Corvette Stingray

It was late 2014 and General Motors was about to wheel out one of the most important prototypes in the company’s history, deep inside one of its top secret US test tracks. One of the first running examples of a hand-built mid-engine Corvette prototype was about to do a shakedown run – hidden underneath what from a distance was supposed to look like a Holden Commodore ute. It was the perfect disguise, or so General Motors thought.

The eighth-generation 2020 Chevrolet Corvette has been revealed, finally confirming one of the worst-kept secrets in motoring. It's official, the new Corvette is mid-engined. Nestled behind the cockpit in the 'base' Stingray is a 6.2-litre naturally-aspirated V8, powering the rear wheels through a new eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. With 370kW of power and 637Nm of torque, the new 'Vette will hit 60mph (97km/h) in less than three seconds from standstill.

The 2020 Chevrolet Corvette has been snapped on the factory floor, revealing its angular new rear end treatment. A photo posted on Corvette Forum shows the car's angular tail-lights and rear diffuser design, along with the large 'vents' flanking the number plate mount. Whether they're functional or not remains to be seen, of course, but the car's mid-engined powertrain could necessitate extra cooling at the rear. Stay tuned.

The Chevrolet Corvette Stingray and Silverado have swept the 2014 North American Car and Truck of the Year (NACOTY) awards. The double win is a first for the bowtie brand, and the first clean sweep for General Motors since the Saturn Aura and the previous-generation Silverado were victorious in 2007.