Best Ways To Spec A 2020 Chevy Corvette C8

I have no intention of doing any track work, so my C8 is more of a grand tourer than a hot-lapping sports car. The Zeus Bronze Metallic makes the exterior look stealthy but is still a step away from the silver and black shades that you commonly see on the road. The transparent roof probably isn’t the lightest option but offers the best opportunity to see the world without taking the top off. Trident wheels also give the ‘Vette some visual distinction, but the gray, machined finish doesn’t overwhelm the dark exterior color. I think the C8 looks fine in stock form and don’t add any of the extra trim choices.

To get the bronze color, I have to choose the range-topping 3LT trim level, but the 2LT’s features like a head-up display, navigation system, wireless phone charging, and a camera in the rearview mirror would actually be plenty for me. The nice thing, though, is that 3LT allows for picking the Morello Red leather interior, which is a gorgeous shade of burgundy.

For now, I’m skipping the Z51 package. I don’t like the look of the wing, but the Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 system piques my interest. I’d want to drive the car with and without the high-tech dampers before making a decision.

- Chris Bruce

An understated supercar is an oxymoron as a mid-engined performance machine such as the new Corvette C8 needs to be flashy… to some extent. For this reason, I’ve decided to go with the look-at-me Sebring Orange Tincoat exterior and Spectra Gray Machined Trident Spoke wheels with Edge Red brake calipers.

You can never go wrong with some carbon fiber exterior accents, therefore my ideal configuration would have the mirror caps and side rockers finished in exposed carbon fiber in the same vein as the roof. I’d also throw in full-length dual strips to contrast the orange body and complement the LT2’s optional silver engine cover. I’m not a fan of the rear wing since it’s a bit too much for only a base Stingray, hence why I opted for a cleaner rear end that better shows the integrated spoiler lip.

Inside, it would have to be the fancy Morello Red shade for the leather seats combined with a carbon fiber trim package spicing things up a bit here and there. To create a visual connection with the exterior, the seatbelts would be orange to nicely round off a configuration that would surely costs a lot more than the C8’s $60,000 base price.

- Adrian Padeanu

I’m holding Chevrolet to its claim that you can buy a C8 Corvette Stingray for under $60,000. Frankly, that figure seems fantastical for something with a gutsy V8 positioned behind the driver. Often times, such a low base price is a bait-and-switch move because it’s a barebones machine buyers don’t want, and as such, dealers never order one. Furthermore, it could even be tough for the buyer to order one, but if Chevy is going to turn the supercar world on its head with a crazy-cheap C8, I want to be in the driver’s seat with my no-option Stingray.

Unfortunately, pricing isn’t available yet on the C8 configurator so I’m forced to guess what items are standard issue. I suspect Torch Red is a no-cost color, and the simple silver five-spoke wheels look just fine to me. The 1LT trim level includes leather seats, and though a single shade of black can be monotonous in a car, it’s a mood for which I’m very familiar. No carbon fiber bits, no upgraded spoiler, and yes, no Z51 Performance Package, which means I won’t have the C8’s full 495 horsepower at my disposal. Chevrolet hasn’t come right out and said what the LT2’s base power is – we’ve heard it 490 – but even if it’s less, this car with its dual-clutch gearbox should still be one helluva ride for less than $60,000.

- Chris Smith

Forget this $60,000 crap...I’m going bananas. A restrained C8 devoid of carbon fiber accents, rear wings, and front splitters defeats the point. This car is supposed to make a statement, and that’s exactly what my spec does. Torch red paint sets the perfect base tone, complementing the various carbon fiber trim pieces and black accents. Don’t forget the massive rear wing sitting on the butt. Quick side note: my only strong gripe with the C8 is the wheel options. None of them look good to me, so I went with the lesser of all evils. But apart from the wheels, I love this thing. It’s my perfect brand of obnoxious with just enough restraint to not be over-the-top.

Inside, my C8 is a bit more restrained with subtle jet black seats and red contrast stitching. I also opted for the transparent roof, mostly because it looks cool. Fancy (at least for a Corvette) suede material lines the GT2 sport seats and various portions of the cabin, while sections of carbon fiber class things up a bit, too. But my concern is not really the interior. I want to blast by with bright paint and giant wing, with the whole world watching. Welcome to my mid-engined masterpiece.

- Clint Simone

I have no business running on a track, other than for purposes of evaluating a car, and neither does my car. So I will keep my choices closer to the Grand Tourer side of the Corvette’s split personality than to the Track Demon one. 

I will ditch the typical colors you would expect to see the body of a Corvette in and have mine in Ceramic Matrix Gray Metallic with the transparent roof on the Carbon Flash Open Spoke wheels with bright red brake calipers. I’ll delete all the standard black accents with the body color option, with the exception of the side rockers which do not offer a body-color option. The black badges would be replaced with for the chrome ones in an effort to hold on to the past as much as possible. I dig this look. Finally, I want to have anything to do with the terribly looking spoiler offered, the rear end looks busy as it is, I’d rip it off if I had too.

Inside things would be a touch more dramatic, with GT2 Sky Cool Grey leather seats with blue seat belts in 2LT trim. I wish Chevrolet would offer the ‘Performance Textile’ option in any other color than black, since this Henry Ford like approach kept me away from the ecologically sensible option. Finally, I’d decorate the engine with the red cover. I don’t expect this car to cost a cent more than $59,999.99, but only time will tell.

- Simón Gómez

I have an affinity for blue cars and have no plans to change for the C8 Corvette. Done right, a good blue can give a car an under-the-radar appearance without the need to spec white, gray, or black. That’s why I’d pick Elkhart Lake Metallic Blue for the exterior color with carbon flash open spoke wheels. However, I’d contrast the dark hues with Edge Red brake calipers. I’d keep the standard carbon flash accents and badge but would add the visible carbon-fiber mirrors for a dash of pizzazz. 

I’d also opt for the Z51 Performance Package with its Magnetic Ride Control, larger brakes, performance exhaust – for more horsepower and torque – electronic limited-slip differential, extra radiator, and functional spoiler. However, I’m not a fan of the spoiler’s design. I’d also add the red engine cover to brighten up the design from the outside. 

Inside, I’d spec the 3LT interior, which comes with a host of features that include a head-up display, wireless phone charging, heated and vented seats, heated steering wheel, Bose 14-speaker audio system, and much more. Those are all features offered on the 2LT interior while the 3LT adds GT2 seats, suede-wrapped upper interior trim, a custom leather-wrapped interior, and more. The 3LT interior trim also allows for a wide assortment of colors, which means  Adrenaline Red interior trim and seats. I’d pair it with red seatbelts and the carbon fiber trim package to add a bit of contrast.  

It’s difficult not to go crazy designing a new C8 Corvette. With its sub-$60,000 price tag, it feels as if Chevy is luring you to spend even more money. You’d tell yourself, “It’s such a deal already – how could I not add a few options?” And before you knew it, you’ve added $15,000 in options and started a side hustle to pay it all off. 

- Anthony Alaniz

My perfect mid-engined Corvette packs a flat-six engine, wears a Porsche crest, and goes by the name 718 Cayman GT4. Sorry fam, I just can’t imagine choosing the Corvette over the GT4. 

The latest Corvette is definitely exciting, and it’s a performance bargain thanks to a starting price of less than $60,000. But if I’m driving a reasonably priced mid-engined sports car, then I’m jumping ship to the $99,200 GT4. Yes, it’s noticeably more expensive than the Chevy, but the Porsche comes with a real, row-it-yourself six-speed manual transmission. It’s also all-but-guaranteed to drive like a dream, and I like the looks of the Porsche better, too. I want to believe the Corvette’s behind-the-wheel experience will live up to the hype, but if my time with previous Corvettes and Porsche Caymans and 911s are anything to go by, then the latest Corvette’s driving engagement likely falls a couple of ticks short of the Porsches’. 

So what’s my perfect Cayman GT4 – errr Corvette – equipped with? Not much. I tacked on a coat of Gentian Blue Metallic paint for $650, the top-of-the-line LED headlight system for $2,140 (there’s nothing safer than sight), $530 worth of seat heaters, $360 for Apple CarPlay compatibility (WTF Porsche?), and $2,320 for in-dash navigation, which brings my bill to $106,550, including $1,350 for destination. On second thought, maybe a $60,000 Corvette is the wiser choice.

- Greg Fink