2027 corvette stingraythe cheapest way to go 200 mph on four wheelsFor decades, the playbook for smashing through the double-century mark on a speedometer required a six-figure wire transfer to a boutique European automaker or a specialized tuning house like Lingenfelter.Chevrolet officially broke that barrier for the common working man this week, announcing that the updated 2027 Corvette Stingray has now been validated for a top speed of exactly 200 mph. With a base price starting at $73,495, it sits alone as the cheapest point of entry into the 200-mph club.2027 corvette stingraythe cheapest way to go 200 mph on four wheelsThe trick to hitting the number relies on old hot-rodding logic: get a bigger engine to go faster.AdvertisementAdvertisementFor 2027, the Corvette team retired the old 6.2-liter LT2 and dropped in a naturally aspirated 6.7-liter V8 wearing the resurrected LS6 name.As we saw with the 2027 Corvette Grand Sport, the updated small-block utilizes a high 13.0:1 compression ratio and a tunnel-ram intake to jam out 535 horsepower and 520 pound-feet of torque, enough to push the base car past its previous 194-mph wall. But there's paradox at play-you have to buy the absolute cheapest version of the car to actually achieve two tons. If you check the box for the popular Z51 handling package, you are effectively opting out of the 200-mph club.While the Z51 kit adds necessary track hardware like bigger Brembo brakes, extra cooling, and a shorter final-drive ratio that helps the car hit 60 mph in 2.8 seconds, the aero drag from its front splitter and rear spoiler creates enough suction the engine can't make it over the hump.The slick-back base model makes the car faster in a straight line, offering a pure speed bargain for Uncle Joe who really only cares about bench racing from his lawn chair.Become an AutoGuide insider. Get the latest from the automotive world first by subscribing to our newsletter here.
