The countdown is on with just a few weeks left, as Chevy fans around the world eagerly anticipate the all-new 2020 Corvette. Hype over the C8 Corvette has been dampened in recent weeks, with a recent rumor stating that the next-gen American supercar would be an untunable Corvette. First circulated from Muscle Cars & Trucks, this could potentially derail many enthusiasts anxious to turn up the performance wick on the mid-engine Corvette.
Citing several sources, the publication elaborated the rumor further stating that “successfully flash-tuning, reprogramming and otherwise altering the engine control unit to increase power output will be next to impossible.” Should the untunable Corvette become a reality, that could truly dampen the hopes of many hopeful tuners around the world.
Why an untunable Corvette be bad?
For any enthusiast who wants to take their C8 to the next level, owning an untunable Corvette is a terrible challenge. Should the 2020 Corvette be near impossible to tune or modify as the initial reports suggest, this means that any Corvette enthusiast would have to turn to standalone engine management as their only recourse.
Not only that but the concept of an untunable Corvette simply eliminates the drive for many owners. Fewer sales mean less support and in turn less potential. ECU’s that resist piggyback computers or aftermarket ROM tampering simply discourage any tweaking at all.
The very notion eliminates a large segment of performance enthusiasts who just want a little more performance for their daily driver. There is nothing good to come from the concept of an untunable Corvette unless you happen to be in GM’s financial division. Period.
Why would GM release an untunable Corvette?
To control the owner’s behavior and minimize potential repairs would be the only reasoning. GM has a history of this pattern after all, given their lockdown on Duramax trucks as well as the 2019 Corvette ZR1. Backed by the provisions put in place by GM’s Digital Vehicle Platform team, these ECU’s are still deemed uncrackable by many aftermarket shops and professionals.
These measures are specifically meant to curb any modification of fuel and spark tables, which would severely hamper anyone wanting to tune the C8.
When will we know if the C8 Corvette is tunable?
The next generation Corvette is scheduled to be unveiled on July 18. Should the Corvette C8 be un-tunable, there could be backlash against the Detroit automaker. Any production Corvette that would be impossible to tune out of the box is sure to cause an uproar amongst the Chevy fans.
What do you think of these rumors that the untunable Corvette will be released in 2020? Leave us a comment below and let us know!
