The 2020 C8 Chevrolet Corvette Is Finally Here

The Golden Bow Tie has finally removed the covers on the 2020 C8 Chevrolet Corvette, and it's a doozy. Widely known as America's sports car, the latest 'Vette looks poised to conquer not only the American market, but the globe as well.

The 2020 Corvette--which comes in Stingray form--distances itself from its predecessors by placing its 6.2-liter LT2 naturally-aspirated V8 engine in the middle instead of out front. This placement indicates General Motors' seriousness in going up against the likes of Ferrari and Lamborghini in the world market. This engine can do 495 hp and 637 Nm with the optional sport exhaust, and drops to 490 hp and 630 Nm without it.

The engine can be seen through a glass pane at the rear, and it's one stunning machine to view. It's mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission by Tremec, for a combo that allows the C8 Corvette to hit 0 to 100 kph in under three seconds, albeit with the Z51 Performance Package.

"As America's most iconic performance nameplate, redesigning the Corvette Stingray from the ground up presented the team a historic opportunity, something Chevrolet designers have desired for over 60 years," said Michael Simcoe, vice president of Global Design, General Motors. "It is now the best of America, a new arrival in the mid-engine sports car class. We know Corvette can stand tall with the best the world has to offer."

"The traditional front-engine vehicle reached its limits of performance, necessitating the new layout," GM President Mark Reuss added. "In terms of comfort and fun, it still looks and feels like a Corvette, but drives better than any vehicle in Corvette history."

Though the overall design has futuristic leanings, it is unmistakably a Corvette with its muscular sides and athletic contour that effortlessly convey the car's sense of motion and power from every angle. Longer, wider, and heavier than the C7, the C8 Corvette also says goodbye to the leaf suspension with the introduction of an adjustable coilover system that allows stiffness and ride height to be customized to preference.

To keep the price under USD60,000 (around PHP3,100,000 minus taxes and duties), Chevy used aluminum for the body instead of carbon fiber, save for the rear bumper beam and underbody panel. The price tag is considerably lower than what contemporaries offer (USD113,300 for the Porsche Carrera S, USD200,000 for Ferraris). Although the C8 can be considered a bargain, the car itself is anything but.

Inside, hand-wrapped, cut-and-sew leather components with thick press stitching welcome onlookers to ultimate plushness. Real metal is used generously, including the stainless steel grilles that cover the speakers of the Bose Performance Series audio system. Three seat options emphasize sportiness while providing ulterior comfort and support for performance driving.

Not to be outdone with nifty advanced features, the 2020 Corvette boasts a GPS-enabled noselift feature that automatically lifts the front of the car in certain locations, like an upward sloping garage. And while the engine takes up some trunk space, there's still enough room for two large golf club bags. Those who think the rear compartment lacks storage capacity need not worry, for the long hood also has enough for a carry-on and laptop bag.

"Our mission was to develop a new type of sports car, combining the successful attributes of Corvette with the performance and driving experience of mid-engine supercars," said Tadge Juechter, Corvette executive chief engineer.

Chevrolet promises more exciting details to come. With the C7 already one of the best sports cars around, it looks like the C8 is bound to be an even better car by far, which should give the Golden Bow Tie another home run.

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