The 2020 Chevy C8 Corvette to Debut In Summer 2019 At a Standalone Event

TopSpeed

By Jonathan Lopez

Published Dec 27, 2018

Suddenly GM thinks it can copy Ferrari and Lamborghini?

We’ve been waiting with bated breath to see Chevrolet’s new mid-engined C8 Corvette finally make its grand entrance on the public stage, but it looks like we’ll still need to wait a few more months before the big sheet pull.

The Wait Goes On

Earlier this week, we reported that despite earlier rumors the C8 Corvette was headed to Detroit for a debut at the 2019 North American International Auto Show, Chevy wasn’t actually bringing anything new. Speculation pointed to possible electrical issues for the new mid-ship domestic, and shortly thereafter, test mules once again began to appear around Michigan.

That’s the latest from our friends over at GM Authority, who cite unnamed insider sources as providing the information.

GM Authority says the new C8 ‘Vette will make its grand entrance in a standalone event several months from now, perhaps as early as May. According to the publication, GM’s boffins are currently undergoing a “total re-engineering effort” to sort out the C8’s electrical issues, which also includes coordination with suppliers to sort out any parts changes needed to put the new Corvette into full production status.

While disappointing for anyone eagerly awaiting the C8’s formal reveal, the delay is totally understandable. After all, although the Corvette nameplate isn’t new, the mid-engine platform most definitely is, and as such, it needs to be perfect before it goes under the microscope of journalists and the buying public.

What’s more, a mid-engine ‘Vette has been in the making for roughly six decades at this point, so a little more waiting shouldn’t really be too much of an issue.

One more thing you’ve gotta remember is that Chevrolet never confirmed a debut in Detroit, so really, all this disappointment is based on rumor and speculation. With that in mind, it’s kinda hard to play the blame game.

Personally, I want the C8 ‘Vette to be GM Authority before it hits the scene.

After all, this is a halo car, a shining beacon that’s supposed to shed favorable light across the entire range, and with GM’s sales numbers seeing massive dips in the past year and the automaker undergoing a series of crucial plant closures, the company desperately needs a hit. The C8 absolutely has the potential to be that hit, but it’s gotta GM Authority in order to fulfill its potential.

As such, a standalone debut this summer makes sense in that respect. Not only will it provide an opportunity for Chevrolet to make the best first impression possible, but the debut won’t get lost in the rigmarole of a major international auto show. Then of course there are events like the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and Monterey Car Week, both of which take place at the end of August and provide a fantastic opportunity for Chevy to put the C8 up against the usual crop of supercars for a little compare and contrast action.

Do you look forward to the C8’s debut this summer? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments section below.

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