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Mark Reuss, president of General Motors Company, unveils the 2020 mid-engine C8 Corvette Stingray during a news conference

Why the New C8 Corvette Base Model Will Blow You Away

The Chevrolet Corvette is a car that’s been around for a long time, seeing many changes along the way. Each generation of the Corvette has brought new improvements to the car and has had people eager to see what Chevy has up their sleeves. They’ve never disappointed, and this year will be no different for …

The Chevrolet Corvette is a car that’s been around for a long time, seeing many changes along the way. Each generation of the Corvette has brought new improvements to the car and has had people eager to see what Chevy has up their sleeves. They’ve never disappointed, and this year will be no different for the 2020 C8 Corvette.

The year’s model is part of the Corvette’s 8th generation, hence the name C8. This year, Chevy brought their A-game and produced a whole new car – one that ranks it up there with some big names in the high-performance car segment, but with a much lower price tag. A video from The Straight Pipes proves that the base model is more than enough to please any driver.

What’s so great about the base model C8?

Mark Reuss, president of General Motors Company, unveils the 2020 mid-engine C8 Corvette Stingray during a news conference
The 2020 Chevrolet C8 Corvette Stingray | Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

The new C8 has made a big splash since Chevy announced its production last year. The Corvette has a whole new design that promises not to disappoint. The exterior styling has a Camaro-type look to it with just the right amount of sporty lines. In the front, there’s a hint of the McLaren in its design. Of course, the main feature that dropped a few jaws has to do with the new mid-engine architecture, the same we’ve seen in the expensive high-performance cars.

The interior has high-quality materials throughout, comfortable seating, and everything’s within easy reach for the driver. It has an 8-inch touchscreen that’s compatible with the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto features and comes with a 10-speaker Bose audio system, which is the loudest audio build put into a Corvette. It also comes with dual-zone climate control, power seats, and a squared-off shaped steering wheel, allowing the driver to see all the gauges. The price is a shocking $59,995 for the base model, which is thrilling considering how much other high-performance cars cost.

How well does the 2020 C8 Corvette perform?

The 2020 C8 Corvette has a 6.2-liter LT2 engine, which is a newer version of the General Motors small-block V8 we’ve seen for many years with this car. It enables the Corvette to run at 495 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, making it a powerful piece of machinery. The mid-engine feature allows for more speed due to the aerodynamic design benefits you gain by moving the motor to the rear of the vehicle. Acceleration time for the base model alone is mind-blowing at 3 seconds for a 0 to 60 mph sprint. Upgrading to one of the higher packages improves that time by only 0.1 seconds.

Paired with that powerful motor is 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. The Corvette can switch gears quickly and smoothly because the two clutches are operating separate gears. That’s why acceleration times are so fast; each gear is ready to shift when it’s time to step up to the plate. Handling is smooth with no jitters or extreme jerks. The exhaust is impressive, but the sound is better on the outside of the car than on the inside.

What options are available for the 2020 C8 Corvette?

The base model has plenty on its own, but if you’re looking to add a few more bells and whistles to your car, there are some packages that can enhance your driving experience. Car and Driver reports that the next trim level up from the base is the 2LT. This package adds a heated steering wheel, heated and cooled seats, navigation, a 14-speaker Bose system, and GM’s Performance Data Recorder System. The price starts at $67,295.

The higher-tier trim level is the 3LT. This trim adds more spice to your interior. You’ll find leather, carbon-fiber, and suede trims with GT2 seats at a price tag of $71,945. Other options include the Z51 package, which has a performance exhaust system that adds 5 more hp and an extra 5-lb-ft of torque. It also offers larger brakes and Michelin sports tires to name just a few.

The 2020 C8 Corvette has many people drooling to get their hands on one. It’s not every day you get a high-performance car for under $100,000. Well, $40,000 under to be exact. The Corvette hasn’t disappointed in the least, and sales keep on climbing.

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