The Coming of the C8 Was Incredible: What's Coming Next Will be Earth-Shaking

With the engine situated for the first time behind the driver after decades of speculation and in-depth engineering, the new Corvette represented an enormous change for one of America's most iconic cars. As of now, there has not been an official announcement, there will certainly be much more powerful and faster Corvettes to come in the future, really catapulting Chevy into the realm of full-blown super cars such as Lamborghini and Ferrari. It is no shame that some have not considered us neck and neck with these high-end track-dominators as of yet, seeing as how Chevy products are a mere fraction of their price. 

 

In today's current base model, the 495-horsepower Stingray has many advantages when taking a close look at the Corvettes' new “rear mid-engine” layout. The entire car's weight is shifted, which improves handling through curves as well as speed in a straight line since the back wheels have more weight over them. Right away you notice how much closer you as the driver is to the perfect center of the driving experience. You are also seated a bit further forward, closer to the front wheels that are piloting the car.

With a lower hood minus the engine, the driver also gets to enjoy a more thorough view of the road ahead, which helps in droves during high-speed maneuvers. This design that was pondered and conceptualized for so long now enables engineers to create versions of the car with an abundance of higher power, and the ability to handle it on all counts. The current C8 brandishes 50 more horsepower than the outgoing model and has received very high accolades and raving reviews for handling, the feel of the interior, and spectacular value. 

We have been informed here at West Chevy of Knoxville that a high-performance hybrid is widely rumored to be in the design stages, but it has not been officially confirmed. A very long and narrow row of buttons graces the current C8's interior, creating a snug low wall between the driver and passenger, while the central touchscreen is also tilted towards the driver. There is no more manual transmission offered, and the automatic is quick, responsive, and smooth as anything many auto journalists have driven during their entire career.

Changing driving modes is done via a knob with a comfy hand rest above it, and plugs you straight into Tour, Sport, or Track modes at your whim. The seasoned experts out there have been excited about just how good this car corners, and how the Track mode adjusts the suspension and steering responsiveness to immediately adapt to the adrenaline-laced challenge. We will keep you posted here on the blog about the many ways in which the coming Corvette will be even more exciting and powerful, and the best medium to take on a “socially distanced” cruise at “speed of light” caliber!

“Huge Hit on Our Hands”: 2022 Chevy Corvette Z06 Spy Shots Via Motor Authority

The general consensus over the past year through various blog posts and car aficionado websites is that the Bow-tie brand we love to represent so much here at West Chevy of Knoxville has had a huge hit on our hands with the mid-engine C8 Corvette. There are still models that are coming soon such as the Grand Sport, Z06 and ZR1, and even rumors of new hybrid models that will make their way down the pipeline soon as well.

The bloggers on duty at Motorauthority.com reported this past week that Chevy engineers have been spotted testing a souped-up version of the C8, and based on what past generations have offered up, you are here looking at a new Corvette Z06 that could appear as a 2022 model. At first glance it looks just a bit like previous testers for the Stingray but then you notice the wider rear wheels, which hint at it being a bit more track-tough and ready for even higher hits in the blistering acceleration department. On the Stingray the rear tires max out at about 305 millimetres, but the rear tires on the Z06 are expected to max out at 345 mm.

 

On the latest prototype, the front tires are already a hefty 275 mm and expect a few key changes on the interior as well. An official sketch from last fall had already shown what appeared to be the Z06's cabin, and the layout of the dash matched the design incorporated in the Stingray. The controls on the steering wheel were a bit different and had a giant red button with “Spec Mode” written on it. The instrument cluster displayed the layout of a racetrack, and there was carbon fiber present on many of the surfaces instead of the traditional leather.

The engine onboard is likely to be a close relative of the flat-plane-crank, dual-overhead-cam 5.5-liter V8 that was featured in the C8.R race car. When the overall power factor topic is discussed, we would have to agree that peak output is expected to hover around 600 horsepower. Even though this is a bit less than the 650 hp of the C7 club's supercharged V8, there are going to be plenty out there who have a deep appreciation for naturally aspirated power, even If it means the top end resting a bit lower. For those out there that are among the most power-hungry, there is a twin-turbocharged version of the new V-8 with a bolstered number closer to 800 horsepower expected in the new ZR1, and it promises to deliver the ultimate power needed to command your stance on the track.

At first seating and firing up up the engine, scores of automobile bloggers and enthusiasts have fallen in love with the new Corvette right away. The tightly-wrapped interior, off-the charts handling, and feeling that this is a true competitor against the big-named players such as Ferrari on the track have deemed the coming Corvette models as a perfect choice for anyone itching to spend summer blistering up the track!

Forbes Doles out Top Ten Reasons to Buy 2020 Chevy Corvette C8

As we excitedly watched the numerous videos and blogs that depicted the delivery of the all-new 2020 Chevy Corvette here at West Chevy of Knoxville, we thought of how long this triumph was in the making! So many who have test driven it already proclaimed it as “Breathtaking” as well as “Pure Gold”, and the staff duty at Forbes magazine did not possess any difference in their valuable opinion. They have been fortunate enough to give the new 'Vette a spin on public roads and a closed race course facility, and were quick to offer up ten great reasons to sample the world's latest supercar:

0 to 60 Performance: the “base” 6.2-liter V8 engine cranks out 490 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. That's enough raw power and furious force to allow the car to reach the 60 mph mark in just 3 seconds flat. If you opt for the Z51 Performance Package, you'll get there in just 2.8 seconds courtesy of better brakes and suspension, Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires, and other valuable aerodynamic enhancements.

Outstanding Value: Seeing as how the base level still nails down this 3-second 0 to 60 time, it makes the new Corvette not only one of the fastest street-legal cars on the market but one of a select few that can even dream of hitting those numbers for under 6 figures. This takes the tradition of offering longstanding value to exceptional new heights!

Tremendous Top Speed: IF you happen to have a safe, closed course facility at your disposal, the Corvette does have a blisteringly-fast top speed of 194 mph. That's just in its base form and packs quite a wallop compared to just about anything else in existence out there.

8-Speed Dual Clutch Transmission: What is on board here is unlike a traditional manual transmission: the dual-clutch variant provides the benefit of keeping the rear wheels consistently connected to the engine. This means that shifts can take place in under 100 milliseconds, which is far quicker than a human could ever complete.

Magnetic Selective Ride Control: Chevy proudly perfected this technology years ago, so thoroughly that Ferrari licenses the tech for its own fleet. Once you incorporate the FE4 option, you'll enjoy the Tour, Sport, and Track driving modes. For what Forbes bills as the “best of both worlds”, it allows for a smooth drive during relaxing conditions or appropriate stiffness on a performance run.

Cargo Room: Not many people think at all of the cargo capacity when they think of a sports car. This is a 3-second-to-60 sports car that has 13 cubic feet of capacity, which was definitely unheard of until now. The Forbes crew said that they could fit two sets of golf clubs, in back and the front trunk under the hood can host a large carry-on bag with leftover space to boot.

Fuel Efficiency: This is another trait that the new Corvette boasts: between the torque-heavy engine, 8-speed transmission and slippery stance, not much energy expenditure occurs while at standard highway speed. This enables the new C8 to nail down an average of around 30 mpg.

Driver-Focused Cabin: Elements such as the very squared-off steering wheel and the reconfigurable gauge cluster to the well-angled 8-inch touchscreen helps with a performance orientation. Test drivers have claimed that there is excellent forward visibility, and all three seats provide the best available lateral support ever conceived for a sports car.

Open-Air Cruising: The new C8 comes as a convertible or coupe, but even in coupe form the roof panel can simply be removed and stored with the rear cargo. It also uses the very first retractable hardtop in Corvette history, which can be folded away in 16 seconds. Deriving power from electric motors, the C8 convertible provides the same drag coefficient of the coupe.

Plentiful Options: There is are an abundance of ways to personalize the new C8, with one of the longest option lists ever. By using the Corvette Configurator here you can tool with exterior and interior colors, stripe designs, seat designs, wheel designs, upgrades to performance, and various exterior accents.

Digital Trends Test Drives the 2020 Corvette Stingray and Proclaims it is “Born to Dance”

With a history dating back to the 1950s, the Corvette is absolutely a representation of solid tradition. Yet with the latest, 8^th-generation 'Vette, the car sees the most drastic update in many years. The mid-engined model and plenty of new tech with a cockpit constructed around digital displays is entirely new and almost every single thing has changed regarding performance and handling. The manual transmission has even been axed for a dual-clutch number. The Digital Trends staff agreed that one thing that has not changed is its high value factor: it's priced close to a model such as the Toyota Supra, but its raw performance goes head-to-head with cars in the 6-figure range.

Chevy has contemplated the idea of a mid-engine model since the 1960s, with many concept cars and plans in the making. This is the time when many experts are saying that “it is now elevated from an awesome blue-collar sports car into a rival for European exotics”. The brains and gusto behind the new Corvette was Ed Piatek, the chief engineer for the project. He claimed that Chevy had run out of performance capability with the front-engine build, especially with how rear-wheel-drive limits traction.

After moving the engine behind the driver, more weight is sent to the rear, and those extra pounds help the rear tires with better grip. The driver is now closer to the front wheels, so the steering column can be shorter, which renders the steering more responsive. The car's movement through corners also feels more natural and is one of the reasons why a mid-engine placement is standard for Formula One and IndyCar. There are two trunks in the 2020 Stingray: one in the front, and one in the rear. Between both of them, the new 'Vette has 12.6 cubic feet of total cargo volume.

After a lengthy test drive, writer Stephen Edelstein says that this car is not as stressful to drive as many other mid-engined cars, and the wide windshield offers a perfect view of the road. He took the car for a spin on the Las Vegas Strip, and it was “no more nerve-wracking than any other car”. He was also excited about the 12.0-inch digital instrument cluster, and 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen. There is also a “stealth” mode that shuts down non-pertinent information for night driving, and sensible analog HVAC controls are placed on a long divider between the seats.

Make sure to ask us here at West Chevy of Knoxville about the 2LT trim: this is where you obtain blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. There is also a 360-degree camera system available, along with the digital rearview mirror previously seen in the Chevy Bolt, which streams video directly from a rear-mounted camera, doing the duty of eliminating blind spots. The 2020 Corvette also has a front-end lift system that raises the nose 40 millimeters at the press of a button, and even has memory space for over 1,000 locations!

Celebrating 65 Years of Over-The-Top Domination: The 2018 Corvette Carbon 65 Edition

In commemoration of Corvette's 65th anniversary, the newest 2018 Carbon 65 Edition will now be offered on current-model Grand Sport 3LTs, and the Z06 3LZ models as well. There will be only 650 of these numbered vehicles produced around the world, and this is going to be one automobile that any Corvette aficionado is not going to be able to wait to get their hands on. A new carbon-fiber rear spoiler as well as quarter ducts are two of the characteristics that will be noticed right away, as well as the awesome Ceramic Matrix Gray exterior color. As you are rapidly cruising down Dakota Avenue or Dartmouth Road, you're also gonna love the easy "grippiness" of the new carbon-fiber-rimmed steering wheel, and everything about the way this powerful machine will handle for you.

This is one of the brands in auto history that has truly become legendary, and there are simply not many others that can shake a stick at its prowess. The Carbon 65 honors just how awesome this classic car is, and gives anyone who wants to try out its raw power a chance to do so with extreme honor status. When you nab the Corvette with this package, you first score the ultra-cool ceramic matrix gray exterior, with some of them having a very tranquil yet menacing blue top.

The fender stripes and door graphics scream ability for pure road domination, and the darkly-cloaked black wheels with machined grooves paired with summer-only tires are ready for a speakeasy match on a deserted thoroughfare late at night. Carbon-fiber ground effects, hood section and roof, and quarter intake ducts are a few more features that you will enjoy with this very limited-edition keepsake, and proudly flaunt on any trek, long or short.

The center caps have a carbon logo, and as soon as you or your passengers step inside, you'll love the jet black suede-wrapped interior, with epic deep blue stitching, welcoming you to climb in and embark on a cruise. This exclusive package will run about $15,000 and will be available to complement the rest of the 2018 Corvette lineup during summer. The Stingray is going to turn many heads this year, as it will offer 19-inch and 20-inch rear wheels paired with tires that are meant to scorch the pavement only during the best months of the year: summer. You can even opt for magnetic ride control which is offered as a very special standalone choice for the model.

If the Grand Sport is the Corvette model that is really catching your eye, ceramic brakes are offered without the Z07 Performance Package, and a very menacing looking satin black center stripe is available with the Heritage Package. You get the standard killer-sounding HD digital radio on all 2018 models, as well as the very thorough Performance Data Recorder: the Cosworth Toolbox offers four additional data channels, individual wheel speeds, individual suspension displacements, as well as yaw rate and intake. If you are faced with the very common everyday act of backing out of a tight spot, the improved rear-view camera image features higher resolution than the last model, and a much wider angle.

The very first Corvette rolled out of the factory on June 30, 1953, in Flint, Michigan: there was a small number of only 300 built that year, and each of them sported the polo white color. This year is a perfect time to pay homage to what we believe is the most unique sports car brand on the planet, and come find us at West Chevrolet to see just how many fantastic features there are to catch your attention quickly.