The Corvette Stingray has been around since 1953 which makes it iconic.
Sales peaked in the late seventies, but in recent years, it never really appealed to anyone other than ageing blokes going through a mid-life crisis and in need of some now-or-never excitement in a car from their teens.
According to recent research the average age of a buyer was 59.
Now it’s out with the old and in with the new as Chevrolet target affluent young drivers with the seventh generation of the Corvette Stingray which is, in a word, magnificent.
Apart from its name and heritage this Stingray has very little in common with its predecessor in terms of chassis, aerodynamics, engine and handling.
They have changed most things to produce a far superior car which is lighter, faster and far more fuel efficient.
It’s a real head turner with its sleek lines and aggressive stance.
From the back, it is spectacular with its four exhaust pipes creating an aura of sophisticated power.
The side view is elegant with the distinctive Stingray badges and the front, featuring a carbon fibre bonnet, creates an intimidating look.
It is a modern work of art which retains its link with the Corvette ancestry.
The interior is a massive leap upmarket from the last Corvette which was overloaded with cheap hard plastics.
They have thankfully been ditched and replaced with nice leather seats, soft touch materials, optional carbon fibre trim and aluminium.
The steering wheel is smaller than the last generation and the instrument cluster and infotainment system is stateof-the-art.
The design of the cabin is built entirely to satisfy the driver with not much access to anything, apart from a grab-bar if the ride gets a bit too exciting, for the passenger.
It is comfortable and leaves you in no doubt that you are sitting in a modern performance car.
This Stingray is bristling with impressive technology.
There are five drive modes operated through a selector on the centre console – Weather, for driving with confidence in rain, Eco, Tour, Sport which livens things up a bit and Track which is self explanatory.
Once selected, the car’s computer does everything else with the car’s setup.
On long journeys I used Tour but Sport was my preferred mode with Track a bit too extreme for normal driving, but nevertheless enormous fun, particularly as with this setting the instrument cluster is dominated by a racing style rev counter and lap timer.
There is also an excellent HUD system.
The standard Stingray is the most powerful ever built with the 6.2 litre V8 packing 455bhp and 624nm and a glorious sound at high revs.
An optional performance exhaust system pumps up the power to 460bhp and 630nm.
The best thing about the Corvette Stingray, apart from its striking appearance and the fact that it is tremendous fun to drive and handles superbly, is the price.
For a car with performance to match the likes of a Porsche 911, the price is extraordinary.
Starting at just Dh250,000, value for money has never looked so good.
It is no surprise that the C7 Stingray has already won a succession of motor industry awards.
Chevrolet have produced a brilliant sports car that will appeal to young and old alike.
It is the best Stingray ever but the even better news is that there is an even faster version on the way – the Z06 which will blast the Corvette into supercar territory.
Fasten your seat belts!
Why Buy It
- Looks sensational
- Good interior
- Best Stingray ever built
- Exciting to drive
- Astonishing value for money
Why Not
- The only reason I would not buy this car is that a faster one will be available in the not too distant future.
Corvette Stingray C7 – Specifications
Manufacturer : Chevrolet
Production : 1953 to present
Class : Premium sports car
Body style : Two seater
Layout : RWD
Engine : 6.2 litre V8
Transmission : Six-speed automatic
with paddle-shifts or 7-speed manual.
Output : 455bhp
Torque : 624nm
0-100km : 4.2 seconds (approx)
Kerb weight : 1499kg
Top speed : 300kmh
Price : From Dh250,000
Rating out of 10: 9
Here is the official advert for the Corvette Stingray C7