What would be your must haves and don’t care features for the ME

[Tbob]

I own a 2015 z51 3lt fully optioned coupe...I would like to see better carpet in the me as well as some road noise reduction installed, front and rear cameras as well as the pdr...and a power outlet in the rear view mirror for a radar device... a removable cf roof would be great....I am sure there is more I will come up with...

[John]

A little birdie has whispered, in fact several different little birdies have whispered, that the coupe’s top will be removable. As they made all C7 roof’s out of CF (as we know, for a lower center of gravity), expect of course the translucent ones, I am expecting the ME’s roof will similarly be CF. Similarly, I expect that we will have to pay more for the visible CF option.

[John]

Must haves: A changed interior (not saying the C7’s wasn’t/isn’t nice), but with a radically new ME, we should have a very different looking interior.

Want to have: Front camera system as debuted in 2016; expansion to 12 color options; a front axle lift system option; a Z51 or equivalent version; 500+ HP; more options in total, and more severable (not packaged) options — so all can choose within their budget; custom sized luggage option so we can efficiently use its frunk and its behind the seat luggage shelf; deliveries start next July so I could take in on next August’s National Corvette Caravan.

Not at all worried about: Its appearance. I just know it will be breathtaking!

[Corvette Phil]

hoping for an upgraded automatic transmission - I'm currently driving a '16 Z06 8spd

[MsBadWolf]

Since there is no way this new car won't be compared to the other mid engine cars that have been here for awhile (Ferrari, Lambo, Audi, etc) it would be great if the interior was much nicer. For me personally it needs to have enough storage space for me to use it for trips. It would be good if it stayed in the price range of the working man's (woman's) sports car. While I don't dislike them (the cars), I don't want to see those that really want a Corvette pushed into a Mustang or Camaro.

[USVTRN]

Must have: A front axle lift system and at least the same performance numbers as the current C7 Z06.

[John]

I think for the 2020 entry version with its LT1+ derived motor, we are going to fall short of C7 Z06’s 2.95/3.2 seconds to 60 (dependent on auto or man trans respectively) — at least in acceleration runs. Sorry, but I think those will be the cards we are dealt the first year — and needless to say I hope I am dead wrong. As for road courses with the DCT and the motor being over the drive wheels, perhaps it will be as fast, even maybe a touch faster than the C7 Z06???

Two options I see... Wait until second year option ME that many by their posts (and also some friends of mine), are going to do, or buy a first year and wait for Lingenfelter, Katech and Callaway to juice them up in about the typical eight months the time it typically takes for these companies to develop their upgrades.

Perhaps GM has already whispered to those big three what the “secret sauce” upgrades for the LT1+ will be, and maybe the big three are already working on their own hot sauce to spice the LT1+ further — with shorter wait times for their mods to become available???

[OnPoint]

Must haves: 650-800 hp. Non-hybrid. No engine automatic start/stop. Stick shift or very well sorted DCT. A good next step forward with interior design and materials. High quality, durable paint job. Forged wheels. Ability to order wheels of different tints (c'mon GM, there is a wide, wide world beyond just black, chrome and silver painted wheels) - and powder coat the wheels and ditch the paint for better durability of finish. A drive train engineered with significant headroom per its expected demands and duty cycle - - i.e. a robust, bullet-proof drive train. We've broken enough rear diffs and axles on past Corvettes with stock power levels, time to leave that **** behind. Fabulous brakes and suspension

Would be nice to haves: Front axle lift system. Dynamic aero. An option for fixed roof coupe. Buy one, get two offer. . .

[John]

Yes, yes, “buy one get two off.” You can get your fixed roof coupe for sure, and also better paint than we have had prior to last October. Your comment about the DCT needing to be well sorted out is one I have heard from several. I talked with Ryan Vaughan, Chief Interior Designer about two months ago, but as likes and wants to keep his job, did not learn anything about the interior on the 2020 Corvette (he properly did not mention ME at all — though neither did I).

Here’s to hoping on the rest.

[OnPoint]

I agree, John. The DCT, if they do one, may the most important subjective element (driving experience) they do with the car. An outstanding DCT is a joy to operate. But - - and it's a real risk, a less than outstanding DCT is not. Low speed jerkiness, clunkiness, fragile clutches needing expensive replacements every 20k miles - those types of experiences will not be met well by the consumers of this car. I really hope they go the route of a DCT in the ME, at least as an option. That said - if they go there and do one, if they half-*** it, they will rue the day they did that.

[Sigmon]

The DCT being well calibrated is pretty high on my list, in addition to this, I want to see some nice, hopefully column mounted, shift paddles made either from aluminum or optional CF. Everything that I've been hearing suggests that the DCT will be the solo transmission option for the C8.

I currently have a 2010 Camaro SS and a 15 Lexus RC, the ME, will be my first corvette, and while I'm waiting for the Z06 version, I am still very excited to see the changes, like the interior, that the 2020 car brings with it.

I'm hoping that there is a hard top convertible option for the convertible car, if not the targa will be just fine for me. I honestly didn't have too many issues with the C7's interior, I've just always wanted to get something mid engined and the corvette has never made that list.

Last thing for me is that there is some N/A version of the 5.5 DOHC motor besides the Twin turbo unit likely slated for the Z06, that comes out the first model year as an option. With a car that is pretty much all new, I don't want an engine that has been with us since 2014..

[John]

Welcome Sigmon. Yours is a well-thought-out post!

[Tbob]

I would also like to see column mounted paddles like Ferrari....my 360 is way easier to shift when turning than my c7....and I would like to see tow hook attachments front and back preferably hidden...

[Frenzy36]

It would be Fantastic to have ALL WHEEL DRIVE. Hopefully they figured this into the option list if they want to compete with other ME vehicles. Retractable Panoramic Hardtop - absolutely desirable option . Cooled Seats would be nice option as well. Magnetic Ride Control would be sweet. Semi-Analine Leather Seating Surfaces / With Choice of Color Options. Titanium Wheel Option.

[redc8z06]

A well balanced comfortable car with the usual great performance and handling but not feeling like I'm getting ready to ride the bull as the Z06 can sometimes. I love my Z06 but you really have to pay attention when driving it. The seats just aren't that comfortable and many blind spots. Never understood why GM couldn't have installed blind spot mirrors?

[WBT]

I realize its not going to happen but I wish/hope that the C8 comes with a optional CD player.