Chevrolet introduces mid-engined 2020 Corvette Stingray

It's priced at under $60,000.

Months of leaks, rumors and speculation ended when Chevrolet unveiled the 2020 Corvette during an event held in Los Angeles. The nameplate enters its eighth generation with a mid-mounted engine, and higher performance than ever before.

Chevrolet asked its design department not to stray too far from the outgoing, seventh-generation Corvette's looks. Look at it from the front or from the back, and it still fits neatly into the Corvette family thanks to a V-shaped front end with swept-back headlights, and horizontal taillights mounted on an upright rear fascia. This could be the next logical evolution of the Corvette in its familiar form, but stylists have pushed the cabin forward by 16.5 inches to make space for the engine. The reinvented proportions give the Corvette a completely new look which promises to split fans into two groups: those who love it, and those who hate it.

The changes continue inside, where Chevrolet took the Corvette in a more high-tech direction. The driver faces a digital instrument cluster, and the center console is dominated by touchscreen for the firm's next-generation infotainment system. There is also an odd row of HVAC buttons which inexplicably cuts the cabin right in half.

The Corvette's heart is a 6.2-liter V8 engine that delivers 495 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. It spins the rear wheels via an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Don't expect to find a conventional automatic, or a seven-speed manual transmission. Chevrolet promises a zero-to-60-mph time of under three seconds, meaning the C8 is quicker than any of its predecessors in base form. This is thanks in part to the extra power, but also to the mid-engined layout, which places most of the car's weight over the rear axle.

The V8 uses dry-sump lubrication, meaning enthusiasts can pull 1G through a corner without having to worry about oil starvation. When it's time to head home, a front axle lift system raises the body to help owners clear obstacles. It can be programmed to raise the car automatically via the GPS system. Racers can also take a detour via the golf course, because the 'Vette's rear trunk is big enough to store two golf bags -- something tells us this capability was specifically outlined in the design brief. Alternatively, it can house the removable roof panel. The front trunk fits an airline-spec carry-on suitcase and a laptop bag.

Chevrolet will build the 2020 Corvette Stingray in Bowling Green, Kentucky, starting in late 2019. Pricing will start at under $60,000, which makes the car look like a true bargain. On paper, it's in the same ballpark as more exotic machines priced into the six digits. Full specifications will be released in the coming months.