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Chevrolet Releases Full Performance Stats For 2020 Corvette Stingray

General Motors has released the full, official performance statistics for the 2020 Corvette Stingray, calling the car the “quickest in its history.”

We already knew the 2020 Corvette Stingray with the optional Z51 Performance Package would be able to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds, but now Chevrolet has confirmed it will also complete the quarter-mile in 11.2 seconds at 121 mph. As a reminder, the Corvette C8‘s naturally aspirated 6.2-liter LT2 V8 engine is rated at 490 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque in base form and 495 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque with the optional performance exhaust.

Meanwhile, the base 2020 Corvette Stingray without the Z51 package will accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3.0 seconds flat and complete the quarter-mile in 11.2 seconds at 123 mph. We imagine the additional trap speed is due to the lack of a front splitter and rear wing, but the quarter-mile time likely remains the same between the Z51 and standard model due to the Z51’s superior acceleration. The Z51’s slightly quicker acceleration time comes from its shorter final drive ratio, stickier tires, electronic limited-slip differential and additional power and torque.

“The performance of the 2020 Stingray has far exceeded our expectations,” said Chevrolet vehicle performance manager Alex MacDonald. “Moving more weight over the rear wheels helps us get off the line quicker, but it’s the integration between the powertrain and chassis that really takes the performance to new levels.”

To achieve these claimed acceleration numbers, drivers must initiate a “performance launch” by putting the vehicle into Track mode, pressing the traction button (thereby putting the vehicle in Performance Traction Management mode for Magnetic Ride Control-equipped cars or Competitive driving mode for all others) and fully depressing the brake and accelerator pedal at the same time. When the revs climb to 3,500 RPM, they can then release the brake pedal and hold on tight.

GM says the standard eight-speed dual-clutch transaxle is a major contributor to the performance of the 2020 Corvette Stingray. Developed in conjunction with Tremec, the paddle-shift transmission was designed to provide “uninterrupted torque delivery” via smooth, lightning quick shifts.

Meanwhile, the standard mechanical differential is designed with “straight-line acceleration and dynamic handling” in mind and shares its common ring and pinion gear ratio of 3.55:1 with the Z51 Performance Package’s electronic differential. Compared to the mechanical diff, the eLSD is focused more on “ultimate control during track driving,” as opposed to straight-line acceleration. The mechanical diff has a final drive ratio of 4.9:1, while the effective final drive ratio of the eLSD is 5.2:1.

“The goal from the beginning was to design a transmission worthy of an exotic supercar that is fun to drive everyday,” GM’s global chief engineer of transmissions, Terri Schulke, said in a statement. “We achieved that goal by combining the best attributes of the LT2 and the DCT, and I think the impressive performance numbers speak for themselves.”

Now, Chevrolet, about that Nurburgring time

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Sam loves to write and has a passion for auto racing, karting and performance driving of all types.

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Comments

  1. I’ll take one in every color and every combination.
    Now I need to google, “How to build a car closet.”

    The Z06 and ZR1, (and whatever the next level up will be -if they go there) are going to be crazy.

    Reply
  2. What is the top Speed? Seems like a relatively key performance stat.

    Reply
  3. I don’t understand the discrepancy with the axle ratio… Z51 has a shorter (higher numerically) ratio? But, both have a 3.55:1 ring and pinion? But, one has an “effective final drive ratio” of 4.9 and the other 5.2? Help, please.

    Reply
  4. As the old song goes.. the best is yet to come, the 2020 Chevrolet C8 Corvette Z51 Stingray already ranks as being the best Corvette ever to be built except for possibly the 2019 Chevrolet C7 Corvette ZR1; but this means the absolute sky is the limit for the C8 Corvette with no sports car safe as the competition will need to redesign and rethink their pricing strategy or risk going bankrupt in the next couple of years.

    Reply
    1. @omegatalon
      I don’t think they will go bankrupt.
      Brand snobs will make sure of that…
      at least for now.

      However, the C8, and the upper levels to come, will embarrass cars costing-2,3,4x’s more.

      It’s a great effort!

      Like I’ve said before; put some of that effort into all of the GM portfolio.
      It’s a no-brainer.

      If you can deliver on a low volume halo offering, imagine the rewards from taking that approach with your core products.

      Cadillac, GM trucks and SUV’s…

      ? Why not? Being the best doesn’t hurt as much as half-ass-ing it.

      Reply
  5. “We imagine the additional trap speed is due to the lack of a front splitter and rear wing”

    Chevy needs to make these wing & splitter “active” so they get best of both worlds.

    Reply
    1. Totally agree.

      Reply

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