If you haven’t heard about the new eighth-generation Corvette, then you must be living under a rock! For those of you that need to be brought up to speed – Chevy has announced that the new Corvette will be released in 2020, with the new design including the much-loved mid-engine layout. In addition to that, there’s a new V8 under the hood, a brand new interior design, and state of the art suspension. Here at JD’s Auto Repair, we wanted to take a closer look at what this new model will bring to the roads.
Changing the engine design
Chevy has gone with a mid-engine design, replacing the typical front-engine design seen in previous generations. The hope is that this will bring much-needed control to the sometimes front-heavy driving experience seen with Corvettes of the past. If they get it right, this new engine placement could make this car a dream to drive, but sometimes mid-engines can be a bit hit and miss. Anyone remember the days of mid-engine Pontiacs?
The new LT2 V8 engine provides 490 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque and features a Tremec eight-speed dual-clutch transmission providing power to the rear wheels. All of this should make for a fast yet smooth driving experience.
How does it perform?
The new Corvette won’t feature leaf springs like older models, instead, it uses a modern aluminum double wishbone suspension for both the front and rear and fourth-generation Magnetic Ride Control to take the bumps out the road. The result is a lighter, more compact design, giving the C8 more zip than the C7, with better quality control for tight cornering at high speed.
The new-look interior
Corvettes have sometimes felt like they lack when it comes to interior design, but the C8 has made some drastic changes that really give it that luxury feels for a sports coupe. The cockpit design is more driver-centered than previous models with high-quality leather upholstery and seamlessly fitted control panels. The instrument cluster is fully digital, and the gear shifter has been updated with buttons and toggle switchgear. This being the 21st century, the car features voice control, WiFi, NFC, wireless charging, and even over-the-air updates, making it not only fun to drive but a great experience all round.
The new design features mean the car is the perfect weekend cruiser for even novice drivers that enjoy their home comforts. It seems that Chevy has tried to bridge that gap between a luxury sedan and a sports coupe, and have done a great job!
The new Corvette C8 will be hitting showrooms in 2020, really pushing the boundaries of this iconic modern American classic. If you’re a Corvette fan, or if this blog post has inspired you to become one, it’s definitely worth taking one out for a test drive as soon as they’re released! If you’re lucky enough to get your hands on a brand new C8, head down to JD’s Auto Repair to customize your vehicle by tuning the engine. This way, it will ride exactly how you want, maximizing its potential and keeping it well maintained in the long-run.
