Chevrolet Corvette

FAST THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT

- Mike Duff

HUNGER IS THE best sauce, so those waiting for a mid-engined Corvette have had plenty of time to build a serious appetite. Chevrolet built the first concept in the 1960s and has dropped hints about reversing the order of passengers and powertrain several times since. The previous-generation C7 got closest, having been partially developed with a motor in the middle until GM’s bankruptcy forced a rethink.

We’ll have to wait a while longer. The C8 is about to go on sale in the States, but the right-hook Holden version we told you about in our September issue is still a way off. But the basic car is good – really good.

Sitting on an aluminium structure with fibreglass bodywork, the C8 is heavier, 137mm longer and 57mm wider than its predecessor. Indeed, its overall length of 4630mm makes it one of the longest mid-engined cars full stop. Yet while the V8 now sits behind the rear bulkhead and the car’s proportions changed to match, much is familiar. The C8’s shark-nosed styling is clearly related to that of the C7, as is its raised rear end and tail-light graphic. The engine is also an old friend, a lightly developed LT2 version of GM’s small block with 6.2 litres of displacement and a claimed 369kW and 637Nm. This works with a standard eight-speed dual-clutch transmission driving the rear wheels. GM confirms there’ll be no manual.

Despite its lack of technical sophistication, the blue-collar engine suits the car perfectly. It’s sonorous, muscular from the basement to the penthouse, and has throttle response to put even the snappiest turbocharged alternatives to shame. It doesn’t rev as high as exotic rivals, but it still sounds great when closing in on its 6600rpm limiter. The higher of the transmission’s eight ratios are tall – cruising economy has long been a Corvette strength – but the shorter ones are geared intelligently so the redline never feels too low.