2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray Review

We simply can't help but mention the aforementioned figure are a child's play for the aftermarket world, which has already taken twin-turbo 2014 Corvettes into the 9s quarter mile territory.

Power is harnessed through a steel torque tube, which, together with special engine valves, has the role to make the engine run steadily in V4 mode. At the back, we find a transaxle arrangement, which can house a Tremec TR6070 seven-speed manual or an updated version of the C6 Corvette’s 6L80 six-speed automatic. Both come with paddles. While the latter does that for obvious reasons, the first uses these to allow the driver to activate or deactivate its rev-matching function. The hardware goodies also include a dual-disc clutch.

Opt for the Z51 Performance Pack and you’ll get an electronically-controlled limited slip differential, dry-sump oiling for the V8, as well as the extra cooling and aero elements we’ve mentioned above. We’re particularly fond of the eLSD, which sports a hydraulically-powered clutch for splitting the power.

We tackled the city in Tour, but we’ve switched to Sport as the road opened up ahead of us. The first indication of this is a livelier exhaust note. You can choose between two systems, both offering active layouts with butterfly valves. Basically, you need the beefier one to feel the full character of the car, but the standard system also does a decent job.

If you don’t like the dedicated dashboard light, you can use the exhaust quiet to tell when you’re only using four pistons. If you use the standard system, you’ll have to apply quite some throttle to awaken the sound, as it’s rather discrete in daily use. Nonetheless, once you do this, once of the sweetest American voices emerges from the hefty mufflers placed on the center of the car, just below the trunk floor.

At first, we drove the automatic and we have to tell you that the six speed tranny is the weak technical link of the Corvette. This box does pretty well in terms of comfort, but when it’s dynamics you’re looking after, you’ll feel it’s lacking that final high-end performance. The paddles are easy to use, but it doesn’t rushes to shift and the changes themselves are not all that fast.

Oh and there’s something else - whenever you use the paddle in a hurry, it sounds like you’re having a champagne toast... in plastic glasses. We know the ‘Vette goes easy on your budget, but this kind of details require dedication, not necessarily more money. We really, really wish the list of options would include the 8L90 eight-speed automatic introduced on the fresh Z06 version of the C7 Corvette.