2020 Chevy Corvette Stingray Z51 Lays Down Wide-Eyed Appeal, Primely-Tuned Potency

There is no denying that the 2020 Chevy Corvette Stingray Z51 is simply fantastic, existing as one of the most intense surprises and performance successes of the year. This is the 8th generation of America's favorite sports car since 1953, and the first to place the engine strategically behind the driver. After being drive-tested by one of Australia's best-known auto journalists, it was highly favored as "quick, slick and amazing." The hand-wrapped leather interior in the 3LT package easily rivals anything in our most prominent competitor's lineup, and this particular test drive left the driver claiming that it is even better balanced than the Ferrari 488 GTB.

The color chosen for this test drive was Tobacco-Brown Metallic, sporting a black-and-tan interior. While blending in just slightly with some everyday numbers in parking lots, the Stingray stood out like the ferocious and enthralling car it always has been. Once inside, the driver in the former C7 is able to look over the instrument panel and past a sweeping hood, but in the C8 one looks straight down and out over peripheral roof pillars. The change in visibility has been compared with a move "from the pilot's seat to the nose-gunner position" and the design team has accomplished a very massive overhaul on the interior. 

The cabin now has various accents positioned around the screens, switches and much-thinner HVAC vents. The drive-mode selector is situated under handsome leather, and the high-res touch screen with connected digital UX is easy to reach and to quickly read. If any new owners here at Chuck Hutton Chevy of Memphis happen to still have a persistent soft spot for the old 'Vette, just take one brief look at the engine bay: there lies the latest version of the small-block V8, the LT2: the naturally aspirated 6.2-Liter, a dry-sump lubricated, pushrod-actuated power source that ultimately reduces pressure on the back.

One aspect that helps with the C8's ability to be quicker is the weight distribution: it sees 40/60 front/rear as opposed to the previous ratio of about 50/50. Seasoned auto experts at Motor Trend determined after investigation that the Z51's performance numbers align exactly with those of the current Porsche 911 Carrera S nearly to the T. The Z51 Performance Package was designed specifically to enable the new mid-engine car to nail down lap after lap around the track without a dip in braking efficiency or extreme overheating.

It also adds stickier tires, aerodynamic aids that increase downforce and can be paired with the optional FE4 Magnetic Selective Ride Control dampers, and the Performance Traction Management System for optimal racetrack performance. This package has been developed over multiple generations of 'Vettes, and many other full-fledged test drives have shown that this knowledge has paid off. There is also a splitter fitted to the lower leading edge of the front bumper in conjunction with a multi-plane spoiler that together adds 400 pounds of down force that results in higher top-speed.

There has even been a third radiator placed into the air intake of the Z51 model to greater increase cooling ability. Amazing handling, world-class interior and the success of the engine's new location are all qualities that will make any astute track fan gravitate to the raw and ever-promising allure of the Stingray!