Chevrolet Corvette Stingray review

Corvettes have always been (relatively) affordable and easy to live with and the C8 is no different. Despite offering a top speed of over 190mph and a 0-60mph time of under three seconds, it can return over 20mpg if you go easy with it.

But you won’t if you’re driving a Z06. It sounds too good and the top end is too addictive. Expect 15mpg if you’re lucky, around 12mpg if you’re constantly on it. In America the Z06 starts at $106,695 (£88,295). The blue convertible in the pictures here was specced to $144,000 (£119,150). Alongside anything European that’s good value for the performance on offer. However, as and when the car does make it over here, don’t expect that value proposition to be retained. It will be a limited supply car, probably starting at around £120,000.

Here's the contrast for you: regular C8 prices in the US start at $65,895 (£54,800). It’s always been a good value car, and nothing has changed in that regard. When (fingers still crossed) it comes to the UK, we would expect prices to be some £20,000 above that, but that would still mean £20,000 below an entry level Porsche 911. The trouble is that lease costs would probably be much closer to the Porsche, as it’s highly unlikely the Corvette would have such strong residuals and dealer back up.

One of the reasons the Corvette is good value is that base versions aren’t well equipped. The 1LT may have a Bose 10-speaker hi-fi and rear view camera, but if you want the eight-inch central touchscreen you need to step up to 2LT – a rise of about $7,300.

As for reliability, well the dry-sumped LT2 engine is based on a tried and tested formula so there’s nothing to worry about there. Servicing – at least in the US – is simple and inexpensive. That won’t be the case in most international markets.