How will the C8 Corvette drive?
2020 Chevrolet Corvette
On July 18th, after ages of speculation and years of spy photos, Chevrolet finally showed off the 2020 Corvette, also known as the “C8” in reference to it being the eighth generation. To the surprise of absolutely nobody, it’s a mid-engine car. As is the way of the world these days, GM hasn’t released full pricing or even a full set of specifications. We have pictures, some interviews, and a few specifications. We also have a base price of “under $60,000.” I think it’s safe to say that number will probably be something like $59,999.95 but if you want one of the first ones off the line prepare to pay some additional dealer markup. If past pricing holds the one you really want will probably be around $75,000, which is still a heck of bargain.
Aside from pricing, the biggest open question for enthusiasts at this point is probably “What is this thing like to drive?” The steady beat of marketing means that we’ll probably have some first drive impressions within a month or two but for now we can get a little insight from the few specifications we have available.
In a broad sense, the C7 can be thought of as the car you buy when you want but can’t afford a Ferrari F12. Sure, the Corvette has a V8 instead of a V12, but the layout is similar and it’s conceptually the same sort of car. In that sense the C8 is the car you buy when you want but can’t afford a Ferrari 458. Let’s use that car as a basis of comparison.
Let’s start with the engines. The Ferrari has a 4.5 liter V8 capable of producing 562 HP at 9000 RPM, 398 ft-lb of torque at 6000 RPM. The Corvette has a 6.2 liter V8 that produces (in Z51 form) 495 HP at 6450 RPM, 470 ft-lb at 5150 RPM. We don’t have curves for the Corvette’s LT2 engine but curves for the C7’s LT1 show torque reaching about 80% at around 2000 RPM and then increasing nearly linearly to the maximum. The curve for the 458 is similar. But because the C8’s torque peak is higher and at a lower RPM, the engine is going to feel torquer than the Ferrari.
This feeling will be enhanced by the frankly unexpected fact that the Corvette weighs less than the Ferrari. Put your foot down and you’re going to feel an instant, massive shove pushing you forward. Both cars have dual clutch transmissions with similar, very fast shift times of around 100 ms. The Corvette gets an extra gear, for a total of 8, thereby increasing the chances of being right in the power band while you’re driving. The Corvette doesn’t have shift lights embedded in the steering wheel but perhaps the HUD has a similar indicator. The shift paddles are wheel mounted in the Corvette, column mounted on the Ferrari.
Straight line performance in the vaguely street legal realm is likely to be very similar, they both do 0-60 mph in about 3.0 seconds. Power to weight slightly favors the Ferrari, 0.16 versus 0.15 HP/lb on the Corvette. For comparison, the BMW M2, not at all a slow car, has 0.12 HP/lb.
2020 Chevrolet Corvette Interior
A major design change from C7 to C8 Corvette is the squarish steering wheel. It actually looks somewhat similar to the wheel in the Ferrari LaFerrari. Theoretically this gives you better visibility over the top and clearance under the bottom, especially for the more robust gentleman. The design works best if you can always keep your hands on the sides, even in sharp turns. This implies an aggressive steering ratio and the 458 has it, a zippy 11.9:1. This also helps gives the Ferrari the very direct response they want. When the driver starts to turn the wheel the car responds very quickly.
As for the Corvette, the steering ratio is a significantly more relaxed 15.7:1. Combine this with the slight longer wheelbase on the Corvette, 107.2 inches versus 104.3 on the Ferrari, and the car is probably going to feel a bit more stable and less fatiguing for long distance cruising. Turning is going to take more wheel angle and this might reveal the squared off steering wheel to be a bit less than optimal.
I think what we have in the new Corvette is a car that will perform very similarly to the 458 at dramatically lower cost. That lovely feel of torque as you push the pedal is going to be tremendous even though you won’t get that incredible 9000 RPM Ferrari scream. Steering will feel normal, probably a good choice given the customer base, as opposed to lightning quick like the Ferrari. Power to weight is a little better on the Ferrari, but it’s not a world away. At roughly half the price of a used 458, a new Corvette C8 is going to be an incredible performance bargain.
2016 Chevrolet Volt Battery Pack
2020 Chevrolet Corvette
Looking to the future, Autocar reported on the possibility of a future version of the C8 with an electric front axle. “You would not look stupid if you said that,” they quote an anonymous member of the C8 team. Where would you put a battery for that? I would direct your attention to the battery pack for the humble Chevrolet Volt, designed to fit in the center tunnel of the car. The C8 has a large box structure in the same position for structural support that could, potentially, also hold a battery. Weight distribution would likely change only modestly. Aside from potential fuel economy benefits this system could benefit performance and handling in the manner of the Ferrari SF90 Stradale or the Honda/Acura NSX. I would honestly expect to see it within two or three years and look forward to the screams of horror from the traditional Corvette customer base.
