CORVETTE IS THE REAL DEAL – AUTO ACTION ROAD & TRACK
CORVETTE AN AUTO ACTION ROAD & TRACK DRIVE BY BRUCE NEWTON
There’s a new Chevrolet V8 supercar that’s just lobbed in Australia that we should all be getting excited about.
And it’s not the Gen3 Camaro.
It’s the Chevrolet C8 Corvette Stingray that has recently commenced rolling out of GM Special Vehicle dealers and into the hands of a couple of hundred very lucky local owners.
It’s just a bit weird driving a car that looks like a Ferrari and sounds like a NASCAR.
IT’S BEEN A WHILE COMING
This is the car first promised for Australia– without actually being named – under the Holden umbrella back in 2015. That’s now so long ago that it pre-dates Walkinshaw Group’s brief and abortive attempt to remanufacture the Camaro road-car in righthand drive. It also pre-dates the sad closure of the Holden brand.
So, while the racing teams get a facsimile Camaro for 2023, punters get the real Corvette and a cool deal in 2022.
After all, when was the last time anyone had a crack at an all-new and genuinely exotic mid-engined V8 supercar (of the road-going variety) that didn’t cost $350,000 – or more?
As far as presence goes, the Vette’s body ranks with just about any exotic you care to mention as you can see by the photo gallery below.
Grab a print or digital version of the latest issue of Auto Action for Bruce Newtons drive impression of the new GM Supercar.
https://issuu.com/store/publishers/me8674/issues/aa1835_digital_issue
Images AJ Pearson Pics and Chevrolet Media
Further information from General Motors media around the new C8 Corvette Stingray.
Changing from a front to mid-engine location means a big deal for the GM Performance flagship vehicle and we have some quotes from a couple of the main players from the Chevrolet team who help bring it to fruition. Both men have been big part of the General Motors and Holden history over recent years.
“Corvette has always represented the pinnacle of innovation and boundary-pushing at GM. The traditional front-engine vehicle reached its limits of performance, necessitating the new layout,” said GM President Mark Reuss.
“In terms of comfort and fun, it still looks and feels like a Corvette, but drives better than any vehicle in Corvette history. Customers are going to be thrilled with our focus on details and performance across the board.” He went on to say.
The new mid-engine layout gives the new Corvette a massive improvement in chassis dynamics that translates into much more performance added by:
- Better weight distribution, with the rear weight bias enhancing performance in a straight line and on the track.
- Better responsiveness and sense of control due to driver positioning closer to the front axle, almost on top of the front wheels.
- The fastest 0-60 time of any entry Corvette ever
- A race car-like view of the road due to lower positioning of the hood, instrument panel and steering wheel. Excellent forward sight-lines throughout the vehicle for both driver and passenger.
- An enhancement of Corvette’s traditional utility strengths, with dual boot spaces, ideal for luggage or two sets of golf clubs
The new Corvette design was inspired by racing and aeronautics design.
There is no doubt that the 2020 Corvettes exterior has a bold, futuristic expression with mid-engine exotic sports car proportions, but it is still unmistakably Corvette and GM.
“As America’s most iconic performance nameplate, redesigning the Corvette Stingray from the ground up presented the team an historic opportunity, something Chevrolet designers have desired for over 60 years,” said Michael Simcoe, vice president of Global Design, General Motors.
“It is now the best of America, a new arrival in the mid-engine sports car class. We know Corvette can stand tall with the best the world has to offer.” Simcoe expressed proudly.
General Motors media release went on to say: The new location of the engine is truly the focal point for the car’s design. It’s the heart of this next generation Corvette and it sits like a jewel in a showcase, visible through the large rear hatch window.
GM claim that the new Corvette delivers a supercar level of craftsmanship, is constructed using premium materials and attention to detail are areas claimed to be critical in designing every component of the Stingray.
The added attention to detail optimised the appearance of every wire, tube, bolt and fastener, similar to those found in modern track and all-road motorcycle design makes the Corvette a new direction for modern times.
2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Engine
2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Transmission
