The Z51 performance package includes an electronic limited-slip differential, more aggressive brakes, plus a front splitter and a rear spoiler, which Chevrolet claims produce about 181 kg of downforce, enhancing high-speed cornering traction.
One of the truly clever aspects of the Stingray’s suspension is its knack for delivering both remarkable grip and a ride that won’t rattle your fillings. It employs a modified short/long arm setup with coil springs at each corner. The system has been fettled so the spring rates and damping are just so, allowing a plush journey without sacrificing the ability to cling to the tarmac in the bends. This was in full evidence as I negotiated the winding South Buona Vista Road.
Magnetic Selective Ride Control, which sounds either like a toy or something out of a science lab, works hand-in-hand with the Driver Mode Selector. It changes the stiffness on the fly by manipulating magnetised particles in the shock fluid. Absolutely ingenious, really. The car is shod with Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 tyres that are capable of generating up to .94 g of lateral acceleration on a skid pad. It’s reassuring to know the car will stick to the road, even if you’re only nipping out for some milk.
The transmission is an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic, operated via a push-button selector and two large paddles behind the wheel. There’s no manual option, but the ‘box is excellent – quick, smooth and responsive, whether you’re pottering about town or wringing the car’s neck on the expressway.
Behind the wheel, I found myself meandering serenely along the main thoroughfares, occasionally attracting approving nods from pedestrians before merging onto the faster bits, where other motorists cast rather envious glances. What’s most telling, however, is the car’s willingness to adapt to your every whim; it performs obediently, whether you’re in the mood for a leisurely cruise or something a touch more spirited. The steering is light, precise and responsive, making it easy to thread through traffic with minimal fuss. Add a turning circle that rivals the best in its class – supercars included – and, honestly, the Corvette Stingray C8 delivers a sort of uncomplicated delight that’s refreshingly rare these days.
If you’re concerned about running costs, the Corvette offers reasonable numbers for a car of this ilk. In combined city and highway driving, it consumes about 8 litres per 100 km. Few supercars can claim such thrift.