The Development Journey of the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette
What once seemed like a pipe dream is now a reality, as the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette marks the decades-old sports car model’s move from a front- to a mid-engine layout. Developing the eighth-generation Corvette was a time-consuming endeavor that required more than simply swapping the engine from one end of the car to the other. General Motors spent over half a decade fine-tuning the dynamics of the C8.
Innovation Under Cover
However, GM couldn’t let the public know what it was up to, so the company tested the mid-engine platform under the bodywork of a Holden Maloo pickup truck. A look at this cobbled-together development mule reveals that this is no ordinary Maloo. With wide fender flares, a large wing, and Corvette-sourced windshield and A-pillars, this modified Holden was clearly an early prototype for a forthcoming mid-engined sports car.
The Blackjack Mule
Consequently nicknamed “Blackjack” by GM employees, the mid-engined Maloo was hand-built in 2014 at GM’s Warren Technical Center in Michigan, serving as the first C8 mule. Reflecting its Corvette ambitions, Blackjack features an interior that shares its major components with that of the C7 Corvette. Moreover, Blackjack utilizes a V-8 engine that is identical to the seventh-generation Corvette, paired with a Porsche-sourced dual-clutch automatic transmission (or PDK).
Development Vehicles
As development progressed, vehicles clad in production-style bodywork (albeit heavily camouflaged) supplemented Blackjack. While the basic shape of the C8 began taking form with these cars, the model’s distinctive styling details remained shrouded in secrecy. What began with approximately 11 hand-built mules in 2016 quickly expanded to nearly 100 development vehicles throughout the decade. The latter batch showcased near-production design elements and interiors, even if they were still under camouflage.
Revealing the Corvette
With the 2020 Corvette now in production, the car’s early development mules are free from their hidden existence. As a matter of fact, GM showcased a few of these vehicles during a recent press event for the new Corvette. This opportunity allowed enthusiasts to appreciate the extensive efforts GM undertook to engineer the latest iteration of its iconic sports car.
Impressive Performance
Ultimately, all of GM’s work paid off. The 2020 Chevrolet Corvette impressed many, earning accolades and solidifying its status as a performance bargain. With a starting price of just $59,995, the Corvette boasts nearly 500 horsepower from its 6.2-liter V-8 engine, enabling it to sprint from 0-60 mph in just 2.8 seconds. There’s no need to question its authenticity; the mid-engined Corvette is as real as the mid-engined Maloo that fueled the C8’s development.
