The base horsepower of the 2020 Corvette Stingray was 490 hp.
That output came from the naturally aspirated 6.2-liter LT2 V8, a new engine developed for the C8-generation Corvette. Chevrolet paired it with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and placed the engine behind the passenger compartment, making the 2020 model the first production mid-engine Corvette.
A common mix-up is the figure of 495 hp. That higher rating applied when the Stingray was equipped with the performance exhaust, which was associated with the Z51 performance package. The standard configuration was rated at 490 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque, while the performance-exhaust version reached 495 hp and 470 lb-ft.
The distinction matters because “2020 Corvette horsepower” is often reported as 495 hp in enthusiast coverage. The quiz asks for base horsepower, however, so 490 hp is the single canonical answer. The entry-level 1LT coupe launched with a base price of $59,995, before taxes and other charges.