Since its inception in 1953, the Chevrolet Corvette has at all times been a relative discount, providing numerous straight-line and cornering efficiency for much less cash than equally succesful sports activities automobiles. Newly mid-engined, the eighth-generation Corvette Stingray provides unique styling to the combination. However like its European competitors, your dream Chevy will get dramatically costlier with each passing minute spent on the web configurator or choices sheet.
Nonetheless, there’s a case to be made for a zero-option C8, as I skilled over a weeklong check of a 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 1LT, wearing Ceramic Matrix Grey Metallic paint with Adrenaline Purple leather-based (a contemporary homage to the primary Corvette’s white and purple shade scheme). With a beginning worth of $58,900 and a $1,095 vacation spot cost, this tester value 5 bucks shy of 60 grand, although it felt far richer than that. Even (or maybe particularly) in its most elementary type, the C8 Corvette is a genuinely gratifying sports activities automobile, and like its forebears, it does practically every part nicely.
First-Chair Baritone
The Chevrolet Corvette is just the second mid-engined automobile from GM (following the Pontiac Fiero). But regardless of its father or mother firm’s restricted expertise constructing such an unique kind of car, the Corvette is remarkably composed and gratifying to drive, providing instantaneous thrills that solely enhance as the motive force turns into extra accustomed to the idiosyncrasies related to the engine placement.
Half and parcel to that acquainted (however unique) driving expertise is the ‘Vette’s engine. Similar to the C7, the C8 will get a direct-injected 6.2-liter V8 with two valves per cylinder, however the 2020 mannequin receives dry-sump lubrication, which permits it to sit down decrease within the chassis than earlier than. Producing 490 horsepower and 465 pound-feet, the V8 sends energy to the rear wheels by way of an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, Chevy’s first such gearbox. In sum, the powertrain works very nicely, with the nice ol’ American V8 taking part in properly with the DCT even at low speeds.
Though we cannot get world-beating Ferrari and Lamborghini ranges of efficiency till the Z06 and ZR1 arrive, the bottom engine leaves nothing to be desired. Practically 500 hp is loads for a car that weighs as little because the carbon-intensive Corvette (3,535 kilos), and the eight-speed ratchets off gearshifts instantaneously – although like different DCTs, it could actually solely dispatch gears separately. Serving to compensate for this mechanical limitation is a function that permits the motive force to carry down the left paddle, forcing the gearbox to downshift sequentially as engine velocity permits – helpful when approaching a nook, for instance.
That is additionally one in every of few efficiency automobiles that doesn’t require an exhaust improve to sound good. Round city, the bottom exhaust fades into the background, however as speeds (and RPMs) rise, the V8 makes itself recognized with a husky, decidedly American burble that appears wholly at odds with the Corvette’s newly unique type issue. That mentioned, the $1,195 efficiency exhaust looks like a good purchase, although I doubt you’d be capable to really feel the additional 5 hp and lb-ft it provides. If I had been signing checks, I’d most likely skip it, if just for the meme of a sub-60k Corvette.
Varsity Athlete
For all of the power coaching within the engine room, this explicit Stingray doesn’t appear to have skipped its agility lessons both. Even driving on base-spec all-season tires, the Chevy not often needed for grip, thanks partly to a mechanical limited-slip rear differential and massively meaty 305/30R20 rear tires (245/35R19s present up in entrance). In actual fact, probably the most thrilling factor about piloting a mid-engined Corvette is how deftly it handles energy on nook exit, eliminating the high-speed hairiness that always plagues rear-drive sports activities automobiles.
Because of these large tires, the brakes are even higher at stopping than the engine is at going. Brembo four-piston entrance calipers chew down exhausting on 12.6-inch rotors, whereas two-piston clamps and 13.3-inch rotors present up on the rear axle. The $5,000 Z51 package deal brings bigger rotors and one-piece calipers to the occasion, however the base setup is sweet sufficient for even max-attack canyon driving – I think the Z51 stoppers would make extra sense in sustained observe driving, however outdoors of that excessive scenario, the bottom brakes are greater than succesful sufficient.
For all of the power coaching within the engine room, this explicit Stingray doesn’t appear to have skipped its agility lessons both.
The Z51 pack additionally contains tighter suspenders that, once more, most likely really feel elegant at Buttonwillow or Sebring, however the base suspension is simply effective for the Angeles Forest Freeway whereas yielding a creamy trip on the damaged pavement. Physique motions are absent on this base mannequin, and though its vertical middle of gravity is definitely a bit larger in comparison with the C7 Corvette, the C8’s seats are mounted a lot nearer to the car middle, making the brand new ‘Vette really feel extra responsive and thrilling. What’s extra, the engine’s rear-mid placement lightens up the entrance tires considerably, yielding gentle steering that’s practically telepathic on a twisty street.
Sadly, that rear-biased weight distribution (the Corvette carries 60.6 % of its mass over the again) implies that the entrance wheels begin to slide out when getting on the gasoline too early in a nook. It’s simple to quash this habits by easing up on the throttle, nevertheless it’s a disappointing regression from the practically completely balanced C7, particularly because the plentiful rear grip appears tailored for fast nook exits. Understeer in a contemporary Corvette – who’d have guessed? However pushed with some care, the C8 is able to a supremely fast tempo, placing the motive force deep into extralegal speeds with little provocation.
Honor Roll
Gone are the times when shopping for a Corvette meant sacrificing consolation and comfort in alternate for a low worth and scorching efficiency. The usual coupe comes with an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment show operating on GM’s latest software program that makes it very simple to navigate. In the meantime, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster serves up crisp, enticing graphics and quite a lot of layouts, and swapping between shows is simple, even on the fly.
The bottom, “Mulan” leather-based seats are additionally among the many greatest buckets ever supplied in a GM product, with loads of assist regardless that they’re solely adjustable eight methods. The inside is yet one more case of blissful ignorance – when you haven’t seen the 3LT’s leather-wrapped dashboard and obtainable two-tone upholstery choices, you gained’t miss it. That mentioned, we do want the bottom seats supplied no less than some lumbar adjustment. They’re practically excellent for me as-is, however not each driver will like them as a lot as I do.
That very same caveat applies to the tall middle console and squared-off steering wheel. Though the C8 Stingray is way extra livable than many different mid-engined automobiles, climbing aboard and discovering a cushty seating place is harder than it was within the C7. In my view, I match within the Chevy simply effective, and the fighter-jet steering wheel and lengthy strip of secondary controls separating the motive force and passenger felt very thrilling and cockpit-like. The ergonomics take some getting used to – discovering the hazard lights took about 45 seconds, for instance – however as soon as I found out the place every part was, I purchased into the gee-whiz design.
It’s not all ray weapons and roses, nevertheless. Eradicating the roof panel yielded headache-inducing buffeting at freeway speeds, with the home windows up or down. And whereas the mid-engine format affords the motive force a panoramic view of the street forward, the Stingray now has large aspect and rear blind spots. Whereas most Corvettes earlier than it have supplied quarter home windows or a wraparound glass hatch, checking the adjoining lane on a C8 is all however not possible, and the smallish aspect view mirrors assist solely somewhat. Each visitors maneuver was an train in prayer, making the C8 a way more irritating every day driver than its predecessors.
The Stingray now has large aspect and rear blind spots.
Additionally notably missing, on the base or another worth, is lively security know-how like ahead collision warning and computerized emergency braking. Chevrolet is already recognized to be quite gradual at adopting fashionable security know-how – lively security options are steadily solely obtainable on top-spec fashions, however their omission on even the top-rung Corvette is all however inexcusable. Blind spot monitoring is on the market, however solely on the 2LT trims and above.
Commencement Day
Even with out these fashionable options, the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette 1LT feels way more unique than its worth would ever recommend – and that’s earlier than even contemplating the cachet of mid-engine possession. Each gasoline cease and visitors gentle was a chance for an admiring onlooker to ask in regards to the automobile, and quite a lot of had been shocked to be taught it was a Chevrolet, not one thing way more unique. If worth had been solely measured by what your neighbors suppose you spent, the Corvette Stingray is the deal of the century.
However even on much less frivolous phrases, this $59,995 Corvette is an enormous discount. Chevrolet quotes a 3.0-second time to 60 miles per hour, eclipsing the Porsche 718 Cayman (and even the far costlier 911 Carrera). It additionally options aggressive – if not class-leading – consolation and inside high quality, and it’s styled as exuberantly as one would need of a weekend plaything. Admittedly, it’s not fairly as competent a every day driver as its predecessors had been, however per week within the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 1LT has us satisfied that the majority new homeowners are spending far more than they should – the bottom mannequin continues to be close to the highest of its class.
