The Mid-Engine Corvette

Introducing the Next-Generation, Mid-Engine Corvette!

Chevrolet Corvette Chief Engineer Tadge Juechter and General Motors Chairman and CEO Mary Barra drive in a camouflaged next generation Corvette down 7th Avenue near Times Square Thursday, April 11, 2019 in New York, New York. The next generation Corvette will be unveiled TONIGHT!!

July 18, 2019 @ 7:43PM (CST) – The wait is almost over! Join us this evening as Corvsport.com shares in the excitement of the biggest automotive reveal this year! We will be bringing you live updates throughout the evening as General Motors unveils the 2020 Mid-Engine Corvette! Join us this evening for real-time updates as Chevrolet introduces the next-generation of America’s Sports Car! Coverage starts at 9:30PM CST. We’ll be sharing images and information both here and on our Facebook page!

9:40PM (CST) – We’re just 20 minutes away from the reveal! Excitement is definitely growing!! The pre-show begins at 9:50CST. Stay with us for images of the all-new, Mid-Engine Corvette as Chevrolet reveals the car for the first time at the top of the hour!

10:25PM CST – Ladies and Gentlemen, the all-new, 2020 Mid-Engine Corvette Stingray!

The 2020 Mid-Engine Corvette and Mark Reuss, President of General Motors.

10:40PM CST – Tadge Juechter took the stage to discuss the benefits of a mid-engine Corvette.
- Allows for a short, straight steering system which maximizes steering responsiveness.
- Driver’s center of gravity is now placed over car’s center of gravity, providing driver true center-of-balance feel when driving the car.
- This design allows for higher-performance chassis calibration.
- The car’s driving dynamics are better than even the engineering team thought it would be.
- The car features very low rockers and the first-ever curved carbon-fiber rear bumper.

Engine and Performance

The 2020 Mid-Engine Corvette will feature a naturally-aspirated, small block 6.2L V8 engine.

Where other manufacturers in this segment are moving to smaller engine platforms in their sports cars, Chevrolet will continue the development of their naturally-aspirated, small-block engine. Known as the LT2, the new engine for the 2020 Mid-Engine Corvette will be a next-generation of the tried-and-true 6.2L engine found in the C6 and C7 models. This new engine will be rated at 495 horsepower and 470 lb/ft. of torque. More impressive still, the 2020 Corvette Stingray will have a 0-60 time of less than 3 seconds!

From Chevrolet Media:

The 2020 Stingray’s heart is Chevy’s next-generation 6.2L Small Block V-8 LT2 engine, the only naturally aspirated V-8 in the segment. It will produce 495 horsepower (369 kW) and 470 lb-ft (637 Nm) of torque when equipped with performance exhaust — the most horsepower and torque for any entry Corvette.

“Though now placed behind the driver, the LT2 gives the same visceral experience we all expect from Corvette,” said Jordan Lee, GM’s global chief engineer of Small Block engines. “The LT2 has been designed to deliver excellent low-end torque and high-end power to give thrilling pedal response at any RPM.”

The powertrain’s low position enables a low center of gravity for optimal handling. Perhaps the biggest update is found in the lubrication and ventilation system. For the first time ever, the base Stingray will use an engine-mounted dry sump oil system and three scavenge pumps for improved track performance.

During serious track driving, oil volume remains high to avoid diminished performance. The new Stingray’s lateral capability is greatly improved, so the LT2’s dry sump lubrication system had to be redesigned to provide exceptional engine performance even at lateral acceleration levels exceeding 1G in all directions.

A lightweight, 3.2mm-thick glass panel on the rear hatch allows owners to show off the engine. This panel features a cantilevered trailing edge to evacuate heat from the LT2 engine compartment.

Other notable engine characteristics include:

Jewel-like setting in the rear compartment, visible through the rear glass hatch.
Every part, including the exhaust system’s wires, tubes, routing fasteners, coolant hoses, exhaust manifold and even the bolts and fasteners, is built with appearance in mind. All engine components were given careful consideration just like the exterior, and even the heat shields are textured.
A brand-new block and vent system. The centerline of the crankshaft sits an inch lower to the ground where it mates to the transaxle for better handling.
Low-profile oil pan that reduces mass.
Oil cooler capacity increased by 25 percent.
Standard edge Red valve covers.

Form and Function

The new mid-engine layout gives the 2020 Stingray:

Better weight distribution, with the rear weight bias enhancing performance in a straight line and on the track.
Better responsiveness and sense of control due to driver positioning closer to the front axle, almost on top of the front wheels.
The fastest 0-60 time of any entry Corvette ever — under three seconds when equipped with Z51 Performance Package.
A race car-like view of the road due to lower positioning of the hood, instrument panel and steering wheel. Excellent forward sightlines throughout the vehicle for both driver and passenger.
An enhancement of Corvette’s traditional utility strengths, with dual trunks for a total of 12.6 cubic feet of cargo volume, ideal for luggage or two sets of golf clubs

The dual storage compartments on the new 2020 Mid-Engine Corvette enable consumers to store up to 12.6 cubic feet of luggage.

The 2020 Stingray’s exterior has a bold, futuristic expression with mid-engine exotic proportions, but it is still unmistakably Corvette. It’s lean and muscular, with an athletic sculptural shape conveying a sense of motion and power from every angle.

“As America’s most iconic performance nameplate, redesigning the Corvette Stingray from the ground up presented the team a historic opportunity, something Chevrolet designers have desired for over 60 years,” said Michael Simcoe, vice president of Global Design, General Motors. “It is now the best of America, a new arrival in the mid-engine sports car class. We know Corvette can stand tall with the best the world has to offer.”

A supercar level of craftsmanship, premium materials and attention to detail were critical in designing every component of the Stingray. The new location of the engine is truly the focal point for the car’s design. It’s the heart of this next generation Corvette and it sits like a jewel in a showcase, visible through the large rear hatch window. The added attention to detail optimized the appearance of every wire, tube, bolt and fastener, similar to those found in modern track and all-road motorcycle design.

Some additional design touchpoints include:

Low profile headlamps designed around all-new projectors.
Completely hidden door, hood and hatch releases do not disrupt the sculpted design.
Large side air intakes for engine cooling and aerodynamic performance.
A-pillar shape that communicates speed and assists in visibility.
Large rear hatch that showcases the engine with seven air vents.
Quad exhaust tips located on the vehicle’s outboard ends.
Dual-element LED taillamps with animated turn signals.

Price Point

While all of the official pricing will be announced at a later date, Mark Reuss, President of GM, did state that the 2020 Corvette would “start at less than $60k!” If true (which we’re assuming it is given where we got the information), the 2020 Mid-Engine Corvette will deliver true super-car performance at a price point far below any of the European sports cars that perform in this segment today.