The embargo has finally been lifted on the all-new C8-generation Corvette. It’s a big day for all car enthusiasts. Any new Corvette is a big deal, as it’s always been one of the very best performance bargains in the entire industry. This new ‘Vette is an even bigger deal, though, because it’s finally switched to a mid-engine platform, after decades of teasing it.
That’s right, the all-new C8 Corvette is now an all-American mid-engine supercar and it’s here to shake up the entire industry. Most automakers should be very worried, especially premium sports car makers. So should BMW worried about the new ‘Vette? Probably, to be honest.
When this new Corvette hits the road, it will come with a 6.2 liter naturally-aspirated V8 making 490 hp (495 with the optional Z51 performance package) and 470 lb-ft of torque. That burly V8 is paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox from Tremec and sends power to just the rear wheels. With the Z51 package and magnetic dampers, the new mid-engine ‘Vette can nail 60 mph in just 2.8 seconds. That’s hypercar territory. The best part about it all? Even with the Z51 package and fancy dampers, the Corvette still costs less than $70,000. In fact, it starts at just over $60,000.
So for the same price as a BMW M3, you can have a proper mid-engine supercar with performance on par with Ferraris and McLarens. That’s remarkable, truly.
From what we’re hearing, the new C8 Corvette is a seriously impressive sports car as well. Its steering is said to be razor sharp, its chassis nigh unflappable and its engine is excellent. Even its new dual-clutch ‘box is great. As a driver’s car, the new ‘Vette is impressing a lot of journalists and enthusiasts.
It isn’t perfect, of course. Its interior is still lacking a bit, even though it’s the best it’s ever been, and it’s a bit lacking in specialness unless really pushed hard. Still, it’s hard to imagine any other sports car representing a better performance value than it at that price.
And this is just the beginning. Faster, more thrilling models are currently in the works and it’s said that Chevy is working on a naturally-aspirated, DOHC (new for a Corvette), flat-plane crank V8 with up to 600 hp. There’s also going to be a hybrid all-wheel drive model with electric torque vectoring that should make around 700 hp.
It seems as if the new C8 Corvette has brought America up to speed with the rest of the world’s best sports car makers. Not only is it mid-engine but it’s more high-tech than ever before. It will also be getting a new, much more modern engine in the future.
Will premium brand customers ever decided to jump ship and spring for a Corvette? Probably not, if I’m being honest. But that has more to do with brand-snobbery than anything else. From what we’re hearing, the new ‘Vette is not only the best it’s ever been but it’s one of the best driving cars in the industry, regardless of segment. So if any BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi or even Porsche customers were to give it a shot, they might come away very surprised. And if that starts happening then, yes, BMW should be worried.
BMW isn’t worried because they’ve built FWDs to pump up the volume sold in order to become the biggest premium automaker, again, just for the sake of being no1… to make even more profit which will be used to build more cars in order to keep the 1st spot. And they will start again.
Depending on the market, BMW will be selling more electric than fwd. & possibly @ better margins as well.
Building history vs creating better profit margins; it’s just too commercial which stands against exclusivity and what “premium” means. Mixing them will definitely cut the profits.
PROFITS!
BMW have issued their 1st earnings warnings in years as they invest billions$ in new tech. R&D, manufacturing & co-productions, including electric, autonomous & ride-sharing. There is no such thing as “too commercial”, there is just success, prosperity, viability & future & further independence. If you don’t have better profit margins, how do you continue building history? Only typing is free. BMW define premium, not typists. Actual buyers go elsewhere if they disagree, meanwhile BMW continue lead.
PROPHETS!
It is not like I’m leaving myself uncovered from your arguments; I’m typing what people (especially BMW buyers) are already seeing or at least feeling about this brand. Myself included, even if I won’t buy a BMW ever, since I’m not part of their target market. And I don’t even write about those mindless bigots who are buying because trends.
For example, speaking about a performance brand, the M4 GTS is all that BMW could bring in order to prove their expertise? Lacking the image, I know, for a better placed product.
I don’t have anything to say against about how BMW is making business; from FWDs to SUVs and electrics – these must be there and developed to be the best. For the latter, I doubt, though.
But, from your perspective (marketing or PR, I suppose), it is at least strange that, after all these comments we’ve changed, you don’t understand my overall view.
Imagine that, an automotive company chasing profit!? BMW must be the first car company to have invent this radical system.
Yes, C8 Corvette will exceed the sales figures of M3 and M4 in the USA and hopefully worldwide, because of their ugly kidney grille.
Yes, people will ignore the more spacious & practical turbo I6 to buy a 2 seat mid-engine American V8 because grille. Did you know you can’t see the grille from the driver’s seat? Only while typing online.
“Did you know you can’t see the grille from the driver’s seat?”
Same goes for a Pinto, Gremlin, and a Pacer, but I wouldn’t want to drive one.
Wayne & Garth’s car is way too good for Jason Bourne.
Please keep it comprehensible and civil. Chickens do not roam where there are foxes.
No, because of the whole packarge, typing while driving in E 220 d class today.
Corvette related how?
Don’t type and drive.
lol exactly what I was thinking…id rather have an M3
Won’t happen here in the UK (BMW’s second biggest European market). Even at a predicted £80,000 it might be good value, but Chevrolet only sells in double figures here, no matter how attractive the ‘vette has been. American cars still attract a low quality stigma, and the dealership support and residuals will probably be terrible.
If C8 Stingray is coming in at £80k base, it has no hope in the U.K. That’s Porsche 911 price territory. That 80k prediction has to be off. Someone said something about just about £50k base. Let’s see what happens.
The £80k figure I’ve seen may not have been the base stingray, but even the base C7 was £64k, so I think a £50k base isn’t going to happen. Corvette sold less than 90 of the C7 Stingray, I just don’t think us Brits take American cars that seriously.
Perhaps that’s changing a bit? Instance, since Ford began making rhd versions, been seeing quite a few Mustangs around Hampstead and Finchley, and on roads leading in & out of Kent and Essex. Base UK price for those aren’t remarkably steeper than US’s. C8 will land here in rhd, making it fit for market and probably avoiding some import levy for that reason. If £65k stands true, hopefully it’ll be for a C8 already including some of Z51, magnetic ride, nose lift, LT2 trim etc.
The Mustang has been doing okay, something like 7,500 have found homes here in the UK. No doubt the RHD offering will help make these cars more appealing to this market. For the Mustang, the majority have been the V8 too which I find a little surprising, which is £42k+ (US price via exchange rate would £27k)… so it’s somewhat affordable, but still quite a bit more expensive than US pricing. £42k gets you a 420d M-Sport, which is the better value would be up for debate I guess.
In Europe, unlikely.
When has Corvette ever competed with BMW? So now, because it’s mid-engines for the 1st time? While BMW still are not? So nothing in common, no comparison, no competition.
Your contribution to this topic is noted with usual interest, dismay and amazement.
Apple and Pear have much in common despite the general perception telling us otherwise.
By being upside down, I have great ability to understand why mushrooms are better than avocados.
It is true.
It is not the first Corvette generation to be as powerful as a M3 while being way cheaper (M3 for 70kUSD ? where ???).
But in Europe, how many Corvette on the road ?
Even Elvis drive a BMW in Germany.
Drove. I didn’t know he is still alive.
Confirmed by Chevy/Corvette to launch and deliver to U.K. sometime soon, in right hand drive for that matter.
Fair point but by the reviews the C8 isn’t quite as refined as those other super cars. You can’t really fault GM for that considering it’s price point and history of crappy infotainment on their cadillacs
Visually, it’s an over styled piece of crap designed by a committee. American auto makers have no idea how to sculpt a work of art. It’s ugly.
the 4 concept is way better ? joking …
its a bit late to pull out that trick in 2019. I would love to drive it anyway.
I know for a fact it wont chow too much in m3/m4 sales…people buying those two will most likely use them as daily drivers due to them having practicallity ,corvette wont be able to be a daily driver ,still a good car tho but id rather worry about amg and RS
We hope for more cars like Corvette , it ‘s sensational but also much cheaper than other overpriced brands , and that makes it even greater. So does Trackhawk , CTSV, and MX5 . With cars like these who needs premium brands? Complexer are big issue these days.
“Complexer”?
There’ll always be customers that want to differentiate themselves and they should. With your way of thinking, everyone would be driving in Corvettes and other for-the-buck cars, and this isn’t to say I hate MX-5 Miatas or CTS-Vs, both being magnificent machines and all, but people want an all rounded package, hence they go upmarket.
Worry? No…because BMW doesn’t have a product on this segment. People brings up M3, the M3 is not a exotic sports car, its basically a fantastic sports sedan, two completely different segments. The 8 series is probably the closest, but that is GT segment, because its designed to be comfy, plush and premium as well. BMW probably don’t see the need to use exotic formula, because its brand image is strong enough.
Its brand image ISN’T strong enough. They won’t build a mid-engined supercar because for so many years they are trying to find an at least good business case for it; and it simply doesn’t work because of the fear of another money pit without a positive return of investment.
Ridiculous. Pussyfooting, no? Even dodgy Audi plunged in with less of a sporty reputation and made R8 which sent their brand reputation sky high. BMW i8 was well received and would’ve smashed sales records only if BMW didn’t use that puny little 3 cylinder MINI engine. Folks are itching to buy a great BMW mid-engine supercar, even some R8 owners would switch in a heartbeat. BMW know it, it’s why they released M Next concept that’ll address shortcomings of i8 and should be iconic as well as a big sales hit when it releases, if BMW/M Division get it right especially with its powertrain.
Thinking about a car like this for years: https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/73c73b5b87983c906b1e37d8e6f28887d145ed0fb27c0d9e35cec824f5fe533b.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/09661d20b89e6f2fcc4b6e40ce4c07e66b3b240663132e664a305cda173f4800.jpg
That, amazingly, looks like it would be the most incredible BMW ever. Tell me how that wouldn’t sell loads and be iconic for ages? Hope BMW design team see this and use it.
The comments here are pretty funny, but everyone likes to see a reasonable price Ferrari, and people are getting fired up with this C8 Corvette. Yes, its nice, isn’t it, remember the Honda NSX, Nissan 300ZX, and Mitsubishi 3000GT, it was great back then, but today is very different, especially when there is pretty girl sits next to you, while you are driving an exotic. Instead of smiling, you will be sweating with air conditioning switch to the max, because competition today is getting pretty hilarious, 4 door sedans from BMW M, Mercedes AMG, and Audi S & RS Lines, will make you feel like a real joke, if you ended up losing to them. Worse still, even SUV nowadays can give you nightmare, you might think, how can that be, check out the X3M, especially when their backseat passengers are kids, these types of competition will make you think twice before owning an exotic, its a nightmare. Hot cars like Corvette nowadays will also lose badly in the parking lot, because they are wide, making it more difficult to park, opening the doors requires you to slim down, so no matter how they price it, having a 4 door is always a smarter choice, you are meant to lose, but you will always look good regardless of the result.
you don’t use such a sport / super car as a daily and buy groceries … The C8 is a different category from the super sedans IMHO and if u have one then u also have another car as a daily…
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if only this could be sold in europe … unfortunately anything bigger than 3l is heavily taxed or just not possible with emissions … Price is cheap, but then again cars are all cheap in the US …
And that’s the reason why BMW and other brands would be worried. The car IS confirmed by folks at Corvette to be coming to Europe especially U.K. and 8 series/M8 is at risk. Mustang is popular here in U.K. If Corvette C8 finds a way to enter U.K. market still a reasonably low price, sales of 8 series/M8/Z4/i8, Supra, Audi R8, AMG GT, 911, some Lambos and McLarens etc will take hits.
If you wanted a Lamborghini, you are getting a Lamborghini, you are not settling for a Corvette C8.
Ha, true? Ok, try this too: if you wanted a mid-engined supercar (exotic looks, great performance etc) and you were open-minded/not a brand snob, and suddenly found you can purchase said supercar for $60k rather than $200k, you’d be settled in your conscience going for a Corvette C8.
Everyone like Lambos but it should shock no one that there are people out there who really like a bargain too. Scour round YouTube around launch of C8, there were Huaracan owners already saying they’d get C8 and if it meets expectations, wouldn’t bother getting a next Lambo.
Wow, people are getting so worked up. I guess BMW should just reignite the M1.