A Torch Red 2020 Corvette coupe sitting in a desert landscape, seen through a window.

2020-07-13 | Chevy New Roads Magazine

Elements of Style

The form of the mid-engine Corvette Stingray isn’t just next-generation; it’s next-level. We traveled to our desert hideaway to talk to Corvette designers about the car now that it has hit the streets.

Since the debut of the all-new mid-engine Corvette, sports car enthusiasts and the general public alike have been clamoring to get a glimpse of the vehicle out in the world. As car designers will tell you, there’s something magical when a car—especially one as striking as this—leaves the studio and enters space filled with dynamically shifting light, reflections, and vantage points. We sat down with some of the talented team responsible for this next-generation Corvette and talked about elements of the design that stick in your memory, details you may have missed, and the strong emotions elicited by every glance at this peerless machine.

Phil Zak / Executive Design Director, Global Chevrolet at General Motors

Kirk Bennion / Exterior Design Manager for Corvette

Ryan Vaughan / Executive Director for Design at PATAC / General Motors

A view of the cockpit of the 2020 Corvette seen through the open roof. A person is in the driver’s seat, and the photo shows just one hand on the steering wheel and the other on the gear shift.

PROVOCATION

“We’ve learned the Corvette customer will let us take more risks with design. That we could surprise and provoke their future expectations.” —Kirk Bennion

A Torch Red 2020 Corvette coupe sits in a desert landscape, seen through a window. A reflection of the car is in the glass.

REACT

“It’s a rock star to drive. Just as importantly, people are obsessed with it; you get questions no matter where you go. I think that speaks to the design integration, and the overall design success, that it garners so much attention.” —Kirk Bennion

Two photos: On the left, the front end of a 2020 Corvette. On the right, the back end of the same car.

SPEED

“The Corvette has to look fast and built for speed—even when it's just parked.” —Phil Zak

A close-up of the engine block on a 2020 Corvette.

DETAIL

“We focused a lot more on the engine appearance: scrutinizing the materials, the fasteners. We knew if we were really going to show it off, we’d have to be really serious about it.” —Kirk Bennion

LIGHT

“There’s a very strong light signature. So when you see it at night, I think the car is … I don’t want to say evil. But it’s aggressive. You know it’s something new.” —Kirk Bennion

The front end of a 2020 Corvette in a desert environment with cholla cactus in the foreground

EMOTION

“There is an emotional content to the car. It has to look serious. Not that it’s sinister, but it definitely has a more serious stance.” —Kirk Bennion

The interior of a 2020 Corvette, seen through the open roof.

INSIDE

“It feels like a sculptural object that you’re sitting in. And it’s just flowing all around you, all centered around you as the driver.” —Ryan Vaughan

Two photos: On the left, a Torch Red 2020 Corvette in a desert landscape seen from the side showing the deep scoops in the door. On the right, a man holds the door to a house open, and the rear of the Corvette is reflected in the glass on the door.

AIR

“The dual radiators split outside offered us a huge opportunity. Now you’ve got scoops in the door, and then the exits in the back; air flowing everywhere. It’s an air processor.” —Phil Zak

A man on the opposite side of a 2020 Corvette looks down at the rear of the car, seen from an angle slightly above the car to show off the rear windshield and back end.

PROPULSION

“The muscularity of the rear haunches plays up the engine placement—the jewel in the showcase, if you will. That’s where all the business is.” —Phil Zak