2020 Corvette C8 Spied As NY Auto Show Debut Appears Unlikely

Work continues on the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette as spy photographers have caught the high-performance model undergoing testing once again.

Dressed in familiar black and white camouflage, this particular prototype appears virtually production ready as the temporary headlights have been replaced by road-going units. We can also see the car’s sporty styling and five-spoke alloy wheels that are backed up by a high-performance braking system.

Out back, there are LED taillights and an aggressive rear diffuser which is flanked by a four-tailpipe sports exhaust system. Of course, the most notable thing about the Corvette is the heavily camouflaged rear window which houses a mid-mounted V8 engine underneath.

The new styling will continue in the cabin as drivers will sit behind a two-spoke steering wheel and find themselves facing a digital instrument cluster. To the right is a large infotainment system which is supported by a stylish metal fan.

One of the biggest interior changes is the all-new center console which features a rotary controller for the infotainment system and Lamborghini-like buttons for the dual-clutch transmission. There will also be a ramp-like structure that connects to the dashboard at an angle and features a host of controls for the climate control system and heated / ventilated seats.

Interior photo copyright Carscoops

Chevrolet has been extremely tight-lipped about the model, but previous spy photos have shown the car will retain the Stingray moniker. A rumored order guide also recently surfaced indicating the C8 will be offered with three stripe packages, two performance suspensions, a heavy duty cooling system and upgraded brakes. We can also expect carbon fiber and transparent roof panels which can be removed.

Engine options remain unconfirmed, but the entry-level model is slated to have a 6.2-liter V8 that could produce more than 500 hp (373 kW / 507 PS). There will also be a new 5.5-liter V8 which will reportedly be available in naturally aspirated and twin-turbo guise. These are rumored to have outputs of around 600 hp (447 kW / 608 PS) and 800 hp (596 kW / 811 PS), respectively.

There have also been rumors about a range-topping model which will use the twin-turbo V8 and an electric motor that powers the front wheels. This setup could give the Corvette all-wheel drive and an output of between 900 hp (671 kW / 912 PS) and 1,000 hp (746 kW / 1,014 PS).

That’s a huge amount of power and reports have suggested it’s causing “structural distortion of the aluminum spaceframe.” The issue is reportedly severe enough that it’s breaking the glass covering the mid-mounted engine.

Those aren’t the only problems the Corvette is facing as engineers are reportedly having difficulties with the car’s new electrical architecture. There are also rumors about another issue, but there’s no word on what it is.

The ongoing problems have reportedly pushed back the Corvette’s introduction. It was a no-show in Detroit and it’s unlikely to debut at the New York Auto Show as GM doesn’t have any press conferences scheduled for the main event. Chevrolet is being pretty coy and a spokesperson told us they’re “not discussing future product plans or timing for our various reveals.”

Picture credit: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien for Carscoops