We all know Chevrolet has been struggling to keep the upcoming mid-engined C8 Corvette a secret. It still hasn't been officially announced by Chevrolet, but a countless number of spy shots and videos have confirmed the car's existence. A couple of months ago, our ears were given a brief taste of the C8 Corvette's soundtrack, but this latest spy video shows the American sports car being pushed harder during acceleration trials to test the car's traction and stability.
The short video is a compilation of three runs showing the C8 Corvette accelerating from a standstill. Being a prototype it's still covered in camouflage, though we do get to see the design of the LED taillights. And there's no doubt that what we're hearing is the unmistakable growl of a V8 engine. In this case however, it doesn't sound like a turbocharged unit since it lacks the distinctive whistle noise of a forced induction engine. Rumors suggest it will be one of three powerplants available for the C8 Corvette. The base model is expected to pack a naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8 under the hood developing around 460 horsepower.
Allegedly, there will also be a variant powered by the same 4.2-liter, twin-turbo V8 from the new CT6 V-Sport producing roughly 650 hp. If that still isn't enough, there could also be a range-topping model with a twin-turbo 5.5-liter V8 delivering a whopping 850 hp. The swift upshifts in the video also suggest it has a dual-clutch transmission.
Curiously, while rumors have suggested the C8 Corvette will be all-wheel drive, the rear wheels slipped during the second test. Could this mean the base model will be rear-wheel drive as standard with optional all-wheel drive available? Alternatively, it could feature an advanced drivetrain offering the ability to select between RWD and AWD like the new BMW M5, or be offered with rear-wheel drive only like the current C7 Corvette. Unfortunately, we probably won't get official confirmation for a long time yet, as Chevrolet isn't expected to unveil the mid-engined C8 Corvette until next year's Detroit Auto Show in January.