panels out of hand laid carbon fiber would probably lower the weight by 3-500 lbs and raise the price by $150,000.
Well it’s a $60k car, it’s only so much you can do to house a ME V8 and keep prices low..
What we need to do is stop excusing Corvette shortcomings by the price of the car.
Vince Lombardi once said. “Chase perfection, and you will catch excellence”. I want my Corvette builder to do just that.
Dollar per pound. Dollar per HP.
Need to sacrifice somewhere.
According to the information that Chevrolet has provided about the 2020 C8 Corvette Z51, we know the revised LT2 6.2L V8 makes 495 hp and can get the C8 Corvette Z51 to 60 mph in 2.9x seconds; this compares very well with the Ferrari LeFerrari which has a 6.3L V12 that makes 949 hp and can get to 60 mph in 2.60 seconds meaning the extra weight and 454 hp less output, the C8 Corvette Z51 is only 0.3x second slower which should suggest a few extra pounds is not significant.
.3sec in just 0-60 is pretty significant, especially at those speeds.
Where as 10.8sec vs 10.5sec isn’t that Bigg of a difference
As for power and 0-60;time we are nearing limits of physics and it take so much more HP for every 10th sec gained.
It is like top speed the second 100 mph takes much more HP than to gain the first 100 mph.
Then you also have the factor of getting the power to the ground. Even electronics have limits to the help they can provide.
check out gm’s presentation at the corvette museum 25th anniversary.
https://youtu.be/oVcH0RWJc9o
they illuminate the reasoning to some of their design decisions. i thought the side air inlet discussion was really interesting and how the shape was influenced by rain and even rock spray.
i was hoping they would comment on the rear but they didn’t. they did discuss the spoiler a little bit.
Thanks for sharing.
I found that so impressive. I’m amazed at all of the effort, development and expense that goes into creating things. Especially this marvel!
Instant torque from an electric motor would make the C8 Corvette a lot faster and is reason why Chevrolet’s design team has to be thinking of a hybrid variant; the electric motor for very fast acceleration while the gas motor to provide the grunt to get the C8 Corvette to higher top speeds and while the C8 Corvette could be an EV at low engine speeds, the electric motor could be turned off by the driver because he might want to hear the roar of the twin-turbo V8 engine.
Let’s think about this for a minute. The Z06, ZR1 or, ZORA would/could/should do away with weight penalizing bling such as the nose lifter, the 14 pack of speakers, eight-way power/heated and ventilated seats (GT1 versions), power-folding mirrors, removable roof panels and the Magnetic Ride Control as well as the all aluminum body structure and the wheels.
What could the supercar C8 weigh in at without all those frills and a body structure made of magnesium or carbon fiber (the real stuff) or even the carbon fiber composite (think Carbon Pro truck bed), Could this be possible? With the truck bed weighing only 59lbs. less then a traditional rolled steel bed, i’m not sure whether there would be any reduction, or gain over aluminum.
Yes, turbos will ad some weight but one thing is for sure, there are plenty of areas where weight could be shaved and that GM is working on this and could very well be looking at magnesium or carbon fiber, at the very least, for the “Bedford Six”. If not all castings, hydroformings, the center tunnel and wheels.
https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s–znZjvIhZ–/c_scale,dpr_2.0,f_auto,fl_progressive,q_80,w_800/rvjnxsb79uglgmydmwae.png
With roughly $100k in sticker price to work with, the sky’s the limit on what the king of the hill Corvette could be.
People have to be able to drive these cars into their driveways, and threw parking lots with speed bumps. Having a lowered car for performance reasons is pointless if you cant drive it around town. And keep destroying the front splitter!!!
These features add not as much as you like to think and add much more to the profitability and ability to sell 40,000 units per year.
The myth of selling a gutted option less car has not worked since the original Cobra. Even then they sold very few.
The lift adds little as does the Audio system.
As time moves on I expect the faster higher priced models will see added. Intent to cut weight. But if you note others that are in this segment they are not much lighter. Sports cars are no longer 2000 pounds outside some niche vehicles only a few like or can afford.
It’s obvious that a lot of engineering went into the C8 Corvette but I do not think it was attempted to be a supercar though it may look like one. As C8.R stated, it had to be a daily driver that at least 40,000 buyers a year can afford and don’t forget the insurance rates. If you had a $300K Ferrari do you think the rates would be the same the Corvette?
All auto writers always seem to pick on performance numbers, HP, weight, and how many G forces are in a turn. It gets boring.
No matter how you look at it, the C8 is an awesome car in its own right except for one little weighty bunch of items, that to me makes no sense in a mid engine Super car……. The Brakes!!!
Everything about the C8 is exceptional, but what about those Rinky Dinky little single piece cast iron Hat Rotors.
They are heavy, transmit way too much heat during track day braking and have way too small a swept area with no slots or holes to help dissipate heat.
As a chronic track day late braker, all I can see is massive brake fade by the 4th or 5th hot lap.
Anyway, I love the C8 enough to have placed an order with my GM Holden dealer in Australia, but only for the ZO6, that should have the kind of brakes that the C8 deserves or, available as an option.
Well done GM, we in Australia are simply salivating over the arrival of the first ever factory built Right Hand Drive Corvette!!!
This is the beauty of the C8, it’s a street car first, affordable and awesome. I’m sure right now after market products such as brakes and exhaust upgrades have already been designed and are being manufactured.
However from what I’ve read and seen on YouTube, the engineers did a lot of effort to get the steering and suspension right. 60% of the weight on the rear wheels is a challenge to deal with. I would be weary of any after market upgrades on those parts.
Right hand Corvette? I doubt it just on the demand alone it would be too small of a market. It might be easier for Australia to switch over their road system driving on the right.
Hi George,
Right Hand Drive is official, it was even announced at the launch!
So now the Corvette is available for RHD markets like Australia, England, Japan, Hong Kong, most of Africa, India. Malaysia, Thailand, just to name a few!
So the Corvette has finally matured to be a real Supercar and is now up there with the other RHD manufacturers like Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, Porsche, Buggatti, Pagani, Koennigsegg, Maseratti, Rolls Royce, Bently, just to name a few who realised decades ago, that the World market is bigger than just the good’ole USA!
I think you will find that this car will match or beat the C7 in braking.
With the move in weight braking is much more efficient on each corner vs the from engine car. The better balance = better braking.
Team Corvette would never leave this car out with no improvement in all parameters of performance. With brakes it is not the size so much as the performance that counts.
The added models will see more power and brakes.
They explain why the rotors arent drilled and slotted in the corvette museum videos, due to new regulations on copper the new brake pads are not compatible with drilled/slotted rotors
Fat bottomed cars, you make the rockin’ world go ’round
Hi George,
Right Hand Drive is official, it was even announced at the launch!
So now the Corvette is available for RHD markets like Australia, England, Japan, Hong Kong, most of Africa, India. Malaysia, Thailand, just to name a few!
So the Corvette has finally matured to be a real Supercar and is now up there with the other RHD manufacturers like Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, Porsche, Buggatti, Pagani, Koennigsegg, Maseratti, Rolls Royce, Bently, just to name a few who realised decades ago, that the World market is bigger than just the good’ole USA!
Wow, sorry I missed about RHD C8, it was a GM Authority article. If GM put that much effort in all USA car and truck lines they would knock the world over.
This is a great car no matter how you sum it up……people that down it or are trying it to find any fault they can dream up simply just don’t know cars or want to find fault because they Brand loyal elsewhere.
I read an interview with Tadge Juechter and he mentioned that they had presented a light-weighting plan but it was turned down by the bean counters.
Even so, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Z versions replace some aluminum frame components with magnesium or carbon fiber. The frame is mostly bolted and glued together so it wouldn’t be difficult to swap in lighter bits.
That 3298 weight for base C7 is the dry weight I’m pretty sure. I remember GM released dry weight for C7 in their slides just like C8. The actual base C7 curb weight is 3347.