The birth of the new Chevy sportscar – the 2020 Corvette Stingray C8, has fans of the iconic car brand practically jumping up and down in joy. After all, what’s not to love about the beautiful new Corvette generation? The C8 is the biggest fundamental change in Corvette history. A MID-MOUNTED engine that cranks out 495 horsepower and 475 lb-ft. of torque with the addition of the optional performance exhaust. Even without the optional exhaust, the LT2 engine can put out an impressive 490 hp and 465 lb-ft torque.
Understanding the buzz surrounding Chevy’s latest super-car is easy when you look at some of the C8’s more impressive features –
One Transmission, Two Clutches – Yes, the new C8 comes equipped with an 8-speed, dual clutch transmission (DCT), no manual options. Sorry hardcore fans. A feature that the corvette shares with cars like Porsche 911, Mercedes AMG GT S, Acura NSX, the Bugatti Veyron and more. Essentially the DCT works by assigning one clutch to gears 1, 3, 5 and 7, while the 2nd clutch is assigned gears 2, 4, 6 and 8. Referring to the DCT, Chevrolet said in a statement “it provides lightning-fast shifts and excellent power transfer”. The result? 0 – 60 mph in less than 3 seconds.
Mid-Mounted Engine – Joining performance giants like Ferrari and Lamborghini, the C8’s small block 6.2-liter V8 engine, is positioned behind the driver. The mid-mounted placement balances the weight and places the vehicle’s center of gravity at the driver’s hip. Translation? Handling this baby is an absolute dream! Is it a perfect 50-50 balance? No. but it is very close.
Premium Interior Finishes – Chevy didn’t skimp on the premium touches on the interior of the C8. With plush leather, suede, carbon fiber finishes, and a trunk large enough to hold two sets of golf clubs, the Corvette is a nice blend of luxury and speed. But the designers didn’t stop there. The HVAC vents are the thinnest available and were designed to keep the dashboard low and forward visibility high, adding to the car’s already massive appeal. As an added little cherry on top, the designers modeled the cabin after the cockpit of a fighter jet. – Anyone remember the MK4 Supra?
Magnetic Ride & GPS Enabled Nose-Lift – If you need more bells and whistles to get your blood pumping, you can opt for the Magnetic Ride 4.0 option and change the way the car reacts to both driver and road inputs. And the GPS enabled nose-lift can automatically lift the front end when you’re coming up on a speed bump. It increases front clearance by 1.6” in 3 seconds and works up to 24 MPH, this is a feature that more high-end sports cars desperately need.
Priced to sell – Maybe the biggest reason to get excited about the new Corvette generation is the price point. While it’s still not the most affordable option, the starting price of less than $60K brings it into the realm of possibility for people who have dreamed about owning such an iconic ride.
There are cars that simply get you from point A to point B. And then there are cars that make the part in the middle – the getting there part, a beautiful and enjoyable experience. The Corvette C8 will definitely make getting there a whole lot more fun for a lot of folks. If you’ve got a passion for engines and all things automotive, you should explore a future in automotive technology! You can start by checking out the programs at J-Tech Institute. J-Tech is training the next generation of automotive and diesel technology professionals and helping to keep America mobile. Drive your future forward. Contact us today to learn more about the exciting world of automotive technology or to schedule a tour of our 168,000 square foot facility in Jacksonville, FL.
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