Announced in spring 2019 and officially introduced that summer, the C8 Chevrolet Corvette entered production during the following winter and has since reached its third model year – but the love for the new iteration hasn't subsided yet.
Most of all, the continued hype around the C8 version of 'America's sports car' is owed to the interesting decision to switch from the traditional front-engine RWD layout to a mid-engine design with RWD or even eAWD. And, of course, the love is also supported by how good the Stingray and Z06 models really are.
Hopefully, the first-ever E-Ray will also keep the banner just as high, but until we can draw some definite conclusions, it's clear that many folks will continue to buy the other two to be on the safe side. Of course, the bulk of sales is represented by the Stingray, which is much 'cheaper' than the other two, at least when you compare $66k to $103 and $108k MSRPs.
Anyway, the good thing about the abundance of Stingrays is that there is never a shortage of owners willing to do precisely what Chevrolet wanted in the place to see the customers do with the Corvette – play on the track, anytime - anywhere. For example, the videographer behind the SSDracer channel on YouTube has prepared quicker action of the 1/8th mile variety at Barona Dragstrip in Lakeside, California, now that his garage was extended with a crimson 2023 Corvette Stingray.
In addition to this all-new Chevy, he also has previously tracked a 2018 Chevy Camaro 1SS with the 6.2-liter V8 and eight-speed auto, a 2020 Honda Accord Sport with the 2.0-liter turbo mill and ten-speed auto, plus a 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP sporting the supercharged 3.8-liter V6 and a four-speed transmission. As such, he knew that a 2001 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am with the WS6 special performance package wouldn't be easy prey.
Besides, he also found out that his opponent's car was modded with some nasty stuff and ran on drag radials – all running against a stock Corvette Stingray with the feisty Z51 package. And, sure enough, this short 1/8th mile race was one for the GM ages, as the victor ran an 8.02-second pass against the loser's 8.04s ET at nearly identical trap speeds! How about that for a close call?
Now, do you care to find out who won? It's not going to be a long story because the videographer likes to keep his features tight and on point with the action – a quick view of the two cars going head-to-head, the customary burnout spectacle, and then a couple of POVs of the race itself – one from the cabin and another from outside. That's pretty concise, right?
Aurel has aimed high all his life (literally, at 16 he was flying gliders all by himself) so in 2006 he switched careers and got hired as a writer at his favorite magazine. Since then, his work has been published both by print and online outlets, most recently right here, on autoevolution. Full profile
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