First-ever mid-engine Corvette to debut soon

KUALA LUMPUR: Chevrolet will soon peel the covers off the upcoming Corvette C8. The car is set to make a debut on 18th July 2019 where auto enthusiasts would witness the first-ever mid-range Corvette.

With all the camouflaged images of the car out in the open, we already have a pretty good idea about the car’s shape and size. However, we are yet to see the new Corvette without all the black and white livery. It seems like some keen insider managed to get the rear image of the car without the camo.

If this image is to be believed, the Corvette C8 gets Camaro-like aggressive design with new C-Shaped taillights along with a massive rear wing. Besides, the C8 also features huge air vents, a blacked-out rear diffuser, and quad exhaust pipes.

As for the car’s front profile, we don’t have any images yet, however, with the mill not placed at the rear, the vehicle is expected to get more aerodynamic and sharper design. As for the headlamp design, we are hoping to see C7 Stingray’s units, but a bit evolved.

The all-new Corvette is expected to initially source power from a 6.2-litre V8 that is dubbed as the LT2. It is nothing but a more powerful version of the LT1 unit that develops a maximum power of around 500 PS. This mill will be paired to a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox and not a manual or automatic gearbox. In the future, there could be an even powerful version producing as much as 600 PS or even more.

The company has reportedly equipped the Corvette C8 with an encrypted ECU, so the customers won’t be able to tune it. As per Chevrolet, this has been done to safeguard the owner from any cybersecurity threats. The company further said, “they do not want to cut anybody out of the aftermarket scene”. Which indicates only a limited tuner would be able to modify the C8’s powerplant.