Sweating the details OF C8 DEVELOPMENT

How GM's Corvette engineers tackled challenges in the move to a mid-engine architecture.

Shifting 500 lb (227 kg) of engine mass rearward by 7.5 feet (2.3 m) and moving 300 lb (136 kg) of transmission components aft by almost three feet transformed the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray into a budding supercar. General Motors' motive behind adopting a mid-engine layout for the eighth-generation (C8) Corvette was to improve acceleration, braking and handling via substantially increased rear-tire loading. While numerous test-drive reviews and ‘Of the Year’ trophies mark that mission accomplished, there are lessons behind the hoopla: how GM engineers solved problems they encountered reinventing America's sports car.

“Porsche was our primary benchmark, especially in reference to their PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission's overall dynamics,” revealed executive chief engineer Tadge Juechter, in an interview with SAE's Automotive Engineering. He said GM also purchased a Ferrari 458 for testing and tear-down analysis.