For the first time ever the new eighth generation (C8) Corvette will be a mid engine sports car, something many American auto enthusiasts have been waiting decades to get their hands on. 

“The C8 is going to make history as one of the best cars ever with the performance it will offer people,” senior Tyler Lammert said. 

The C8 will be powered by a 6.2 liter naturally aspirated V8 LT2 engine. The Lt2 will be able to produce 495 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. The C8 Corvette Stingray is the most powerful base model Corvette ever. 

“The starting horsepower is amazing, can’t wait to see what mods people can do with it,” Lammert said. 

Cevrolet stated that the C8 stingray will do zero to 60mph in under three seconds with the Z51 performance package equipped. Much of this speed is attributed to the transmission. The transmission will be an eight speed dual clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters behind the wheel. 

“Wish it came in a manual, because though few people still buy manuals, it would have been a nice option,” senior Ian Couch said. 

The 2020 Corvette will offer a manual option, this is because the positive  performance difference with the use of an automatic. Lack of customer demand was also a concern, only 20 percent of all C7 Corvettes sold were manual vehicles, Executive chief engineer Tadge Juechter told Car and Driver.com

“That Central tunnel is the backbone of the car, and if you break the backbone, you lose a lot of structural efficiency. With a shifter, you have to have a big hole in the tunnel for the linkage to go through,” Juechter said, 

Other features on the C8 will include an electronic Limited Slip differential, coilovers for better handling, magnetic ride control and a hard top removable roof for convertible driving. Additionally this will be the first Corvette to be offered in right hand drive, meaning it can be exported to many new markets.