The 2020 C8 Corvette has its engine located behind the driver, which is the first time in 67 years that this location has been used instead of in the front. Current mid-engine cars on the market do not offer occupants a generous amount of interior room. So the big question is will the new Corvette follow that same pattern?
After a close inspection at the C8 Reveal in Southern California we came away with a favorable impression of this new Corvette. It sits on a 107.2 inch wheelbase and it is ½ inch longer than the previous C7. Its wheelbase is 10 inches longer than the comparably priced Porsche Cayman. The C8’s overall length is 5.3 inches longer than the previous C7. This new mid-engine GM offering is 76.1 inches wide or 2.2 inches wider than the previous Corvette. It is also wider than its closest competitors the Porsche Cayman and the 911. Overall this is a large car compared to its competition.
This extra size provides owners with generous storage and interior space, which is a much appreciated Corvette benefit. Entry is through a wide door with a very low sill that allows easy entry and egress for the driver and passenger. People familiar with the C7 will be pleased to discover that the C8 head and legroom is nearly identical (legroom is 0.2 inch shorter). The driver has a foot rest on the left side of the brake pedal that provides welcome support during long drives. The driver side seems roomier than the C7’s we have driven. The instrument panel (IP) layout is intuitive with everything in easy reach. A long row of switches are placed vertically on the right side of the IP. Controls for the A/C, seat heating/cooling and passenger temperature controls are located in this panel. The driver’s compartment seems more isolated from the passenger area than in the C7.
The C7 front engine design pushed the passenger cabin towards the rear of the car. This is just the opposite with the C8 mid-engine design. This car has more mass behind the doors and a shorter nose. The Corvette Team made good utilization of this longer rear deck by including a deep vertical storage bin behind the engine. It is deep enough for golf clubs and soft luggage. Lift the front hood and you will find a small trunk that can accommodate on airline size carry-on bag. The overall cargo volume is not as large as the C7, but it should be adequate if you pack correctly. The car’s dry-weight is listed at 3,366 lbs. (less driver and fluids).
Our overall impression is that this is a very well designed Corvette. The fit and finish on the three Z51 examples that we inspected at the Reveal was excellent. The seam lines were tight and all of the panels lined up correctly. This included the interior components that showed the same attention to detail. This Corvette is a world-class addition to the Corvette lineup. Vette
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