Sportscar delivers Ferrari looks and performance without the price tag
Carlos Nunes is a patient man. Once he decided he wanted the 2021 Corvette Stingray C8 convertible, he knew he’d have to wait, as production of the new mid-engine sports car had been slowed by the COVID-19 pandemic. He waited 22 months. Yet, minutes after picking up his new hardtop convertible in early August from Wilson-Niblett Motors Ltd. in Richmond Hill, he knew that time had been worth it.
“Now that I’ve been driving it for a week, I like it even more than I anticipated,” said Nunes. “It has that wow effect. People take out their phones and cross the street to take pictures of it. I had one guy ask me what kind of Ferrari it was. It does look similar to a Ferrari — meanwhile it’s a third of the price, and, performance-wise, it could beat a Ferrari. You have the look of a supercar, but with American muscle. It’s the best bang for your buck.”
What else? “It sounds amazing,” said Nunes. “That’s one thing you really can’t know until you get it, but with the 6.2L V8 LT2 engine, it’s a beautiful sounding car.”
Nunes also appreciates the hardtop. “I really wanted a convertible,” he said. “The other day when it looked like rain, I pressed the button and, in a few seconds the retractable top was closed. And you can activate it at speeds up to 50 km an hour.”
Look and performance are important to Nunes, but so is being able to use the C8 as his everyday car.
“You can fit two golf bags in the trunk, and it has a small ‘frunk’ where you could fit a couple of handbags or some groceries,” he said. “For everyday use, the computer switches the V8 engine to four cylinders, which makes it economical, especially at the gas pump.”
A CLOSER LOOK: 2021 Corvette Stingray C8
UP OR DOWN
Carlos Nunes opted for the retractable hardtop, which adds just 35 kilograms (77 pounds) to the weight of the vehicle, and flows seamlessly into the body, while maintaining the Stingray’s impressive storage capabilities. Whether you’re on the road with the top down or on the track with the top up, performance stays high with the most track-capable Corvette convertible in history.
ENGINE CONFIGURATION
The mid-engine configuration provides incredible visibility, responsiveness and driving feel. The engine placement provides rear weight bias, meaning improved traction and rear wheel grip. And with the windshield now set forward over the front wheels, there’s improved downforce, without the need for a front air dam.
A RIDE COACH
The Digital Driving Coach is back and better than ever with 1080p recording that provides a high-quality reproduction of your drive. Capture acceleration speed, braking, gear choice and more with this available feature designed to help make you one with the car. And when you’re away from the track, PDR can act as a dash cam with auto-record for your daily drives. Additionally, PDR is equipped with Valet Mode, which can be used to monitor the use of your Corvette when others are behind the wheel.
This article was edited for space and clarity. Want to be featured in Why I Love My Vehicle? email us at [email protected].
SPECS:
- BODY STYLE: Sports car
- DRIVE METHOD: Mid-engine, RWD, eight-speed automatic transmission
- ENGINE: 6.2-litre, normally aspirated small-block V8, 495 hp, 470 lb-ft torque
- FUEL ECONOMY (CITY/HIGHWAY): 15.4/8.7 litres per 100 km
- CARGO VOLUME: 356 cubic litres
- PRICE: Convertible starts at $76,898
- WEBSITE: Chevrolet.ca
Keyword: Why I love my vehicle: 2021 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray