The Chevrolet Corvette (C8) is the eighth generation of the Corvette sports car manufactured by American automobile manufacturer Chevrolet. Following several experimental CERV prototype vehicles championed by the "Father of the Corvette", Zora Arkus-Duntov, it is the first mid-engine Corvette since the model's introduction in 1953 (as well as GM’s first production mid-engine sports car since the Pontiac Fiero was discontinued in 1988), a dramatic departure from the traditional front-engine design. The C8 was announced in April 2019, and the coupe made its official debut on July 18, 2019 during a media event in Southern California, featuring two NASA Astronauts to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission. The convertible made its debut in October 2019 at the Kennedy Space Center (referencing its association with NASA) alongside the racing version, the C8.R.