Automotive

2020 Stingray revealed as first ever mid-engine Corvette

2020 Stingray revealed as first ever mid-engine Corvette
The new Corvette is a mid-engine design, putting the big growling powerhouse behind the driver instead of in front of, but retains its rear-wheel drive focus as an American sports coupe
The new Corvette is a mid-engine design, putting the big growling powerhouse behind the driver instead of in front of, but retains its rear-wheel drive focus as an American sports coupe
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Corvette embossed brake calipers mark the Z51 package
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Corvette embossed brake calipers mark the Z51 package
The 2020 Stingray will be the fastest and most powerful base model Corvette ever introduced and will mark a Chevrolet first
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The 2020 Stingray will be the fastest and most powerful base model Corvette ever introduced and will mark a Chevrolet first
The exterior design of the 2020 Corvette Stingray features the proportions expected of a mid-engined supercar, including the fat rear end and forward-leaning bias most associated with them
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The exterior design of the 2020 Corvette Stingray features the proportions expected of a mid-engined supercar, including the fat rear end and forward-leaning bias most associated with them
Not unlike many Italian supercars, the Corvette features strong side intakes to bring air to the huge V8
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Not unlike many Italian supercars, the Corvette features strong side intakes to bring air to the huge V8
The signature “Coke bottle” shape of the ‘Vette remains in the overall profile, as does the angular rear end and the strong Corvette swoop at the front bumper
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The signature “Coke bottle” shape of the ‘Vette remains in the overall profile, as does the angular rear end and the strong Corvette swoop at the front bumper
The new 2020 Corvette Stingray will be the first mid-engine Corvette
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The new 2020 Corvette Stingray will be the first mid-engine Corvette
The new Corvette is a mid-engine design, putting the big growling powerhouse behind the driver instead of in front of, but retains its rear-wheel drive focus as an American sports coupe
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The new Corvette is a mid-engine design, putting the big growling powerhouse behind the driver instead of in front of, but retains its rear-wheel drive focus as an American sports coupe
A big, lightweight glass panel on the Corvette's rear hatch shows off the big throaty V8 beneath
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A big, lightweight glass panel on the Corvette's rear hatch shows off the big throaty V8 beneath
Performance exhaust options are fit for every Corvette Stingray, whether it be the standard or the Z51 model
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Performance exhaust options are fit for every Corvette Stingray, whether it be the standard or the Z51 model
Corvette designers mentioned aircraft and fighter planes as inspiration for the new car
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Corvette designers mentioned aircraft and fighter planes as inspiration for the new car
What’s most notable for the new mid-engined Corvette is the aggressive way the new ‘Vette pushes the air with a lower front fascia resembling British racers and a rear haunch and side intake that might remind one of Italian makes
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What’s most notable for the new mid-engined Corvette is the aggressive way the new ‘Vette pushes the air with a lower front fascia resembling British racers and a rear haunch and side intake that might remind one of Italian makes
To keep all of this performance on the road, the Corvette underwent a complete overhaul of its chassis design
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To keep all of this performance on the road, the Corvette underwent a complete overhaul of its chassis design
The new 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray will enter showrooms in late 2019 and will be priced at under US$60,000 to start
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The new 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray will enter showrooms in late 2019 and will be priced at under US$60,000 to start
As with all Corvettes before, the top of the coupe comes off and stores neatly into the car's trunk
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As with all Corvettes before, the top of the coupe comes off and stores neatly into the car's trunk
The Stingray will use the next-generation of Chevrolet’s now-iconic small block 6.2-liter V8
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The Stingray will use the next-generation of Chevrolet’s now-iconic small block 6.2-liter V8
Positioned low in the car, the new V8 has been designed to push power early in the RPM band towards a newly-developed transmission
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Positioned low in the car, the new V8 has been designed to push power early in the RPM band towards a newly-developed transmission
The new LT2 version of the engine outputs 495 horsepower (369 kW) and 470 pound-feet (637 Nm) of torque when equipped with an optional performance exhaust
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The new LT2 version of the engine outputs 495 horsepower (369 kW) and 470 pound-feet (637 Nm) of torque when equipped with an optional performance exhaust
The new eight-speed dual-clutch automatic in the 2020 Corvette is performance-focused and includes both full manual control (via paddle shifting) and automatic shifting
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The new eight-speed dual-clutch automatic in the 2020 Corvette is performance-focused and includes both full manual control (via paddle shifting) and automatic shifting
View gallery - 18 images

The anticipation for the new Chevrolet Corvette has been palpable, with leaks and guesswork going around as the unveil neared. Chevy finally unveiled the new 'Vette with introductions from astronauts and other Apollo Mission tie-ins to further pump up the occasion.

The new Corvette is a mid-engine design, putting the big growling powerhouse behind the driver instead of in front, but retains its rear-wheel-drive focus as an American sports coupe. The first 2020 Chevrolet Corvette models to hit showrooms will be the Stingray option, but Chevy executives on hand promised track-focused and other models will also be coming. It's also been confirmed the car will be released globally thanks to the availability of a right-hand-drive model.

The 2020 Stingray will be the fastest and most powerful base model Corvette ever introduced and putting the engine mid-ships will mark a Chevrolet first.

"Corvette has always represented the pinnacle of innovation and boundary-pushing at GM," said GM President Mark Reuss. "The traditional front-engine vehicle reached its limits of performance, necessitating the new layout."

The 2020 Stingray will be the fastest and most powerful base model Corvette ever introduced and will mark a Chevrolet first
The 2020 Stingray will be the fastest and most powerful base model Corvette ever introduced and will mark a Chevrolet first

The exterior design of the 2020 Corvette Stingray features the proportions expected of a mid-engined supercar, including the fat rear end and forward-leaning bias most associated with them. The signature "Coke bottle" shape of the 'Vette remains in the overall profile, though, as does the angular rear end and the strong Corvette swoop at the front bumper.

Corvette designers mentioned aircraft and fighter planes as inspiration for the new car, a mainstay trope for sports cars that has been there since the beginning. What's new, though, is the aggressive way the new 'Vette pushes the air with a lower front fascia resembling British racers and a rear haunch and side intake that might remind one of Italian makes. The Corvette has always been America's most European sports car, but will retain one uniquely American trait in its build. A huge, naturally-gulping V8.

The Stingray will use the next generation of Chevrolet's now-iconic small block 6.2-liter V8. The new LT2 version of the engine outputs 495 horsepower (369 kW) and 470 lb-ft (637 Nm) of torque when equipped with an optional performance exhaust. Chevy did not say what that exhaust adds, but we can surmise that it's around 5-10 horses over the standard exhaust given the current-gen C7 'Vette's changes with a similar upgrade.

Positioned low in the car, the new V8 has been designed to push power early in the RPM band towards a newly-developed transmission. That eight-speed dual-clutch automatic is performance-focused and includes both full manual control (via paddle shifting) and automatic shifting, and includes a de-clutch feature that can be used by pulling both paddle shifters simultaneously.

The Stingray will use the next-generation of Chevrolet’s now-iconic small block 6.2-liter V8
The Stingray will use the next-generation of Chevrolet’s now-iconic small block 6.2-liter V8

The engine's responses are optimized to match that new transmission's capabilities. Chevrolet says that the big V8, seen through a glass panel in the rear hatch, was engineered with several performance components as standard, including 25 percent more oil cooling than the previous-generation's V8 included.

To keep all of this performance on the road, the Corvette has undergone a complete overhaul of its chassis design. Being mid-engined, dynamics changed completely, Chevrolet's Tadge Jeuchter, Corvette executive chief engineer said. The car includes coil-over dampers, a straight and stiff steering system, and an electric-assist electronic steering control that speeds responses to driver inputs.

"Thanks to sophisticated suspension geometry, tailored tire technology and exquisite attention to structural details, we have improved ride and handling," said Juechter.

The steering ratio of the new Stingray is 15.7:1, an improvement of over a full point over the previous generation's steering. Holding the tarmac underneath the car are specially-designed Michelin all-season performance tires that can handle near-1G corners. For practicality, the front suspension has a 2-inch (40-mm) lift that can raise the front bumper in under three seconds under low-speed driving conditions. This allows more clearance for abrupt road transitions, potholes, and steep driveways. That system can remember up to 1,000 GPS locations, programmed by the driver, in order to make the transition automatic.

The new 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray will enter showrooms in late 2019 and will be priced at under US$60,000 to start
The new 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray will enter showrooms in late 2019 and will be priced at under US$60,000 to start

Chevrolet also announced a new Z51 performance package that will include a performance-tuned suspension, larger brake calipers, enhanced cooling systems, a more track-focused axle ratio, cooling inlets for the front brakes, and a performance exhaust upgrade. The 'Vette Z51 also has an electronic limited-slip rear differential, a modified front splitter and rear spoiler to add 400 lb (181 kg) of downforce at speed, and an option to add Magnetic Ride Control 4.0, the latest suspension customization system. This package will see the car go from 0-60 mph (96.5 km/h) in under three seconds.

The new 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray will enter showrooms in late 2019 and will be priced at under US$60,000 to start. Chevrolet has promised more information and pricing as the car nears production and launch.

Source: Chevrolet

View gallery - 18 images
9 comments
9 comments
Daishi
I honestly wasn't expecting the sub $60k price point for the base model. Corvette has done an impressive job keeping pace with much more expensive performance cars. It's like a budget Ferrari that's much cheaper to insure and repair. Chevy has budget performance down to a science but they have been working with a platform they know inside and out. I'm curious how they will do early on with a mid engine platform against companies that have been doing mid engine platforms longer.
Josh!
Corvette had always been one of the (perhaps "the") best Bang-For-Buck performance car. The Tesla Model 3 Performance (at ~$55K) may have topped it though. I'd be curious to see a heads-up of both once this thing hits the roads.
Nobody
I've had a couple Corvettes over the years and was always intrigued by the seating position. They were like driving from the back seat in a regular car. I could open the door and reach back and pat the rear tire with my hand. This new model will have the driver sitting much farther forward in the car. The low price is just as impressive as the car. I can't wait to drive one.
Venetian
Corvette has been ripping off design cues from Ferrari since the the late sixties. Compare side by side a 1968 Stingray with the Ferrari 246GTS for instance. The tradition continues. Now the "designers" have decided to "borrow" lines and cues from the Ford GT team AND Lamborghini. Chevrolet is incapable of producing a truly original performance vehicle that does anything other than drag race in a straight line fast with a lot of noise. Cornering and stability and well laid out interiors will once again be overlooked.
Fairly Reasoner
Yay. Another mid engine doppelganger.
Fast Eddie
A lovely automobile, and I am sure it has been well engineered. There will be no shortage of customers. One has to ask, however, if in this time of heightened environmental concerns whether the focus of GM's outstanding engineers would be better used in pursuit zero-emission vehicles, meeting the promise that was made when we taxpayers bailed out the company....and we investors were stiffed.
TomLeeM
I think that is the coolest looking car ever. I am glad they named it stingray.
Nobody
Most people don't realize that Corvettes are among the most fuel efficient if not most fuel efficient per horsepower cars on the road. They easily surpass almost all pickup trucks and 4x4s. With well over 430hp for all current models in the past eleven years getting 28mpg is common. I know guys who drive mostly highway miles getting in the low 30mpg range. My Corvette gets almost double the mileage of my minivan and nearly matches my four cylinder Camry.
Daishi
@Venetian The The 2017 Corvette Z06 holds a 7:13 Nürburgring lap time. Very few production cars are faster around the ring and most are much more expensive. They seem to corner just fine.