#10 - Stingray Power - C8 Corvette Z51 Review
-----JUMPING ON THE STINGRAY----
From a large selection of vehicles that work as comfortable daily drivers and heroes in the canyons, the C8 Corvette is another to put on the list. My rental connection had a nice offer for their 2022 Chevy C8 Z51, making for a memorable three-day transition into the New Year 2025. Our most powerful review yet with this 495hp, 465lb-ft of torque Stingray. Rear mid-engine, 6.2 liter, naturally-aspirated V8 equipped with the Z51 Performance Package. Electronic limited-slip differentials (eLSD) make it truly heroic. Further add-ons include upgraded rear axle, a third radiator, performance sport exhaust, rear spoiler, upgraded brakes, additional oil cooler support, and Michelin Pilot Sport 4S ZP tires. Further suspension support comes from faster front and rear control arm spring-rates and firmer passive dampers. This cocktail and the ride height make for a perfect SoCal sportscar from factory. For 5-6k USD they can have that Performance Package money without overthinking it. You can add modifications yourself, but for many consumers of these newer cars, there's extended value with the mods done from factory. The Z51 package makes the C8 track-ready, so whether its for you, the next owner, or both, someone will appreciate it.
It gives a robust, American muscle car feel from inside and out. Despite its striking sportscar looks the handling is easy and friendly. You'll feel the width of the rear-end at times, but still fun and capable through technical roads like Mulholland Drive. The learning curve for the rear mid-engine setup was short enough, having only some experience in rear mid-engine cars, including a Porsche 992 CS at PECATL. Eventually getting comfortable enough to whip the tail in-turns while still using caution. There was understeer in the canyons at times and part of that was normal while getting to know the car. Getting the turns just right and feeling the eLSD working is a driver’s reward with these setups. Did not experience over-steer issues and wagged the tail about five times in the three days. I can see a scenario where you've been stuck in traffic too long, someone is frustrating you on the road, etcetera where you hit the pedal too hard and lose control. It’s a well-sorted, versatile ride for the mature driver.
The exhaust sounded so good. Angry out of the gate, before the cars warmed up, with small taps on the throttle. After coming to temp the adjustment from Touring to Sport, and then Track mode, really brings the varying sound ranges to life. The exhaust often produces a unique, hollow-thumping kind of note. An intoxicating mix of snaps, cracks, and thunderous noise. As a daily you can get enough from Touring to keep it set and conserve some fuel, but the temptation to release more ponies will be there. It's an easy but rewarding tasking waiting for a car like this to warm up and get ready for Track mode. The paddle shifts are fun to try, but automatic was the go-to setting, letting the computer-controlled DCT (dual-clutch transmission) work its magic. I didn't know about the de-clutch feature, where double paddles allows disengaging the clutch, so will need to try it next time. Thinking about how good an aftermarket exhaust like Fabspeed’s would be and seeing them listed for 10k USD, good luck getting one.
The Rapid Blue paint and silver stripes are supreme. Porsche is renowned for their PTS program and lovely colors while Chevy could use more recognition. Like their Silver Sage Metallic with green-grey shades in the sunlight that appear solid metallic grey under indoor lighting. On the C8's, this Rapid Blue ranges seamlessly from light blue to a solid, darker shade. The silver stripe does the same with range to a solid black. Cool to notice while reviewing some photos during the rental. A delight for editing as you can play with the color range without messing it up. It's great to see the fun and detail put into these cars. They are currently offering 10 different colors on the 2025 C8 online.
---- GETTING TO MORE SPECIFICS -----
Reasonable space in the frunk and sizable bonus storage in the rear, conveniently crafted to fit a set of golf clubs. Its one area where the width works in your favor. Ambient temperature felt 100 degrees back there, so storage for some things, but not all.
The tire status monitor comes in clutch for knowing when to spring into Sport and Track mode. Considering I was looking to get each bit out of the car, the monitor gave 11mpg average and that was confirmed from my own math. For daily use, numbers like 15mpg are achievable and have heard 19mpg reported averages, so credit to the Chevrolet LT3 engine tech. Launch control was not necessary to test, but with a reported 2.9 second 0-60mph time, the sensation of being pulled back in your seat was easily done from a roll. The seat belt clinching tight was bothersome but after awhile I realized its probably for the better to be strapped right down to this Z51 Stingray.
For 2025, the Coupe starts at 70k and the Convertible at 77k. These are made of aluminum and carbon fiber, making for a nice base curb weight of 3,300lb, with 100 additional pounds on the convertible. Staggered wheel setup of 245/35/19 fronts and 305/30/20 in the rear. I hear the P4S summer tires make a big difference over the all-seasons. Without much or any summer tire experience, and considering everything else the car has going for it, I'd need to drive it with A/S (all-seasons) and preferably in similar weather conditions (cold) to have a real comparison there.
CONCLUSIONS - THE BAD OR INDIFFERENT
The visibility from the front and sides is good but the bottom half of the rear-view mirror is assigned to the engine bay. It's easy overtaking with a car like this, but it added anxiety to the driving while switching lanes. If there's a place you need to be aware of potential quicker specs, with names like Ferrari or McLaren, Los Angeles is one of them. These Vettes can hang with the best of them though. I don't engage in or encourage you engage in street racing, but if you did, much of it would be down to driver’s abilities at this point. I was anticipating a driving moment along side some similar rated spec but it didn't happen.
Hardly any complaints. The brakes squeaked often enough and my rental connection mentioned this, with an option to stab at the brakes around 45mph to get the dust off. I attempted the brake stabs a few times but ultimately I was OK to live with the squeaks because its racecar things. The large yet slim center divider that houses air-con options fits well. I have minimal need for features like those, but it’s good use of spacing, design, and functionality. The top stayed down the whole time as it should in SoCal, even in the January cold. No seat warming features were found which would’ve been useful in the mountains, but I had other things to focus on while driving up there and dressed accordingly.
I love the C8's. They are common, but let that work in your favor, with plenty of enthusiast to connect with and ownership experience to learn from. Chevy offers plenty of options when speccing the car out to make it uniquely your own. The targa top being standard on the coupes is another feature giving the nod to having fun with the Corvette’s. For living with one, I'd be concerned about crashing or license suspension. For enjoying life, I'd gladly own one and deal with the problems as they may arise. I'm still happy getting in my 4cyl 2.0T car, but best believe I'm replaying those vicious gear switches in my mind until the next rental period.