Há três anos, tivemos nossa primeira imagem de um protótipo do Corvette de nova geração carregado de camuflagem. Agora os disfarces finalmente foram retirados e podemos conhecer o aguardado Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2020. A nova linhagem representa uma profunda quebra de paradigma para o carro esportivo icônico da América e traz à vida a visão de um Corvette de motor central concebido pela primeira vez por Zora Arkus-Duntov há meio século. Passados esses quase 60 anos, a pergunta de um milhão de dólares é a seguinte: valeu a pena esperar? Considerando que a Chevrolet diz que você pode entrar neste carro por menos de US $ 60.000, todas as indicações apontam para um retumbante sim.
Deixando os preços de lado, a ficha técnica aponta para números animadores. Conforme especulado, o motor instalado logo atrás dos passageiros é um V8 de 6.2, derivado do LT1 que alimentou o C7 Stingray, mas com profundas modificações. O propulsor agora recebe o batismo LT2 e incorpora mudanças de projeto exigidas para o regime intermediário do motor e para o aumento de potência.
Agora são entregues como padrão 497 cv ou 502 cv nas versões equipadas com o pacote opcional Z51 Performance Package – um ganho considerável sobre os 466 cv do LT1. Por outro lado, os mais puristas certamente não gostarão do novo câmbio automático de dupla embreagem e 8 marchas, que será a única opção disponível. Os adeptos de caixas manuais terão de se contentar apenas com borboletas para trocas atrás de volante. E sim, toda força ainda vai exclusivamente para as rodas traseiras.
O que tudo isso significa em termos de desempenho? Na verdade, muita coisa. Segundo a Chevrolet, quando equipado com o pacote acima mencionado, o novo Corvette acelera de 0 a 96 km/h em menos de 3 segundos. Os números exatos ainda não são conhecidos, mas se você for um fã do Corvette, saberá que o C7 ZR1 atual atinge a marca de 100 km/h em 2,8 segundos. Isso significa que, pelo menos em um sprint curto, o novo modelo básico C8 anda lado a lado com o mais poderoso "Vette" construído. Essa é uma maneira muito boa de lançar um novo modelo.
Por dentro, o novo layout do motor central dá ao Corvette uma cabine completamente nova e equipada com um par de monitores digitais para o painel de instrumentos e o sistema de entretenimento. O arranjo envolvente parece bastante aconchegante e centrado no motorista, com um console central robusto separando o condutor do passageiro. E uma surpresa nesta era de linhas limpas - os fãs de botões vão adorar a verdadeira faixa de controle manual aninhada na coluna central do C8. Alguns podem achar que os botões - que operam o sistema de ar-condicionado, painel e assentos - são desagradáveis. No entanto, é melhor simplesmente pressionar um botão em vez de navegar em um monitor.
No quesito equipamentos, unidades equipadas com o pacote Z51 Performance Package acrescentam freios mais robustos e sistema de escape exclusivo, além da potência extra. Merece destaque ainda o sistema Magnetic Ride Control, que pode ser controlado através de vários modos de condução, incluindo o chamado modo Z (que oferece personalização completa de todas as configurações). Os componentes elétricos fazem parte da nova plataforma de veículos digitais e da arquitetura eletrônica do C8 que, entre outras coisas, permitirão atualizações futuras.
Embora o motor esteja agora central, o design exterior geral do C8 não chega a ser uma ruptura em reação ao C7. As várias projeções publicadas ao longo dos últimos meses chegaram bem próximo, com entradas laterais inclinadas para frente não diferentes daquelas usadas nos conceitos de motores médios do Corvette Indy e CERV III. É na prática a característica externa mais dominante. Na parte traseira você pode levar uma mala de tamanho razoável ou talvez mais condizente com o típico comprador Corvette, um par de sacos de golfe. E aqui está uma boa notícia para pessoas ao redor do mundo que dirigem sob mão inglesa: a Chevrolet planeja construir também versões com volante do lado direito.
Até agora, tudo parece bastante impressionante, mas talvez a notícia mais chocante de todas seja o preço. Ainda não recebemos uma estimativa, mas a GM estima que o C8 Stingray começará com menos de US$ 60.000. Isso é apenas um pouco mais do que a figura inicial do C7, o que significa que o Chevrolet Corvette poderia continuar a ser o campeão mundial de desempenho.
Fonte: Chevrolet
TUSTIN, Calif. — Today, Chevrolet fulfills the long-term promise of the iconic Corvette with the introduction of the 2020 Stingray, the brand’s first-ever production mid-engine Corvette. The sum of everything that came before it, the 2020 Stingray is re-imagined to bring customers new levels of performance, technology, craftsmanship and luxury.
From front- to mid-engine, in under three seconds
“Corvette has always represented the pinnacle of innovation and boundary-pushing at GM. The traditional front-engine vehicle reached its limits of performance, necessitating the new layout,” said GM President Mark Reuss. “In terms of comfort and fun, it still looks and feels like a Corvette, but drives better than any vehicle in Corvette history. Customers are going to be thrilled with our focus on details and performance across the board.”
The new mid-engine layout gives the 2020 Stingray:
Design inspired by racing and aeronautics
The 2020 Stingray’s exterior has a bold, futuristic expression with mid-engine exotic proportions, but it is still unmistakably Corvette. It’s lean and muscular, with an athletic sculptural shape conveying a sense of motion and power from every angle.
“As America’s most iconic performance nameplate, redesigning the Corvette Stingray from the ground up presented the team a historic opportunity, something Chevrolet designers have desired for over 60 years,” said Michael Simcoe, vice president of Global Design, General Motors. “It is now the best of America, a new arrival in the mid-engine sports car class. We know Corvette can stand tall with the best the world has to offer.”
A supercar level of craftsmanship, premium materials and attention to detail were critical in designing every component of the Stingray. The new location of the engine is truly the focal point for the car’s design. It’s the heart of this next generation Corvette and it sits like a jewel in a showcase, visible through the large rear hatch window. The added attention to detail optimized the appearance of every wire, tube, bolt and fastener, similar to those found in modern track and all-road motorcycle design.
Some additional design touchpoints include:
True to its aeronautical and racing roots, the 2020 Stingray’s canopy-forward stance was inspired by F22s, F35s and other modern fighter jets and Formula One racing. Other classic Corvette signatures adapted to the Stingray include a distinctive face that communicates the purpose of the vehicle’s mission, a classic horizontal crease, aggressive front fenders and familiar positioning of the dual-element headlamps.
The interior is further enhanced by:
The 2020 Stingray boasts premium interior materials executed at a high level of quality and craftsmanship:
Customers can create their own design statement, with the most personalization options ever for Corvette:
Three seat options:
Engineered to be a true supercar for every day
Corvette’s structure is built around its backbone: the center tunnel. This enables a light, stiff structure to serve as the foundation for the suspension system to perform in an optimized manner. By removing unwanted body compliance, Corvette customers will experience the ultimate in ride performance with outstanding lateral grip capabilities. The car has a solid, connected-to-the-road feel with minimal vibrations at high speeds or on long road trips.
“Our mission was to develop a new type of sports car, combining the successful attributes of Corvette with the performance and driving experience of mid-engine supercars,” said Tadge Juechter, Corvette executive chief engineer.
The tunnel-dominant approach offers many advantages, including:
The all-new Corvette Stingray is built with a smart mixed-materials strategy, enabling key features such as:
Handling: core to Corvette’s fun-to-drive DNA
The Stingray is designed for superior ride comfort on the highway and well-balanced handling on the track.
“Thanks to sophisticated suspension geometry, tailored tire technology and exquisite attention to structural details, we have improved ride and handling,” said Juechter. “No Corvette has ever felt so comfortable, nimble and yet completely stable.”
The new Stingray features coil over dampers that create entirely new ride and handling characteristics. The mid-engine architecture allows for a short, straight and stiff steering system, coupled with an updated electronic steering system, making the driver’s chassis input instantaneous.
The new seating position places the car’s center of gravity close to the driver’s inside hip, so the car literally turns around the driver. It completely changes the perception of vehicle handling and responsiveness.
Other ride and handling upgrades include:
• Performance suspension with manually adjustable threaded spring seats.
• Larger brake rotors with Z51 logo on calipers.
• Enhanced cooling.
• Specific axle ratio.
• Front brake cooling inlets.
• Performance exhaust.
The jewel in the center
The 2020 Stingray’s heart is Chevy’s next-generation 6.2L Small Block V-8 LT2 engine, the only naturally aspirated V-8 in the segment. It will produce 495 horsepower (369 kW) and 470 lb-ft (637 Nm) of torque when equipped with performance exhaust — the most horsepower and torque for any entry Corvette.
“Though now placed behind the driver, the LT2 gives the same visceral experience we all expect from Corvette,” said Jordan Lee, GM’s global chief engineer of Small Block engines. “The LT2 has been designed to deliver excellent low-end torque and high-end power to give thrilling pedal response at any RPM.”
The powertrain’s low position enables a low center of gravity for optimal handling. Perhaps the biggest update is found in the lubrication and ventilation system. For the first time ever, the base Stingray will use an engine-mounted dry sump oil system and three scavenge pumps for improved track performance.
During serious track driving, oil volume remains high to avoid diminished performance. The new Stingray’s lateral capability is greatly improved, so the LT2’s dry sump lubrication system had to be redesigned to provide exceptional engine performance even at lateral acceleration levels exceeding 1G in all directions.
A lightweight, 3.2mm-thick glass panel on the rear hatch allows owners to show off the engine. This panel features a cantilevered trailing edge to evacuate heat from the LT2 engine compartment.
Other notable engine characteristics include:
A shift of a different kind
The next generation LT2 is paired with Chevrolet’s first eight speed dual-clutch transmission, which provides lightning-fast shifts and excellent power transfer. This transmission is uniquely designed with TREMEC to provide the best of both worlds: the spirited, direct connected feeling of a manual and the premium driving comfort of an automatic. The double-paddle de-clutch feature even allows the driver to disconnect the clutch by holding both paddles for more manual control.
Paddle shifters allow drivers to choose a specific gear. “The performance shift algorithms are so driver-focused, they can sense when you’re doing spirited driving — regardless of driving mode — and will hold lower gears longer for more throttle response,” said Juechter.
The new Small Block V-8 has a torque curve optimized to take advantage of the bespoke DCT’s lightning-fast shifts. Engineers set the DCT up with a very low first gear to leverage the additional traction to get the car off the line quickly, and its close-ratio gears 2 through 6 keep the engine near the power peak on track. Tall seventh and eighth gears make for easy long-distance cruising with low mechanical stress and excellent fuel economy.
The DCT is mated to a new Electronic Transmission Range Selector. With this electric shifter there’s no mechanical interface between the shift lever and the transmission. The Corvette’s electric shifter incorporates two pull toggles for Reverse and Drive and push buttons for Park, Neutral and Low/Manual. The shifter has been designed to be more attractive and compact than a standard shifter.
All-new technology improves performance and usability
Driver mode choices have been expanded from four to six, allowing drivers to tweak the feel of their Corvettes to their personal preference. The familiar Weather, Tour, Sport and Track modes remain, and there are two new modes:
The 2020 Stingray benefits from GM’s new digital vehicle platform, an all-new electronic architecture that enables the adoption of the company’s next generation of technologies. The architecture minimizes wiring while allowing for faster signal transmission between different vehicle systems and the higher resolution screens. The platform enables continuous vehicle improvements through over-the-air updates and enhanced cybersecurity measures.
Other new technology features include:
New electrical features include:
Attainability remains a hallmark
Corvette has always represented iconic American design, performance, technical ingenuity and attainability. The entry 2020 Stingray continues that tradition as a no-compromise value proposition, as it will start under $60,000.
The 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray goes into production at GM’s Bowling Green Assembly in late 2019. Additional pricing and packaging information will be shared closer to launch.
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