2021 Chevy Corvette “Finishes First” Once Again by Claiming Prestigious eNVY Award

The 2021 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray is one of the blisteringly fast and furious favorites here at West Chevy of Knoxville, as it displays all-American spirit, the most amazing supercar technology in existence, and world-class thrills at a reasonable price. Once again receiving another award to put in its very own virtual trophy chest, the 2021 Corvette has enjoyed recognition as the best premium sports car in the recent inMoment eNVY Awards. These are given to 2021 model-year vehicles, with winning vehicles delivering on buyer expectations concerning 5 key car qualities.

Comfort, performance, quality, safety, and ownership cost are the qualities that the winning vehicles are judged on, determined thanks to new vehicle buyers’ sources of independent feedback collected during the inMoment New Vehicle Customer Study. Here the valuable opinions of 290,000 domestic and 50,000 Canadian responses were looked at that were collected from buyers and 325 different types of vehicles. After these criteria were evaluated, the 2021 Corvette was able to claim the win as Best Premium Sports car in the Premium Vehicle Segment. 

Other proud winners included the 2021 GMC Yukon in the Best Large SUV category, as well as the Chevy Silverado 3500HD as the Best Full-Size Heavy Duty Pickup in the Mass Market Vehicle Segment. The exhilarating and very modern power source for the 2021 Corvette is derived from the naturally-aspirated 6.2-Liter V8 LT2 gas engine, which is rated at 495 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. This fantastic and always over-achieving car is exclusively produced at the Bowling Green Assembly Plant, boasting 1 million square feet of capable and high-tech manufacturing space on 212 acres. 

They heartily celebrated their 30th anniversary of production in June of 2011, and over 50,000 eager tourists visit here annually to check out “how it’s made”. This stealth and fire-breathing machine boasts performance that rivals that of exotic cars, a comfort level that is good enough to drive on the daily, and an exhaust note that is thrilling even when it’s not opened at full throttle. By placing the engine behind the seats, Chevy has massively upped the performance level needed to truly land in the desired ranks of the high-performing and standalone supercar.

Also snagging a Car and Driver 10Best award and making their editor’s choice list, the all-out guts and glory of the Z51 Performance Package sets in to make the ‘Vette amazingly track-capable. The 2021 model had seen the addition of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, new options for digital gauge display, and a Buckle-to-Drive safety feature that prevents the standard automatic transmission from shifting out of park until the seat belt is safely buckled up. The new Corvette’s interior remains as a two-seat layout, but the cabin is moved up closer to the nose of the car to accommodate the engine, and the roof is removable to offer up the opportunity to fully enjoy an ideal day along with a side helping of G-force.

Motor Authority Details Possibility of 2021 Chevy Corvette Stingray R Special Edition

 Motor Authority Details Possibility of 2021 Chevy Corvette Stingray R Special Edition

The official report came down the line from Motor 1 last Wednesday that Chevy maybe now planning a special edition of the 2021 Corvette called Stingray R. Last weekend's IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar race that took place at Road America featured our very own Stingray pace car, and this could lead up to the preview of a special edition. The pace car brandished a large rear spoiler, red mirror caps matching the IMSA Corvette C8.R race cars, a black hood stripe, and what could be the clearest indicator: a front splitter with “Stingray R” text. 

It was also noted that leaked dealership information from March indicated to us here at West Chevy of Knoxville that there would be a special-edition 2021 Corvette in the making. The cosmetic changes on the IMSA pace car could easily carry over to the production vehicle, so many in the industry have concluded that a consumer-ready Stingray R could soon become a reality. This edition would absolutely be accepted with open arms and excitement, since Corvette Racing put on a 1-2 finish for its class at Road America, the team's third consecutive win. 

The famed C8.R will not be present at the 2020 24 Hours of Le Mans due to the current global conditions but will roar back for the French endurance classic in 2021. There are a few changes that are confirmed for the 2021 model already: the sports car will receive new color options, standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and a Buckle to Drive feature that will not allow a shift out of park if the seat belt is not engaged. You now do not have to opt for the Z51 package to add Magnetic Selective Ride Control, the modern suspension and chassis technology that adjusts and adapts the shock absorbers in real-time response to changes in terrain to provide the best driving experience. 

These shots from Motor Trend show a few Corvette C8.R racers and white street-spec C8 that is sporting a unique graphics package, under the bridge at the famous Wisconsin road course near Elkhart Lake. You will also be able to choose from three new colors: Red Mist Metallic and Silver Flare Metallic for the exterior, and Sky Cool Gray / Yellow Strike for the interior. The 2021 model will also offer the first 8-speed dual-clutch transmission, making way for much faster shifting and greater power.    

The engine on hand  will be the 6.2-liter LT2 V8 with direct injection, variable valve timing, and active fuel management. To get the absolute most out of every single mile in this groundbreaking and much raved-about mid-engined beast, there are also six modes of drive selector: Tour, Sport, Track, Weather, MyMode, and customizable Z Mode.

“Huge Hit on Our Hands”: 2022 Chevy Corvette Z06 Spy Shots Via Motor Authority

The general consensus over the past year through various blog posts and car aficionado websites is that the Bow-tie brand we love to represent so much here at West Chevy of Knoxville has had a huge hit on our hands with the mid-engine C8 Corvette. There are still models that are coming soon such as the Grand Sport, Z06 and ZR1, and even rumors of new hybrid models that will make their way down the pipeline soon as well.

The bloggers on duty at Motorauthority.com reported this past week that Chevy engineers have been spotted testing a souped-up version of the C8, and based on what past generations have offered up, you are here looking at a new Corvette Z06 that could appear as a 2022 model. At first glance it looks just a bit like previous testers for the Stingray but then you notice the wider rear wheels, which hint at it being a bit more track-tough and ready for even higher hits in the blistering acceleration department. On the Stingray the rear tires max out at about 305 millimetres, but the rear tires on the Z06 are expected to max out at 345 mm.

 

On the latest prototype, the front tires are already a hefty 275 mm and expect a few key changes on the interior as well. An official sketch from last fall had already shown what appeared to be the Z06's cabin, and the layout of the dash matched the design incorporated in the Stingray. The controls on the steering wheel were a bit different and had a giant red button with “Spec Mode” written on it. The instrument cluster displayed the layout of a racetrack, and there was carbon fiber present on many of the surfaces instead of the traditional leather.

The engine onboard is likely to be a close relative of the flat-plane-crank, dual-overhead-cam 5.5-liter V8 that was featured in the C8.R race car. When the overall power factor topic is discussed, we would have to agree that peak output is expected to hover around 600 horsepower. Even though this is a bit less than the 650 hp of the C7 club's supercharged V8, there are going to be plenty out there who have a deep appreciation for naturally aspirated power, even If it means the top end resting a bit lower. For those out there that are among the most power-hungry, there is a twin-turbocharged version of the new V-8 with a bolstered number closer to 800 horsepower expected in the new ZR1, and it promises to deliver the ultimate power needed to command your stance on the track.

At first seating and firing up up the engine, scores of automobile bloggers and enthusiasts have fallen in love with the new Corvette right away. The tightly-wrapped interior, off-the charts handling, and feeling that this is a true competitor against the big-named players such as Ferrari on the track have deemed the coming Corvette models as a perfect choice for anyone itching to spend summer blistering up the track!

2020 Corvette Performance Numbers Wow Everyone, Including Chevy Engineers

Official data now confirms that the 2020 Chevy Corvette Stingray coupe equipped with the Z51 Package reaches the 60 MPH mark in 2.9 seconds and conquers the quarter-mile in 11.2 seconds at 121 MPH. Even without the help of the Z51 pack, this year's new mid-engined Corvette makes it to 60 in 3.0 seconds, and still kills the quarter-mile at the same 11.2-second mark. We love this milestone in automotive history that allows the brand we love to  represent so much here at West Chevy of Knoxville the right to brag that it's the fastest base model in the vehicle's existence!

Alex Macdonald, Chevrolet vehicle performance manager, said that the performance of the 2020 Stingray has exceeded his expecatations, truly standing out as a milestone in history. One of the major changes from older models is that the engine now features revised camshafts that increase valve lift duration. There is now an overhauled intake manifold that the mill breathes through, which has an increased plenum volume. The new exhaust puts to use four-into-one twisted headers that are fabricated rather than casting, ultimately saving in weight factor.

The engine has a dry-sump oil system that uses three scavenge pumps that can cope with the demands of high  acceleration on the track. The low-profile oil pan also allows for a lower center of gravity, and the engine runs through an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission gleaned from Tremec. The final drive, differential, controls system, sensors, lubrication, and cooling hardware are all packed into a complete unit through integrated construction. If you want to get an earful of the delightful exhaust, pulling both shift paddles behind the steering wheel allows the driver to free rev the powerplant while parked in neutral.

The transmission is governed by three driving modes: the smooth Touring, aggressive Sport, and peak performance range of Track. Just two weeks ago, the staff on duty at Car and Driver claimed it was even “More than the best Corvette Ever”, and that it definitely lives up to the heavily-generated hype surrounding its release. They had based their ecstatic opinion on the new ride after timed laps at Grattan Raceway outside of Grand Rapids, Michigan, where they determined that the mid-engined model's handling advantage over the outgoing C7 was indeed very real. We invite you to come down after the holidays to check out just how 60.6 percent of the car' mass being situated over the rear tires is a game-changer off the line, and also boasts by far the best Corvette interior ever!