The 2020 Chevrolet Corvette has finally been launched and we can’t wait for it to be available as a car for sale in Dubai. What’s interesting though is that this mid-engine car has an interesting backstory. Basically, there were many prototypes, tests, and show cars before Chevrolet produced the 2020 C8. Here are some of them:
CERV II
CERV (Chevrolet Engineering Research Vehicle) is a range of experimental cars by Chevrolet. The company’s designer, engineer, and race car driver Zora Arkus-Duntov started working on CERV I in 1956 and on the CERV II in 1963. The idea was to create show cars and test vehicles to demonstrate engineering expertise. There’s a unique all-wheel drive system and a clutchless two-speed manual gearbox in the front and back of the CERV II.
XP-880 – Astro II
With the start of the 1960s began the trend of mid-engine vehicles. Everyone from Lamborghini to Mercedes-Benz was doing it. Thus, after the CERV II, GM followed through with the 1968 Chevrolet XP-880, also known as the Astro II concept. It was more of a personal sports car, with just enough space to accommodate two passengers and their luggage. Zora Arkus-Duntov and GM’s styling boss, Bill Mitchell wanted this concept to form the basis of the next-generation Corvette.
XP-987 GT
The concept was made on dimensions close to the Porsche 914/6 and featured a body that was designed by GM but made by Pininfarina. It was underpinned by the company’s two-rotor Wankel engine that was fitted between the front seats and the rear. Although the Wankel engines were good in terms of performance and also compact in size, they didn’t fare too well as far as fuel efficiency and emission are concerned. The XP987 GT prototype was going to be the 1976 Corvette but of course, that didn’t really happen.
Four-Rotor Corvette Prototype
Like many others on the list, this one could also have been the first production mid-engine Corvette. It has two Wankel engines, one on each side of the shaft that was connected to the bevels at the transmission output. Together, the two engines were capable of producing 360 horsepower. With some tweaks, it could have gone as high as 480 horsepower. The car was apparently able to reach 148 mph. Unfortunately, with the end of the Wankel project, this project was also halted and it never made it to the factory lines.
Corvette Indy
The Indy concept promised great horsepower, all-wheel drive , and technical advancements. It was fitted with a 2.65L twin turbo Indy V8 and was capable of pushing out a massive 600hp. And it looks striking aesthetically too. It was extremely tech-savvy and futuristic. It showcased what GM was capable of but it was an expensive machine which was fully loaded with the latest technology just like the futuristic cockpit of Corvette C8. Hence, it never made it to the market.
We are glad that these prototypes were made because if they weren’t, we would never be able to see the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette C8 as a car for sale in Dubai. We’re still waiting for the new Corvette to hit the roads, but if you’re searching for the perfect used car, CarSwitch.com is here to help!
