The eighth-generation Corvette brought with it one of the greatest changes since the model’s debut: the long-anticipated first mid-engine version. Chevrolet had been flirting with the idea of a mid-engine Corvette since the 1960s, but up until 2020, nothing had come of it aside from a few one-off prototype vehicles.
With its revamped layout and aggressive, performance-oriented design, the C8 brought a new wave of enthusiasm towards the Corvette amongst gearheads; its performance version, the Z06, contributed to this by beating Mercedes’ record for the most powerful naturally aspirated V8 engine. The Z06’s engine carries over many features from the engines found in racing Corvettes, such as a double overhead camshaft and a flat-plane crank.
In standard Stingray form, the Corvette’s top speed is actually a little disappointing at only 194 mph, and the Z06 is only a little faster at 195 mph. But Chevrolet focused more on handling that top speed, and it paid off.
