Is there a more iconic American supercar than the Chevy Corvette? For decades they have enamored drivers of multiple generations with their great looks, speed, and overall prowess. I was privileged enough to try out the 2020 Chevy Corvette Convertible, one of the fastest and most powerful Corvette models made to date. From inside to out, this Corvette is packed with great features, but it’s also surprisingly affordable, starting at $59,995.
A Long Time In The Making:
This new model represents the first-ever mid-engine Corvette, something for which fans of the brand and other enthusiasts have been waiting for a very long time. Finally, the day came. The setting was Tustin, California, and the stunning Red Corvette Stingray was rolled onto the stage to the audible gasps and cheers from the audience.
Finally, Corvette had a mid-engine model to compete with the other exotics out there, allowing the name to take its place in the pantheon of supercars. What was really unique about this announcement was the reveal that the new Corvette starting price would be less than $60,000. This makes it the most affordable supercar and the best-value vehicle in its class by a long shot.
What’s the story behind the lower pricing? Just looking at the outside, it’s hard to know where the difference is coming from. All the body panels are the same on the $59,995 version as those costing $30,000 more. It also has the same 6.2L V8 engine and DCT transmission as other models.
The main differences come in creature comforts. The standard package features fewer creature comforts than higher up, but when what you really want is the raw power and performance of a Corvette, the basic package is more than enough, and that makes it an incredible offering from Chevy.
Stunning Interiors:
Its comparatively low price tag doesn’t compromise the fantastic interior’s quality, even one tiny bit. The inside is packed with premium materials, including a very generous helping of real metal over plastic-based substitutes. Even the speaker grilles are stainless steel. Before your eyes, you’ll also find hand-wrapped leather components with neat thick-press stitching throughout.
There are six interior color themes to choose from and six seat-belt colors, and optional stitch-color packages, too. You can really tailor the interior to reflect your taste and personality. For the first time, the Corvette also offers up to 3 seating options, the GT1, GT2 (first for Corvette), and the Competition Sport. The GT1 comes as standard with the lower price point.
The GT1 is an adequate entry-level supportive sports seat with Mulan leather trim and optional two-way lumbar support. The GT2 offers significant upgrades with a real racetrack look but loaded with added comfort thanks to dual-density foam. The seat build includes carbon fiber, Nappa leather, Mulan leather, lumbar support plus heating, and ventilation.
The competition sport seats are made mostly with those genuine aspiring track stars in mind. If you’re taking your new Corvette to the racetrack, consider these seats with their more aggressive bolsters and a more robust and durable feel.
Winning Design And Technology:
Once again, the lower price point doesn’t detract from some of the fantastic design points and technology additions (plus many optional extras) that make this the most advanced Corvette ever. For example, the driver cockpit is further forward than past models (because of the new engine position) and surrounds the driver more closely. This brings all controls higher and within closer reach for the driver, enhancing that high-performance feeling.
On the exterior, you have everything designed with a sleeker, lower profile than the past, and a sculpted, toned body design that is powerful and aggressive while also looking graceful and aerodynamic simultaneously.
Additional details like the large air intakes add to that dynamic look, while hidden door, hood, and hatch releases allow the theme to run uninterrupted around the entire body.
In terms of technology, you get a lot of choices with this new Corvette. The first thing is being able to select your perfect drive mode from the now six options —- Tour, Sport, Track, Weather, MyMode, and Z Mode (part of the Z51 performance package) —- to tailor your drive to suit your exact needs and road conditions. Besides the drive modes, you’ll find a high-resolution touchscreen infotainment system with a faster and simpler response; Bluetooth connectivity, wireless charging, voice recognition tech, and a 12″ instrument cluster customizable to fit all the various drive modes. Even the standard sound system is a 10-speaker Bose model that will make your playlists really pop.
Unapologetic Supercar Manners:
The new mid-engine design has allowed the Corvette to enter a new speed and handling performance realm not seen before. The previous generation Corvette felt very raw, even slightly out of control and wild at times, very American. While this all-new Corvette feels more refined and tuned-in to driving inputs. By having the engine placed behind the driver and over the rear wheels, it allows the Corvette to achieve a record 0-60 time of just 2.8 seconds and blow through the quarter-mile in 11.2 seconds at 122 mph.
For now, only one engine is available on the Corvette, and that’s a 6.2-liter V-8 making 490 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. We can expect a more potent engine to arrive in time on the even more performance focused Z06 model, which is rumored to add an electric drive motor for added power. A fantastic eight-speed dual-clutch automatic is the only transmission offered.
An Incredible New Offering From Chevy:
A lot of credit should go to Chevrolet for delivering such a magnificent long-anticipated mid-engine sports car and bringing it within reach of many people. The all-new Corvette offers a level of drive refinement and performance never seen before, thanks to its sleek new mid-engine design.
