An ‘aero’ through the heart of ordinary
The 2023 Corvette Stingray boasts an impressive pedigree of 70 years. Seventy years during which Chevrolet has constantly refined and modernized this purpose-built sports car, engineering it to take on all challenges that come its way.
The breathtaking eighth-generation Corvette is a boldly sculpted mid-engine sports car with potent aerodynamics, slicing the air with sheer precision.
It is the most powerful Stingray in history, motivated by a massive 6.2L LT2 V8. The naturally-aspirated engine makes 490 HP and 465 lb-ft of torque – those numbers go up with the optional performance exhaust. Paired with an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that is as smooth as it is quick, it can be manually shifted using the steering-wheel mounted paddles. The powertrain is enough to push the Stingray to stratospheric performance limits, accompanying the pure driving joy with its addictive sonorous V8 bellow.
Using the launch control, 0-100 km/h is reached in 2.9 seconds with the quarter-mile flashing by in only 11.2 seconds.
But this Stingray isn’t just about straight-line performance. The engine sits behind the driver. Combine the resulting perfect weight distribution with the astounding Magnetic Ride Control suspension, a limited-slip differential and staggered front and rear wheel and tire sizes, and you have a car that will happily and comfortably cruise on the highway all day, and also head off to the track where it can be raced.
The driving dynamics are superb, allowing for precise control of every facet of the car’s performance. The steering is heavy but sharp, and the traction is unflappable, the rear tires only breaking loose when the driver wants them to, and you can count on heroic handling any time you need it. And hauling everything back down is done with incredible ease thanks to the gargantuan Brembo brakes.
Opening the heavy doors reveals an interior that seems prepared for flight. It feels as though it was inspired by fighter jets. The materials are outstanding – the dash and doors are completely wrapped in stitched leather.
Taking the racing-inspired steering wheel in hand, the driver finds everything they need is displayed ahead of them in the customizable 12-inch digital dash. All other functions are taken care of by the 8-inch touchscreen, angled toward the driver for easy viewing and control. All the climate controls, as well as seat heating and ventilation, are perched atop a raised spine on the right edge of the centre console. The rest of the console is clean and focused, dedicated to the push/pull gear selector and rotary drive mode knob.
The 14-speaker Bose Performance Series audio system is staggering in its power and clarity and made for great listening even with the top down.
When it comes to safety, there are plenty of driver assistance technology systems to keep everyone safe. Even the Corvette’s bodywork gets protected – an optional Front Lift system pops the front of the car up two inches in less than three seconds, allowing the driver to spare the front end from undignified scratches and bumps on steep entrances.
The Stingray convertible features a retractable roof that looks as great up as it does down. Press a button inside or on the key fob and it will pop up, split into sections, and tuck itself away on top of the engine compartment – all within 15 seconds and at up to 30 km/h, leaving you with a trunk that will still fit two golf bags while the roof is stowed.
First introduced in 1953, the Corvette is one of America’s, if not the world’s, most iconic sports cars. In its current form, it might present the world’s best value, combining exotic super-car performance and five-star accommodations at attainable pricing. The 2023 Corvette Stingray is a truly
world-class machine that delivers exactly the thrills its wild looks promise.
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