Game Changer, or Game Over? Why The New C8 Corvette is Chevrolet's Biggest Gamble
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- Опубліковано 10 бер 2023
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Today, I drive the Chevrolet C8 Corvette. At long last - the Corvette with the engine in the middle, as per the wishes of Zora Arkos-Duntov, father of the 'Vette. But - has the gamble paid off?
#Chevrolet #Corvette #c8stingray
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Jay, i think you're conflating and or confusing the Z51 stingray with the Z06.the engine notes and delivery are completely different.
once you have a chance to drive the z06 i think you'll see things clearly.
you're not wrong with on the limit handling as the c8 needs a camber adjustment for track use.i know it's odd.
the reason why the steering is as is,it's hydraulic steering in the emira vs electric in the c8.what else needs to be said
@@MLK_Sold_Black_america_out I don't see the confusion?
@@MisterMonsieur what is there to say? ferrari porosangue naturally aspirated 6+ liters v12 in their suv is liked a lot, of course especially americans will like their nasty suv
A very bitter little man !
He's confused because he thinks this video is an actual piece of journalism... It's just bait . Look at the comment count on videos with 3x times more views... A lot less than this video. It's just a business model for the metrics.
While you have some valid points, I would hardly call this car a "miss and disappointment". Being a German car snob, this is my first American car and am very happy with it. You're review sounds more like you're pandering to drive a Z06. To which I can't blame you. The Emira is sadly more of a disappointment shown by the lackluster 2nd hand auction prices. Lots of buyers remorse there.
+theclutch
Also German Car Snob here. I agree with him on the Looks of the Back, i've been behind one several Times in Frankfurt am Main and the Back looks like "Camaro Back but sporty". I definitely prefered the Back Design of the C7. However i really like the Front and Side Profile.
I own an Audi R8 V10 (2011) and a Nissan GT-R (2009) but have been looking into a C8, and especially here in Germany it either seems to be offered insanely overpriced (EU Version) or you can get an US Version, which also costs a bit too much for what it is and is of course sold by weird Import Companies.
Definitely wish that at leats the EU Versions would be easier to find in Germany. I know about Geiger Cars, they seem to be the only Dealer i'd feel comfortable buying from.
Where did you get yours from and how much did you pay for it? Under 100k Euros and do you own the EU Version or an US one?
Prost & Cheers from Germany
@Chartreux I'm a US based german car snob. I bought it locally for MSRP and took delivery about 2.5 years ago. I abhor the back and wish it were the 4 round tail lights. The car looks great otherwise especially with the t top removed. The car has been absolutely great especially on the track (with less aggressive track alignment). Much better than my 911, BMWs, VWs, Audis and AMGs. But I do wish it had a manual. But my AMG sounds much better.
Definitely a miss
The Z06 is really the one you want. It ran car and driver's "lightning lap" in Virginia faster than a 992 GT3, 720S and just 0.2 seconds off a 765LT, so Chevy knows what they're doing. I still think the Stingray is remarkable value if you just want an everyday sportscar though.
@@MrXerxes it's also $40,000 more
I would like to see something which assesses its ability to do more than one lap. Will the brakes last? Will the engine overheat / grenade? I admit it is ungodly fast in short bursts, but will it last? I am genuinely curious, not looking to grind an axe. An inexpensive supercar has to give up something.
@@hbullock check out the Speed Phenom UA-cam channel. Had an early build and has been tracking his C8 Z06 quite a bit. Hasn’t had any issues so far
@@hbullock given its using GM v8s. It isn't fragile like an Italian car.
@@chrisdavidson911 that's even if you can get it at msrp
I completely agree with the styling critiques….the front end looks good/fine but the rear has always looked a mess to my eye.
You got that right - I love the way my C8 drives, but looking at it from the Back side it's a bit homely.......
I have the white with carbon flash convertible. The back looks fine with lots of carbon black.
yup it looks like crap. But they handcuffed themselves to prior gens instead of copying Lamborghini which would have been better.
Seeing one on the road, it looks really good to me. Felt the same way about the C7; just "meh" online, but in-person it really pops. Corvette is not very popular in my area of the USA lately. I have seen only 2 C8's since it came out. I see very few C7's. I see 10 Tesla's back to back on a trip to the grocery. So for me, Corvettes are doing their job getting long looks on the road, and that has started to mean something again. 60 foot acceleration be darned, and the convertible is another game changer, that 99% of cars can't do, or do well if at all. Of course I see the Miata guys leaving their tops down all day, just making sure the leather and controls go to crap ASAP, but they have 100hp, ha ha. ..
Agree about the rear. Looks too much like a Camaro. 🤮
Thank you for your review. I sold my R8 after getting my C7 Z06 and I sold my Ferrari after getting my C8 Z51.
7:35 For something that weighs that much, I think they're being very realistic about how this car will be used. It's not a track car, it doesn't need fancy brake discs. You only need fancy brake discs when you're tearing around and around a track, hitting the brakes again and again, making them overheat. You're not even coming close to overheating those solid discs on the road.
60 to zero in 95 feet beats he MB AMG GT-R. Not best in class, but good enough. The smallest rotor that gets the job done saves unsprung weight and makes plenty of sense to me.
@@hardykornfeld1733 you are astute in your analysis . All that rotor drilling was needed back in the old days when pads gave off a lot of gas when hot, but pads have improved since then, and for most cars, giving up swept area is only for decorative purposes. I think you understand the design better than the reviewer who apparently forms his opinion only by looks.
The reason for it is actually due to regulations to reduce particulates for brake dust in some states in the US. At least that is why it isn't drilled or slotted.
Yep lots of Vettes are just cruisers and babied in a garage. It’s sensible to have a base model like this.
Plenty of guys tracking this car in base form with no issues. Why drill holes and reduce area when it can be designed for max ventilation from the start.
Literally the only review I have seen on this car online or in print which was less than glowing. I'm not a big Corvette guy, but this is the first Corvette I would even consider.
Throttle House guys, who always have track time too, were not fond of base model with default suspension setup either.
This your first time on Jay's channel? It's mostly critical. If you want negative review come here. Like clicking on one star reviews just to get opposite view. 😂
@@kevintan2307That's not true at all. He isn't negative, he's just honest
I wholeheartedly agree. I rented one for a day on the "opportunity of a lifetime deal". It was fun but there was just something off. I guess when I hit the lottery, it'll be a 911 instead.🤣
Chuck you didn’t look very hard. There’s plenty of criticism on this car
James, I must say, I usually love your reviews but you kinda phoned this one in and ignored quite a bit. The engine, while not amazing, is more than enough for the average jaunt and does push you well enough on the road. (yes the sound isn’t special) Suspension, which I am particularly sensitive to, you got completely wrong. It’s one of the best setups that I have felt. You clearly didn’t do your research as to how to configure the car for your taste. I found it to have a plethora of range. MAG ride is hailed by quite a few and one of the best in the business and I imagine it translates extremely well to English B roads. I had the opportunity to rent this car for a day with the 2LT and Z51 package and did 200 miles in it on windy roads in both wet and dry. This car stuck to the road like nothing I experienced before it. I took it into corners in the wet at speeds I shouldn’t have and it didn’t bat an eye. I was shocked and so pleasantly surprised. It felt natural and never did you feel the management encroaching on your inputs.
For reference, I currently own a FF, and a Alfa QV, and have driven the Emira albeit for only a moment and it was good. (Sport suspension is too stiff IMHO)
I don’t want to rant, but I’ll leave you with this. The C8 Stingray is an overall wonderful sports car. It does everything 95% brilliantly, what the average person wants it to do. (People don’t usually track their cars and this the brakes and cooling are adequate.)
I have never, ever, owned an American car but this has given me pause based on the drive. (Still not esthetically pleasing) I look forward to the Z06.
Nobody should just imagine a setup translates well to British B roads. There isn't much substitute for actually taking a car out on them.
He mentioned 3 modes the car offered him. If he was missing some suspension adjustability that was available for scenarios such as his test or your 200 mile drive, then please enlighten us.
I don't know why you feel I "phoned this one in" but when it comes to a mid-engined 500hp car that costs near £100k I want an engine that's more than "well enough", and as for the suspension - I don't care what anybody *thinks* it feels like - I drove the thing, in all three modes, and explained how it felt - there just wasn't one that actually worked, simple as that.
Curious then that you feel the Emira's suspension is overly stiff (the sports chassis of course is the stiffer) but it's extremely well resolved and even as a passive setup, blows the Corvette into the water.
The brakes are NOT slotted because the pads have been mandated to be environmentally friendly. Slots had to go . Blame the environmentally enthusiastic crowd …something about the old type of brake pads littered copper in the air . Same thing happened to the Camaro zL1. Until the brake pad and rotors were changed California put a stop sale due to saving the rare wild toads from copper exposure or something ridiculous like that.
Jays review was controversial with a bit of a negative spin to garner attention. When he listed zero to sixty in under 4 whereas every American journalist touts zero to sixty in 2.8 seconds you know where the typical negative British review of an American corvette is going.
No harm. No foul..,just the usual British review. We already package that into the typical British review.
The statement by the British reviewers that the lotus emira while a fine sports car is considered to be far better is all that is needed to hear.
@@JBsC6 I assume you've driven an Emira then, and come to the same conclusion?
I find the attitude of my American viewers to be quite humorous. I quote the 0-60 time of "under four seconds" because CHEVROLET DO. I didn't watch other reviews and quite honestly 2.8 sec 0-60 is a total fabrication anyway as it involves the "one foot rollout" and other BS that no European review would ever even attempt.
Remember also, this is the European spec car, it is not the same as in the USA!
Nicely put. I still think Jay drove a bad copy of the C8.....
Saw one in Sheffield the other day and I actually think it looks quite good in real life, not sure about the wheels they look a bit off like they need some spacers but aside from that It looked good
Spacers? It's not a civic bro, the engineers know what the car needs.
@@grtbgf Just saying the track doesn’t look right the wheels are too far inside the arches
@@grtbgf Calm down, the body does look oversized compared to the width of the wheels underneath
I live in Sheffield and I think I saw the same one last week!
@@grtbgf relax man jeeshhh fanboy feelings hurt?
I own a C8 Stingray. If you spec it properly, it can look like an exotic. I've had other owners complement me that my spec totally changes what the car looks like.
What color n specs?
True, I've seen some tasteful aftermarket modifications (wheels, exhaust, wing, aero) that completely transform the look and sound of this car. I've even seen one in person that had Lambo doors, and tbh, it is the first car I have seen that had aftermarket Scissor doors that didn't look like hot garbage😂 They actually kinda fit the look!
US price is a steal. UK price is… 😳
thievery ? highway robbery ?
Then you look at AUD
@@TheThomarse You guys have super high luxury car taxes though right?
The US price is NOT a steal generally in reality with the ADM problems.
@@CaptainHoratioPugwash Luxury car tax in Australia (57%) was phased out in the late 1990s, early 2000s.
What can I say? I'm a simple American man.
I see a Corvette, and I like.
As someone who was born and raised in Kentucky, the only place where the Corvette has been manufactured for ages, I have a strange sense of pride for them. I've always been a huge fan.
Greetings from across the pond, friends!
Hello back to you.
You're going to hate this review then! Lol
@@AWMJoeyjoejoe Nah, not at all. I love almost all cars, even many that most hate. We don't all have to agree on everything.
@@Loudest_Cricket_That's a very admirable attitude. I salute you, sir.
Hey, my shirt was purchased at the Corvette museum in Bowling Green. Not liking this car doesn't mean that I hate America.
The c7 and c8 are just awesome. Hell the c5 and c6 are as well. 👍
The weight is a combination of a wider cockpit with narrow side sills (making it every day usable), a lot more sound deadening than would be typical (making it every day usable), and extra bodywork out back for the bigger trunk (making it every day usable). All those things make it, arguably, 100-150 kg than we all wish it were. At the same time, it appears to be a great grand tourer.
...and still lighter than the carbon-tubbed V6 $300K supercar Maserati MC20, plus around the same as many other competitors that are far more exotic as well as far less practical, noisier, etc.
@@pistonburner6448 im glad you brought up the mc20 because even though it's incredibly beautiful and should in theory save maserati, it seems like a complete miss to me. It's too expensive for what it is and i have no clue how they managed to make it so astronomically heavy.
Yeah, but... the Corvette as a model was never a grand tourer, and the interior isn't comfortable enough for that. The Camaro and especially the Charger comes closer to filling that niche, and don't try to fool people into thinking they *aren't* still traditional muscle cars. Everyone I know with a sports car in this price range has other cars for daily use. Unlike in Europe, it's VERY common for American households to have 2-3 cars and a garage.
Sadly, we yanks are just too enamored with big, heavy vehicles. I've seen a few C8s around, but I wouldn't own one.
Corvettes weren't always just only sports muscle cars, they were also for crusing around too
The Corvette was always a Sunday special first and a sports car second. Possible exception with the C2.
My goodness they really neutered the sound on the EU version of this car, i can barely hear anything from that engine with the OPFs!! What a killjoy
I think he’s being a bit hard on it. Styling wise I think the air intakes look a bit awkward in the sides but overall it’s quite good looking and quirky. Possibly they should have made more of a departure from the C7 look and the perceived awkwardness of the mid engined layout wouldn’t seem so apparent. Good to see an RHD factory variant. I don’t like the flat steering wheel and the sound track could be better. Generally a good stab at a Corvette for the UK and European markets but possibly not a Ferrari beater. They’re trying hard and a C9 could be quite something though!
I think he’s either is extremely biased by his preference, or perhaps maybe sponsored or wishes to get access to new Ferraris Lamborghinis?
incredible car, drove one in August. outstanding. VERY quick. @ US$80k a steal.
At 14:33
Seeing the new ferrari fuv's engine compartment were the square tubing goes around the front suspension top mounts and it's £315' 000 starting price, I think the vettes engine bay is in line with its cost.
I have to be honest: since it came out, I have lusted for a c8. The price before the last 3 years of stupid inflation was more than reasonable and in the US it was even more appealing. I don't mind the cheapness, I don't need the 2 series or the m3 to keep getting heavier, more luxurious and more capable if that means more money that leave gaps below that BMW has to fill again with a new model. I just wish they are good and affordable and this delivers. I haven't driven one, but I drove an f430 yesterday on track and if this car delivers 1/4th of the experience for what once was a fourth of the price, being a new car and far more affordable to run and maintain, this is an impressive car to me. If I lived in the US, the bang for buck of this would be unmatched.
A little harsh James. I love your reviews but while I agree that the styling has a way to go, I disagree with you on about everything thing else. The car does 0-60 in sub 3 seconds, not 4. That in itself is rare company. I now drive a 997 turbo but previously owned a C7. I loved the look of the C7 but it just couldn’t put the power down like the C8. On the road the C8 feels very quick and nimble, and the steering and brakes more than handle the load. Maybe you got a bad one because of British regs? The looks and interior chaos? I’m totally with you. But you whiffed completely on the driving experience. British roads maybe? This or a cranky Lotus? Please. Get real. And in the first minute of the review, I got a little whiff of British snobbery. You seemed loaded for bear from the get go and ready to take it down a peg.
Its been 3 model years and their sales list is months long. Not really a gamble lol its been wildly successful.
PTM is performance traction management. There are 2 levels of assists you can use - turn most assists off or all assists off
Wow, did not expect GM to make a RHD version. Congrats to UK, Aussies, etc.
EDIT - As far as brake rotors go, there is a lot of debate whether drilling/slotting/etc on rotors actually increases performance.
it only very slightly increases surface area to help it cool down
There's a multi year wait list for the c8 in Australia. Was 165k aud
Drilling and slotting reduces surface area for the brake pad to bite into reducing performance in perfect conditions, in less than perfect conditions they do help shed contaminants and increase braking performance. Drilling gives a place for stress fractures to propagate which could lead to dramatic failure under hard use but they also increase air flow and reduce heat build up. Drilling/slotting removes material which reduces the weight of a brake disk leading to improved performance, it also removes material which would help soak up and disperse heat which can reduce performance.
It's all swings and roundabouts
Holes allow cracks to propagate which is why they are not present on race cars. For street cars, drilled rotors have better initial bite which feels sporty at less than sporting speeds.
I really like the look of these, and ‘if’ I had the dough, I would definitely consider one! Why they aren’t competitively priced like they are in the US, will be a deal breaker for many though. I wonder what the resale value is, reliability, running costs etc are compared to the competition available here!
I don't have any data on the C8 but I have run previous Corvettes and they have been cheap, reliable and generally bulletproof. The interior was always crap, but they are a true sports car and this one is perhaps a supercar for beer money. US cars don't have the best build quality, materials, fuel economy or highest power to weight ratios but they do last unreasonably long, esp. the V8 powered ones.
@@ckm-mkc thanks for the reply. My dad had American cars when I was a kid a ‘69 Mustang and a ‘71 Plymouth Barracuda. Beautiful fun cars, but unfortunately hopelessly unreliable… but when they were going I felt like the coolest kid in the world sitting next to my dad. Always wanted a 70’s Corvette… hopefully one day
@@ckm-mkc Interesting since I have owned Corvettes since 1975, My 1999 C5 I bought in 2000, highly modified from engine to suspension, runs speeds over 210 MPH for distances in ORRs of 120 miles and has never had one thing break and those asking me when looking at it are amazed how old it is
The LS engine platform, which is now the LT in this Corvette, is one of the best engines ever made. They are cheap, light, reliable, and powerful! There is a reason everyone "LS swaps it!"
I don't know about the UK; but in the United States Corvettes have a reputation for being purchased by men of retirement age who sit around and talk about how special their car is to people who don't care
Not gonna lie, id love to have a special car that i can talk about to people who dont care.
@@TheBartExperience in the United States a Corvette is not special. There are an awful lot of them
In the UK any car found in a golf club car park is there for that reason
When I see one in the UK, I always wonder how the buyer has disregarded the European or Japanese options.
this version of the corvette isn't made for the that category of buyer anymore
The C8 comes from the factory with too much understeer to keep people from getting into trouble. Big difference when you are not used to a rear engine car. It’s really easy to have that rear end come around on a sharp corner (been there). MRC is world class, all you need is a proper front end alignment.
...and a restyle...
i plan to buy one used a few years down the line, love them. i feel like alot more would sell in the UK if it was just a little cheaper.
some suspension changes will bring it to life, its the perfect base imo.
Always amazed how European and Asian vehicles manage
To be less expensive when exported to america than in their home country but American vehicles shipped over seas the prices escalate dramatically.
Seems as though dumping is
Occuring which is fine.
As far as James excellent reviews this one in my heavily biased opinion misses the mark. ;) James we still
Love you over in america even if your bias against corvettes is as expected.
Bet the c8 z06 starting at 105 grand in america will be more to your liking as it will wipe the floor with the usual players you so constantly enjoy.
As far as the emira va corvette well we shall see how it compares on the track and on america roads.
British b roads appear to be little more than Nike paths to most of us here in america compared to
Our mountain passes.
We understand and can see for ourselves the difference plain as day
@@JBsC6 It has to do with taxes. A lot of European countries have heavy taxes based on engine displacement
@@seantaylor2683 let’s see as we move to electric vehicles if somehow american vehicles still manage to keep getting low sales volume due to European and Asian tax structure or some other metric
One of my car loving friends with 4 Ferraris to his name is taking delivery of one in Australia this month.
Your comment about it "not being that fast" rings a bell Jay - my 2018 Camaro felt the same until I replaced the stock exhaust with a stainless steel cat-back system. Now it feels like a completely different car so I wonder if the EU noise and emissions regulations are strangling the engine far more than one would expect.
I'd also echo your experience with Ian Allen - it felt to me like it was too much trouble for them to actually WANT to sell me a car...
It's not "slow" but it also just doesn't have the oomph you'd expect of a car with near 500hp and plenty of torque
@@JayEmmOnCars You should see how the GM V8 powertrain should really be set up on Harry's Garage channel. The JIA Interceptor is brutal... number 11 all the way.
People actually still drive Camaros? I assume you have a mullet and a "Big Johnson" T-shirt?
@@youtubegarbage7876 The most recent Camaro generation has an _excellent_ chassis and driving dynamics. Unfortunately, the beltline, visibility, interior, and overall looks leave a lot to be desired in my eyes. But any reviewers with any experience who've driven one in performance spec have very nice things to say about it.
@@youtubegarbage7876 Certain Camaros are or I should say were very nice. The early 80's Camaros? Is that what you refer to? That was 40 years ago mate
I really like the C8 and I'd buy one if I had the money.
I have to agree with you on the looks and the sound. I haven’t been able to get used to how it looks yet. It seems like it is out of proportion somehow. The Z06 looks great, I think but good luck getting one of those. I have a C7 and while it may not be quite as fast as this car, it looks so much better, it sounds better, it comes in a manual and it is just more of a sports car, in my opinion.
I agree on C8 looks. It looks like a design college study which it probably was. It is over-wrought when it does not need to be. Convertible with top down has terrible proportions. I don't think this design will age well.
It’s obvious you don’t like the old man’s Vette, you should have tried the Z06 as that’s the sports car, vs the show car. It’s exotic but can be fixed at a Chevy dealer for reasonable prices. And if you figure in the price nothing comes close.
It's NOT true that every car just reacts instantly on the infotainment. My last gen C43 AMG did the same thing when switching modes. The reason: it won't lock in until you've made your final mode selection because none of the mechanical systems can keep up with the changes. James, you should know that.
agreed! oury 991.2 Carrera GTS...Hate the infotainment center..butI do love being lighter and connection with the road....not sure if an infotainment would make or break me purchasing a car
Whenever I watch one of jay's videos I do wonder how we ended up with Joey from friends on top gear and not this guy.
It sounds super quiet in this video, over here in the US its alot louder and sounds just like the camaro SS
If you ever get the chance, James, visit the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Beautifully laid out museum and a bonus is you get to see new C8 owners take delivery straight off the assembly line!
The C8 z06 the race track version of this car beat Porsche 718 cayman GT4RS, Lamborghini Huracan Technical, BMW M4 CSL, Audi RS3, Mercedes AMG SL 63, Cadillac CT4 Blackwing, ToyotaGTR Supra amongst others on the VIR lightning lap. It pulled 1.22 g on the corners…you know an American car that beats them all on corners ( are you listening Clarkson). 😂 this is the base entry and it’s superb.
It'd be very disappointing if the Corvette Z06 didn't beat a Cayman GT4 RS with Cup 2 Rs and 33% more power than on a track like VIR.
The sound is completely different in this than the car is in the states. Also not sure what they did to the engine but it definitely doesn't fall off after 5000rpm. How can you say it's not quick when it gets to 60 in less than 3 seconds.
I get to pick up my RHD Ian Allan supplied C8 next week. I had to wait 2 years for the car as it is very popular in the UK and is currently going 20k-30k over list on the used market. As a previous owner of an LC500 which received glowing reviews from JayEmm I find this review very odd. The C8 is a grand tourer like the LC and looks are subjective, however, the majority of people love the styling.
Have you driven a C8 yet? Be keen to know your thoughts if not when you have
it's because it's a corvette, he hates any corvette.
@@Luke-cb3ly Factually not true. See my C5 Z06 review. Or C3. Or various videos on the C7.
I owned my C8 from march of 2020 through november of 2022. Longer than nearly any other owner. The steering is numb. On my roads in the states, the suspension is fine. I always had it in track mode, full time. Sound was glorious, wind in your hair is great. I wound up trading it for a 991.1 because the seats got uncomfortable. Maybe because I started working out, maybe the seats somehow degraded in 2 years, who knows. The 991.1 feels about the same in terms of overall performance, with added steering feel and dramatically worse suspension (that magnetic stuff really spoiled me). I love it. I think I'm gonna go for a drive now. Thanks for the video.
Love the review. I think you definitely need to get your hands on the new Z06. I haven’t seen a bad review on it
Steve Sutcliffe just released a C8 track video on EVO. I'd suggest watching someone that knows what they're talking about. Watch his earlier review on it also.
I'm a UK C8 Corvette Hard Top Convertible owner..... here's my view... First of all, you are correct about the dealer- hard work is putting it mildly ! Surely GM will sort a wider dealer network soon ( please ! ). Next, the car's looks... some of the colours make the car look plain and 'flat' .. that red included... and as for that red interior- i just wanna be sick.... if you see the right colour, and add a few carbon flash Corvette extra's, the car looks absolutely amazing ! EVERYONE that sees my car thinks it looks fabulous ! The dealer has over 300 orders and its almost a 3 year wait to get a new (official UK) car, and as previously said, used ones are going for a fair premium on top. How it drives..? - superb gearbox, great steering, more than enough performance... don't forget, this isn't a 'supercar' and it's not priced like one... it's more of a 'performance sports car'... my car is equipped with the Corvette Mag Ride and in all the drive modes, the suspension is wonderful ! ...cushions all the UK potholes and not too stiff when pushing on... my only reservation is the exhaust sound- such a shame the UK cars are strangled by the emissions... they still sound great- but 'quiet' great ! I love my car, and anyone thinking of buying one in the UK shouldn't be put off by this review. (just my opinion of course..lol)
with you, being a orange c8 htc owner with some carbon 5VM bits and custom wheels added, I think it looks spectacular and was first corvette I ever even considered buying when it came out. Saw the test lap at The Ring and test driver only commented the stock tires being too slippery and their lap time was decent ua-cam.com/video/zqp2JGeGPn8/v-deo.html
Hi , is it not possible to make it sound like the American equivalent by removing a catalyst or changing the exhaust ?
Haven’t driven one so I can’t say one way or the other. For me though, the C7 got it just right for the heritage of Corvette. With nothing more to improve upon they had to go mid-engine to keep improving but now it’s just “not Corvette enough”. Thanks for the vids Jay. Keep them coming.
A truly great car. I wish they had made them available in the UK years ago rather than now just before the UK government is to ban all such cars from the road. Pity about the bias in the review though.
And, finally, not one person ... NOT ONE ... has complained that my C8 is ugly. When I drive by every school, the kids line up for me to rev the engine and love it. As for the Lotus Emira, definitely a fine car, and I look forward to reviews of the vehicle over here. In the UK, I understand why it shines, but in North America, conditions are vastly different and first thoughts are that it simply isn't built for the road and conditions here in spite of all it's positives. We'll see, because it too has really big shoes to fill if it's going to with compete sports cars built specifically for here.
As an American who has owned one for 2 years, the cars drives well, but compared to a Z06 or Grand Sport C7, the C8 doesn't compare on looks that is (and in only looks) - Be honest dude, from some angles (i.e. the back side) the C8 looks a little homely...... But don't get me wrong, I love the car and I'm not going to give it up anytime soon......
@@thegooddoctor6719 Nope, looks great to me and apparently everyone else. I live in Canada and every day I take out my C8 I get lookers and thumbs up. I was washing my car a year ago and I had a couple with an Aventador SVJ come over to complement me on the C8. I don't think it has any bad angle.
@@dash-ryan Fair enough.....
@@thegooddoctor6719 You are both owners of an awesome car. I agree with you on the golf bag rear end, but looks will always be subjective. I think the high wing option (that Chevrolet later deleted) really balanced the rear out and gave it the proper super car look. I've seen them on the road and they are properly menacing.
@@drewmorg. Yeah - About that high wing..... as you said: "Looks will always be subjective."
According to rumors going around the car world, Chevrolet went and bought or got a hold of a Ferrari 458 and looked at all the suspension and steering rack and ofcourse the engine and reverse engineered the 458 and that is how Chevy was able to pull off the mid engined C8. I never usually pay attention to any rumors but Tyler Hoover(Hoovies Garage) bought a 458 and a C8 ZO6 and had his Car Wizard look underneath both cars and the suspension(double wishbone) looked exactly the same on both cars
I think they’ve admitted they reverse engineered a 458. I drive one maybe 10 years ago and loved it. But they’re still top dollar! This is new with warranty
I was European Product manager at Chevrolet for the Corvette and Camaro until 2019. I can confirm this was part of the development process.
double wishbones front and rear are standard for all hi-perfomance cars. Well, except porsche, they like dirty cheap suspension from rental cars.
C8 (not z06) is faster round the track than 458 italia. Being 100 kg heavier and 70+ horsepower short.
Chevy do this for 2 decades now, bringing fastest/one of the fastest track-wise cars on a planet, for like 1/3 or 1/2 of the price of competitors. And actually usable and solid.
They just repeated it with mid-engine platform.
@@maximborodyuk3773 did you not watch the video? They aren't cheap anymore, certainly not here in the UK and they aren't good. A lotus apparently would be better.
This car is a swing and a miss.
@@maximborodyuk3773 Amen brother speaking truth
I have such a soft spot for this car. I don’t know why, couldn’t explain it 😅 but it was cool to see it on the channel
The row of switches might be daft but it's a masterclass of ergonomics compared to the SF90 and 296GTB
Saw one of these in Fareham a few weeks ago. Looks amazing in the metal. If I had the money and was in the market for such a car, I'd definitely shortlist one.
if, but and maybe..
Is it metal or GRP?
@@raypurchase801Both.
@@raypurchase801 Body is SMC, sheet molded composite, a plastic material that improves over the previous fiberglass used.
@@richardelliott8352 THANKS!
I totally understand where you are coming from. Sometimes, for whatever reason, you just can’t make an emotional connection to a car and it simply doesn’t work. I had the same problem with new NSX. The NSX just completely left me cold. Some reviewers loved the NSX. It happens sometimes.
I am an American, that spent over 30 years in the retail auto industry. I have also been a fan and owner of Jaguar cars most of my life and currently own 3 today including an XKR. I never liked Chevrolet products or the Corvette in particular. However, this new generation of Corvettes is a game changer. While styling isn't as organic as a DB or XK, I do not think the car is ugly from any angle. How can people that rave about ridiculous Lambos call this car unattractive? BTW I have no appreciation what-so-ever for Japanese automobiles or Teutonic offerings. As much as I love the styling and performance of my XKR it too has faults, not the least of which is the absence of analog gauges for coolant temp, volts and oil pressure and the perforated leather seats suck. But I still love the car. I also enjoy knowing that my 128K mile 1995 XJ12 is more reliable than a modern Mercedes or Audi.
I just loved your review. Being a Corvette owner, I had a 1984 C4 Auto, 2005 C6 6SPD manual, 2011 C6 Conv. Grand Sport Auto and a 2015 C7 Z51 7SPD manual. I sold the C7 to buy a C8, but when I test drove it, I felt quite disengaged, and ended by not ordering one. To be honest with you now I want get a C6 with the LT3 and 6 six speed manual as it was my most smiles per miles car. Oh by the way, I wasn't too crazy about the 7SPD manual on the C7 eighter. Too many gears especially when they are so close to each other. Other thing I hated on the C7 and now on the C8 is the cylinder de-activation feature. One time I tried to use eco mode and I thought that the engine was going to blow. C6 manual has the skip shift or as I call it skip $#!%. Fortunately, it is quite easy to get rid of it :)
I hear you! To me the C6 is one of the nicest Corvettes (I've had a few) - certainly on my list. A little bit smaller than the C5 and very good looking exterior with nicer interior than its predecessor. Really good value used, too.
C6 manual LT3, that IS a good reminder. While I like my 996.1 and GSF, a C6 leather packaged manual would be a great car.
*LS3, The LT's were introduced with the C7
I usually like your reviews because you don't hold back on criticism if necessary. In this case however I feel that you final judgement is off and mainly based on you personal taste wrt the shape as well as your bad experience with the dealer. Even if you add the ride quality on British roads to it, these are rather unique issues and can't be generalized to say Chevy got it all wrong with the Stingray.
I wonder if you assessment would be different, if you would live let's say in Germany and with the Autobahn available?
The Stingray in particular might be looking like an Italian supercar, but the market position and the production rates actually put it in comparison to 718 Cayman's, or M2s, don't you think?
It would be interesting to know how you compare it to these cars?
The fact that they used the 458 and 911s as benchmarks does not mean that the base version of the C8 is meant to target the same customer base as 458 or 911 customers or same performance levels. That seems to get more evident with the arrival of the Z06 and the new engine that should be much more comparable to what you expected.
If you look at reports from the US, the targeted customers for the Stingray are not rich guys, but rather normal people that now can afford a super car lookalike, that still offers the comfort and daily driveability and still get a much higher sport car feeling than with the older Corvettes. You also confirmed that the interior quality got much better than in the past and that the transmission is very good. And which other car in that market region still comes with a V8?
I can only ever review a car from a British perspective - and I think it's a shame Chevrolet put no effort into expanding the UK dealer network
The side profile is very nice. Up to end of the driver's door. Everything back from this looks like it was designed by a different team, and stretched about a foot too much.
All of the rear end design proportion compromises are required to be able to fit two golf bags in the trunk. Chevy understands their core demographic, and certain usability marks were non-negotiable.
The styling details on the other hand... well, they were already forcing an engine location change on the traditional customer base (in order to advance handling dynamics in the long run, and to draw in younger buyers). Giving up too many styling cues from the previous generations as well seemed like a bridge too far for them. I've got to admit that I don't love the outcome from a visual standpoint, but I appreciate the challenges they were facing.
People forget just how _many_ Corvettes get sold in the US every year. GM has to make significantly more accommodations to sell at that volume than most think about. It's pretty clear from the Z06 in particular that this new chassis has great bones, and that The General can _really_ nail a performance car once they have the right budget to work with (see also the latest Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing).
Hope you can review a z06
"sounds like an old ferrari but goes like a new one" lines like this are such great scripting, very well put together
Still too ugly for me.
Looks like Chevy took a 360 Modena, straightened all the curves, put the ugliest plastic grill on they could design and then slapped the bastardized tail end of a Camaro on it.
Always thought the rear was a bit odd. But just about passable
we need a review of the Z06!!!!
Ended up parking my Cerbera next to one of these, shortly after they came out. It was outside a tyre centre. Some of the employees came out to compare the two. I thought the corvette looked stunning (in black), like a cross between a racecar and a Batmobile. But, to my surprise, the TVR won the vote.
Canadians…
8:50 I gotta admit, that stupidly designed switch strip is going to be iconic when all the new cars are electric and we all fawn over these.
The C8 is the first vette that I actually want, all the previous generations for me were mid-life crisis cars for lame old people over 40. I turn 39 tomorrow... oh shi
I agree with the bad styling. The expected car reviewers (mainly Americans) rave about it, but i honestly think it looks poor. I'm hoping they smooth it all out for the C9.
To me it always look like it's from grnd theft auto . It's very awkwardly styled
@@paulthomson9014 thats a good description. Like a knockoff car of a ferrari or something. Just way too busy with weird lines everywhere. The c06 looked so nice and clean in comparsion
I read or heard another review which called the styling “my first supercar” and i thought that pretty much nailed it 😂
@@thomasfarias3146 +1!
@@paulthomson9014 Oh you can’t say that. Haven’t you heard? Everyone thinks the styling is perfect. Lol
PTM (Performance Traction Management) aids high speed cornering traction. But is only on cars with Magnetic ride.
Mick before this video: Hmmm why he looks like a very nice man I'm sure he will love my car, which is superb and unique. Even if he doesn't he will be kind to it.
Mick knew what he was getting into :)
While I agree that the styling isn't as great as it could have been, I'm quite surprised at the disappointed drive review. I will say that the European spec C8 sounded flat compared to an American C8. The particulate filter seems to have taken quite a bit of edge off of the exhaust sound. The gear change, while fast, seems to lack the sharp, snappy shifts heard in American C8 reviews. Regarding the lackluster engine performance, I'm wondering if the European spec engine mapping has affected power delivery/sensation. Also, while base suspension Corvettes are often described as floaty, Mag ride equipped cars normally are not, even in tour mode. Could the European spec Mag ride tune be different, as well? Nobody ever said the C8 was mind blowing good, but most reviews are a lot more positive. That said, I respect James' opinion and believe his is an honest review of the car as experienced.
It's 100% possible that things are different here beyond what they say - and even tyre choice etc... will have an impact on ride.
The exhaust can change the ferocity of the gear shifts though as mentioned, the gear box was a genuine highlight.
That's right, for the UK market, they put a Corvette body on a Malibu ;-)
I thought I was the only one who thinks this looks poo 💩
I'd prefer a new Vette which draws on its 1950s and 1960s heritage, a bit like the current Stang.
Mid-engined just isn't right for a Vette.
@@raypurchase801I agree. I love the C1-C3 and think they would gain much more by evolving the style of the original cars. GM can try as hard as they want to imitate but the Corvette will never be a Ferrari and they’re only shooting themselves in the foot.
@@SenszR US muscle cars should always be affordable to an upwardly-mobile blue-collar worker.
This new Vette is none of that. Perhaps this new car has a market, but it shouldn't be called a Vette. Same with Ford's new four-door electric car which they've badged as a Mustang. It's cheapening a fine heritage.
@@SenszR Shooting themselves in the foot? They sell everyone of them and there is a huge wait list as they cannot produce enough. Evolve from the C1-C3? You must be a boomer that's still bummed about GM removing the round tail lights and the pop up headlights.
I have seen the C8 in person and really loved it, I also love the 911 but between the two tho the 911 is way too expensive maintenance wise at least in my country.
That exhaust note is like the noise my dad used to make when I was a baby. The styling is also a bit flat pack
Great looking and sounding thing.
Sadly useless here in Au and £180K GBP
I mean how much is a new Ferrari, Lamborghini or McLaren with a warranty? Although that is a lot more than the “60k USD” starting price
At least you guys get them. Here in South Africa we don’t get any GM cars
@@Muhluri You're not missing anything. GM are a bunch of asshats.
@@CathodeRayNipplez what have they done???
I'd been waiting with bated breath for James to get his hands on a C8 for an honest assessment, Euro style. I was very excited about this new platform. From what I've been hearing, the new Z06 fixes some of the softness and built in understeer of the Stingray. From this review alone, I think I'll continue to solder on with my C6 Z06 for the time being.The Tremec TR6060 trans is a dream to shift. The mid-front LS7 with 4S non EMTs is fantastic in handling (I have tracked it) and stability. Even so glad I have the standard shocks. I bought it new at a fantastic price. After 115K miles and 10 1/2 years of ownership, I still love driving it. It's hard for me to imagine anything else being that much better. Even after a 600 mile trip, after just a 15 minute break, I'm ready to get behind the wheel again. And pulling into the garage is nearly always a big bummer. Though I'm very disappointed in how this review came out, it compels me even more in maybe I should just keep my old Z06 and continue to be in love... 🍻
Great car - don't sell it!
I had a C5 Z06 when they were new and loved it. The C6 Z06 is a car I would love to have one day - that 7litre small block is supposed to be an absolute joy. And it enhanced the lightweight theme, with its aluminum chassis. Great styling, too.
BTW, Does yours have the revised suspension? I read that the early versions were a bit vicious on the limit...
I would
@@hughrobinson9978 I have a 2013. Last year of the series. Lots of updates and upgrades (there were many). The biggest handling issues I noticed were all due to the OEM GY F1 EM tires. They were HORRIBLE. When I switched to non EMT Michelin Pilot Super Sports, it was like I bought a totally different car. All the tramming, tread howling, ultra slipperiness in temps below 50F, general 'accident waiting to happen' instabilities evaporated. It was immediately apparent upon my first time back at the wheel. On the race track, it was beautiful. And when it did start drifting, there were zero sudden aberrations and the DSP did kick in, it made it feel like it fell on a set of rails. I've dived into 15 mph highway exits at 50, thinking here comes the armco barrier!!! But, the front end stuck like glue as well as the rear. Absolutely zero complaints about its handling since I went non EM Michelins. Great apologies about my wordiness here...
@@Sandy-oy2lr Thanks sandy! Very interesting! I didn't realize that the original tires were that bad. Similar issues with Carrera GTs where modern tires seem to cure the on limit snappiness. I recall there being some suspension modifications during the life of the C6 ZO6, too, but maybe the tires were the main culprits. Keep on enjoying yours!
@@hughrobinson9978 Thanks Hugh! I have a lot of technical docs on this car & did a bit of research. There were handling changes made. 1) 2009: rear shocks re-valved to better tame rear end. 2) Change to the rack & pinion. Not sure if it was a ratio change or assist. But, tires for me was HUGE. Best $1700 upgrade I could make to it 🍻
You really should get your hands on a Manual ZL1/1LE. Nurburgring legend aside. It was GM’s finest attempt at making a GT3/RS. You will love it!
The C8 Corvette Z06 is the true GT3 fighter. Many think it is more than an attempt.
"because I like to annoy those people" The american car is rubbing some FREEDOM off on you!
This thing looks so out of proportion
"Car seems forgotten?"
"What Chevy got wrong?"
Give me a break, I just visited the Corvette plant. Chevrolet can't make enough of these cars. None ever make it to the showrooms, that's how high the demand is for this masterpiece.
ALL Brit car enthusiasts WISH they had this car.
Lotus Emira is gorgeous!
Even though it has a Camry engine. Really?
All electric next year?
Lotus really cares about its loyal customers.
1 year later this guy looks like an idiot
Love the look of Corvette Stingray C8 shame it doesn't sound fantastic and 1 dealer for the whole of the UK that's horrendous. Wonder what the difference in the car with the lower model sold along side this is like in the States and how much cheaper is it, that may well have been just as good over here.
So you know more than the rest of the world's automotive press. And a lot of them have real jobs in the automotive press.
I worked for Chevrolet Europe and tried to set up more Corvette dealers in the UK in 2019 but management shut me down after some promising meetings with a few premium dealer groups and Clive Sutton (who I personally liked a lot). UK market has been an after thought for the mainly German speaking team based in Zurich.
Yep, and the one and only dealer does not shower the brand in glory
The current one and only UK dealer is the reason I didn’t pre-order a C8. Maybe I dodged a bullet. I’ll never buy a Corvette if it has to be with the incumbent.
It's Ferrar, not Ferrari.
What?
@@wizzyno1566 PorschAH not Porsch. Get it?
I was amazed to hear the price of 85000 pounds. In Canada they start at 47000 pounds and it is hard to option them much above 60000 pounds. At our prices, the car is a performance bargain as it would be in Europe if sold at the same price.
I am kind of a Corvette guy and own a C4 but I like your review as it is honest. I never really made up my mind about this car as I prefer older Cars but I can understand what you mean. Specifically with regards to the styling.
This car comes in some stunning colours. Nice video. Keep up the good work.
While the looks are debatable, JayEmm is the first reputable reviewer I've seen who really doesn't like how tye car drives, so I'll take that perspective with a grain of salt. If it doesn't match up to cars double and triple its price is some finer driving dynamics i think that should be expected especially since this car is effectively the base model.
Always happy to see a notification for your video. 👌😁
To me the fron look is fine, but the side and rear looks like a car from GTA, I agree with you, they failed to make integrate the C7 elements on the rear of the new one
Looks very out of place cruising by the 3 bed semi d landscape in the footage, far more than a Ferrari would somehow!
Spot on review. I do, however, like the direction that the Corvette is going. As an American, I've always preferred European cars, so it would have to be a Lotus for me. Have you tried the 2007-2009 Opel GT? Those are still very cheap and a fun ride. I'd love your take on it.
@@ambivalentonion2620 It's the successor of Speedster/VX220, sharing the platform with the Pontiac Solstice. Why would Opel be the American version?
@@miraclearranger6438 "Why would Opel be the American version?"
imagine not knowing - or briefly forgetting about - about the Solstice/GT, it wasn't made in RHD and didn't go to the UK market, and thinking that GT was what they'd called the VX220 in America. Onion isn't asking about the american version of an american car.
@@miraclearranger6438 The Opel GT was the European version of the Saturn Sky redline, in South Korea it was sold as Daewoo G2X. The Pontiac Solstice was the sister on the same base with different styling. Back in the days GM sold some Opel models in the USA as Saturn like the Vue oder the Astra.
@@chrisdavidson911 I asked that question, because I've never heard of an Opel sold in the USA under that brand apart from the original GT from the late 60s
Lotus is Chinese. You buy a Lotus and you're going AGAINST European car manufacturers and against Europe as a whole!
Hi Jayemm, I enjoy you're reviews here in Kisumu, Kenya, have you ever done one for a Ford Mustang ...
love it..( and the silver wheels).. def lacking in the rotor dept..you'd think they'd be drilled/ slotted...
I think its predecessor looked MUCH better no matter how much better this is dynamically. A very clumsy design. A pity.
Couldn't agree more!
I would suggest tempering the biases in your review.
Most euro manufacturers offer the same thing as Chevy did with the Z06 - an M340i offers a track pack that adds additional cooling. Was the base not enough?
You could further question why a base 911 does not come with a limited sip differential standard?
Brakes being non drilled and slotted actually offer more thermal mass. See case in point the GT350R moving to solid rotors in 2019 / 2020. With a mid-rear engine car, you do not need massive front brakes, weight is on the back, the C8 Vette has larger rear brakes than previous front engine versions. You should have checked that.
A 992 C2S has smaller front rotors than an M340i track pack, does that mean it is underbraked? Come on man - do better. The Vette is providing all this at a price point far lower than most euro rivals, so look at that. You want to spend twice to go slower but have nicer buttons, go for it!
Stop the snobbery - it is unbecoming - appreciate the car for what it is.
Btw the car you drove doesn't seem to have the optional carbon package, which also includes something lights to highlight the engine bay. I assume that's what you wanted to see.
I love the Stingray, I have been tempted to go for the Z06, however, I found it's visuals just too much for me with its low front fender like a kid with braces and the large side intake made more into a V rather than a simple nice scoop.
May be nitpicking but when it comes down to it, I live in an area where it snows so the one with all wheel drive will have to be a decider (though if they bring that to the stingray, no debate for me!)
That square wheel is where I draw the line.
Wonder if there are C8-like variants planned from the other subsidiaries. Cadillac? Pontiac Fiero?
I’ve always thought the C8 looks like the GTA version of the corvette…
I absolutely agree with you! I thought I was the only one -- but it looks nothing like a genuine thing. It is a caricature of a super car. Remember when people put a Rolls Royce bonnet on a VW Beetle. This is the same!
Hilarious. This car destroys anything under a 488 on any track.
While I agree with most of the criticisms, some are bewildering. Not that quick? Perhaps the UK version is neutered. Car and Driver got 0-60 in 2.8 sec. That’s with a roll out, but still qualifies as quick in my universe. Perhaps it doesn’t feel as quick as it is. That a recurring theme in most highly capable vehicles, except motorcycles where being on the outside adds a bit of verve to a 10 sec quarter mile.
I don't think James in this video are talking drag race type acceleration, but if the car feels and are fast on the type of roads he's driving on. Remember he's used to drive all kind of performance cars and is the owner of a 550 Maranello.
American drag times are utterly and completely pointless. 2.8 seconds? Great! On a prepped surface, with sticky tyres and to get that number you eliminate the first foot which is basically cheating by anyone else's logic! Nobody in the UK gives two hoots about quarter mile times, and what I'm saying here is that for a car with 500hp it just doesn't feel as quick as it should. Might be due to the fact it's a heavy old devil for a mid-engined composite/aluminium car
Jay’s audio is usually very good, but occasionally not as with Lexus GSF and this base C8. 458 comparison should only be for the newer C8 with flat-plane V8. While styling is discombobulated it still looks pretty good and practicality is same as Boxster which usually has no equal. C8 is not a disaster, c’mon. Be thankful you have C8 variations, Lotus Emira, Porsches, etc. What Jay needs for some of these is a comparison test, that’s likely impractical, so let the bigger companies conduct those
do they still have the engine eats itself issue or has that been sorted
@Frogfoot > they all do it...