New Corvette showcased at Laguna Seca

It is Car Week on the Central Coast, and locals and tourists in town for the events are getting a rare look at a new take on an American classic.

Just last month, General Motors unveiled its brand new, eighth-generation 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray. And visitors to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca are getting a chance to see the car this weekend.

The new car is being showcased at the garages of Laguna Seca. It boasts a small block LT2 6.2-liter V8 engine that is placed in the middle of the vehicle, making it the first Corvette of its kind and places it in contention with modern European supercars.

“The mid-engine Corvette, it definitely puts this vehicle in that class with some of the other exotic, European vehicles that have dominated the mid-engine segment in the past,” said Shad Balch, a Chevrolet spokesperson.

A mid-engine Corvette has been dreamed about since the 1950s. And this car’s no slouch: with 495 horsepower and 470 lb.-ft. of torque under the hood, the car can go zero to 60 in less than three seconds with a claimed top speed of 194 miles per hour.

For longtime Corvette fans, the car’s release was a big moment.

“I’ve been watching this online as they had camouflage mules for probably the last three years,” said Mark Cosentino, a Madera resident. “In fact, we had a release party at my house, we put it up on a projector.”

Orders for the new Corvette are going fast, with some dealerships having limited numbers. With a price point at less than $60,000, it is an American car that more expensive European cars will have a hard time beating.

“I’ve seen all the McLarens around here and all the Lamborghinis and Ferraris, but this at 60 grand is amazing,” said Scott Paul, a Marina resident.

“It’s really going to disrupt the whole car culture and the whole market,” said Cosentino.

The 2020 Corvette Stingray will be on display at Laguna Seca for the rest of this week into the weekend.