Mid-Engine C8 Corvette Revealed: 0-60 Under 3 Seconds, MSRP $60,000

Tustin, California – Automotive history was made as General Motors unleashed its eighth-generation Corvette to the delight of a capacity crowd at the old Tustin Hangars in Orange County. The former military blimp hangars were a great backdrop for introducing a new Corvette that will re-write the rules of mid-engine supercars.

The Details:

  • Though no final MSRP was disclosed, GM big-wig Mark Ruess said the car would start “under $60,000.”
  • 0 to 60 in under three seconds.
  • There was no manual transmission announced. Instead, the car will debut Tremec’s first dual-clutch, 8-speed automatic.
  • There is a trunk! And it will hold a set of golf clubs! The front-storage “Frunk” is a nicely usable storage up-front as well.
  • The chassis is a work of art. With mass where it’s needed for strength, and lightness everywhere else. No curb weight was disclosed, but we think the car will tip the scales about the same as the old car.
  • 12 Exterior Colors — Torch Red, Arctic White, Black, Blade Silver Metallic, Shadow Gray, Ceramic Matrix Gray, Long Beach Red, Elkhart Lake Blue, and Sebring Orange — plus three all-new colors: Rapid Blue, Zeus Bronze, and Accelerate Yellow.
  • Six interior color themes: Jet Black, Sky Cool Gray, Adrenaline Red, Natural/Natural Dipped, Two-Tone Blue, and Morello Red.
  • LT2, 6.2-liter naturally-aspirated V8.
  • Performance data recorder with high-definition video.
  • No more transverse-mounted springs, coilovers are now standard fare.
  • Roof-mounted camera mirror.
  • GPS-enabled front lift system that raises the nose 2 inches and will memorize up to 1,000 places it is needed.
  • Bose 14 speaker system.

Go to 27:30 for moment of reveal…

George Jetson, your cockpit awaits…

The car looked more cohesive in-the-flesh and really came together sans camouflage. We were worried that the styling was too staid, but in person, it came alive. The interior is an exercise in futuristic shapes and textures and comes with BOSE’s latest and greatest stereo system with 14 speakers.

Seating Options

GT1 – A sporty style that emphasizes comfort while providing good support for performance driving situations. Features Mulan leather trim, optional two-way lumbar support, and wing adjustment. GT2 – A first for Corvette, these seats have a racing-inspired look with comfort for long trips, courtesy of dual-density foam. They include carbon-fiber trim, a Napa leather insert, Mulan leather bolsters, a jet black-painted seat back, two-way lumbar support and wing adjustment, plus heating and ventilation. Competition Sport – Designed for the serious track-focused driver, these seats include aggressive bolsters, full Napa seating surfaces and carbon fiber trim on the headrest. There is also heating and ventilation, along with an all-new durable performance textile inspired by Kevlar vests.

New “Zeus” bronze color

Many wheel styles debuted as well. This was our favorite.

The 2020 Stingray’s heart is Chevy’s next-generation 6.2L small-block V8 LT2 engine, the only naturally aspirated V8 in the segment. It will produce 495 horsepower (369 kW) and 470 lb-ft (637 Nm) of torque when equipped with performance exhaust — the most horsepower and torque for any entry Corvette.

“Though now placed behind the driver, the LT2 gives the same visceral experience we all expect from Corvette,” said Jordan Lee, GM’s global chief engineer of small-block engines. “The LT2 has been designed to deliver excellent low-end torque and high-end power to give a thrilling pedal response at any RPM.”

The powertrain’s low position enables a low center of gravity for optimal handling. Perhaps the biggest update is found in the lubrication and ventilation system. For the first time ever, the base Stingray will use an engine-mounted, dry-sump oil system and three scavenge pumps for improved track performance.

During serious track driving, oil volume remains high to avoid diminished performance. The new Stingray’s lateral capability is greatly improved, so the LT2’s dry-sump lubrication system had to be redesigned to provide exceptional engine performance, even at lateral acceleration levels exceeding 1G in all directions.

A lightweight, 3.2mm-thick glass panel on the rear hatch allows owners to show off the engine. This panel features a cantilevered trailing edge to evacuate heat from the LT2 engine compartment.

Stay tuned to Power Automedia for all the updates on the C8 Corvette.

About the author

Dave Cruikshank

Dave Cruikshank is a lifelong car enthusiast and an editor at Power Automedia. He digs all flavors of automobiles, from classic cars to modern EVs. Dave loves music, design, tech, current events, and fitness.
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