Chevrolet has officially unveiled the new-generation Corvette, and for the first time in the model's history, the engine is placed in the middle of the body. The starting price of the new model is expected to be around $60,000. The car will be sold alongside the current version, which, in turn, is planned to be updated. Assembly of the new model will be organized at the plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
The main visual differences of the model with the Stingray prefix are the rear lights, echoing the design of the Camaro sports car, a massive spoiler and rear diffuser, on the sides of which dual exhaust tips are placed. Body panels are made of fiberglass, and the load-bearing structure is made of aluminum. In addition, the car received 20-inch wheels and Brembo brakes.
Dimensions of the supercar: length — 4630 mm, width — 1933 mm, height — 1234 mm. The wheelbase reaches 2723 mm. The trunk holds 357 liters of cargo. The roof is removable — it can be stored in the trunk compartment.
Under the hood of the eighth-generation Corvette is a fully aluminum naturally aspirated V8 engine with a displacement of 6.2 liters. The unit, designated LT2, develops over 500 horsepower. It is paired with a new eight-speed robotic transmission with two clutches. Drive is exclusively rear-wheel.
To 100 km/h (in the version with the optional Z51 Performance Package) the car accelerates in less than three seconds. Other speed indicators will be revealed later. The curb weight of the sports car is 1530 kg. The front suspension is equipped with shock absorbers capable of raising the nose of the car by 40 mm — this simplifies driving over bumps.
The driver has access to six driving modes: Weather, Tour, Sport, Track, MyMode, and Z mode. In the last two, electronic systems can be manually configured. The interior features a 12-inch multimedia screen and a Bose audio system with 14 speakers.
Later, the appearance of a version with a supercharged 6.2-liter engine producing approximately 650 horsepower is not ruled out. Also possible is the release of a hybrid all-wheel-drive Corvette C8 with an electric motor on the rear axle. The total power of such a setup will exceed 900 horsepower.
