First introduced in October of 2019, the all-new mid-engine 2020 Corvette Stingray from Chevrolet goes into full production in February. The new 2020 Corvette Stingray is a definite departure from its predecessors. This mid-engine version sets the tone for American muscle cars going into the next decade. It has close to 500 horsepower and costs well under $80,000 with full options.
There are 3 model trims available for the new 2020 mid-engine Corvette. Each model can be either selected as a hardtop coupe or convertible. The 1LT is the base model and only costs $59,995. The next tier is the 2LT. It weighs more than the base model and comes with a few more creature comforts. The 2LT has a 14-speaker BOSE sound system, heated and ventilated seats, and front exterior cameras for added safety and security. The 3LT is the top of the line mid-engine Corvette. The interior is decked out in leather surfaces, premium bolstered seats and the rest of the cabin can be customized with more than a dozen different color palettes.
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2020 Corvette Stingray Performance Capabilities
The 2020 Chevrolet Corvette C8 Stingray is powered by a 6.2 Liter LT2 V8 engine that propels the rear wheels with precision and power. Forget about changing engine and transmission options though. The LT2 V8 and an 8-speed dual-clutch gearbox are the only game in town.
The dual-clutch transmission seeks to combine the smoothness of an automatic with the rapid-fire shifting of a manual gearbox. The result is impressive and fun to drive with the paddle shifters. The first gear is full of low-end torque to provide explosive starts, but the rest of the gears are a bit tamer. You can toggle through 6 different driving modes. There are settings for Sport, Track, Tour, and Weather. The last two settings can be configured by the driver.
If you want to see the best performance capabilities of the new mid-engine Stingray, then you need to add the Z51 Package. With the Z51 Package, you get 495 horsepower and 470-pound feet of torque on demand. It’s capable of hitting zero to 60 MPH in 2.9 seconds and a maximum track speed of 194 MPH. The package also adds magnetic ride control dampers, performance tires, larger Brembo brakes, and performance exhaust.
Even without the Z51 package, this American supercar is faster than the 2020 Porsche 911 Carerra 4S. Yes, that’s the fast one. Stock models of the 2020 Corvette Stingray can achieve 490 horsepower and 465 lb. ft. of torque. That’s more than enough power to match the priciest models of the 2020 Porsche 911.
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2020 Corvette Stingray Aerodynamic Design
The 2020 Corvette Stingray has an all-new design. The engine sits in the rear – the so-called mid-engine configuration. The new design places most of the vehicle’s weight over the rear wheels and augments the steering capabilities. If you squint your eyes, you’d be forgiven for mistaking this Corvette for a Ferrari. The design language is so similar.
The front end is shorter than other Corvettes. The cabin sits almost 17 inches closer to the front. There are also larger air intakes along the front, profile, and rear. Overall, the new Corvette Stingray sits lean and low. It has a curb weight of 3366 lbs. and a height of 48.6 inches. The six-piece aluminum chassis adds rigidity to the Corvette Stingray and improves overall handling. The standard wheel configuration is 19-inch wheels in the front and 20-inch wheels in the rear.
The new Corvette looks almost nothing like the outgoing 2019 Stingray because only a single component has been carried over from the previous generation. Just like a true supercar, the door and hatch handles are all hidden inside the paneling. If you can get on your tiptoes, then you can see through the top hatch and catch a glimpse of the beautiful LT2 V8 engine inside. It’s a stunning display, but when you opt for the Engine Appearance Package, the interior compartment is illuminated with LED lights and carbon fiber inlays.
The 2020 Chevy Corvette Stingray has a convertible hardtop option. The rear hatch opens with six electrical motors in play, the roof quickly segments in half and stacks down neatly underneath the rear. You don’t even have to pull over either. The entire process can be completed in seconds at a speed of 30 MPH.
2020 Corvette Stingray Interior Amenities
One look at the interior of the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette C8 Stingray and you’ll see that the driver is the most valuable player in this league. Everything is tilted and skewed in the driver’s direction. The touchscreen sits low in the dash and the drive mode selector sits just beneath it. Everything is easy for the driver to reach without his/her hand traveling far from the steering wheel. The wheel itself has a flat top and a flat bottom for maximum visibility and grip.
There’s a long panel of buttons traveling vertically through the center of the cabin. The overall design of this control array is lifted straight from jet airplane cockpits. In the mid-engine Corvette, it’s used for climate controls. It might be hard for people to locate other familiar elements of a vehicle’s cabin because everything inside the new Corvette has been slimmed down or deleted from the design altogether. For example, the air conditioning vents are narrow slits that are nestled just under the lip of the dashboard.
The center console has a compartment that opens with a push of a button. Inside, you’ll find enough room for small everyday carry items like a wallet or smartphone. There are 2 USB outlets and an audio jack in there, too. One interesting feature for this compartment is that it locks when the vehicle is locked. There are two other cargo compartments, one in the front and one in the rear. Neither one is large enough to fit more than a medium-sized suitcase though. In total, there is 12.6 cubic feet of cargo space.
At the Finish Line
To call this a Corvette is a bit of a stretch considering how radically different the 2020 Stingray is from previous generations. Perhaps, this should have been an all-new Chevrolet supercar killer. Sales and popularity wouldn’t have taken a hit because the quality of the vehicle is so high.
Yet, the low entry price of $59,900 is surprising. Given that other sports cars are much more expensive, chances are high that Chevrolet has cheapened the 2020 Corvette Stingray by undervaluing it. Time will tell if the mid-engine Corvette will rise to its own prominence alongside its superfast stablemates. However, anybody who loves a thrilling drive will not want to miss a chance behind the wheel.