Is there a reason Chevrolet has this functionality?
You used to need a key to drive a car. The key was then turned to engage the starter, which will bring the engine to life. Most vehicles now have a remote fob which allows the engine to start up as long the remote is inside the cabin. The C8 Corvette has a little more.
Recent YouTube video by Rick Corvette Conti shows how the current-generation Chevrolet Corvette can drive away from the car without having the fob. This is not a common occurrence with modern vehicles. However, it can be done for short distances and the fob remains within range. Commenters to the video said that the car can be driven off without any restrictions. It can also be restarted even if the fob is not detected when the car is turned off. The video shows that a red screen appears when the car is turned off. It states that the key is not present and allows for one restart.
We don’t own a C8 Corvette in our garage. Our many Corvette experiences have never allowed us to drive in masse without keys. While we know that the Corvette of the previous generation was capable of driving for hours without the key fob in its possession, Motor1.com sought out explanations about these keyless functions and their purpose. Many commenters wondered why the car keeps running despite not having a key.
We are also curious and will update this C8 quirk when we hear back from Chevrolet.