Chevrolet Corvette C8: postponed debut of six months

Chevrolet Corvette C8: the new generation of american supercars will not be presented at the Detroit Motor Show and will hardly debut at the Geneva Motor Show or the New York Motor Show

There is no doubt that the Chevrolet Corvette C8 is one of the most anticipated upcoming supercars over the next few months. The American manufacturer has been testing the new generation for some time, which apparently will be a big step forward compared to the current model, especially as regards the new technical layout that will provide a very important change.

As repeatedly anticipated on these pages, the new Corvette C8 will represent a real appointment with the story as for the first time will enjoy the engine mounted centrally in place of the classic positioned at the front.

In fact, back in 1964, Chevrolet created a Corvette prototype characterized by the presence of a propeller mounted behind the passenger compartment: in detail Zora Arkus-Duntov, as well as being the first chief engineer of the project of the first Corvette in history, was also the creator in the mid-60s of the XP-819 project concerning a new Corvette with a central engine. However, the original project of a Corvette with a central engine was never decided for the subsequent production and remained an unfinished work.

Chevrolet Corvette C8 will have the engine mounted behind the cockpit

Today, however, Chevrolet has dusted off in all respects a solution of this type by providing for its new Corvette C8 engine positioned behind the cockpit. In all likelihood, the idea of ​​adopting this mechanical scheme would hide Chevrolet's determined willingness to "clash on equal terms" with emblazoned European supercars that, for example, respond to the name of Ferrari 488, McLaren 720S and Lamborghini Huracan, all high-powered cars. performance characterized by the presence of the engine mounted behind the passenger compartment.

However, a change of technical layout so important can give rise to a series of initial development difficulties. In fact it is no coincidence that Chevrolet is allowing itself a very long time to test the new model and to direct the development of driving dynamics in the right direction. Unfortunately it seems that a series of initial problems are slowing down the development of the Chevrolet Corvette C8 with obvious repercussions on the timing of the new model.

Postponed presentation of the new Chevrolet Corvette C8

In detail, in fact, it seems that at present Chevrolet has encountered problems of an electrical nature also in relation to the new positioning of the engine. According to GM Authority, which would have collected from anonymous sources the impressions of some engineers involved in the development of the Corvette C8, the problem would lie in the electrical system that apparently would not be able to support the load of requests from all the components of the new car necessary for the proper functioning of the system.

In this context, the only possible solution would be to redesign the electric system of the Corvette C8 in order to meet new operating requirements. However, refurbishing the electrical system project means that the presentation of the new Chevrolet Corvette C8 will suffer a further time displacement that can be quantified in about six months.

The future Corvette C8 will not be unveiled at the upcoming Detroit Motor Show in January 2019. In light of the new electric problem, it seems even more difficult for the new star and stripe supercar to debut at the Geneva Motor Show 2019, which it will take place from 7 to 17 March next or at the New York 2019 Exhibition to be held from 19 to 28 April.