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Guide to the C8 Corvette | C8 Corvette History

Posted on 2022-06-17

The Chevrolet Corvette has been an American icon for over 65 years. Since its beginning, the Corvette brand has been dedicated to one thing — making stylish vehicles capable of traveling at hair-raising speeds. There have been several iterations of the Chevy Corvette, but the most recent generation, the C8 series, is truly something special.

In this comprehensive guide to the eighth-generation Corvette series, you can gain a better understanding of why the C8 is one of the most respected vehicles on the road and racetrack worldwide.

Overview of the C8 Corvette

C8 ‘Vettes are famous for their innovative design that's different from past generations. Driving onto the scene in 2020, eighth-gen Corvettes received attention for their mid-engine layouts. Rather than having an engine underneath the hood, the technology sits directly behind the passenger seats. This change in structure was done to improve balance and put the Corvette in the same market as competing luxury sports vehicles like the Lamborghini Huracán, Audi R8, Ferrari 488 and Ford GT.

C8 Corvettes are available in coupe and convertible body styles. In terms of appearance, C8 Corvettes look futuristic with steep contours and sharp lights. Whether you prefer standard editions or the racing variant, the C8.R, these vehicles will surely give you the ultimate thrill ride.

How the C8 Changed the Corvette Legacy

The C8 Corvette is a huge leap forward for Chevrolet. Not only does the mid-engine layout put the vehicle series in a new category, but the engine builds, onboard technology and transmission setups installed within these sports cars are worth noting.

What Engine Is in the C8 Corvette?

The first C8 Corvettes feature an all-new engine, the LT2, built by General Motors. The original 6.2-liter engines drew inspiration from the C8 predecessor, the C7, but the technology features a dry-sump system capable of lubricating internal components when the cars are pushed to their limits. The LT2 engines hit the market with a whopping 490 horsepower.

LT2 engine builds showcase two radiators for cooling. High-performance Z51 packages have three radiators to keep the vehicles at a stable operating temperature in track settings.

Revolutionary Technology

Eighth-generation Corvettes are decked out with cutting-edge technology. Features include an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth functionality as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Depending on what trim you select, you could find yourself with a 14-speaker setup from Bose® for an incredible listening experience.

About C8 Corvette Transmissions

Purchasing a C8 Corvette Stingray gives you an 8-speed transmission. The eighth-generation series vehicles are only available with automatic transmission setups due to the decreased demand for manual configurations and the improvements made to Chevy's automatic technology in recent years.

While the C8 Corvettes are considered automatic vehicles, they showcase dual-clutch technology. Drivers may use paddle shifters on the steering wheel for a similar driving experience to a manual setup without using a clutch pedal.

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FAQs About C8 Corvettes

C8 Corvettes are relatively new in the sports car world. Check out the commonly asked questions below to learn more about one of Chevy's most impressive vehicle series to date:

How Fast Is the C8 Corvette?

The 0 to 60 mph time for the C8 Corvette is 2.8 seconds when drivers use the Z51 package. The base model C8 vehicles travel at a maximum of 194 mph, making these eighth-gen vehicles the fastest in the brand's history.

The mid-engine C8 is commonly compared to other luxury sports cars in its class, like the Lamborghini Huracán. Based on initial ratings from the 2020 model year, Chevy C8 Corvettes are more efficient than this Lamborghini sports cars. However, the Lamborghini Huracán can travel at a higher top speed of 202 mph compared to the C8’s 194 mph rating.

Even though the C8 Corvette is not faster than a Lamborghini Huracán, the American-made Corvette is available for a fraction of the price and gives you a similar behind-the-wheel experience. These vehicles can also reach 60 mph in less time than the Lamborghini Huracán, which is effective for track applications.

What Colors Does This Car Come In?

The 2020 C8 model vehicles are available in 12 different colors. Some of the shades were carried over from the C7 generation to please enthusiasts. The debut colors include:

  • Rapid Blue
  • Accelerate Yellow
  • Sebring Orange Tintcoat
  • Torch Red
  • Long Beach Red Metallic Tintcoat
  • Zeus Bronze Metallic
  • Elkhart Lake Blue Metallic
  • Shadow Gray Metallic
  • Ceramic Matrix Gray Metallic
  • Blade Silver Metallic
  • Arctic White
  • Black

Does the Vehicle Have a Trunk Compartment?

Chevrolet C8 Corvettes have two trunk compartments. One is located under the hood and the other is behind the engine at the back of the vehicle. You can carry everything from groceries to small suitcases from point A to point B in these Chevrolet Corvettes.

What Are the Trim Levels?

Both the coupe and convertible body styles for the C8 generation offer three trim levels — 1LT, 2LT and 3LT. Each trim offers the same 6.2-liter LT2 V8 engine and identical performance specifications. The main differences boil down to what is inside the cabin.

The 1LT trim is the base for C8 Corvettes and is currently the most affordable option. The 2LT and 3LT trims provide drivers with an improved stereo system and more choices for interior seats. Those interested in customizations should consider exploring the 3LT trim level since Chevrolet allows you to choose a leather-wrapped door panel, center console and instrument panel for a luxurious look and feel.

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Find a C8 Corvette at Volo Museum Auto Sales

Volo Museum Auto Sales is the oldest collector car dealer in the United States. We have a large selection of vintage muscle cars and new additions like the C8 Corvette for you to see firsthand at our Illinois location. See the sports car of your choice in person before you buy and rest assured knowing our in-house mechanics inspect our vehicles for your satisfaction.

Check out our Corvettes online today. Feel free to contact us with questions about our vehicles for more information.