Updates on the Mid-Engine C8 Corvette?
Mid-Engine Fever
By now I think everyone is just about sick of not seeing a fully revealed rendering of the upcoming mid-engine Corvette C8; tired of the spy shots and guesses on what to expect. Enough with the games, GM. Our patience should pay off. It's hard to believe a delayed reveal wouldn't be in the name of GM making sure it is absolutely perfect. I know we're all holding our breath waiting to see if all the hype will pay off. Catch up on the latest news about the upcoming mid-engine 2020 Chevrolet Corvette C8…
The Next Generation
There's been a seemingly endless rumor mill about GM developing a mid-engine Corvette going back nearly half a century to 1970 when the first official prototype was created. Chevy has built several mid-engine concepts over the years. Obviously, none of them ever making it into production. When GM officials finally came to terms with Corvette reaching somewhat of a limit with the traditional front engine, rear-wheel-drive design, the 2008 recession, unfortunately, pushed the mid-engine 'Vette project back yet again. The world and GM are both finally ready for a true Lambo/Ferrari/Porsche fighting mid-engine Corvette C8.
Performance Enhanced
The new mid-engine C8 is expected to take Corvette performance to supercar status. A front engine, rear-wheel drive design hinders cornering performance; a mid-engine design better distributes the car's weight to optimize turn-in and corner holding capabilities. With heat management a concern, the entire engine cover is exposed via a flat open-air rear deck with heat-extracting vents.
Super Powers
Nothing official has been released about what will power the mid-engine Corvette C8, GM's "base" 6.2-liter V8 rated at almost 500 horsepower is a safe bet entry-level motor. Rumors have suggested a new dual-overhead-cam V-8 design, potentially a 5.5-liter V8 with a flat-plane crank; a twin-turbocharged option for this engine could also surface. Most interesting on the rumor mill is a potential hybrid powertrain that would add an electric motor to the front axle and utilize the twin-turbo V8 for the rear axle to generate hypercar range 1,000 horsepower!
Dual-Clutch Only?
Patent applications suggest GM is developing a clutch-by-wire system to replace a traditional hydraulic master-cylinder mechanism. Car and Driver once reported the C8 would use a seven-speed, dual-clutch, Tremec gearbox that can handle up to 665 lb-ft of torque. However, a manual option may not be included, much to everyone's disappointment. In a similar fashion, Ford revealed the 2020 Mustang GT500 would use a seven-speed, dual-clutch, Tremec gearbox without a manual option.
Corvette Targa
A spy-shot of Corvette C8 possible key fob alludes to a Targa-like, retractable roof. The roofline and windshield remain distinctly Corvette, but with a lower, wider stance. Also, the taillights are somewhat similar to the ones on the current C7.
Budget Buster
Hagerty reported the C8 will start in the $60,000 to $70,000 range, approximately $15,000 more than a current-generation base Corvette. With hybrid hypercar-like rumors floating around, it's safe to assume a price tag for the mid-engine Corvette C8 could push well past the $100,000 mark.
Coming Soon
Corvette C8 was expected to be revealed at the 2019 Detroit Auto Show, and yet, here we are still waiting. Hagerty now thinks C8 will probably debut this summer—possibly August at an event at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky. If you have made it this far without losing interest, you might as well wait a few more months. It would be tough for GM not to deliver on this long-awaited mid-engine Corvette. The wait will hopefully pay off...
