Zora Arkus-Duntov was an engineer who along with Harley Earl, Maurice Olley, and Ed Cole worked on one of the most remarkable American cars: the Chevrolet Corvette. A mid-engine configuration for a sportscar was Duntov’s cherished dream: he was sure that it would be more driver-focused than the variant with a classic layout. Finally, his dream came true: in 2019, the first-ever Corvette with a mid-engine layout debuted. The position of the engine has changed, although the original purpose of this powerful machine hasn’t. It still offers incredible bang for your buck and thrilling performance through a 6.2L V8. Here, we’re taking a close look at the mid-engine Corvette and what makes it one of the fastest selling cars in the USA.
Design
The Corvette C8 was designed from the ground up: only rectangular taillights resemble the previous generation. Newly styled air intakes behind the doors help prevent the Corvette’s powerful V8 from overheating. The designers have done a lot of work to overhaul the exterior and keep the car easily recognizable. Even with the absence of the long, sleek front end of previous generations we’ve grown accustomed to, the Corvette C8 still remains true to the generations unmistakable styling.
Powertrain
Chevrolet engineers took the LT1 engine (found on the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 C7), tweaking and reworking it into a new, powerful beast: a new GM Small Block, dubbed the LT2, the motor for the Corvette C8. It is a cast aluminum, naturally aspirated V8 pushing 490 horsepower. That bumps up to 495 on cars equipped with the Z51 package and performance exhaust.
A manual transmission was dropped due to poor demand. The dual-clutch eight-speed Tremec M1L is standard for all Chevy C8s. It sends 470 lb-ft of torque to the rear axle, with electronics in the Chevrolet Corvette C8 providing traction stability. Paddle shifters allow you to manage everything, while the gearbox shifts rapidly and responsively. A mid-engine layout contributes to better stability with a better-positioned center of gravity, such that the newest Corvette performs more like a car with all-wheel-drive. The new mid-engine Corvette is available with an optional magnetic suspension that adjusts the chassis every 10-15 milliseconds, depending on the surface.
Features and trims
Voted the North American Car of the Year in 2020, the C8 is the most technologically advanced sportscar made by Chevrolet. It’s available in 3 trims: the basic 1LT, the best for the money 2LT, and the top-tier 3LT. The first has a limited number of amenities and is designed for purists who want to get the lightest Stingray. The 2LT trim comes with an 8-inch infotainment display, blind-spot monitoring system, heated and ventilated seats, and navigation. The Corvette C8 3LT is the most luxurious trim with a suede/leather interior and GT2 seats.
What makes the Corvette C8 the fastest selling car in the US
Road & Track magazine named the Corvette C8 “the performance bargain of the century”. Its affordability accounts for the popularity of this sportscar. The MSRP of the base 1LT trim is $60,995 without destination charges. By comparison, the Audi R8 starts from $142,700 for the 2021 model, making the C8 one of the most affordable cars amongst its competition. iSeeCars analyzed the volume of monthly car sales, and the newest Corvette has been named the fastest selling car for three consecutive months in 2021. On average, it was sold in 9.4 days, while used models were on sale for approximately 29.6 days.
Bottom Line
The current generation of the Chevrolet Corvette is what fans have been waiting for: a stylish sportscar that can outdo most rivals for half of their price. Some have already made their way to Salvagebid. The wrecked Corvette C8 you see above is the top-tier 3LT, available with a $64,975 buy it now price. Another salvage Corvette C8 heads to auction on 4/27 from Palmetto, FL. To place your bid, create an account, upload a copy of your government-issued ID or passport, and place a security deposit. Don’t forget to upgrade your membership to bid over $4,000. Contact us online or reach out to us at + 1 (360) 347-1300 (7:00 AM – 4:00 PM PST, Monday through Friday) with your questions.