Video reveals C8 Corvette’s top-speed run

Talk is cheap – and there have been a lot of whispers surrounding the C8 Chevrolet Corvette’s performance potential. However, now there’s video confirmation that the 369kW/637Nm Corvette is a bona fide supercar, hitting a top speed of 312km/h.

Chevrolet’s Corvette team, led by Executive Chief Engineer, Tadge Juechter, provided three presentations at the National Corvette Museum’s 25th anniversary. Yet it was the final offering that snuck in proof of the top-speed goodies.

Across the seminars Juechter provided myriad C8 details, and thanks to the wonders of the internet, an audience member posted a recording of the video to YouTube. The runs were completed on a non-banked track at Automotive Testing Papenburg in Germany.

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Juechter explains that the headline figure is an average of “flying-mile” runs in both directions of the test circuit to account for wind and weather conditions. Interestingly, the same 194mph (312km/h) number was attained in both directions in “dead still” conditions.

To capture the figure, Chevrolet used sophisticated and accurate GPS tracking, which was monitored by a passenger for the runs. As well as kilometres per hour, the metres per second were also recorded and highlighted throughout the short clip.

Interestingly, a ‘base’ Corvette was used for the run, one sans the high downforce offered with the Z51 Package. ’Vettes featuring that pack will have the top speed lowered to 296km/h (184mph) with the added aerodynamics cutting straight-line efficiency.

Australia is likely to receive the Z51 Package as standard. Information provided to Wheels suggests that the C8 Corvette will be available in Holden dealerships from around $150,000 to $170,000. However, you’ll have to wait, with Holden’s halo not expected to lob down under until at least the end of 2020.

Juechter goes on to say that the team are impressed by the high-speed stability of the mid-engine C8 and that the lack of steering-wheel movement in the video is vindication.

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While they’re yet to be confirmed by Chevrolet, a member from corvetteforum.com posted a picture of the performance figures down the drag strip from the Corvette’s engineer’s booklet. According to the leaked image, the C8 reaches 100km/h in 2.9sec and covers the quarter in 11.3sec at 194.7km/h.