The Corvette C8.R was first shown at the debut of the 2020 Corvette Convertible, where it made a surprise appearance alongside the new drop-top Vette.
Corvette Racing then rolled the race car out before the start of Petit Le Mans, with American driver Tommy Milner turning a couple of demo laps in the car for fans in attendance.
Now Chevrolet has shown the Corvette C8.R once again—this time at the 2019 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. While the automaker refrained from sharing any more information on the car, this appearance gave us another chance to see the race car up close. The dark-tinted windshield and side windows still remain on the car, shielding prying eyes from seeing into the team’s radically different creation. The tinted windows were also on the car at the Corvette Convertible debut and when it made its appearance at Road Atlanta.
As we reported previously, the Corvette C8.R is powered by a new 32 valve, dual-overhead-cam 5.5-liter V8 engine with a flat-plane crankshaft. The naturally aspirated V8 engine is rated at 500 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque—though IMSA’s regulations for the production-based GTLM class put a limit on the amount of power the engine can produce. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a new six-speed sequential transmission supplied by Xtrac. The gearbox was developed specifically for the C8.R, as it has very little room in the rear due to its massive rear diffuser.
Chevrolet has confirmed the new DOHC flat-plane-crank V8 is a production-based engine. This means it will find its way into a road-going Corvette C8 model—likely the new Corvette Z06. A twin-turbocharged version of this new 5.5-liter engine is expected to power the C8 Corvette ZR1 as well.
The Corvette C8.R will make its competition debut at the 2020 24 Hours of Daytona in late January. Most race fans will have to wait until then to see the car in person, but those lucky enough to attend SEMA this year can see the car on display at the aftermarket event.
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Comments
“as it has very little room in the rear due to its massive rear diffuser.” You mean to say the transmission was designed to be as small as possible because they wanted as much room as possible for the rear diffuser.
Previously reported.
Not sure about the yellow graphic,
Hopefully get to see more of them on race day !!!
Hope everyone has a great day… ????
No one has mentioned the fact that the vertical supports for the wing are in ~foot long slots that would enable a ACTIVE WING. Servos controlling the pivoting wing could be controlled by learning algorithms that have track GPS coordinates and brake pedal position fed into them, along with any other needed chassis dynamics that would help maximize its assistance. An early leaked pic of the C8.R even has an emergency button that, among other things, could put the wing into full forward& downward tilt to help the brakes slow the car as quickly as possible. All of the wing’s dynamics could be automated allowing the driver focus on driving. With no need for a trunk, there is plenty of room for the wing servos and controls. Chaparral Tech brought into the 21st century.
GTLM rules do not allow for moving aero parts.
Starting in 2016 those rules changed. From Corvette Racing: “The rules also allowed the Corvette to move the wing up and back. “This is a significant and obvious increase in aerodynamic control. The drivers notice it,” said Louth and Kent added that the engine didn’t really change for 2016, so all the performance increase is purely aero and tires. “Now, fine tuning aero means that you can get more downforce without the ill effects of more drag,” he explained. “We have adjustability in the race so as conditions change we will be running less drag than last year with more downforce. Downforce isn’t always good, you can overload the tires, especially on the banking….”
That means they are able to move the fixed position of the wing using bolts, not implement an active aerodynamic device. By move the wing up and back, they mean in a fixed position. If active aero was allowed, you can bet all teams would be using a DRS-style system like F1 does for more speed down the straight.
Bad Ass!
Can I please get those “Fog Lights” on my 2020 Vette?
If the Z06 or ZR1 is anything like this they are going to sell out of those as well.