2019 Chevrolet Corvette C8 Stingray 6.2L V8 8AT (497 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Chevrolet introduced the eighth sequel of the Corvette in 2019, and it was the most revolutionary generation in the model’s history since it was the first to have the engine mounted behind the cabin.

When Zora Arkus-Duntov joined GM in 1953, he quickly became one of the most notorious engineers in the automaker’s department. He liked the Corvette but had many ideas to improve it. One of them was to put the engine behind the cabin. Harley Earl and GM’s top management disagreed with it due to high production costs. In 1964, Duntove made the CERV II (Chevrolet Engineering Research Vehicle), a concept car that carried over some elements from the Corvette but had a mid-mounted engine. Unfortunately, the brilliant engineer couldn’t convince GM’s management that his solution was worth it. Two years later, Lamborghini introduced the mid-engined Miura, which became the first proper supercar in history. Chevrolet continued to create generations after generations of the Corvette, but all followed the front-mounted engine solution. Unfortunately, Mr. Arkus-Duntov passed away in 1996 without seeing that Chevrolet finally applied his solution in 2019, when it launched the eighth generation of the Corvette.

At the front, the C8 Stingray had a short nose and angular-shaped headlights. Its daytime running lights were integrated into the headlamps and followed a V-shape pattern. The deeply sculptured hood channeled airflow to the sides and created downforce as well. The automaker made a fat bumper that sported a broad center grille flanked by a pair of side scoops to complete the car’s aggressive stance.

From its profile, the supercar stance of the C8 was continued by the raked and wide windshield and the ascending waistline of the car. A set of massive air intakes grabbed air from the sides and channeled it to the engine area behind the cabin. GM’s design team cleverly concealed the door handles in the upper area of these air intakes. It also shaped the rear quarter panels to resemble the coke-bottle styling present on the Corvette ever since the car’s third generation. Finally, at the back, the C8 Stingray sported a wing on the rear panel and a set of slim LED taillights. Four rectangular exhausts peaked underneath the rear bumper, flanking a functional diffuser.

By placing the engine behind the cockpit, the automaker could create a better cabin for the two occupants inside. The high-bolstered sports seats were separated by the tall center console that featured a separating panel between occupants, which sported a set of buttons for the transmission and other amenities of the vehicle. In front of the driver, Chevrolet installed a completely digital instrument panel fitted with a 12-inch configurable LCD. Next to it, above the center stack, the automaker added a second touchscreen for the infotainment system.

But the most important part of the C8 Stingray was, obviously, the powertrain. Like most of its predecessors, the C8 was powered by a V8 engine, and it was an upgraded version of the LT1 powerplant installed in the previous Corvette generation. The 6.2-liter naturally-aspirated unit provided up to 490 hp (497 PS). It was paired with an eight-speed automatic (dual-clutch) transmission that sent all the oomph to the rear wheels. As an option, customers could get a titanium exhaust that raised the power by five ponies.