There’s a very good reason to get excited about this latest Chevrolet Corvette Stingray – at least on our side of the pond.
Because it’s the first time in the iconic US car’s 67 years a right hand drive version has been made.
I’m guessing Chevrolet has witnessed the result of Ford building a right-hand Mustang – more than 4,000 have been sold in the UK.
The car won’t be here until early next year but I’m now going to whet your appetite. First let’s look at the engine which, for the first time, is mounted in the middle of the car.
Last June we tested the last seventh generation Corvette, fitted with a 6.2-litre naturally-aspirated V8 engine – old school and directly related to the famous small-block Chevrolet V8 first built in the 1950s.
It features pushrods and two valves per-cylinder and is strong, reliable and very powerful for its weight and physical size.
In the new eighth generation C8 Corvette, it produces 495bhp and features a dry sump oiling system, with the oil kept in a remote tank rather than the engine’s sump.
The advantage is the engine can be set lower in the chassis, and power is saved as the crankshaft isn’t churning around in oil.
It drives through an eight-speed double clutch gearbox and an electronic limited-slip differential.
The C8’s chassis is made mainly of aluminium with a bit of steel and the body panels are fibreglass.
The car weighs 1,500kg with a 40/60 front to rear weight bias.
This, together with a very effective gearbox, gives the Corvette 0-60mph in 2.9sec and a top speed of 194mph.
Although we don’t have a price for the car yet, an educated guess is about £80,000.
But when you compare the car’s performance against other mid-engined supercars, it comes across as a bit of a bargain.
It’s about half the price of a McLaren 570GT and £50,000 cheaper than Audi’s R8. And the Stingray’s engine is so simple and reliable even if it did blow up it would cost a fraction to replace compared to the motor in a Ferrari or Lamborghini.
Another advantage the new Corvette has over the McLaren is growl. The Chevy V8 sounds fantastic at both idle and full throttle.
The engine might be old-fashioned but it has cylinder de-activation that cuts the motor down to four cylinders on part-throttle.
I managed 30mpg from the Corvette in America last year and I reckon this will be the same.
The C7 car we drove then was fitted with the optional $5,000 Z51 performance package that adds bigger brakes, stiffer suspension, an aerodynamic package and a host of other goodies including extra cooling radiators.
In the UK it’s likely the Z51 will be included as standard.
On our Nevada test, it was comfortable and relaxing on the road and thrilling and very surefooted on the race track.
The interior is well designed, but I’m not wild on the Squircle – the square steering wheel. It’s made that way so it’s easy to see out over the bonnet.
As for the car’s looks I’ll let you be the judge. Plenty of critics have slagged off the Stingray’s styling but I like it. It’s angular and looks compact.
So where do you go if you’re interested? The sole UK dealer is Ian Allan Motors in Virginia Water, Surrey.
The firm has already taken a substantial number of deposits for the mid-engined C8 before anyone’s even driven one.
Also, although the car we tested has a removable roof panel, Chevrolet will next month launch a full convertible version that will attract even more interest.
The latest Corvette will put exotic and high performance motoring into the hands of a new audience with a car that won’t break the bank to run.
I’ll be even more excited to try out a right-hand drive one here next year.
THE FACTS
Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Two-door coupe
Price: £80,000 (est)
Engine: 6.2-litre eight-cylinder, 495bhp
0-60mph: 2.9sec
Fuel consumption: 23.0mpg
Co2: tba
THE RIVALS
McLaren 570GT
One of McLaren’s nicest cars.
Although depreciation heavy and quality sporadic.
Audi R8 V10
This is the car that really shows up the Corvette’s value.
Is an Audi badge really worth another £45k?
Lamborghini Huracan
Fantastic badge and styling but expensive to buy and own.
