The 2021 Chevrolet Corvette C8 marks the second year of the eight generation of America’s most iconic sports car. While Corvettes have always pushed the engineering envelope, this new mid-engine layout is perhaps the most radical transformation the model has ever undergone. It’s still a Corvette; a comfortable and relatively affordable sports car you can drive daily, only now it truly competes with exotics twice its price.
The most drastic change is of course the engine placement. Every Corvette produced since the nameplate’s inception in 1953 has had a V8 engine in the front. The 2021 Corvette features a mid-mounted 6.2 liter LT2 V8 engine, rated at 490 horsepower and 470 lb./ft. of torque. Those numbers allow it to sprint to 60 mph from a dead stop in under 3 seconds, as well as attain a top speed of 194 mph on a racetrack. Even though this new engine produces more horsepower and torque than the outgoing C7 Corvette, it still improves on its predecessor’s EPA fuel economy rating by 2 mpg on the highway. The 2021 Corvette is rated at 15 mpg city and 27 mpg highway on premium fuel. The only transmission choice is an 8-speed dual clutch, sadly for the first time ever there is no option for a manual transmission. Only a single part has been carried over from the prior generation.
The 2021 Corvette is available in both coupe and convertible body styles. Coupes come standard with a manually removable roof panel. Unlike the soft-tops of prior ‘Vettes, the 2020 model will feature the first ever retractable hardtop in the venerable sports car’s history. At only 77 pounds heavier than the coupe, the 2021 Corvette Convertible also refuses to sacrifice any cargo capacity, with the same 12.6 cubic feet of storage as the hardtop. The convertible hardtop is available both in body color or carbon flash. Both models can be painted from your choice of 12 eye-popping colors such as Long Beach Red Metallic and Sebring Orange Tintcoat. A multitude of interior colors are available as well, ranging from the standard Jet Black and Cool Gray to sporty Twilight Blue and Adrenaline Red.
Both the 2021 Corvette Coupe and 2021 Corvette Convertible are available in 3 trim levels – 1LT, 2LT and 3LT. 1LT is the “base” model. Standard features included a Bose 10-speaker premium audio system, an 8 inch touchscreen infotainment display featuring Apple Carplay, Android Auto and a 4G LTE Wifi Hotspot. Heated and ventilated leather GT1 seats round out the interior luxuries. Step up to the 2LT and the infotainment display comes preloaded with navigation software. There’s now a front mounted camera for precise parking, as well as a real-time rearview camera display instead of a mirror. A GPS enabled nose-lift feature remembers where the high curb to your driveway is located, and automatically adjusts the front end’s height to clear. A digital heads up display informs you of all your Corvette’s vital diagnostics without having to take your eyes off the road. The steering wheel is heated and there’s a wireless charging pad for electronics. To top it off, there’s a blind spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert. Step up to the 3LT, and the interior becomes significantly enhanced with wraparound leather and micro suede upholstery. Heavily bolstered GT2 seats and 13 distinct interior color options round out the package. A Z51 Performance Package is available with any 2021 Corvette model, enhancing track performance significantly. For $5000 more, your Corvette will receive larger Brembo brakes, a stiffer suspension, louder exhaust, an electronic limited slip differential, lower front splitter, aggressive rear spoiler, and Michelin summer tires. This package comes highly recommended to those looking to track their Corvettes.
The 2021 Chevrolet Corvette is available for order at our Baltimore, Maryland showroom. It’s already garnered a load of praise from notable automotive publications. MotorTrend officially anointed its predecessor “2020 Car of the Year,” it made the Car and Driver “10 Best List,” and the coveted “North American Car of the Year” based off of consensus from 50 different automotive journalists.
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