Engineering the 2020 CHEVROLET CORVETTE

The eighth-gen (C8) Corvette is a creative mix of novel and traditional technical solutions unleashed at a shockingly low base price.

Two days before the 50th anniversary of astronaut Neil Armstrong's leap for mankind and 10 years after General Motors emerged from bankruptcy, the camouflage was finally ripped from the eighth-generation (C8) 2020 Chevrolet Corvette. As widely anticipated, C8 now flaunts a mid-engine layout that ostensibly puts it on equal terms with the world's most venerated supercars.

After six decades of experimentation and concept-car teasing, GM acknowledged that the new Stingray will enter production before year's end. The truly shocking announcement is a base price of $59,995 including destination, only $3,000 more than today's front-engine C7. Along with moving the cockpit forward 16.5 inches (419 mm) to facilitate shifting the engine rearward, the new Corvette is an innovative mix of novel and traditional engineering solutions.