2020 Corvette C8 Z51 Track Test! - One Take

[Hickster]

Well, Corvette guys are traditionally older. Sound regulations make it hard to have a very loud engine outside, so they pump the engine sound louder inside. Makes sense, right? How many times have older guys said, "Huh?"

Huh??? I can tell the difference between a SW 38 and a Glock 9mm. This one mid engine Huh??

 

[Magnified]

I know they needed to go up to remain competitive, but I can't get over how it looks and the mid engine. Just not a corvette to me. Great car, sounds like, but not a Corvette.

 

[Hellcat Cuda]

Well, owning only one fast car...is like monogamy..more often than not...vastly over rated......

My Red Eye scared the hell out of me the first time I really got on it on the street. Full throttle, with drag radials in race mode on the track had me going all the more-797hp in a 4,400 lb. car. Geez, Lord be with me when I get my Hellcat Cuda running: 707hp Hellcrate in a 3,400 lb. Cuda with NO electronics to help me out. I have a lovely, wonderful wife in the kitchen and gonna have two nasty bitches in the garage!!!

 

[TrackDay]

I know they needed to go up to remain competitive, but I can't get over how it looks and the mid engine. Just not a corvette to me. Great car, sounds like, but not a Corvette.

And that's what took them so long to make that leap. Getting over that hump of knowing you would lose some of your loyal customer base but doing what is the right next step for the brand anyway.

 

[Hickster]

After being involved with corvettes since 1970and helping my buddies rebuild their split shields to 700 hp. What a blast. At 16 years old with that much power under your feet and you are doing 85 mph on the back roads of Tenn. And your buddy whom owns the car and spent 1.5 years building it,,, says will you feed this car what it wants. Knocks the gear box from 3rd to 2nd, after to tell me to push in the clutch. 16 with that much power, whom to know. Next thing along the Tenn River this split vette 65 is doing 165 an I am freaking out. Car has no weight, no tires 10 gallon tank, a 4 barrel sticking out of the hood, stroker, and whom knows what else. At 16,,, hooked. He built 2 of my cars and 3 Harleys for me. And being the prez of a bike club in the mean time. Very gifted person and got me hooked on speed, not drugs, fast. I love the guy and he is still building engines. Next trip to Tenn I will scare is ass,,,, I hope, probably not. I will try. Rain.

 

[Blkout]

I think the most impressive thing about the new C8 Z51 is that it will do 0-60 in 2.8s on the stock tires. Can't wait to see what the Z06 and ZR1 versions will do.

 

[jroyk]

Well, Corvette guys are traditionally older. Sound regulations make it hard to have a very loud engine outside, so they pump the engine sound louder inside. Makes sense, right? How many times have older guys said, "Huh?"

Check the Miracle Ear option box when ordering.

 

[motorhead]

It’s a strange world when 700+ horse power isn’t enough to excite customers.

There is far more to a visceral automotive experience than just power. Arguing horsepower and torque is such a flaccid discussion point. Vehicle dynamics like ride and handling, steering input, traction, weight transfer, style/street presence and sounds are more engaging on the daily than 500+hp ever will be.

If you get into a car and it doesn't make you feel something special (and not just the numbers on paper) than you built/bought the wrong car. I know the stuff I built over the years has always felt special when I got in, almost nervous to turn the key, and amazingly this Hellcat evokes the same emotion - it is the coolest car on the road when I am in it, the same result as my built cars.

 

[04Ram2500Hemi]

There is far more to a visceral automotive experience than just power. Arguing horsepower and torque is such a flaccid discussion point. Vehicle dynamics like ride and handling, steering input, traction, weight transfer, style/street presence and sounds are more engaging on the daily than 500+hp ever will be.

If you get into a car and it doesn't make you feel something special (and not just the numbers on paper) than you built/bought the wrong car. I know the stuff I built over the years has always felt special when I got in, almost nervous to turn the key, and amazingly this Hellcat evokes the same emotion - it is the coolest car on the road when I am in it, the same result as my built cars.

I don’t disagree at all. A vehicle must move you. If you park your vehicle and don’t look over your shoulder at least once to look at it as you walk away, it’s the wrong vehicle. I still feel this way about my 2012 Power Wagon.

I actually tried to explain this to my wife once a few years ago, but she didn’t get it (she had a 2009 Honda Pilot we bought new for her). This year we traded the Pilot in for a Chevy Colorado ZR2 in Crush Orange, and it was at that point that she told me she understood what I was talking about.

 

[Hirohawa]

Have had three corvettes. The C7 and C 8 are hard passes for me. That’s why I got a Redeye to keep my C6 Z06 company.

 

[jroyk]

Saw my first C8 on the road, today. Granted, it was black and dusty/dirty, but both my wife and my reactions were, yech. Not good looking.

 

[TrackDay]

This is why so many car designs are sold today. Not everyone wants the same thing.
I love the C8. Never really wanted a Corvette until this one. Also never wanted a convertible until I saw the C8 convertible.
Over this winter I have some decisions to make. My choice will partially depend on what becomes available for our cars at SEMA and after.

 

[BULL]

This is why so many car designs are sold today. Not everyone wants the same thing.
I love the C8. Never really wanted a Corvette until this one. Also never wanted a convertible until I saw the C8 convertible.
Over this winter I have some decisions to make. My choice will partially depend on what becomes available for our cars at SEMA and after.

Aren't you forgetting one other announcement?

 

[1971demon]

This is why so many car designs are sold today. Not everyone wants the same thing.
I love the C8. Never really wanted a Corvette until this one. Also never wanted a convertible until I saw the C8 convertible.
Over this winter I have some decisions to make. My choice will partially depend on what becomes available for our cars at SEMA and after.

If you get the opportunity to drive one...by all means do so...it IS an amazing car...and for those that feel its not a corvette...your right...its much more...its not a redeye...hellcat or demon...it is fast...very fast...and it feels like its on rails...I was limited as to what I was allowed to do...but make no mistake...its fun...I would not give up my Demon...or Hellcat for it...luckily I don't have to...

 

[Hirohawa]

If you get the opportunity to drive one...by all means do so...it IS an amazing car...and for those that feel its not a corvette...your right...its much more...its not a redeye...hellcat or demon...it is fast...very fast...and it feels like its on rails...I was limited as to what I was allowed to do...but make no mistake...its fun...I would not give up my Demon...or Hellcat for it...luckily I don't have to...

Lucky dog.

 

[tkracing1]

Check this out... @1971demon

https://www.motortrend.com/news/2020-chevrolet-corvette-c8-power-dyno/?sc_cid=AppleNewsMTArticle

 

[Jack_Toepfer]

Looks like Chevy is releasing ringer Corvette's out to journalists...
No reason the RWHP should be 100 more than advertised.

 

[1971demon]

Check this out... @1971demon
works for me lol
https://www.motortrend.com/news/2020-chevrolet-corvette-c8-power-dyno/?sc_cid=AppleNewsMTArticle

 

[TrackDay]

Something hokey is going on. We will see what other cars and dynos say.
"When cold the engines will produce more power" 😂
No engineer told them that to explain more than a 100 hp delta.

 

[motorhead]

You know when GM has everyone's attention they are doing something right.