You guys don’t buy them, so Chevy’s not going to build it in.
Quick poll: Who among you actually bought the seven-speed manual with the last-generation Corvette? Right, so don’t hold your breath for Chevrolet to install one in the new mid-engined C8 Corvette.
Sorry to burst your bubble, but don’t just take my word for it. Corvette’s chief engineer Tadge Juechter flat out said “no” to the prospect of a row-your-own Corvette when Motor Authority asked him. That’s it, just a flat response, “No”. The reason behind that decision comes down to take rate. Not enough people buy manual Corvettes, so it wasn’t worth tasking a supplier to build one for the new car. Instead, all 2020 Chevrolet Corvette models will get an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. With the Stingray, at least, that transmission comes mated to a 6.2-liter LT2 V8 engine putting out up to 495 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque with the optional Z52 performance pack.
The take rate for manuals on the Corvette has dropped to about 15 percent, according to Jeuchter. That’s actually not bad, considering the larger automotive landscape. However, it’s not enough to justify building a bespoke transmission at huge expense to accommodate the new mid-engined layout. Every year, the manual take rate drops because fewer people buy them, giving GM even less incentive to spend the money.
The 2020 Chevrolet Corvette isn’t the only car to drop the option, either. Ford won’t include a manual transmission in the Mustang Shelby GT500, either. You also get a dual-clutch there. Both companies want to cast a wider net to make as much as they can on these cars, and the market at-large just isn’t taking to rowing their own gears anymore.
So, a moment of silence for the seven-speed manual transmission. It was great while it lasted, but the history of the Corvette is automatic from here on out.
Check out more on the C8 Corvette below:
