America’s mid-engine supercar is getting a mid-cycle refresh.

Since Chevrolet dropped the mic six years ago with the stunning, first-ever mid-engine Corvette Stingray, the eighth-generation rocket has maintained sales momentum with a series of performance models: the high-revving, 670-horsepower 2022 Corvette Z06; all-wheel-drive, gas-electric hybrid 2023 E-Ray; and 1,064-hp, 233-mph, twin-turbo-V8-powered 2025 ZR1.

For the 2026 model year, the focus moves from engine bay to cockpit.

Already one of the most luxurious supercars on the planet at a fraction of the price of its European peers, Corvette generation 8 1/2 introduces a refined interior that pushes the envelope of sports car comfort and technology. The driver-centric cockpit wraps the pilot in three screens with upgraded graphics and enhanced tech — drawing from a deep well of General Motors Co. engineering that smaller exotic brands can only dream about.

The ‘Vette’s signature center console gets reordered with climate control buttons moved from the signature center spine to sub-screen buttons like other Chevrolets. The spine is now a dedicated “Oh-Crap!” handle for passengers.

The console itself is more ordered with drive mode selector in line with the trigger shifter, while the cockpit’s wardrobe is expanded with a wealth of color options — including an asymmetrical seat option. The reimagined interior is applied to all Corvette models.

“The design team considered every element — from materials, to stitching, to layout of the interior — for the 2026 Corvette,” said Global Chevrolet Executive Design Director Phil Zak. “Paired with the new screens and technology, the refreshed interior enables a refined experience for the driver and the passenger.”

The three-screen layout includes a larger 12.7-inch diagonal center console display — a significant expansion over the last model’s 8-inch display that is now run by the same Google Built-in operating system as other GM products. When drivers aren’t gritting their teeth around high g-force corners, they can bark voice commands at the supercar to, say, navigate to a destination or change the cabin temp.

The digital instrument display also grows — from 12 to 14 inches behind the innovative, square-shaped steering wheel that allows for better viewing of the screen’s information. The instrument display’s hood can now be optioned in carbon fiber. To the driver’s left is an all-new, 6.6-inch diagonal touchscreen that houses goodies like traction management, trip mileage, and head-up display controls.

Ergonomically, Chevy has resisted the industry move away from control buttons, and the display volume knob is not only bigger than before but also lit for better visibility.

The console itself has been cleaned up to offer more room. The Drive Mode selector, for example, is now a simple toggle switch rather than a rotary dial. That opens space for a charging pad so you don’t drain your phone when navigating to Bowling Green, Kentucky on Google Maps — and the pad is thoughtfully equipped with a cover so that your phone doesn’t become a UFO when carving corners.

In addition to the grab-handle, passengers gain a USB-C port in the console. Further amenities include fancy, exposed cupholders with ambient lighting and Corvette crossed -flag logos in the bottom.

Fancier graphics also light up the larger instrument display as drivers toggle though Drive Mode options.

“There’s an intentional balance of physical and virtual controls,” said Dusty Smith, performance driving product manager. “The technology in the new Corvette is as strong and capable as the engine behind you.”

More new digital toys include a Performance App (previously exclusive to the E-Ray model) — the app displays live horsepower and torque flow, acceleration timer, G-force gauge, tire pressure/temp, engine oil temperature/pressure and more.

Complementing the app is an available, enhanced Performance Data Recorder that, like a race car’s AIM system, records in-car performance data and video so drivers can analyze track laps for better performance.

In addition to its voice command capability, Google Built-in brings apps Google Chrome, GameSnacks, HBO Max, Prime Video and more so you can stream videos or play games when parked between track sessions.

All this tech is wrapped in the C8’s first-class seats that add four new color schemes: Sky Cool and Medium Ash Gray with Habanero accents; Santorini Blue; Very Dark Atmosphere, which pairs chocolate brown with Jet Black and Natural Tan accents; and Ultimate Suede, a Jet Black interior customizable with Adrenaline Red, Santorini Blue and Competition Yellow colors and matching seatbelts.

The latter is the headliner as Corvette’s first so-called asymmetrical interior. For example, customers can spec a mixed seating option with Asymmetrical Adrenaline Red on the driver’s side and Jet Black for the passenger side.

The C8’s exterior gets some love too.

The top-drawer ZR1’s ZTK performance package options a new ceramic-disc brake package with 10-piston front and 6-piston rear calipers to bring it back to earth from 200-mph-plus speeds. Blue brake calipers, currently available only on ZR1, will be available on E-Ray and Z06 performance models too. The C8 coupe gets an electrochromic roof so customers can select a tint level. Two new skin colors are available across the lineup: Roswell Green Metallic and Blade Silver Metallic.

Pricing for 2026 models will be released closer to production, with the 2025 Stingray model’s $70,195 now over 10 grand higher than the 2020 model’s $59,995 debut.

“Corvette is the ultimate American sports car, which is why it has remained the luxury sport segment leader for more than 20 years — with the next competitor a distant second in terms of market share,” said Scott Bell, vice president of Global Chevrolet. “With these updates, the mid-engine Corvette will continue to cement its leadership for years to come.”

The update should carry the eighth-gen model through the end of the decade with expectations that a fourth performance model called Zora is forthcoming. The hypercar is expected to combine the E-Ray’s electrified, AWD system and the ZR1’s twin-turbo V-8 for a 1,500-horsepower Ferrari-killing monster.

The C8’s run comes amid speculation that the ninth-gen Corvette will get an electric model with GM’s new London design studio recently showcasing an electric concept.

Henry Payne is auto critic for The Detroit News. Find him at hpayne@detroitnews.com or @HenryEPayne.