10 Things You Need To Know About The 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

2015 chevy corvette stingray engine

The 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray continues to defend its title as America's sports car icon. The two-door Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, which comes in both open and fixed-roof body styles, provides a huge amount of power paired with class-leading handling, all at a price that's surprisingly reasonable. More than that, however, the latest generation of the Corvette has shown itself capable of taking on the best in the world on the street and on the track without giving up an inch, regardless of how big a price gap there might be between the Chevrolet and its competitors.

Let's take a look at 10 things you need to know about the 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray.

1. The 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Features Standard V-8 Power

Is there any sound in the automotive world as universally recognizable as the burble of a large-displacement V-8 engine? The 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray comes standard with a 6.2-liter LT1 eight-cylinder mill that incorporates advanced features such as variable valve timing and cylinder deactivation alongside more traditional technologies like push-rod valves. Mixing the old and the new has helped the Corvette Stingray boast a power rating of 455 horses and 460 lb-ft of torque, numbers that jump by five additional ponies and five extra lb-ft if you opt for the car's available performance exhaust system.

2. The 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Provides A 7-Speed Manual Gearbox

The 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray comes standard with one of the most unusual manual transmissions on the market. The Chevrolet Corvette Stingray's seven-speed gearbox makes it the only automobile aside from the Porsche 911 Carrera to offer an extra ratio above sixth in a shift-it-yourself design. Why the seventh gear? The engineering answer is 'fuel efficiency,' as the extra cog lowers engine speeds on the highway, but the more accurate raison d'être for the 7-speed unit might be 'marketing.' After all, no one likes to be one-upped, and once Porsche announced its own uneven-numbered manual box it was only a matter of time before Chevrolet responded.

Photo by Benjamin Hunting

3. The 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Gains An 8-Speed Upgrade

Of course, if more ratios are what you are looking for then you might want to skip the 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray's manual transmission and instead choose its available automatic. The Chevrolet Corvette Stingray's available eight-speed autobox is all-new for the current model year, replacing 2014's six-speed self-shifter, and not only does it make the same fuel mileage argument as its manual cousin, but it also improves on the ability of the Stingray to select the right gear for the current driving situation. Overall, the eight-speed's ability to maximize the Corvette's generous powerband makes it a worthy addition to the sports car's options sheet.

4. The 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Delivers Supercar Performance

The 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray is an incredibly potent performance machine. When paired with the available Z51 Performance package, which installs a dry-sump oil system, larger rims front and rear, a differential cooler, an even tighter suspension package, more aggressive gearing, and slicker aero, the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray morphs into a heart-stopping thrill ride. 60-mph arrives in a scant 3.8 seconds for the Z51-equipped car thanks to the availability of a launch control system, which is part of the five-stage Performance Traction Management (PTM) feature that comes with the car.

5. The 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Steps Into Hypercar Territory

If 460 horsepower aren't enough to get you excited, then fear not: the 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray has you covered. Enter the Chevrolet Corvette Z06, a model that introduces a 650 horsepower, 6.2-liter supercharged version of the base Stingray's 6.2-liter V-8. Also capable of producing 650 lb-ft of torque, and featuring the same transmission choices along with a standard adaptive suspension system, bigger brakes, a carbon fiber hood, and wider tires, the Corvette Z06 screams to 60-mph in a mere three seconds on its way to a top speed of 186-mph.

6. The 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Features Convertibles All Around

The 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray offers buyers the choice between either a targa-roof coupe or a traditional soft-top convertible. The Chevrolet Corvette Stingray coupe features a removable roof panel that's made out of carbon fiber, with storage for the panel incorporated into the vehicle's generous trunk. For the very first time the Corvette Z06 also follows the standard Corvette's open-air policy, providing not just the removable roof as standard equipment but also delivering a full convertible Z06 option for those who need to feel a 186-mph wind ripping individual hair follicles from their heads.

7. The 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Offers A Trio Of Trim Choices

The 2015 Chevrolet Corvette starts out in 1LT trim, which brings with it Brembo brakes, keyless entry and ignition, HID headlights, leather seats, dual automatic climate control, 18-inch front wheels and 19-inch rear wheels, 4G LTE Wi-Fi internet connectivity, Bluetooth, an LCD screen in the gauge cluster and on the center console, and a Bose sound system. Stepping up to the Stingray 2LT introduces heated and ventilated seats with a memory feature, a louder stereo system, upgraded interior trim, and auto-dimming mirrors, while the 3LT model provides nicer leather on both the seats and cabin panels as well as a navigation system.

8 The 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Introduces The PDR Option

The 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray offers a new option called the Performance Data Recorder (PDR). Standard on 3LT trim levels, the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray's PDR combines a video camera with telemetry from the car's brakes and accelerator to record lap after lap at the race track that can be played back later on the vehicle's LCD screen. The system also keeps track of g forces as well as engine revs and what gear ratio the vehicle was in, creating a comprehensive suite of information that is useful for improving on one's habits behind the wheel.

9. The 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Provides A Host Of High Performance Options

The 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is a formidable package right out of the box, but those with a craving for even more speed can dive into the car's options list. If you select the Carbon Fiber Aero package, you'll benefit from a lightweight carbon fiber front splitter, a carbon fiber spoiler at the rear of the vehicle, and carbon fiber rocker panels. The Z07 Performance package takes things even further by way of its carbon ceramic brake rotors, ultra-sticky track tires, and a see-through rear spoiler that has an adjustable center section to improve visibility.

10. The 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Is More Affordable Than You Think

The 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray offers more bang for your buck than any other high performance sports car around. The entry-level version of the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray coupe starts at MSRP of $55,995, which is significantly less than many of the car's European and Japanese rivals. The convertible Corvette Stingray is somewhat pricier, check in at $59,995. If you want to spend more, you can: the fully decked out 3LT with Performance package edition of the Stingray is priced at $70,445, while the Corvette Z06 begins at $79,995 for the coupe and $83,995 for the convertible.