AUTOS

Henry Payne reviews the 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray

The Detroit News
The inherent balance of the 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray encourages drivers to push it harder through high-g corners.
The inherent balance of the 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray encourages drivers to push it harder through high-g corners.
Chevrolet
The 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray uses its mid-engine layout for better handling and acceleration on the track at Spring Mountain Raceway, Nevada.
The 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray uses its mid-engine layout for better handling and acceleration on the track at Spring Mountain Raceway, Nevada.
Chevrolet
Despite gaining 300 pounds on its C7 predecessor, the 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray is more stable under hard g-loads due to its mid-engine layout.
Despite gaining 300 pounds on its C7 predecessor, the 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray is more stable under hard g-loads due to its mid-engine layout.
Chevrolet
Detroit News auto columnist Henry Payne tracked the 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray at Spring Mountain Raceway in Nevada.
Detroit News auto columnist Henry Payne tracked the 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray at Spring Mountain Raceway in Nevada.
Henry Payne, The Detroit News
With its weight over the rear wheels, the 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray can efficiently put its 495 horsepower and 470 pound feet of torque to the pavement for better acceleration off corners.
With its weight over the rear wheels, the 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray can efficiently put its 495 horsepower and 470 pound feet of torque to the pavement for better acceleration off corners.
Chevrolet
The front end of the 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray is engorged with oil coolers for the engine amidships. Lack of grille area, however, discourages Corvette from adding a radar brick for adaptive cruise control.
The front end of the 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray is engorged with oil coolers for the engine amidships. Lack of grille area, however, discourages Corvette from adding a radar brick for adaptive cruise control.
Chevrolet, Chevrolet
In the pits at Spring Mountain Raceway, a 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray waits for hot laps. The car ran all day in 60-degree temps without heat issues or brake fade.
In the pits at Spring Mountain Raceway, a 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray waits for hot laps. The car ran all day in 60-degree temps without heat issues or brake fade.
Henry Payne, The Detroit News
The 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray's high-tech, driver-centric cockpit includes two digital screens, a button shifter and mode selector.
The 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray's high-tech, driver-centric cockpit includes two digital screens, a button shifter and mode selector.
Jessica Lynn Walker, Chevrolet
The 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray's interior is available in six colors including this rich "Natural Dipped" mocha. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard.
The 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray's interior is available in six colors including this rich "Natural Dipped" mocha. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard.
Henry Payne, The Detroit News
The 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray's square steering wheel is easy to get used to — as is the car which handles predictably at speed.
The 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray's square steering wheel is easy to get used to — as is the car which handles predictably at speed.
Henry Payne, The Detroit News
The square steering wheel in the 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray allows for excellent instrument visibility.
The square steering wheel in the 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray allows for excellent instrument visibility.
Henry Payne, The Detroit News
Cruise control is standard on the 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray — but adaptive cruise is unavailable.
Cruise control is standard on the 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray — but adaptive cruise is unavailable.
Jessica Lynn Walker, Chevrolet
Like a fighter jet missile switch, the Drive Mode selector in the 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray is located under a shroud on the console.
Like a fighter jet missile switch, the Drive Mode selector in the 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray is located under a shroud on the console.
Jessica Lynn Walker, Chevrolet
Fancy thrones. The GT2 leather seats in the 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray.
Fancy thrones. The GT2 leather seats in the 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray.
Jessica Lynn Walker, Chevrolet
Without an engine up front, a frunk (front truck) can carry a small suitcase in the 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray.
Without an engine up front, a frunk (front truck) can carry a small suitcase in the 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray.
Jessica Lynn Walker, Chevrolet
The 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray features an all-new small-block V-8 LT2 engine with better lubrication for the car's increased g-loads.
The 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray features an all-new small-block V-8 LT2 engine with better lubrication for the car's increased g-loads.
Henry Payne, The Detroit News
Cargo space in the 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray can be found in a frunk up front — or behind the rear engine.
Cargo space in the 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray can be found in a frunk up front — or behind the rear engine.
Henry Payne, The Detroit News
The 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray is scheduled to get three high-performance variants: the Z06, ZR1, and hypercar Zora.
The 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray is scheduled to get three high-performance variants: the Z06, ZR1, and hypercar Zora.
Henry Payne, The Detroit News
The 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray is distinctive coming and going. Owners, expect a lot of gawkers.
The 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray is distinctive coming and going. Owners, expect a lot of gawkers.
Chevrolet
Can you take our picture? The 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray attracted many fans on a drive across Nevada.
Can you take our picture? The 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray attracted many fans on a drive across Nevada.
Henry Payne, The Detroit News
The 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray can be configured with a staggering 15,000 variations. Popular choices will be body-colored trim (C8 in background) and Z51 performance package with wing (foreground).
The 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray can be configured with a staggering 15,000 variations. Popular choices will be body-colored trim (C8 in background) and Z51 performance package with wing (foreground).
Henry Payne, The Detroit News
The 8th gen, 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray is the first with the engine behind the driver.
The 8th gen, 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray is the first with the engine behind the driver.
Henry Payne, The Detroit News
With a large center spine for HVAC controls, the 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray separates driver and passenger.
With a large center spine for HVAC controls, the 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray separates driver and passenger.
Henry Payne, The Detroit News
The twin digital cockpit screens in the 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray. The right screen features a Performance Data Recorder for monitoring lap times and other track data.
The twin digital cockpit screens in the 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray. The right screen features a Performance Data Recorder for monitoring lap times and other track data.
Henry Payne, The Detroit News
Track Mode gives the instrument display a horizontal RPM theme like a race car dash.
Track Mode gives the instrument display a horizontal RPM theme like a race car dash.
Henry Payne, The Detroit News
The 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray is available in 12 colors, including this stealth-fighter black.
The 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray is available in 12 colors, including this stealth-fighter black.
Henry Payne, The Detroit News
A Ferrari? The 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray is nicely proportioned — nowhere more evident than in the side view.
A Ferrari? The 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray is nicely proportioned — nowhere more evident than in the side view.
Henry Payne, The Detroit News
Not a Lambo. The 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray features sharp, angular lines like Italian supercars — but the Corvette logo gives it away.
Not a Lambo. The 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray features sharp, angular lines like Italian supercars — but the Corvette logo gives it away.
Henry Payne, The Detroit News
The 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray can be upgraded to larger, 13-inch Brembo brakes if the Z51 performance pack is selected.
The 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray can be upgraded to larger, 13-inch Brembo brakes if the Z51 performance pack is selected.
Henry Payne, The Detroit News
Without the big V-8 up front, driver visibility is better into track turns.
Without the big V-8 up front, driver visibility is better into track turns.
Henry Payne, The Detroit News
The Ron Fellows Racing School at Spring Mountain Raceway in Nevada currently uses C7 'Vettes. New C8s are on the way in April.
The Ron Fellows Racing School at Spring Mountain Raceway in Nevada currently uses C7 'Vettes. New C8s are on the way in April.
Henry Payne, The Detroit News
Ron Fellows race school instructor Jason Aquino says the 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray is one of the best-handling supercars in the market.
Ron Fellows race school instructor Jason Aquino says the 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray is one of the best-handling supercars in the market.
Henry Payne, The Detroit News
Chris Barber is a development engineer and driver for the 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray. He's put the car through its paces on tracks from Milford, Michigan to Nurburgring, Germany.
Chris Barber is a development engineer and driver for the 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray. He's put the car through its paces on tracks from Milford, Michigan to Nurburgring, Germany.
Henry Payne, The Detroit News
That's balance. Note how close the four-corner tire temps are (far left of display) on the 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray after some serious hot laps.
That's balance. Note how close the four-corner tire temps are (far left of display) on the 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray after some serious hot laps.
Henry Payne, The Detroit News
To help customers navigate the purchase experience — and the 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray's high-tech features — Chevy will provide 24 YouTube videos.
To help customers navigate the purchase experience — and the 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray's high-tech features — Chevy will provide 24 YouTube videos.
Henry Payne, The Detroit News
The 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray clocked a 7.29.9-minute lap time around the formidable Nurburgring track in Germany at the hands of pro driver Ollie Gavin.
The 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray clocked a 7.29.9-minute lap time around the formidable Nurburgring track in Germany at the hands of pro driver Ollie Gavin.
Henry Payne, The Detroit News
The 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray is available with accessories like a body cover.
The 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray is available with accessories like a body cover.
Henry Payne, The Detroit News
The 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray started as this ungainly mule using a Holden pickup body as a disguise way back in 2014.
The 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray started as this ungainly mule using a Holden pickup body as a disguise way back in 2014.
Henry Payne, The Detroit News