Corvette Stingray C8

 

The Corvette has now entered its eighth generation, and it was one of the most anticipated vehicles when it went on sale last year. It was also a matter of time before I would finally spot one somewhere out and about. I have waited at least a year to see the mid-engine C8 Corvette up close, and it finally happened almost three weeks ago when I spotted my first C8 Corvette. The second one I spotted came a week ago, and both instances were very exciting. They say good things come to those who wait, and this was no different when it came to seeing the new Corvette in person. 

The most significant change from the C7 to the C8 is that the latter has its engine placed behind the seats like many current and previous sports cars. For many years, there have been rumors circulating around the auto industry that the Corvette would switch from its traditional front-engine layout to mid-engine. This switch officially occurred for the eighth-gen Corvette, and GM hasn't looked back since. 

By becoming mid-engine, the Corvette now has a better, more even weight distribution compared to every previous Corvette generation. The same 6.2-liter LT1 V8 from the C7 Stingray carries over to the C8 Stingray producing 490 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. The Z51 Performance Pack has a slight bump in horsepower to 495 with its dual-mode performance exhaust. The Corvette C8 Stingray launches from zero to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds, entering supercar territory and carrying a top speed of 184 mph. The C8 Stingray's only transmission option is an 8-speed dual-clutch, the first Corvette model to do this. The 8-speed dual-clutch is operated by either a push-button gear selector in the center console or the paddle shifters on the steering wheel. Also included in the Z51 Performance Pack are an electronic limited-slip rear differential and more aggressive brakes. 

The C8's interior is lined in leather, metal, and faux suede, among other materials, and consists of a digital gauge cluster, a squared-off steering wheel similar to those in race cars, and a touchscreen positioned toward the driver for ease of use. Like previous Corvette generations, the C8 Stingray's roof is removable and can fit in its rear trunk behind the engine bay. Speaking of the rear trunk, it is big enough to fit two golf bags or suitcases, while the front trunk can fit one golf bag or suitcase. The angled touchscreen contains Chevy's Infotainment 3 Plus system including Bluetooth audio streaming, a 4G LTE hotspot, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. 

Pricing for the new mid-engine Corvette Stingray starts just below $60,000 but can increase close to $100,000 with options and dealer markup. In addition, the Corvette C8 Stingray was named last year's Motor Trend Car of the Year and made Car and Driver's 10Best list both this year and last year. Overall, the C8 Corvette is an absolutely phenomenal sports car and an an amazing value for its performance, serving as a budget European exotic. I love the new mid-engine Corvette and can't say enough great things about it. Hopefully I can get my hands on one someday as a second vehicle to my daily driver. 

UPDATE: Several hours after I initially published this post, I spotted my third Corvette C8 Stingray. Since this happened within 24 hours of this post going up on here, I might as well include the pics of it below rather than make an entirely separate post on it later. 

Aston Martin Vanquish (2001-07)

 

The first-gen Vanquish was Aston Martin's flagship model from the early to mid 2000s. It is powered by a 5.9-liter V12 producing 460 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque mated to a 6-speed automated manual. The first-gen Vanquish can launch from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds and reach a top speed close to 200 mph. Its interior was pretty advanced and sophisticated for its time, featuring a complete instrument cluster, next-level technology, and metallic trim instead of the old-fashioned wood trim. In addition, the early 2000s Vanquish made an appearance in the 2002 James Bond flick "Die Another Day." During the middle of its production run, Aston Martin released the Vanquish S, which received a performance upgrade and and some minor aesthetic tweaks over the standard Vanquish. The first-gen Vanquish was the last vehicle to be assembled at Aston Martin's Newport Pagnell facility, with only a few thousand ever produced. The first Vanquish's direct successor came in the form of the DBS in 2008, while the Vanquish returned for a second generation from 2015 to 2018. 

In all, the early to mid 2000s Aston Martin Vanquish is a stunning and incredible performance grand tourer. It was revolutionary for Aston Martin when it released and represented a new era for the British automaker. These definitely catch my eye every time I see one up close considering how rare they are.

1971 Dodge Charger R/T

 The third-gen Dodge Charger from 1971 to 1974 is often overlooked compared to its previous generation. The example above is a top-of-the-line R/T model from 1971. Powering the '71 Charger R/T is a 440 cubic inch Magnum V8 producing 370 horsepower paired to a 4-speed manual gearbox. Also available with the Charger R/T for 1971 were the 440 Six-Pack and the 426 Hemi V8. 1971 also happened to be the last model year with a full performance Charger until Dodge revived the Charger as a full-size sedan in 2006. The R/T in 1971 was replaced by the Rallye the following model year, in which the Rallye wasn't as fast or as powerful as the R/T. Current values of the 1971 Dodge Charger R/T vary, but it is certainly one of the fastest appreciating classic American muscle cars. Overall, the '71 Charger R/T is a great and amazing muscle car that flies under the radar. However, I don't find it as cool as its predecessor from 1968-70 or as desirable as the current Charger Hellcat.