C8 Corvette Shows Up in Traffic, Hybrid Rumors Increase

In fact, the piece of spy footage at the bottom of the page allows us to admire a C8 Corvette test car, albeit with this wearing the heavy cladding and psychedelic wrap that has covered most prototypes to date.

The styling clues that escape this camo point towards a design that simply doesn't look exotic enough for the upmarket move that is the transition to a mid-engined platform.

Then again, we can never trust such veiled details, so we'll have to wait for the summer to draw a conclusion.

However, the C8 Corvette will debut in base trim, which means it will be animated by a 6.2-liter V8 based on the LT1 motor powering the outgoing C7 Stingray, with the new engine expected to deliver around 500 horsepower.

Then again, with fellow GM brand Cadillac having already made use of a twin-turbo V8 architecture, such a unit is also expected for the new 'Vette.

And the wildest rumors out there keep talking about a hybrid incarnation of the C8, which would mix the said TT V8 with an electric motor serving the front axle - the output could climb as high as 1,000 horsepower, allowing the machine to rival hypercars.

The new layout, together with the performance boost delivered by the generation change, should allow the Chevrolet Corvette to deliver a proper Nurburgring number. As you might remember, the C7 Corvette ZR1 was spotted blitzing the infamous German track multiple times last year. However, no official chronograph number was released.

Nevertheless, according to retired Corvette test driver Jim Mero, the 850 horsepower machine had only managed a lap time of 7:04, albeit on cold tires. The said driver also mentioned that the supercar had managed to achieve a 6:57 time, but with this involing adding various segment together.