Ryan and Alan Drive the 2025 Corvette Stingray Convertible REVIEW

A little over a week ago I laid eyes on the 2025 Stingray for the first time in the flesh, and it was love at first sight. That first impression must convey everything you need to know. It has to grab your attention and hold it in a trancelike spell and if the spell is to remain unbroken, that first impression must not wane.

History

The 2025 Corvette Stingray is one such (childhood) icon.

The first Corvette I remember was driven by Bill Bixby in The Magician. His svelte Stingray came screeched to a halt beside a nondescript 70’s yank tank, and as Tony Blake powered down the Stingray’s window, his face could be seen over the lavishly undulating window sill. I was hooked and lusted after it ever since. Nothing has changed.

The C3 Corvette had a 15-year run from 1967. Laudable owners included astronaut Alan Shepard, actor George Clooney, and the evergreen Sir paul McCartney. Some Corvettes missed the mark, but C8 has captured the glamour of the C1, the sex appeal of the C2, and the “Hollywood” of C3.

Its movie star looks are matched by muscle of The Hulk (oddly, also played by Bixby), the dexterity of Ali the elegance of Falling Water and the speed of Campbell.

The Adoring Punters (waving onlookers)

This is, by far, the most admired car I have ever driven.

Small earth children begged for rides as their grubby faces pressed against the chain wire fence of their educational institution. Bigger kids yelled, “nice car” as they crossed the Zebra, while others gave the big thumbs up from their own cars as they passed by. Some waved so hard that they veered with enthusiasm to the wrong side of the road.

The voluptuous body is sculpted into a slippery shape that cradles a cosy cabin for two.

Intakes sweep cooling air into the engine bay and over the brakes. The bodacious curves are more than pretty lines, they press the C8 Corvette onto the ground as the air sweeps over them. Unlike many of her supercar brethren, Corvette has room front and back for a clowder of carefully curated carry-alls. A trio of totes is best, something most supercars faint at the mere mention of.

The MY25 added tasty treats like a soft close frunk and boot, among other things.

Ryan is an early-twenties Gen Z, into I.T. and fast cars. You can find his other stories HERE.

Ryan and I slipped into the Corvette after laying hands on its irresistible body. Like other supercars, the door handles form part of the bodywork and the electric latches are rubber pads, one under the left headlight, one in each door ahead of the engine intake, and another above the number plate. You can use the key fob but it is nowhere near as cool as sauntering up to the beast to slip a finger into a hidden crevice.

The light show, front and back, is pure joy, but it is the tail lights that have a magnetic pull that makes me want to caress them.

Above: This Week’s VIDEO Car Review – 2024 Corvette Stingray Convertible Review Alan Zurvas Ryan Brooks

#gmsv, #generalmotors, #C8corvettestingray #alanzurvas, #gaycarboys

ABOVE: 2024 Corvette Stingray C8 Convertible

The Roof and Front End Raise controls

Ryan was keen to track down the button for roof operation. It is the one between the traction control and nose-raising buttons. Use the latter often. It will remember where the nose has been raised previously and will quickly raise again to avoid ripping off the expensive splitter.

The roof operation always gathers a crowd, the lowering of which can be done from the fob. The engine cover swings back, allowing the roof to fold almost flat in two pieces above the engine. Raising or lowering the roof looks graceful from a distance, but there is a lot of clunking and thumping going on when closer up.

The Cabin

The luscious cabin’s sweeping lines have a Deco feel to them. Ribs and curves top the dash, with a vast rib cutting through the centre of the passenger space. The rib houses the climate controls which occupy the full length. The console has room for a small bin/armrest, a couple of cup holders, the gear buttons, and the drive mode dial. The leather-clad wrist rest has the ”mode” dial under it and is topped by a billet of metal stamped with “MODE”, just in case you missed it.

The sports seats are heated and cooled, with power controls, and have the grip of a cat on carpet.

All controls are in easy reach except for the parking brake (if your seatbelt is on). Americans have a bad habit of not using a parking brake and I’m surprised it doesn’t come on when the ignition turns off. Brakes need time to cool after a round on the track so “auto park-brake” would need an OFF button, but the function should be automated otherwise.

There is no LOCK button on the outside, but there is sashay-away locking which works well.

The Bose audio has 14 chest-thumpers, and wireless CarPlay/Andrio Auto to make up for the appalling omission of DAB+. There is a generous glove box, but apart from the small centre bin, the only place for a phone is the holder below the rear centre speaker between the seats. It is supposed to be a charger but our iPhones weren’t playing ball.

The bijou cabin has a further flourish of camp genius with the small rear window that raises or lowers independently of the roof and side windows. Although intended to deflect wind, there is quite a bit of coif–bouffanting going on sans cap at speeds over 100kph.

TOP TIP: Skip the hideous Trump-Orange interior. Go for for the less polarising options.

The Drive:

The LT2 V8 made its debut in the 2020 Corvette, and goes from V8 to V4 to save fuel. Mashing your foot mindlessly to the floor negates any small savings, but careful motoring drove our figures down from 58.8L/100km (when we collected the Stingray), to a less frightening 18L/100km. The range on the 70L (96ron) tank was around 143km when we started off. Hats off to the previous occupants.

Those heady numbers are terrifying, but driving Miss Daisy will probably get 400km or more on the open road with the lid closed.

In the video review Ryan was the first to steer, and had the look of a panting deer caught in the headlights. He needn’t have dallied as the Corvette can be a complete pussycat, with the 8-speed DCT automatic gently gliding from cog to cog like a ballerina.

Steering felt light and precise, with a comforting familiarity that any young Hot-Hatch empresario can manage, Make no bones about it, when pushed, Corvette is a stealth weapon capable of bringing on Code Brown moments in the undies of the unprepared.

Corvette Stingray is a rear wheel drive-only coupé/convertible, and harnesses the power of a small sun. There’s a healthy 369kw/637Nm in the RWD “entry level” 2LT and 3LT models, with the 5.5L “Z06” putting out a head-banging 488kw/595Nm.

Deeper pockets can spring for the Corvette E-Ray, a stonking E-AWD Coupé good for 488kw/806Nm. It glues the 6.2L V8 onto the back axel, and a 119kw/169Nm electric motor to the front one and yes, all Corvettes come with the same 8-speed double-clutcher. The beauty of an E-AWD is that there are two cars in one. The front wheels do the work when the 1.9kWh battery is full and max power is not required. The rear wheels use the V8 and all wheels work in tandem when the full choir is singing.

Ryan and I swapped seats down the highway a bit.

We both had a fill of fabulous frivolity in those lusty bends, but the highway showed the Corvette in all its glory, as a grand tourer. Yes, Corvette is a mid-engined supercar, and its magnetic ride control makes it near psychic in corners – yet also allows for the supple treatment of passengers even on the goat tracks masquerading as main roads.

It will never be a limousine, but it will never rearrange your organs every time you slip out for a sliced loaf.

Sadly, our festive spirits were dampened as we hit the Harbour Bridge. A Kingly visit had the outbound lanes closed, and not one, but two fender-benders clogged the inbound arteries.

Safety and Driver Aids

There is blind spot monitor and rear cross traffic alert. Many of the systems are less intrusive than in mainstream vehicles because the Corvette is intended to be a driver’s car.

I love the active rearview mirror, but as the camera is atop the roof, it is useless when the roof is stowed. Since it is near illegal to drive a convertible with the roof up in all but the most biblical of downpours, I fear I’d use it rarely.

The HUD is full colour and although quite small for a modern dashboard, the infotainment system is easy to use. The driver dials are a full screen LCD readout.

See the full specifications sheet HERE:GMSV-MY25-C8-Corvette-Stingray-Features-and-Specifications-Guide

Conclusion

Corvette Stingray out classes many of the supercars, mid-engined or not. Corvette has a history that even the most pedigreed Italian can’t match, and the Germans look dull by comparison. It is sexier than a LEXUS LC500 too.

Corvette cast a spell over me decades ago and despite the lack of DAB+, the MY25 Stingray is a glorious, thirsty, magnificent gladiator.

PRICING AND SPECIFICATIONS: 2025 CHEVROLET CORVETTE MODEL RANGE

6.2L LT2 V8, 369kW, 637Nm, 8sp dual-clutch automatic with paddle shifters