Does The 2020 C8 Corvette's Packaging And Pricing Completely DESTROY Vehicles Like The Cayman, Supra And M4? Is It Game OVER?

Now I know there's some strong opinions out there on the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette but if I were to grade General Motors' mid-engine attempt, it would shake out something like this:

Exterior: B

Interior: D

Packaging/pricing: A+

While the 2020 C8 Corvette GM showed us is still a pre-production vehicle with preliminary specifications, there's no way around it. It's a helluva package. Nearly 500 horsepower mated to a dual-clutch transmission with a fancy front-end lift kit and is capable of hitting 60 mph in three seconds.

All for UNDER $60,000.

The competition seems to be completely screwed, if I am honest. Just think of the latest vehicles occupying that territory. The Porsche 718 Cayman starts at $57,000 and ratchets up VERY quickly. The Toyota Supra everyone was waiting for kicks off at about $54,000. The BMW M4 has a base price of $69,000.

It seems like the writing is on the wall, Spies, but I've got to ask: Is it game OVER for the 718 Cayman, Supra and M4 now that the C8 Corvette is here to play ball?

Truthy - 7/23/2019 12:29:10 AM

+1 Boost

I give the interior a B+ and the exterior an A.

Agent001 - 7/23/2019 12:41:16 AM

+1 Boost

I give the exterior a B and the interior a B+. But only because the Vette interior has been such garbage forever and this one is actually good for the first time.

001

bmw7er - 7/23/2019 2:10:48 AM

+3 Boost

Exterior an F for FUGLY, and the interior a D for DONE THAT ALREADY. I'd agree an A+ for packaging and pricing.

Actually, I agree with the rest of the article. Anyone who would choose the ugly duckling Supra is only interested in Toyota and not in a real sports car. The Z4 arrives long in the tooth. And the Cayman is so basic there is no way to even compare it to the Supra or the Z4.

The Cayman is the only one that looks good. The Supra is so ugly it hurts to look at it. Especially that sad big swollen nose it has that looks like Jimmy Durante. The Vette is one step above the Supra in looks, but only by a nose.

The Corvette will be Motor Trend Car of the Year for sure, and that will help sales.

So yea, the Corvette blew those two out of the water.

dlin - 7/23/2019 2:59:50 AM

+2 Boost

M4 and Cayman, yes, though the former does comes with usable backseat. Supra still undercuts by $10k if factoring in some essential package/trims on C8, not really.

So not game over, but certainly game changer

dlin - 7/23/2019 3:08:21 AM

+2 Boost

Now, in the article of interview with TJ, he mentioned weight distribution is around 40/60, which is further rearward-biased than most MR, and almost the same as the rear-engine 911. It'll be very interesting if C8 can approach 911 performance envelope with that attribute, and if so, can then totally undermine part of Porsche's customer base

PUGPROUD - 7/23/2019 7:43:53 AM

+1 Boost

Not necessarily but has to cause all sports car buyers in the under $100k range to think long and hard about their choice, particularly in a few years when C8's hit the used car market.

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 7/23/2019 8:28:06 AM

0 Boost

The C7 was not an bad design at all and it has a great interior with the same level of quality and style a car in its price point should have. No corners were cut. And yet sales dropped in half from 2014 to today. Will sales of the C8 be 15k? 20k? 30k? Could it crack 30k? Or has the market moved on from Corvette? That is the question.

TomM - 7/23/2019 8:40:22 AM

+4 Boost

A Corvette is not a Porsche - I doubt that it will affect Porsche sales much.
And while the car may be the next IT car for a while - Price works AGAINST the car with the Rich set. In that set - you will be perceived as going the CHEAP route by buying one UNLESS you are simply adding one to the group.

Believe it or not - After the Citroen SM came out - lots of people bought OTHER cars - in greater numbers. The same will be true for the C8

MDarringer - 7/23/2019 10:16:22 AM

-1 Boost

And TomM knows all about "the rich set" as he befriends rich old buggers then gives them the Munchausen death spiral so he can inherit.

Truthy - 7/23/2019 10:35:54 AM

0 Boost

And sure, all the rich act exactly alike.
Price is a significant factor in sales, but not the only one, especially with sports cars.
Also, the decline in sales you mention over the life cycle of a sports car is not unique.
Still, Chevy needs to broaden the customer base going forward and seems to be taking the right steps.

dumpsty - 7/23/2019 9:31:22 AM

+1 Boost

we haven't really seen any official pricing yet. have we? the 2020 C8 site shows the C7 pricing but nothing for the C8. it would be pointless to let rumor & speculation drive desirability at this point.

the C8 has a fairly robust structure. and in base form, it's a still a street-monster.

OneOfOne - 7/23/2019 9:41:34 AM

+2 Boost

2019 and gm needs a 6.2 liter v8 to do what exactly? the car is a joke and so is its manufacturer. innovation? evolution? whats that? small cocks and douches will love it though since they are perpetually overcompensating.

MDarringer - 7/23/2019 9:52:04 AM

+2 Boost

So, what color is your Corvette?

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 7/23/2019 10:16:57 AM

+1 Boost

A better comment would have been why can Ferrari get 789Hp from a 6.3L NA V12 and Chevy only gets 495hp from a 6.2L NA V8? Do you really need superchargers and turbochargers or just better engineering? Or is it a compromise for fuel economy - Something that Ferrari is not really concerned with?

Truthy - 7/23/2019 10:42:54 AM

+1 Boost

This is the base engine. They will get more hp from future iterations. The V8 is heritage, oneofone (thank God there is only one). In making this big of a change in an important car for this manufacturer, heritage is important.
Plus, the competitive set has super chargers, turbos, etc.
A lot of excitement is around have a V8 at this price.
Say, you're not planning on reproducing, are you?

cidflekken - 7/23/2019 10:44:36 AM

+2 Boost

It will be interesting to see how this all plays out for sure. While the Vette is in the same price range as the Cayman, Supra and M4,we are talking about very different types of buyers. The new C8 is trying to take the same path as the original NSX, as a much more value-driven supercar vs. a right-priced sports car, if that makes sense.

skytop - 7/23/2019 2:04:32 PM

-1 Boost

When the Corvette SUV, Corvette hatchback, Corvette stationwagon and Corvette pickup arrive, Chevrolet will rule the market.