C8 Corvette Reviewed — Does it Live Up to the Hype?
One of our editors, Corvette Forum‘s Derin Richardson, reviews the most anticipated new Corvette ever, and he’s not disappointed.
Invariably, having an affinity for LS engines results in an affinity for the cars they originally came in. We’re big fans of the Bowtie here on LS1 Tech — and we know you are, too.
Of course, the big news from Chevrolet is the all-new, mid-engine C8 Corvette. Over on Corvette Forum, one of our sister sites, we’ve just published a comprehensive review from none other than our very own Derin Richardson.
Richardson was lucky enough to drive the new Corvette in Las Vegas at Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch. Chevrolet has hosted the events at the race track and resort for years — it’s an ideal location for press launches.
You should definitely read Richardson’s full review over at Corvette Forum, but we’ll share some of our favorite details here. His favorite car in the press fleet was set up the way thousands of C8 owners will likely order theirs — Torch Red, with the Z51 package.
The Z51 package includes all of the high-performance goodies we care about. Starting out as a handling upgrade with the 1984 Corvette, the Z51 package has gradually grown in scope. On the C8, it constitutes a fairly comprehensive factory performance upgrade.
Z51 cars receive beefy Brembo brakes, a performance-tuned suspension, and Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires. Also included is a performance exhaust system, an electronic LSD (limited-slip differential) with a steeper gear ratio than standard, and upgrades to the cooling system. From the outside, you can identify Z51 cars by their unique front and rear spoilers.
Get On Track
Simply put, it’s the exact C8 you’d want to take out on the track, and that’s just what our man Richardson did. Despite the 495 horsepower and 470 lb/ft of torque from the new 6.2 liter LT2 V8, he reports no problems hooking up from a dig. We’re in agreement that the sophisticated LSD had a hand in that.
The C8 isn’t meant to be just a drag machine, though. In the corners, Richardson reported an incredible 1.3 lateral Gs before he chickened out. The car apparently had more in it. Watching the GoPro footage, we can’t blame him — we would have backed off, too. We’re simply not used to this level of performance from a Corvette.
Steering feel and feedback is similarly supernatural. Richardson says, “The steering is markedly better than any other Corvette I’ve driven under high load, and the feedback I get from the wheel is excellent.” He goes on to compare it to a few supercars he’s driven — and the C8 compares favorably.
Out in the Real World
Of course, the Corvette isn’t just about performing on the race track. Corvettes have always been great streetcars, and by Derin’s assessment, that hasn’t changed. The day prior, he drove a Long Beach Red car through the Nevada desert and snapped some truly breathtaking shots.
The C8 is most definitely a looker, especially in this deep metallic maroon. This particular car was a 3LT trim, packed to its Stingray gills with luxury and tech features. As Richardson tells it, there was probably no better car for cruising the Las Vegas strip that day.
It’s not too often that automotive journalists like us get to feel like celebrities. That’s just one more bonus of owning a Corvette– looking like a million bucks while spending thousands less than the other guys.
Now, with the engine in the middle like a proper sports car — a proper supercar — the Corvette truly looks, feels, and, most importantly, performs like a world-class machine. Watch out, Europe. Hear that? It’s the sound of good old-fashioned American horsepower.
Again, for Richardson’s full review, you should definitely read his piece on Corvette Forum. There’s a ton of great photos and video — more than we can post here — as well as his unfiltered, uncut opinion on what is likely the most important American sports car of the 21st century thus far.
Photos by Derin Richardson
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