2020 Corvette: What Chevy Got Right, and Wrong with Its New Sports Car
C8 Corvette looks extremely promising, but does have some compromises with the switch to a mid-engine lay out.
Nothing in life is perfect, and that statement definitely rings true when it comes to our cars. However, after seeing Chevrolet officially reveal the 2020 Corvette C8, much of the world certainly thought it was nearing perfection, if such a thing is possible. After all, I, myself, called it a “Porsche Slayer” when I saw it at the reveal event. I still suspect that will be the case, once Chevy unleashes the beast at race tracks across the country.
Still, it’s good to take a step back and weigh the pros and cons of the C8 Corvette, as I see it now. So, I have donned the requisite internet flame suit, and I’m ready to accept the barrage of hate (or possible adoration?) as I unpack what GM has shown us thus far of the C8.
2020 Corvette Pros
Let’s begin with the exterior, which, I think, is an excellent execution of mid-engine car styling. The car has a low, rakish appearance, especially in profile, that shouts mid-engine sports car. All of the functional grilles and scoops on the car are a welcome addition, and show that Chevy is serious about the high-performance nature of C8. With that said, there are certain elements and angles that tie the C8 to the current C7 Corvette, like the headlights and tail lights. It’s a clever move, and nod to the brand history, as some buyers have been tepid about the aesthetic changes that the mid-engine layout could bring.
I will go on the record and say that I am also a fan of the interior. The most controversial item inside is definitely the line up of HVAC controls along the center console. However, upon actually sitting in the car, all of the buttons are easily reachable, and understood within a minute or two. Here, again, the mid-engine layout can be tricky, for packaging reasons, but Chevrolet maximized occupant space, and claims that C8 has an extra inch of leg room over the outgoing C7, which is an impressive feat.
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Nestled in the engine bay is the new LT2 V8 engine. It has 6.2-liters of displacement, and is a pushrod style engine that produces 490 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque, or 495 and 470, respectively, with the optional performance exhaust. LT2 is a pumped up and tuned version of the current LT1 engine, and, again, I think this was the right move by Chevrolet, versus offering an all-new engine, right away. One of the key upgrades for LT2 is a robust dry sump oiling system, which ensures consistent oil delivery even during sustained 1.0G cornering forces. The brand’s small block V8s are ubiquitous, reliable and very compact, the latter of which is crucial for packaging reasons in the new mid-engine lay out. That known durability is going to offer consistent, reliable lapping around the race track.
Lastly, we have to talk about the price. Corvette has always been known by enthusiasts for offering supercar performance at a sports car price point, and, we now know that C8 will be the same. With a base price starting under $60,000, C8 is going to offer the best bang for your buck that Corvette ever has. That price point is a massive accomplishment on Chevy’s part, and also a clever business move. Chevrolet is banking on the volume of Corvette sales making up for the relatively low MSRP.
An educated guess is that higher-performing models, like the Z51 are going to cost about $70,000, and that an eventual Z06 will crest $100,000. That’s pretty much inline with the current pricing structure of C7, once you option the cars up, at least. Those fully-loaded models are what will make bank for GM, but offering the base model at under $60K keeps Corvette as America’s sports car. “Work hard, save up your pennies, and one day, you, too, can buy a Corvette.” At least, that’s what I tell myself as count the pennies in my C8 Corvette piggy bank fund.
Continue reading about the cons of the 2020 Corvette C8 on the next page…
