Corvette C8 Stingray: mid engine

J-C Etter

6 years ago

The Corvette C8 adopts a mid engine layout.

After years of rumours, camouflaged mules spy shots, then camouflaged mules official shot, it is the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing that Chevrolet chose to unveil the new mid engine C8 Corvette. Since the 1960s, astronauts have been driving Corvettes, hence the legitimacy of the historical reference.

Why a mid engine layout ? The official line is that the C7 brought the front mid engine configuration to its optimum in terms of performance and could not be improved upon. As a result, V8 and occupants are trading places, but the wheelbase only increases slightly:

	Corvette C7	Corvette C8
Length	4514	4630
Width	1965	1934
Height	1239	1234
Wheelbase	2710	2722
Trunk	287	356.8

The new LT2 V8 bucks the trend toward forced induction and remains naturally aspirated. Displacement remains identical but the new unit gains in power and, for the first time on an entry level Stingray, gains a dry sump lubrication system. It is mated to a new 8 gear dual clutch gearbox. The first gear is shorter to exploit the increased traction of the mid engine layout, while 7th and 8th are tall to improve gas freeway gas mileage. GM claims a sub 3 seconds 0-60 mph (96 km/h) acceleration with the optional Z51 package, the fastest of any Corvette in history. The limited slip differential is electronically controlled.

	C7 Stingray – LT1	C8 Stingray – LT2
Engine	V8 6162 cm3	V8 6162 cm3
Power	466 / 6000	495 / 6450
Torque	630 / 4600	637 / 5150
Top speed	290	N.C.
Acceleration	0-100 km/h: 4.2s	0-96 km/h: 3.0s

The chassis is in aluminum, with large casted parts supporting each wheel and connected by a central backbone. The shorter steering column is stiffer, and repositioning the driver 42cm forward sharpens the perception of chassis reactions. A new Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 suspension system is available as an option. Tires are 245/35ZR19 front, 305/30ZR20 rear, with Michelin Pilot Sport ALS on the standard Stingray or Pilot Sport 4S with the Z51 pack.

The new packaging allows for two luggage compartments, one in the front and one far back which can receive either the targa roof panel or two golf bags. Door handles are hidden in the air intakes, like on a Ferrari F355. The color palette now includes 12 liveries.

Interior design is radically focused on the driver. Three seat options are available, GT1, GT2 and Competition Sport, and six interior colors are now on offer. Switches, buttons and knobs are in aluminum. A front lift system coupled with the GPS system prevents the nose from scraping, and the position of up to 1000 such obstacles can be stored for automatic operation.

The new C8 Corvette ambitions to remain an accessible dream sportscar. The base price of the new Stingray will therefore be below 60’000$ in the United States, with a reservation system already available to customers. Corvette is already teasing competition and convertible versions, and one can expect the usual portfolio of versions to be launched over time. Production is scheduled to start late 2019 at the GM Bowling Green assembly plant.