Chevy has nothing planned for the 2019 NAIAS.
We have been bombarding readers with stories about the once-elusive Corvette, and now it appears that the road to reveal is longer. The C8 won’t attend the 2019 North American International Auto Show. A representative for the company told GM Authority the highly anticipated sports car from Chevy will not be coming to Detroit. The bowtie-emblazoned company does not plan to debut any new products at NAIAS.
When will we finally see the Corvette mid-engined? At this time, it’s unknown if the Corvette will be on display at either the Chicago Auto Show in February and the New York Auto Show in March. Chevrolet is preparing the C8 for global success, so it might be a good idea to hold a separate event, outside of an auto show, to maximize exposure. This is not just any Corvette, it’s the one Chevy’s been teasing for decades through many concepts.
According to a recent report, the base model will be called “Manta Ray” with 520 horsepower from an upgraded LT1 engine. It is expected to arrive in 2019, and it will be followed by the luxurious Grand Tour, which will use Cadillac’s twin-turbo V8 engine. According to reports, a hard-core Grand Sport with a twin-turbo V8 of 5.5-liters is in the works. According to the rumour mill, the C8 will only be available with a dual-clutch auto transmission.
We don’t know at this time how many of these facts actually are true and which are bogus. However, it seems like we will have to wait a while longer to find out. It’s been decades since we’ve waited for the Corvette’s mid-engined Corvette. So, a few more weeks, or even months, shouldn’t pose a problem.