HomeLifestyleAmerican Muscle Redefined: The 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray is here

American Muscle Redefined: The 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray is here

Chevrolet’s latest 2020 Corvette is undoubtedly the best made; not only in looks, but underneath as well. The first-ever mid-engine Corvette has been improved in performance, technology, craftsmanship and luxury. While you might digress on the fact that the latest Corvette wouldn’t concern you because it is primarily for left hand drive markets, we’re here to tell you that they’re making this one right hand drive too.

Now that we have your attention, read on to find out everything you need to know about the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray.

 

Structure

Corvette’s structure is built around its backbone: the center tunnel. This enables a light, stiff structure to serve as the foundation for the suspension system to perform in an optimized manner. By removing unwanted body compliance, Corvette customers will experience the ultimate in ride performance with outstanding lateral grip capabilities. The car has a solid, connected-to-the-road feel with minimal vibrations at high speeds or on long road trips.

 

The tunnel-dominant approach offers many advantages, including:

  • Improved torsional rigidity with a solid, connected feel on both the road and track.
  • Outstanding ingress/egress for a mid-engine vehicle. Unlike some competitors, there’s no need for oversized rocker panels to bear structural and load weights, making it easier to enter and exit the vehicle.
  • Excellent stability due to a low center of gravity and outstanding handling.

  • Preservation of Corvette’s beloved standard removable roof panel, which can easily be stored in the rear trunk.
  • A front storage compartment that can fit an airline-spec carry-on and a laptop bag.
  • Availability in both left- and right-hand-drive variants — a first for Corvette.
  • Smart packaging with improved cabin comfort, including an additional inch of rearward seat travel and almost double the reclining angle.

 

Performance

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 and 637 Nm of torque when equipped with performance exhaust — the most horsepower and torque for any entry Corvette. The LT2 has been designed to deliver excellent low-end torque and high-end power.

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.

 

Transmission

Paired with Chevrolet’s first eight speed dual-clutch transmission, the transmission is uniquely designed with TREMEC to provide the best of both worlds: a spirited, direct connected feeling of a manual and the premium driving comfort of an automatic. The double-paddle de-clutch feature even allows the driver to disconnect the clutch by holding both paddles for more manual control.

 

Design

True to its aeronautical and racing roots, the 2020 Stingray’s canopy-forward stance was inspired by F22s, F35s and other modern fighter jets and Formula One racing. Other classic Corvette signatures adapted to the Stingray include a distinctive face that communicates the purpose of the vehicle’s mission, a classic horizontal crease, aggressive front fenders and familiar positioning of the dual-element headlamps.

  • 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.

 

Mid-Engine Layout Benefits

  • 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 0-100 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 356-litres of cargo volume, ideal for luggage or two sets of golf clubs

 

Interior – Materials, Quality and Craftsmanship

  • A cockpit that has not only migrated forward by 16.5 inches, but envelops the driver, conveying the high performance and aeronautic theme
  • Vertical climate controls and ultra-thin vents minimize the height of the instrument panel, creating a low, spacious interior.
  • A new, squared-off, two-spoke, small diameter steering wheel that enables an unobscured view of the 12-inch reconfigurable cluster display
  • Hand-wrapped, cut-and-sew leather components with thick press stitching.
  • Generous use of real metal.
  • Stainless steel speaker grilles with Bose Performance Series audio system.
  • Carbon fiber trim on the GT2 and Competition Sport Seats.
  • The choice of either real aluminum or real carbon fiber for console and door trim plates.

 

Customers can create their own design statement, with the most personalisation options ever for Corvette:

  • 12 exterior colors — Torch Red, Arctic White, Black, Blade Silver Metallic, Shadow Gray, Ceramic Matrix Gray, Long Beach Red, Elkhart Lake Blue and Sebring Orange — plus three all-new colors: Rapid Blue, Zeus Bronze and Accelerate Yellow.
  • Six interior color themes: Jet Black, Sky Cool Gray, Adrenaline Red, Natural/ Natural Dipped, Two-Tone Blue and Morello Red.
  • Six seat belt colors: Black, Blue, Natural, Torch Red, Yellow and Orange.
  • Two optional stitch packages: Yellow and Red. Standard black interiors have Sky Cool Gray stitching.

 

Seat options:

  • GT1 – a sporty style that emphasizes comfort while providing good support for performance driving situations. Features Mulan leather trim, optional two-way lumbar support and wing adjustment.
  • GT2 – a first for Corvette, these seats have a racing-inspired look with comfort for long trips courtesy of dual density foam. They include carbon fiber trim, a Napa leather insert, Mulan leather bolsters, a jet black-painted seat back, two-way lumbar support and wing adjustment, plus heating and ventilation.
  • Competition Sport – designed for the serious track-focused driver, these seats include aggressive bolsters, full Napa seating surfaces and carbon fiber trim on the headrest, heating and ventilation, along with an all-new durable performance textile inspired by Kevlar vests.

 

Technology

The 2020 Stingray benefits from GM’s new digital vehicle platform, an all-new electronic architecture that enables the adoption of the company’s next generation of technologies. The architecture minimizes wiring while allowing for faster signal transmission between different vehicle systems and the higher resolution screens. The platform enables continuous vehicle improvements through over-the-air updates and enhanced cybersecurity measures.

 

Other new technology features include:

  • Corvette’s next-generation infotainment system is faster and simpler, with a higher resolution display.
  • Chevy-first one-touch Bluetooth pairing with Near Field Communication.
  • Wireless charging.
  • Learn-as-you-go voice recognition.
  • Improved real-time traffic.
  • A new, 12-inch customizable instrument cluster tailored to all six driver modes.

 

Price

Corvette has always represented iconic American design, performance, technical ingenuity and attainability. The entry 2020 Stingray continues that tradition as a no-compromise value proposition, as it will start under USD $60,000.

What do you think?

 

 

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