2020 Chevrolet Mid Engine Corvette – Will It Live Up to the Hype?
If there is one thing that has car enthusiasts talking about 2020, it is the anticipation of the new 2020 Chevrolet mid-engine Corvette. An unprecedented occurrence in over six decades, the 2020 Corvette C8 features a Corvette mid-engine that veers it from the models of the past.
After all of the mid-engine prototypes that never saw production, Corvette lovers finally see one realized. The same thought seems to be everyone's mind. Will the eighth-generation Chevrolet Corvette live up to the hype it has generated?
Learn more about the new features of this exciting new model or be on the lookout to find one in person at your local dealer to decide for yourself.
Why Do People Love a Corvette?
Before you decide whether or not a mid-engine Corvette design will live up to the hype surrounding it, you may be asking yourself why the topic seems to be on everyone's mind.
The Chevy Corvette is the quintessential American vehicle and already considered a supercar by many standards. Although several mid-engine concept Corvettes have been proposed throughout the years, they have not come into fruition until now.
Corvettes have a large number of loyal fans, and many of them have continued this loyalty throughout every change. Many people are watching to see if enthusiasts will roll with the punches while others are considering purchasing a Corvette for the first time.
2020 Corvette Engine Specifications
The focus on the new Corvette C8 is the fact that it sports a mid-engine layout that may be the key to taking the already supercharged engine to the next level.
Even for those who do not have experience with sports cars, the Corvette legacy makes this an exciting time for drivers everywhere. Long known for its unsurpassed acceleration ability, signature Corvette rumble, superior handling and the feeling of driving a race car on the road, the C8 engine options do not disappoint.
The standard engine still outpaces any others in the same category, which has been the hallmark of the Corvette for years.
- 6.2-liter V8 engine
- 490 horsepower
- 465 pound-feet of torque
- 8-speed dual-clutch transmission
- 0 to 60 mph estimated in under 3 seconds
These statistics do not include the exhaust upgrade, which provides additional power. Even more impressive is the performance package of the optional Z51, which touts 470 pound-feet of torque and 495 horsepower.
Although some car enthusiasts are disappointed by the lack of three-pedal manual transmission on this vehicle, many would argue that it is a small price to pay in exchange for eight-speed, dual-clutch transmission performance.
2020 Mid-Engine Corvette has Superior Handling
A supercharged engine does a driver no good unless it is coupled with excellent handling. Performance power combined with superior handling is the hallmark of a Corvette experience, and the new 2020 version comes through for the fans in these areas.
Weighing in at 3,366 dry weight and including a magnetic ride control suspension, the C8 improves upon the handling of the previous versions, and part of the credit is due to moving the engine to the middle. Although the average driver would not be able to drive to the capacity that the Corvette allows, it is still exciting to know what this vehicle is capable of doing.
Critics have described the increase of performance and handling as unnecessary due to this very reason, but it has not dissuaded the hype or excitement for the 2020 Corvette.
2020 Corvette Redesigned Exterior
Perhaps more important than the specifications of the available engine options is the location of the engine itself in the Corvette C8. Movement of the engine to the middle of the vehicle allows a change to the frame of the Corvette that has not been possible before.
This version has only been seen in the Corvette prototypes that never made it to the production level. The new shape of 2020 Corvette maintains the well-known look of models of the past, but the mid-engine design allows for a lower front end combined with a steep windshield.
Many reviewers liken the new look to a combination of a Corvette and Ferrari, which some long-term Corvette fans might not find appealing. In general, the reception of this new look has been a good one.
Corvette Interior Design and Entertainment Upgrades
What people are describing as a new generation of supercars comes to an expectation of luxury of the interior styling. The cockpit of a Corvette is styled for ultimate driver experience, and the 2020 Corvette C8 expands on this concept with a new user-friendly setup that has not been seen on previous versions.
Due to the restyling of the front end, the dashboard has been lowered, and controls have been tilted toward the driver to increase visibility. Technology has been upgraded in an all-digital panel and an infotainment system that is a good 12 inches and is turned toward the driver for easy viewing.
With higher resolution, better Bluetooth capability, and added conveniences such as wireless cell phone charging, the technical aspects of this vehicle should not be overlooked.
New Corvette has Luxurious Interior Seating
Materials associated with luxury abound, with leather and metal appointments throughout along with aluminum and carbon fiber trim availability. Both long-term and new fans should be pleased by the interior color options, which range from neutral black, gray or natural tones to eye-catching blue or red.
Even the seatbelts come in a variety of color options that can be mix-and-matched as desired. Along with natural or black, seat belt coloring is also available in red, orange, yellow and blue. The interior of the 2020 C8 is precisely the kind of upgrade you would expect from a Corvette.
Extra Features on the 2020 Corvette
Are you concerned about the new low-profile front end when it comes to your driveway or a known speed bump? You will be excited about the automatic lift feature that can be programmed through GPS to remember the locations that need extra clearance.
Although Corvette drivers may not have trunk space on the list of priorities, the new design provides a large amount of trunk space for a sports car of this size.
For extra storage, the designers have taken advantage of the mid-engine design to add additional storage in the front with room for a TSA size carry on bag plus a personal item.
Corvette Premium Audio Options
Although some would say that the sound of a Corvette engine is music itself, drivers who want a premium sound experience will enjoy an audio system that is a step ahead of the rest.
Long-time collaborators with the Corvette design, Bose took on the challenge of the mid-engine placement and all of the acoustic challenges that entailed to create a premium audio system once again.
Coming standard in the Stingray is a Bose system with ten speakers and full surround sound. If your goal is an even more powerful audio system, you have the option to upgrade to a 14 speaker surround sound of a caliber that is nearly unheard of in a vehicle.
The speakers are embedded in the dash, the rear, between the seats, and the door with padding that does not distort. This audio system is built to work within any dynamics of song choice, and with the Bose quality, you expect.
Mid-Engine Corvette Trim Levels and Packages
Even at the 1LT base trim, the 2020 C8 comes with an impressive package of options. For those who want to upgrade from the base, the 2LT and 3LT trims include distinctive upgrades worth noting. The optional Z51 package is the real star of the show, with better performance and design enhancers to please even the biggest Corvette fans.
- Tires and braking: The upgraded trims include enhanced braking and cooling along with summer sport tires. The highest trim levels also include magnetic dampers.
- Aerodynamics: The Z51 package includes added aerodynamic panels on the exterior, leading to an even sportier look. Upgraded trim levels also include an aerodynamic split rear spoiler or a tall spoiler option.
- Adjustable suspension:Ā The Z51 package includes a suspension adjuster that allows for varying heights and stiffness.
Chevrolet is known for the plethora of options that come standard on base models, and the Corvette is full of them.
Maximizing options on the highest trim levels will leave you with a driving experience that is usually unique to those who take vehicle performance and handling seriously.
Mid-Engine Corvette Pricing
A common assumption when redesigns and upgrades are revealed is that the changes will come with a hefty increase in the price tag. With the 2020 mid-engine Corvette price points, this proves not to be true.
The base trim of the 2020 C8 comes in at under $60,000 which is only a minimal increase over the 2019 version. Similarly, the other trims and upgrades are proportionately priced, making the quality of the new changes an excellent value.
Considering the Chevy Corvette is already considered a competitor with the highest level consumer performance vehicles in the world, the fact that the pricing structure remains practically the same makes it even more enticing to new or repeat Corvette buyers.
For the Corvette Enthusiasts
Up until the reveal of the 2020 Chevy Corvette C8, Corvette lovers from all over have been adamantly discussing the pros and cons of the changes made to the design.
Although most were excited to finally see a prototype of a Corvette mid-engine come to life, some have voiced hesitation and even disapproval of the design modifications. It may be hard for some fans to accept the changes, but initial reviews steer toward the vehicle living up to the hype.
If nothing else, owning a mid-engine Corvette will be something fans and prior owners have never experienced before, so the anticipation of that experience has made it worth the wait.
View the 2020 Corvette C8
Regardless of how much research you have done on the new 2020 Chevy Corvette C8, how many articles you have read about the design, or how many pictures you have viewed, there is nothing like seeing it in person to get a feel for why the Corvette has been a sports car enthusiast fan favorite for decades.
Contact your nearest Valley Chevy dealership to see if a Corvette C8 is available to view or keep a lookout to spot one at a Valley Chevy nearby you.
There has not been a more exciting time for fans of the Chevy Corvette, so come by to see if you think the 2020 C8 is worth all of the hype.
