Here’s How the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Z51 Handles On the Track

Matt Farah might not be allowed to talk about the handling of the C8 until October 16th, but the man behind The Smoking Tire still wants to offer enthusiasts and prospective customers a feel of what the ‘Vette can do on the track. He chose Thunderhill West as part of the Performance Car of the Year testing for Road & Track, and that car surely looks planted.

The first thing that caught our attention is the turn-in behavior of the Stingray with the Z51 Performance Package, which can be explained by the switch to a mid-engined layout, FE3 performance suspension or available FE4 suspension with Magnetic Ride Control, Michelin PS4 three-season performance tires, and an electronic limited-slip differential. The package also includes larger brake rotors, extra cooling from a third radiator, larger rear spoiler for up to 400 pounds of downforce, and the sports exhaust system.

Unlocking 495 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque as opposed to 490 and 465 as standard is achievable with either the NPP exhaust system or Z51 Performance Package. The latter is most tempting at $5,000 over the suggested retail price, translating to $64,995 including freight.

The eight-speed DCT also shifts like a dream in every scenario, and the suspension system works a lot in order to keep body roll at a minimum when cornering hard. The well-sorted chassis appears to have impressed Matt towards the end of the video, which is an indicator the review will be full of praise on October 16th when the C8 Corvette embargo is finally over.

What comes as an uncanny sight in this onboard track video is how the eighth generation looks from the driver’s perspective. A ‘Vette without a long hood takes some getting used to…