As the first mid-engine Corvette in the line’s history, the 2020 C8 Stingray is a powerful, innovative sports car that auto enthusiasts have been raving about since its first appearance. And that goes for its interior, too — with sleek, stylish features and a high-tech console, the C8 brought the Corvette fully into the 21st century.
The 2020 model also came with noticeable improvements in seating comfort and support. Critics raved about the softness and color of the premium leather option and the high support the seats provide.
The C8 line offers three options that provide comfort, performance and style while meeting your specific needs. This guide will help you decide which seats are best for your Stingray.
C8 Corvette Seats: GT1 vs. GT2 vs. Competition
The C8 comes with three seat options — the GT1, the GT2 and the Competition bucket seats. While each one comes with different features, there are some commonalities.
All C8 Corvette seats come with eight-way power adjustment features. Depending on the model, seats are available in either Napa leather or Mulan leather. Napa leather offers options for suede or perforated inserts. In higher-end models, the C8 offers programmable memory seats, which allow you to save your preferred seat position so you can save time resetting if you accidentally adjust your seat.
GT1 Bucket Seats
The GT1 bucket seats are the standard option for the 2020 Corvette C8 1LT and 2LT models. Designed for supporting drivers and passengers in standard drives, these high-density foam seats are eight-way power adjustable, allowing for incredible comfort with no frills.
The GT1 seats exclusively come in Mulan leather, which is stiffer and more textured than Napa leather. Unlike the Competition and GT2 seats, the GT1 seats only come with perforated, non-sueded inserts and are available in three colors:
- Jet Black
- Sky Cool Gray
- Adrenaline Red
Some owners have found that the GT1 is similar to the C7’s GT seat in design and feel.
GT2 Bucket Seats
The GT2 bucket seats are an upgrade from the GT1 seats. Like the GT1 seats, the C8 GT2 seats were designed to provide high comfort over long drives. Unlike the GT1, however, the GT2 seats come with a few more features.
In addition to the eight-way power adjustment controls, the Corvette GT2 seats offer power lumbar support, bolster adjustments and heating and ventilation features. They also come with carbon-fiber trim, and the seatback uses a halo design.
You can only equip these seats in the 2LT or 3LT models, and they’re unique in that they’re the only C8 seats available in two-tone color options. Seven colors are available:
- Jet Black
- Sky Cool Gray
- Natural
- Adrenaline Red
- Natural Dipped
- Tension with Twilight Blue Dipped
- Morello Red Dipped
These seats only come in Napa leather, which is smoother and more supple to the touch than Mulan leather.
Ultimately, in the Corvette GT1 versus GT2 seat debate, the choice comes down to personal preference. Some may find that the firmer bolsters on the GT2 seats are more comfortable over long drives than the GT1 due to the higher-density foam, but others may prefer the softer GT1.
If you have a 2LT or 3LT and want more interior bells and whistles, the GT2 is for you. If you like the feel of Mulan leather and prefer a simpler seat, go with the GT1.
Competition Bucket Seats
Available as an option in the 1LT, 2LT and 3LT models, the C8’s Competition bucket seats were designed specifically to support high-performance driving. They’re significantly stiffer than both the GT1 and the GT2 seats, especially in the high-wear areas — keeping you in place as you zip around the track.
Like the GT2 seats, the Competition seats feature power lumbar and bolster adjustments in addition to the standard eight-way power adjustment. They also come with built-in seat warmers and cooling ventilation.
The Competition seats are available in all seven interior colors and come with carbon-fiber trim — however, two-tone options are not available for this design. The seats are wrapped in Napa leather, but high-wear areas are covered in performance textile, which resembles a thick mesh. The bucket shell under the seat is a high-gloss black finish, providing a sleek, elegant appearance.
Corvette C8 Seats vs. C7 Seats
The C7 offered two performance seating options — the GT and the Competition bucket seats. Both options came in Mulan and Napa leather and, in the 2LT and the 3LT models, offered side and lumbar adjustments. Both seating options also came with heating and ventilation in higher models.
While many similarities exist, there are a few key differences between the C7 and C8 seating options that make the C8 a significant improvement.
C8 GT1 and GT2 vs. C7 GT Seats
The GT seat was the standard option in the Corvette C7 Stingray. As a performance seat, it’s fairly stiff — however, the Competition option is still stiffer.
Like the C7 GT seats, the C8 GT1 and GT2 options are softer and more comfortable over long distances. However, the three differ in appearance. The GT2 seats feature a halo-style seatback, while the GT1 features a butterfly style. Unlike either of its successors, the C7 GT uses a simple keyhole design that is broader in support and the headrest.
C8 Competition vs. C7 Competition Seats
Engineered for high performance, the C7 Competition seats provide extra support for track driving as does the C8 version. Competition seats contain higher-density foam than the GT, allowing for higher support during racing and short drives.
The C7 Competition seat more closely resembles the C8 GT1 in its carbon fiber butterfly head and backrest design than it does the C8 Competition seat. However, like the C8 Competition option, they provide more lateral support in the back and neck than the GT1.
Upgrade Your Corvette Seats With Top Flight Automotive
At Top Flight Automotive, we’re proud to offer high-quality Corvette parts and components to auto enthusiasts like you. From top brands like CA and Corbeau Seats, we carry the largest catalog of Corvette parts and accessories available anywhere, so you can find everything you need in one convenient place.
If you’re thinking of swapping your old Corvette seats out for something a little more luxurious, we can help you out. If you’ve got questions about any of our products, feel free to shoot us an email and let our Corvette experts help you choose the best seats for your build. Or, browse our selection of Corvette seats and seat components online to see what’s available.
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