What is it: The Chevrolet Corvette Stingray is a two-seater coupe that punches above its weight in performance and, truthfully, passenger and cargo space too. The Stingray is the base powertrain offered in the Corvette, with no supercharger involved — you have to live with just 460 hp at 6,000 rpm and 465 lb-ft of torque at 4600 rpm.
Key Competitors: BMW M4, Mercedes-AMG C63s Coupe, Porsche 911
Base Price: $61,590 As-Tested Price: $73,325
Highlights: The Stingray that visited Autoweek arrived with the Z51 package, which includes a stiffer suspension, slotted brake rotors, an electronically-locking limited-slip differential and a diff cooler, higher performance summer tires and a multi-mode exhaust. The exhaust system bumps up power and torque by 5 each. It also included the Performance Data Recorder — a data acquisition system that shows lap times as well as engine rpm, gear, speeds, wheel speeds, yaw rate, and all kinds of the best nerdy stuff you can think of.
Our Opinion: The Stingray is remarkably comfortable. It's not a problem to drive everyday, even if that drive is your humdrum commute. Despite the Z51 suspension on this car, it’s also equipped with magnetic ride control, which softens up the bumps and keeps the Corvette planted on the most unsettling of roads.
That being the case, the Corvette makes a compelling case in almost every driving circumstance. 460 hp pushing around only 3300 pounds makes the Stingray masterclass quick in any scenario other than the Nurburgring. As that engine rips and snorts its way to redline, the driver is rewarded with epic pace and epic sounds. On top of that, when it’s time to settle down and cruise, it chugs along at 1500 rpm and returns 25 miles for every gallon swallowed.
It looks cool. It sounds cool. It’s comfortable. There’s plenty of cargo space. And inside there’s dual-zone climate control and eight-way power-adjustable bucket seats that keep you snug for spirited driving. Oh, and cup holders too.
What am I saying? That the Corvette is quite good in most every situation. Yes, of course backroads and racetracks, but I was genuinely surprised by the entertainment the Corvette provided while driving into the work the next day. It’s true, this sports car doesn’t have three rows to seat eight and cannot tow 10,000 lbs. And, no, refinement of the car is not as high as in an equivalent Mercedes or Porsche. But we far too often downplay the importance of fun in our lives and the Corvette delivers fun by the bushel.
–Robin Warner, managing editor
Options: 2LT package including, memory package, power seat adjusters, luggage shade and parcel net, power heated auto dimming outside mirrors, auto dimming rearview mirror, heated and ventilated seats, seat badges, universal home remote, premium audio w/surround, advanced theft deterrent system, color head-up display, XM radio, front curb view cameras ($4,455), carbon flash painted ground effects package ($2,995), magnetic ride control with ptm ($1,795), performance data and video recorder with navigation ($1,795), jet black suede microfiber seat inserts and steering wheel ($695).
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