SPY PICS: C8 Chevrolet Corvette shows more, drives less

As Chevrolet continues to maintain silence over plans for the Ferrari-challenging, mid-engined C8 Corvette, the flow of spy photos continues – and these most recent pics show more detail than we’ve seen so far.

Check, for example, the inadvertently-exposed (via missing cladding) left-front outer air intake and the minimalistic, slitted LED headlights to see what Chevrolet will be doing with at least part of the front end.

Meanwhile, the rear wing and the quad taillight lenses – which are reminiscent of the current C7 Corvette – give an indication of what the departing view will look like (more difficult to spot is any sign of GM’s patented “active” roof/rear deck spoiler system).

General Motors hasn’t confirmed its eighth-generation C8 Chevrolet Corvette for right-hand drive production, but it’s almost certain to be released as a global model and one of the 24 new models Holden promised to deliver in Australia between 2015 and 2020.

The latest insights into the stylistic elements aren’t the most significant snapshot of the long-awaited, eighth-generation Corvette, though.

There are more sinister implications in the photos of a test mule caught with its systems down at a fuel stop near GM’s Milford proving grounds. Reportedly, the mid-engined GM supercar was eventually towed away after something like half an hour of  unresponsive attempts at getting it re-started.

It’s hard not to connect this experience with electrical issues that have reportedly delayed introduction of the new car and are tipped to be related to all-new electrical architecture that will be shared across other GM product.

That's not Chevrolet's only headache. Insurance specialist Hagerty reports the mid-engined Corvette’s stupendous power sources - which includes a twin-turbo 750kW 5.5-litre V8 – is causing developmental difficulties by tending to overwhelm the capabilities of the aluminium spaceframe.

Indications are that, in order to handle the prodigious torque, the Corvette will need a revisit to the drawing boards to make it structurally stronger.

It was also reported by Hagerty that other, unspecified things are affecting the upcoming GM super-coupe, but other than saying these issues have been flagged by both designers and test drivers, their actuality remains something of a mystery.

These are the things that muddy the waters surrounding the actual release date: speculation is that production will begin later this year in preparation for a launch to the US public in early 2020.

Where right-hand drive production is concerned, the delays suggest potential Australian introduction of the C8 Corvette will be pushed back from a speculated 2020 introduction date, possibly to 2021.