The 2021 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray — America’s Sports Car
You Are What You Drive — A Bottom Line Review
The Bottom Line: Whatisa Corvette? The Corvette, also known as a Vette, is a two door, two passenger, sports car manufactured and marketed by Chevrolet, across more than 68 years of production, and eight design generations. Despite the generous offering of American muscle cars available to buyers today, there’s only one car considered to be America’s Sports Car. That car is the Chevrolet Corvette.
There have been plenty of variants, and special edition trims, for the Corvette throughout the years. However, no other Corvette model has acquired more of a following than the Corvette Stingray, named after the close relative of the shark. And people often ask, what are the 8 different generations of Corvettes?
The first generation C1 Corvette started in 1953 and continued thru the 1962 models, then C2 from 1963 to 1967, C3 from 1968 to 1982, C4
from 1984 to 1996, C5 1997 to 2004, C6 from 2005 to 2013, C7 from 2014 to 2019, and the C8 generation that started with the 2020 model and continues with the current 2021 Corvette Stingray. Note that GM did not sell a 1983 Corvette to the public, but built several 1983 models to use for R&D research and development, for the radically new, for it’s time, 1984 model.
All Corvettes are a front engine car from 1953 to 2019, and since 2020 they are now a mid engine car, more on the lines of a Supercar. And what makes a car a Supercar? The obvious answer is speed, both in terms of top speed and acceleration. In a hierarchy that begins with Sports Cars, and ends with Hypercars, Supercars are in the high performance middle, featuring vehicles that are more than capable of tearing up the track, and leaving common sports cars in the dust.
The mid engine configuration provides incredible visibility, responsiveness and driving feel. The engine placement provides rear weight bias, meaning more power is directed to the rear wheels where it matters most. And with the windshield positioned over the front wheels, the down force is improved over the seventh generation Corvette, without the need for a front air dam. Think Ferrari, McLaren and Lamborghini. The new 2021 Corvette can now compete with these supercars on the worldwide market.
This week Chevrolet sent me a 2021 Corvette Stingray 3LT Coupe to test drive and review. The starting price for this model is $70,850. The $8,075 in options are: the adjustable front end height lift system, with memory for $1,995, Magnetic Selective Ride Control for $1,895, 19” front and 20” rear Trident Spoke machined face Sterling Silver painted aluminum alloy wheels for $1,495, the performance exhaust system for $1,195, the engine appearance package for $995 and the Rapid Blue paint for $500.
The total MSRP manufacturer’s suggested retail price, including the
$1,095 destination charge, came to: $80,020. Then add in the state and local sales tax, the dealer prep fees, and the DMV registration and license plate fees. Now to drive the Corvette off the dealers lot the total purchase price is: $90,023. That’s $90 Large if you can buy the car at the original window sticker price, without an ADM, Additional Dealer Markup.
Rumors are that the dealers are asking for $10,000 to $25,000 in ADM additional dealer markup, that is over and above the MSRP window sticker price. Ask before you try to buy one, what the total purchase price really is, with all of the dealer’s fees included.
So, what do you get for your near $100K car? First, it’s super fast. How fast is the 2021 Corvette Stingray? Chevrolet says the top track speed is 194 MPH, and the car goes 0-60 in 2.9 seconds. Second it’s a mid engine Supercar with the sweeping and stunning looks to match it’s top speed and handling. Add into the mix the 6.2L liter DI direct injected HP high performance V/8 engine, that is now behind the passenger compartment,
instead of in front of it, and it makes 490 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. With the performance exhaust package, which this car has, it makes 495 horsepower. Near 500 HP on tap, wow.
When you’re ready to buy a new sports car, the 2021 Corvette should be at the top of everybody’s ride and drive list, as it’s the best priced mid engine sports car on the worldwide market today. Call, click or visit your local Chevy dealer for a test drive, and a Bottom Line price review, on the new 2021 Corvette. And note that the base starting price for a brand new Corvette Coupe is only $59,995.
A word to the wise is sufficient: Be Smart, Stay Safe, and Just Breathe. Remember, “You Are What You Drive ©” And maybe, just for those reasons alone, you should “Drive one, Buy one, Today ©”.
This Bottom Line new vehicle review is a Nut & Bolt and Dollars & Sense editorial provided by Tony Leopardo. “Tony the Car Guy” is an automotive writer, editor and publisher in the San Francisco Bay Area. If you have a question, or comment for Tony, send it to tonyleo@pacbell.net and visit AutoWire.Net at www.autowire.net