It is weird to think of the Corvette as a super car, especially considering the $60,000 starting price tag. But every bit of it delivers a super car experience. The engine has been moved to the middle, with nearly 500 horsepower placed behind the seats. The engineers did this to improve weight distribution, which affects cornering abilities and traction when accelerating off the line. Chevrolet redesign the Corvette for the 2020 model year with a clean slate. The only part carried over was a simple latch for the coupe’s removable roof panel. With two turns of the wrist and a little muscle to remove a carbon fiber body panel, you can transform the coupe into a targa.
C8 vs C7 Corvette
During my one-week test with the new 2020 Corvette (C8 Generation), I also had the privilege of driving last year’s Corvette (C7 Generation) for a day. In terms of looks, you can tell that both cars came from the same family, but that is it. The driving dynamics are drastically different. The C7 Corvette felt raw, with a loud exhaust and a bumpy ride. You really have to work the C7 when going around a corner fast to keep it on the road. In contrast, the C8 Corvette felt elegant and refined. The exhaust on the C8 in its loudest setting is quieter than the C7 in its quietest setting. The ride quality is superb in comparison to the C7 at mitigating bumps in the road. And while smashing the accelerator at a stoplight in the C8 isn’t quite as dramatic as the C7, the C8 Corvette accelerates much faster (2.9 seconds vs 3.7 second) despite having only slightly more horsepower. This is primarily because the mid-engine design puts more weight on the rear, thus delivering more grip to those wheels. While going around a tight corner fast, the C8 Corvette delivers immersive grip with loads of driver confidence. This is in part due to better weight distribution, as well as improved aero to create more downforce. Do I dare say that the C8 Corvette is the first Corvette that actually handles well? Both of the vehicles used for this test comparison were similarly equipped with the Z51 performance package.
The interior of the C8 Corvette was also immensely more refined than the C7 Corvette. Gone are the cheap plastics. They have been replaced with high quality plastic, aluminum, carbon fiber, and leather components if you get the 2LT and 3LT trim levels. The seats in my test car were the upgraded GT2 seats. They were very comfortable, while also supportive for high speed driving. I took a day trip in the car, and I felt just as fresh stepping out of the vehicle as I was getting into it.
The New Corvette vs The Super Car World
For over 50 years, the Corvette was America’s sports car, competing against the Porsche 911 from Germany, the Jaguar E/F-Type from England, and the Toyota Supra from Japan. It was always considered one of the best performance bargains. But now that the engine has been moved to the middle like a super car, and it has around 500 horsepower, the 2020 Corvette arguably no longer competes in the Sports Car Market.
It has moved up to the Super Car segment, alongside the Audi R8, Acura NSX, Lamborghini Huracan, McLaren 720S, and Ferrari F8. The biggest difference between these pedigree super cars and the 2020 Corvette is price. All but the Corvette have a purchase price north of $200,000 with options. I speak from experience when I say it is nerve wrecking to park a $300,000+ car at the grocery store. As the custodian of weekly press cars, or even with my personal car, I cringe at the thought of an aluminum door getting dented by a lazy parker. Whereas a well optioned Corvette can be had for less than $100,000. At that price, I can drive the Corvette without fear. I don’t have to coddle the car, worried that a single scratch could cost thousands to get repaired. Also, the Corvette’s body is primarily made from fiberglass. So the body won’t easily dent like it would on an aluminum car.
The Corvette’s driving experience feels very much akin to its super car brothers. Its nimble handling turns in razor sharp. However the steering feels a bit dull when compared to the Audi R8, Acura NSX, and Ferrari 488 GTB. The Corvette feels just as well balanced though. I speak from experience having driven all three of those cars in the past month. However, it is not nearly as thrilling as the Ferrari to drive. The Corvette lacks cinema in comparison to the Ferrari, from the monument you start the car to the second you park it. In comparison to the Audi R8 and Accura NSX, it feels different, but just as special behind the wheel for half of the price.
In terms of performance, the Corvette is on the lower end of the comparative spectrum: The Ferrari F8 has 710 horsepower. The Audi R8 has 611 horsepower. The McLaren 720S has 710 horsepower. The Acura NSX has 573 horsepower. The Lamborghini Huracan has 630 horsepower. The 2020 Corvette Stingray only has 495 horsepower. Technically it is way down on horsepower versus its super car competition, however it will still do 0 to 60 mph in less than 3 seconds. If you really NEED more power, stay tuned for Z06 and ZR1 versions of the Corvette. Both of these variants will surely still be less than the cost of any other modern super car.
Also, ff you like attention, you are going to love the 2020 Corvette Stingray. It is a new radical design, so the average person will think it is a Ferrari. I got that comment at a gas station more than once in a single week. And car enthusiasts will give you thumbs up, because you are among the first to spend your money wisely. I can’t think of a better way to spend $60,000 on a sports car, strike that… a super car.