Test Drive: 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Coupe | The Daily Drive | Consumer Guide® The Daily Drive

2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Coupe in Sebring Orange Tintcoat (a $995 choice)

2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Coupe

Class: Premium Sporty/Efficiency Automobile

Miles pushed: 616

Gas used: 26.5 gallons

Actual-world gas financial system: 23.2 mpg

Driving combine: 25% metropolis, 75% freeway

EPA-estimated gas financial system: 15/27/19 (metropolis, freeway, mixed)

Gas kind: Premium fuel really useful

Base worth: $58,900 (not together with $1095 vacation spot cost)

Choices on take a look at car: 2LT Coupe Most popular Gear Package deal ($7300), Z51 Efficiency Package deal ($5000), GT2 bucket seats ($1495), Entrance Carry Adjustable Peak w/ reminiscence ($1495), body-color exterior accents ($995), Sebring Orange Tintcoat paint ($995), 19-inch entrance/20-inch rear Carbon Flash painted aluminum wheels with machined edge ($995), black composite rockers (dealer-installed, $550), orange seat belts ($395), Carbon Flash Metallic painted outdoors mirrors ($100)

Value as examined: $79,315

Fast Hits

The good: Unbeatable degree of efficiency for the greenback; broad vary of accessible options and look choices supply glorious customizability

The nice: Respectable experience high quality for a high-performance supercar

The not so good: Poor rear visibility; low-slung seats could make entry/exit difficult; some lovers will bemoan lack of a guide transmission

Extra Corvette worth and availability info

Damon Bell

The introduction of any new-generation Corvette is an enormous deal within the automotive world, and it’s an excellent larger deal when that new-generation Vette represents a serious reimagining of the automobile itself and the success of a long-rumored architectural change—that being the shift from a conventional front-engine structure (which the manufacturing Corvette has had ever since its introduction in 1953) to a mid-engine design, with the powerplant behind the passenger compartment.

The C8 Corvette has an aggressive, extremely sculpted look from any angle. Door-latch-release buttons are hidden beneath the forefront of the bodyside-scoop openings. The rear-deck spoiler is included within the 2LT choice group.

And that’s simply what occurred with the launch of the eighth-generation (or C8) Corvette for the 2020 mannequin yr. We beforehand reported on our expertise with a C8 convertible in 1LT trim—you possibly can take a look at that evaluation right here. Our coupe take a look at car was extra lavishly geared up, and in consequence it was virtually $9K greater than our convertible tester (this regardless of that incontrovertible fact that the convertible instructions a starting-price premium of $7500 over the coupe). Nonetheless, that cash buys some very welcome options.

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The C8’s cabin ambiance is a step up from previous-generation Corvettes. The cockpit is cozy at finest, however the squared-off steering wheel helps liberate a little bit of leg area, and the extra-slim HVAC vents nonetheless put out a very good quantity of air.

The 2 fundamental packages are the 2LT Most popular Gear Package deal ($7300) and the Z51 Efficiency Package deal ($5000). The 2LT group provides an extended record of consolation and comfort options: Chevrolet’s “Infotainment 3 Premium” touchscreen system with navigation, 14-speaker Bose premium audio system, head-up show, HD entrance curb-view digital camera, reminiscence driver and passenger comfort bundle, rear digital camera mirror, efficiency information and video recorder, heated and ventilated seats, energy lumbar management and energy seat bolsters, heated steering wheel, superior theft-deterrent system, common dwelling distant, wi-fi charging, heated energy outdoors mirrors with built-in flip alerts (auto dimming on the motive force’s aspect), rear cross visitors alert, aspect blind-zone alert, and cargo nets.

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The digital gauge cluster is superb–it boasts crisp, clear graphics and a number of display-layout choices.

The Z51 bundle provides upgraded efficiency suspension, brakes, exhaust (which provides one other 5 horsepower and 5 extra pound-feet of torque), and rear axle ratio with an digital limited-slip rear differential. Additionally included are a rear spoiler, high-performance run-flat tires, and a heavy-duty cooling system. Our take a look at car was additional outfitted with the GT2 bucket seats, a novel height-adjustable entrance suspension, and quite a few paint and trim upgrades that pushed the bottom-line worth nicely previous the $58,900 base MSRP, however nonetheless beneath $80K—which qualifies as a cut price for a efficiency car of this caliber.

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The push-pull gear selector pretty straightforward for our testers to acclimate to; the climate-control buttons, much less so.

We took our Corvette coupe on a 520-mile highway journey, after which placed on virtually 100 extra miles of metropolis driving, which gave us a very good alternative to expertise the C8’s livability and practicality in addition to its efficiency. And that efficiency, after all, is stellar. Acceleration is superhero-quick, and cornering skill is excellent, with nearly no physique lean in quick turns. The 8-speed dual-clutch computerized transmission reminds us a little bit of the Nissan GT-R’s 6-speed dual-clutch transmission—nice at fast upshifts and downshifts in vigorous efficiency driving, however typically much less content material, and fewer refined, when merely trundling round city. Trip high quality is greater than respectable, given the dealing with prowess available.

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The elective GT2 bucket seats are supportive and long-haul snug.

The Z51’s exhaust sounds delightfully snarly, and it truly prompted a little bit of cognitive dissonance for us. We’ve pushed a number of mid-engine exotics, such because the Audi R8 and Acura NSX, and their exhaust notes have a Euro/tech-oriented sound, so our “muscle reminiscence” of these automobiles meant that the brawny, US of A muscle-car bellow of the Corvette actually took us aback. Nonetheless, the rear-mounted engine, and the one pane of glass between the cockpit and the engine compartment, implies that some much less lusty mechanical sounds—occasional whirrs, hisses, and clanks—discover their approach into the cabin too. Additionally, tire noise is enormously affected by the sort of highway floor you’re driving on. We hit some tough freeway pavement throughout our highway journey, which made issues fairly noisy contained in the cabin.

Like earlier Corvettes, the C8’s cockpit is quite cozy. Your tester is 6’6”, and he had juuuust sufficient area total, although carrying a helmet comfortably within the driver’s seat might be a no-go. The upgraded GT2 seats are supportive and long-haul snug, although entry/exit is the anticipated drop-in/climb-out affair, as a result of low-slung experience top and low-mounted seats. Additionally, the doorways have to be opened huge for big-and-tall occupants to get out and in—which could be difficult in tight quarters.

A pair different tall-person issues: The glovebox door opens proper onto our knees within the passenger’s seat, and the squared-off steering wheel (an vital area saver, given the cockpit’s cozy dimensions) blocked our view of the highest fringe of the digital gauge cluster. Fortunately, the configurable head-up show included within the 2LT tools group does an excellent job of conveying a broad vary of data at a look.

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A typical carry-on-size suitcase simply matches within the Corvette’s entrance trunk.

The bizarre, longitudinally oriented push-button gear selector works nicely for essentially the most half… we received used to it fairly simply. Nonetheless, the longitudinally oriented local weather controls are a little bit funky at first. The buttons are organized alongside a pronounced “ridge” that cascades down from the middle of the dashboard, bisecting the cockpit. That line of buttons is a couple of foot and a half lengthy… quite a lot of actual property to scan shortly to find the button you’re in search of. We didn’t discover it that pure throughout our time with the automobile, however house owners will in all probability acclimate.

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The Corvette’s rear trunk is true subsequent door to the engine compartment, so it will get heat on lengthy drives. There’s room for a pair golf baggage or a carry-on suitcase and extra again there, although we needed to fiddle with the positioning of our suitcase to get the trunk lid to shut correctly.

The drive-mode selector, which provides Tour, Climate, Sport, and Monitor modes, is prominently positioned and lavishly detailed. It has a separate upholstered wrist relaxation (full with distinction stitching and an embossed Corvette-flag emblem) and a metallic adjustment knob with quite a lot of resistance… it appears as if the Vette’s engineers actually wished to make you are feeling such as you had been doing one thing when utilizing that knob. Perhaps they had been considering they wanted a center-console comfort prize of kinds to make up for the dearth of an obtainable guide transmission?

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The detachable targa-roof panel securely locks into latches within the rear trunk space for simple storage, however it takes up virtually all of the trunk’s area.

Ahead visibility is implausible, thanks in no small half to the cab-forward cockpit and brief nostril enabled by the mid-engine structure… although should you’re accustomed to earlier Corvettes, looking over that brief hood will take a little bit getting used to. The view out the rear is subpar, nonetheless—a typical problem with mid-engine sports activities vehicles. GM’s rear digital camera mirror (it’s included within the 2LT bundle) helps in sure driving conditions, however we discovered the video digital camera view considerably disorienting (and even a little bit headache-inducing) whereas driving. Fortunately the mirror could be simply toggled forwards and backwards between a conventional rearview mirror and the video digital camera show. The generously sized, well-placed outdoors rearview mirrors additionally do their half to help rear visibility.

The “entrance elevate adjustable top w/ reminiscence” characteristic ($1495) and HD entrance curb-view digital camera (included within the 2LT bundle) are helpful options that give actual peace of thoughts when navigating tight spots. The peak-adjustable entrance suspension permits the Vette to traverse steep driveways and pace bumps and such with out scraping, and it will possibly even be linked to GPS information to “bear in mind” the place such obstacles are and activate robotically.

The Corvette’s dual-trunk setup helps its practicality total, however there are nonetheless some compromises you’ll must make. There’s 12.6 cubic toes of area in complete, however it’s cut up between the entrance trunk (the “frunk”) and rear trunk. That point-honored trunk-space metric—a pair units of golf golf equipment—will match within the rear trunk, however there was barely sufficient room for our normal rollerboard carry-on suitcase (we needed to load it in with its bottom to the rear of the car earlier than the trunklid would shut).  Additionally, the rear trunk additionally will get quite heat on longer drives, because it’s proper subsequent door to the engine. In case you dwell a good way from the grocery retailer, perhaps put your ice cream and frozen meals within the frunk.

Extra Than 6 A long time of the Corvette in Photos

The $1495 height-adjustable entrance suspension is a helpful choice that helps keep away from scraping the Corvette’s nostril on steep driveways and pace bumps and the like. An HD entrance curb-view digital camera is included within the 2LT bundle; it consists of entrance in addition to left- and right-side front-wheel views that make it simpler to keep away from scuffing the nostril or a wheel rim.

The detachable targa-roof panel is nice while you need some open-air enjoyable, however eradicating it and stowing it’s a two-person job… and even then it’s a little bit awkward. The highest part neatly locks into place within the rear trunk, however that mainly takes up all of the trunk’s cargo capability, save for a pair jackets or coats.

The Corvette sees only a few element modifications for 2021, akin to wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, new colours and body-stripe choices, and the supply of the Magnetic Selective Trip Management suspension with out the Z51 Efficiency Package deal. There are even hotter Corvette variants on the horizon as we transfer additional into the C8 period—together with electric-motor AWD variations, if the rumors are true—and people will likely be an enormous deal too.

The 1984 Corvette and the Mysterious 15-Inch Wheels

The C8 Corvette is an formidable and profitable re-imagining of America’s sports activities automobile. The brand new mid-engine structure is a radical change, however it supplies new ranges of efficiency potential–and Chevrolet engineers took pains to make sure that the standard Corvette virtues of relative affordability and practicality didn’t fall by the wayside.

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2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Coupe Gallery

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The 1984 Corvette and the Mysterious 15-Inch Wheels