The New Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Earns 2020 MotorTrend Car of the Year Award
Published on Tue, Nov 19, 2019
By: Collin Morgan
The brave venture GM has undertaken to produce the first mid-engine Corvette is already paying dividends. By obtaining this impressive accolade, General Motors has successfully brought the affordable, sleek C8 to its full potential. Although there have been many murmurs of discontent throughout its fanbase, the mid-engine Corvette has now been recognized by a third-party as a marvelous step in the right direction.
For future evolution and success of the Corvette, the exotic mid-engine change was necessary at some point soon. While the iconic styling associated with every Corvette would be a new challenge with the redesigned overall layout of the car, I think GM has succeeded admirably. The horsepower and torque stats might not blow you away, but look at that price tag: a measly $60,000. In comparison to other mid-engine supercars, the performance-per-dollar is outstanding. Personally, I can’t wait to see these on the road as a testament to the evolution of America’s sportscar.
Bravo, GM.
Below is the press release from General Motors.
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (November 19, 2019) — The redefined Chevrolet Corvette Stingray won the 2020 MotorTrend Car of the Year award, earning the mid-engine masterpiece a top spot among the best vehicles the world has to offer for the third time in Corvette’s history.
The coveted honor, previously awarded to Corvette in 1984 and 1998, was presented to Tadge Juechter, Corvette executive chief engineer and Michael Simcoe, General Motors vice president of Global Design, at an event featuring industry executives and celebrity guests at MotorTrend’s headquarters in El Segundo.
“It’s an honor for the Corvette team to receive this coveted award from MotorTrend against the best the industry has to offer,” said Juechter. “Our design and engineering teams spent several years sweating the details to deliver the first mid-engine Corvette. To have a third party validate our hard work makes it all worthwhile.”
Chevy’s first-ever production mid-engine Corvette represents the fastest, most powerful entry-level Corvette in the vehicle’s 66-year history, reaching 0-60 mph in 2.9 seconds when equipped with the Z51 Performance Package. The reimagined icon boasts exotic proportions and a modern design inspired by racing and aeronautics to deliver unprecedented levels of quality, customization, technology and craftsmanship. Powered by the next-generation 6.2L Small Block V-8 LT2 engine, the 2020 Corvette Stingray packs 495 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque.
“We have been looking forward to the arrival of the mid-engine Chevrolet Corvette for so long, that you’d think there is no way it could live up to the weight of expectations, but the all-new C8 Corvette epitomizes what it means to be MotorTrend’s 2020 Car of the Year,” said MotorTrend Editor-in-Chief Edward Loh. “Corvette delivers stunning design and world-class performance, around an exotic mid-ship layout, yet it remains a truly livable grand touring sports car, all at an almost unbelievable price point. Our 2020 Car of the Year is the one that democratizes the supercar – the Chevrolet Corvette.”
Production on the Corvette will begin in February 2020 at General Motors Bowling Green Assembly Plant in Kentucky. True to its roots of attainable performance, the 2020 Corvette Stingray upholds its no-compromise value proposition, starting at $59,995.
