The C8 Chevrolet Corvette (2020 to present) took the traditional front-engine application of the model and added mid-engine balance and dual-clutch transmission speed. However, in doing so, America’s original performance namesake dropped a beloved feature: the manual transmission. So, which transmission options are currently available on the C8 Corvette?

What kind of transmission does a C8 Corvette have?

The only transmission option for the eighth-generation Chevrolet Corvette (C8) is an eight-speed TR-9080 dual-clutch transmission (DCT), a first for the Stingray. While the DCT might not be as old-school grab-a-gear as a traditional manual, it is swift and compliant. 

For instance, the eight-speed DCT will shift quicker than a competent manual driver, allowing the sure-footed mid-engine Stingray to hit 60 mph in as little as 2.8 seconds with the Z51 Package. That puts the eighth-gen Corvette a full second ahead of the C7 Stingray Z51 in the sprint to 60. Of course, purists will tout the availability of a seven-speed (yes, seven) manual gearbox in the C7.  

Who builds Corvette transmissions?

The C8 Corvette’s TR-9080 dual-clutch transmission is a product of TREMEC, a company with a long history of building performance gearboxes. For instance, TREMEC made the notchy, eager transmission in the S550 Shelby GT350 as well as the T56, a favorite manual among hot-rodders. 

Moreover, the TREMEC TR-9080 is the exclusive transmission option for the eighth-generation Chevrolet Corvette, not unlike the TR-3160 in the Shelby GT350. Still, the DCT provides quick shifts without as much possibility of operator error, unlike the stout gearbox in the Shelby. 

Can you still get a Corvette with a manual transmission?

Unfortunately, you can’t get a 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray or Z06 with a three-pedal manual transmission application. Instead, the Stingray packs the TR-9080 as its sole option, and the Z06 channels its 670 ponies through a revised version of the same dual-clutch transmission. 

That means Corvette enthusiasts who want a manual will have to opt for a previous generation. Fortunately, every previous generation offers old-school three-pedal platforms, from the first-gen models to the fire-breathing C7 ZR1.  

Does the C8 Corvette have transmission problems?

Aside from being the only transmission option, the TREMEC TR-9080 might also exhibit some issues for owners. According to GM Authority, some C8 Corvette owners experienced gasket failures, error messages, and a voluntary recall for a faulty transmission control module (TCM). 

Unfortunately, there’s a method to the GM madness that eliminated the row-your-own setup from the Corvette’s lineup. After all the buzz and protest, sales figures showed that ‘Vette owners skew automatic.

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