C8 Corvette Spied In Traffic, V8 Engine Sounds Like the LT1

Heavily camouflaged from head to toe and wearing a manufacturer’s license plate, this prototype of the C8 Corvette has an unmistakable V8 soundtrack as it accelerates off the line. An integrated trunklid spoiler and red-painted brake calipers are also apparent, along with an aggressively-styled front bumper.

Look even closer at the car, and you’ll notice the lack of rear glass and hubcaps. On the upside, this prototype appears to feature production-ready taillights and the third brake light. The quad-exhaust system also appears to be the one we’ll find on the production model, as is the design of the five-spoke wheels.

Longer and wider than the C7 Corvette, the C8 sits lower to the ground, making the most of the aerodynamic trickery on offer. Previous photographs from the Nurburgring give us a glimpse of a flat underbody, though it remains to be seen if Chevrolet will offer the mid-engine Corvette with a front-axle lift system.

Speaking of the front axle, there’s talk about a hybridized C8 with up to 1,000 horsepower. A mid-range model with a twin-turbocharged V8 is also likely to happen. As for the entry-level C8, the mid-engine Corvette will kick off with a small-block V8 that promises more than 460 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque.

Chances are Chevrolet will offer the C8 with a dual-clutch transmission instead of a three-pedal setup. On the upside, customers who want a good ol’ manual can always opt for the C7, including the supercar-rivaling ZR1 with up to 755 horsepower and 715 pound-feet from the supercharged V8 codenamed LT5.

One of the biggest unknowns regarding the C8 is pricing, which is likely to differ by 10 to 15 percent from the C7 Stingray Coupe. If we’re to guess how much the mid-engine Corvette will cost, we estimate that $70,000 sounds alright for the cheapest configuration on offer.