2020 Corvette Stingray C8: What We Know and Our First Impressions

white_fly said:

PDK as in a Porsche-developed dual clutch gearbox? How did they make it work? I want to know for... reasons.

It seems pretty straightforward. The C8 uses the classic mid-engine layout of longitudinal engine ahead of the rear axle line, and the transmission portion of the transaxle hanging out the back. Any mid- or rear-engine Porsche transaxle has the same layout, although of course the rear-engine units need to be turned around to work (with a corresponding inversion or ring gear flip to go the right direction). Adapters to mount a GM small-block to a Porsche transaxle are readily available, due to demand for custom swaps and kit cars. Halfshaft compatibility is fixed with custom shafts, presumably using Corvette outer joints and Porsche inner. Electronic engine and transmission management would the usual nightmare, so not a problem for GM staff.

Knurled. said:

Now I wonder about a CVT with a manual lever, where the lever position sets the engine RPM.  That'd be pretty cool.

While a fixed-ratio transmission is never in quite the right gear, the solution is not constant or even driver-controlled engine speed, because you would never be at the right engine speed. A good CVT is programed to take the engine to the best speed for the currently requested level of power (accelerator pedal position); the only manual intervention which makes sense is a mode selection to tell it when to vary from the ideal speed to be ready for suddenly higher power demand... such as running the engine speed higher on corner entry than the modest power level needs, to be ready for the higher power in corner exit.

After all of the “It’ll have E36 M3ty parts-bin interior” interior predictions, these seats look like a not-bad place to park my ass (at least the driver’s side)

Also, while I dig the brownish-bronzish, the proverbial “NYG” appeals to my inner 90’s gangster rapper sensibilities.

poopshovel again said:

Also, while I dig the brownish-bronzish, the proverbial “NYG” appeals to my inner 90’s gangster rapper sensibilities.

I get that, but I’m still hung up on teal with Sawblades.

I am seriously considering pulling the trigger on this car in Z51 guise for my 50th birthday in about 16 months.

AnthonyGS said:

I am seriously considering pulling the trigger on this car in Z51 guise for my 50th birthday in about 16 months.

They look so good in white!

I'm torn between Torch Red and Wimbledon White myself...I think mid engine cars look best in red, but white is just so CLEAN.

Nice to see you can get some over the top and obnoxious interior color combinations...

And you can also make the side scoops body colored instead of black.

I need to go back and see how much the body colored accents add to the price... I have to admit they do look better.

Can't wait to see this in person. Having a hard time understanding scale in photos.  I know it's pretty big and I don't love Corvettes or larger cars, but still, glad they did this.

In reply to turtl631 :

I’ve seen a couple amateur videos on instagram that give a better sense of scale. Like the C7, I have a feeling I’m going to like it better in person than in pics.

AnthonyGS said:

I am seriously considering pulling the trigger on this car in Z51 guise for my 50th birthday in about 16 months.

I wasn’t seriously considering it until last night. I showed Mrs. Poop the “Zeus Bronze.” She is on board 

And agreed: White is the hawtness as well.

I've always said that for a car design to be truly beautiful, it has to look good in white because white shows all body lines. If it looks best in black then the design is weak because black hides body lines. I've always respected Vettes based on my racing a C5 and a turbocharged Z06 but being a Porsche guy and advocate of mid/rear engine cars, I am now a fan of the C8. What GM has done is incredible and I can see the average age of Vette owner getting lowered a little with this car.

The “visualizer” tool is fun. While Zeus Bronze is still a contender, I dig the Arctic White & Blade Silver Metallic, too.

Z51 package, black trident wheels, black optional spoiler & mirrors. YASSS PLZ!

Ceramic Matrix Gray is my favorite color with a little red bling and a wing.

poopshovel again said:

I’ve seen a couple amateur videos on instagram that give a better sense of scale. Like the C7, I have a feeling I’m going to like it better in person than in pics.

Agreed. I see quite a few C7's on the road and they definitely seem to look better in person than in pictures.

For scale, Motor Trend did a comparison to the Ford GT (current) and noted the C8 is actually a bit shorter.  And after watching the Leno video about the car, it doesn't come across as being particularly large. 

A lot of naysayers on another forum I visit are now putting down deposits and the general feelings toward the car have changed significantly after the release of the configuration and pricing.  Sounds like it’s being well received.

Interesting article on the new Michelin AS4 which it appears will launch on this car. 

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a28414993/2020-chevrolet-corvette-mid-engine-all-season-tires/?src=socialflowFBCAD&utm_campaign=socialflowFBCD&utm_medium=social-media&utm_source=facebook

Seriously impressive stats 

I wish we had pricing. I've reached out to two dealers to get the process started.

Anyone else not sure they want a Z51 pack? I'm starting to think non-Z51 and 2LT instead of Z51 and 1LT.

This is to be a four season car, and I think my ideal but expensive choice would go Z51+FE4+snows, followed by the standard car. The wing looks like a pain for trunk access anyhow. That's the first thing I'll check if the tour comes to Chicago.

I'm wanting some of the purchase experience things, like the R8C museum delivery and number plate set. Maybe take the PIN RPO to get Dad's '53 serial put in the VIN. Maybe see about the track experience too. 

Edit: PIN was, based on prior generations, a $5000 option. I'll take a random VIN. 

Mike said:

 

This is to be a four season car, and I think my ideal but expensive choice would go Z51+FE4+snows, followed by the standard car. The wing looks like a pain for trunk access anyhow. That's the first thing I'll check if the tour comes to Chicago.

 

Love it - I drove my C6 Z06 in winter here in Milwaukee on base C6 sized wheels with Michelin Alpin PA4.  Even drove in some actual snow storms with a couple inches accumulating on 94.  It did well enough...I never got stuck.

Apparently a friend of a friend saw one of these in the wild already. (Not /THAT/ surprising since he does live in Bowling Green) might be delivery blocks still in place but it looked like it rode unreasonably high. 

Edit: added the stolen Facebook pic.

Calling it now... someone will go to a baseball game in their vette, store the speedbumps in front of the stadium in the GPS, and then, six months later, have the axle lifter trigger in an autocross in stadium parking lot. The front end will come up while navigating a sub-25mph Chicago box at some corner of the course.

In reply to Mike :

Best autocross loss excuse ever.

I'm split on the Z51 package. On one hand I want the extra cooling on the other; how often will it really be put to use?

I guess it'll depend on how much the package costs in most cases, but it would be a highly interesting head to head (hint hint editors)

In reply to The0retical :

In the past I would have always chosen the performance options over comfort and livability options, but I was having this exact conversation with a co-worker yesterday.

I think the limits are so high on this one I'd probably be happy with a base and nicer interior.

Ideally I'd want the 2LT and Z51 but then it might become a 70k car and I'm just a pheasant. 

I was wonderingr if I track a base model or autox it and something happens will it be covered or will it be like the crammit where only the 1LE is covered.

Also how much is the gearing and ediff gonna make a difference, cause let's be realistic, im going to drag race it all the time. I mean I have a Miata that's been to one autox but has made probably 40 drag passes, and it's not even fast.