My GT7 Log: The un-Corvette Corvette

The Chevrolet C8 Corvette defeated the second-generation Subaru BRZ and Toyota GR86 to become the 2021-2022 Japan Performance Car of the Year, the first for an American-made car to win the title.

So, what is it then, this C8 Corvette?

The eighth-generation Corvette is no longer the Corvette the world knows because, for the first time in its history, it's been morphed into a mid-engined supercar, a move that displeased most Corvette purists. Being the first production mid-engined car from General Motors, the C8 Corvette is powered by an all-new 6.2L LT2 V8 engine with 495HP of power and 470lb-ft of torque. Mated to a Corvette-first 8-speed Double Clutch Gearbox, it does 0-100kph in 2.9 seconds and flat-out in 312kph. It features a brand-new Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 which reads the road every millisecond and adapts in about 10 to 15 milliseconds, as well as double wishbone suspension with height adjustable capability.

For the first time, the C8 Corvette is also offered in right-hand-drive configurations in such markets as Japan, the UK, and Australia.

Thanks to its midship layout, the C8 Corvette has transformed from a redneck muscle into a world-class supercar, capable of handling through the world's most challenging racetracks like a pro. Although it has the finesse of an Italian supercar, it still has the beating heart of a wild west Republican unleashing a barrage of firepower.

To find out if the C8 Corvette is still "America's sports car" despite a completely different approach, it's time to dish it out at Fuji Speedway, which is somewhat a coincidence because this is surprisingly the exact place where the C8 Corvette made its Japan premiere. Anyway, no time to get sentimental, it's time for action, pronto.

Let's see if the mid-engined Corvette is as good as any other sports car should be, although purists are not happy about this approach. Send in the tape.

They say it will take about two minutes to lap the C8 Corvette around Fuji Speedway. I did it in 1m58.813s. Guess the world's right after all, this is no longer the Corvette we're familiar with. It's turned.

The C8 Corvette is no longer the Corvette the world knows and thanks to such world-class performance thanks to its mid-engine layout, it truly is the world-class sportscar capable of taking all comers in a way it's never done before. I'm glad I got my dibs on this car here on Gran Turismo 7. Purists hate it but what the hey. It's the best Corvette of the new normal and I strongly agree with it.

America's sports car has turned.