2019 Chevrolet Corvette C8: new pictures of 700bhp mid-engined supercar

The Corvette C8 will be the most drastically altered model in its family tree…

…due to its use of an all-new powertrain that mounts a twin-turbo V8 behind the passenger compartment

Chevrolet's next-generation supercar will therefore trade the front-engined layout of the C7 for a better-balanced mid-engine set-up

Reports suggest this adjustment will come alongside the introduction of a boosted eight-cylinder engine

The impact the new layout has had on the car's bodyshape can be seen clearly in our latest pictures

The C8 sports a shorter nose and longer rear section, complete with a pair of buttresses — evidence of its more balanced packaging

The latest sighting also offers a first glimpse of the car's lighting, as well as a reverse camera that's mounted above the rear window and likely feeds its image to the rear-view mirror

This system first appeared on the Cadillac CT6 of Chevrolet's sister brand from General Motors

Chevrolet's significantly more focused future supercar will pick up the baton from the already well respected C7, which marked a big leap forward from its forebears

The C8 is expected to send up to 700bhp to its rear wheels, ranking it ahead of the Ford GT and Ferrari 488 GTB

The car could looks set to use a turbocharged V6 engine in a cheaper variant that would expand the car's reach…

…and help to bring down the range's average CO2 output — essential in a world of ever stricter emissions limits

The C8 will use more aluminium in its construction to save weight. Carbonfibre is unlikely to feature for cost reasons

The Corvette has consistently undercut the prices of its most exotic European rivals

The finished C8 is expected to arrive in the UK in mid-2019, shortly after its introduction to the US market

It's expected to spawn a C8.R racing variant that could hit the track in 2019