2014 Chevy Corvette Stingray Z51 vs. 2009 Chevy Corvette Z51: Track Tested

We've been waiting for this for years now. After endless scrutinizing and speculating, we've finally strapped our VBox data recorder into the C7 2014 Chevy Corvette Stingray Z51.

The C7 Corvette is powered by an all-new 6.2-liter V8 engine that features direct injection, cylinder deactivation and variable valve timing. They result in the Z51 package that is thumping out 460 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. All of this power goes to fat, 285 series Michelin Pilot Super Sport ZP tires through a seven-speed manual transmission.

The old C6 Corvette (a 2009 Corvette Z51 in this case) also has a 6.2-liter V8, but it uses traditional fuel injection and only managed 430 hp and 436 lb-ft of torque with the Z51 package and sport exhaust. The old 'Vette also made do with a six-speed manual instead of the seven-speed found in the C7, though they have the same ratios in gears 1-6, so this shouldn't be an issue. And while the two cars share the same rear tire width, this 2009 Chevy Corvette Z51 was on 19-inch Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tires.

How much better did the Corvette get?

	2014 Chevy Corvette	2009 Chevy Corvette
Curb weight as tested:	3,444	3,275
0-30 (sec.):	1.8	2.0
0-45 (sec.):	2.8	3.0
0-60 (sec.):	4.1	4.3
0-60 with 1-ft Rollout (sec.):	3.8	4.0
0-75 (sec.):	5.6	5.9
1/4-mile (sec @ mph):	12.0 @ 117.3	12.3 @ 116.0
30-0 (ft):	23	27
60-0 (ft):	93	110
Skid Pad Lateral Accel (g):	1.08	0.95
Slalom:	72.8	67.9

Vehicle: 2014 Chevy Corvette Stingray Z51
Odometer: 1,102
Driver: Josh Jacquot
Price: $68,175

Specifications:
Drive Type: Front engine, rear-wheel drive
Transmission Type: Seven-speed manual with automated rev-matching
Engine Type: Naturally aspirated, direct-injected pushrod V8, gasoline with cylinder deactivation
Displacement (cc/cu-in): 6,162/376
Redline (rpm): 6,500
Horsepower (hp @ rpm): 460 @ 6,000
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm): 465 @ 4,600
Brake Type (front): 13.6-inch one-piece ventilated slotted cast-iron discs with 4-piston fixed calipers
Brake Type (rear): 13.3-inch one-piece ventilated slotted cast-iron discs with 4-piston fixed calipers
Suspension Type (front): Independent double wishbones, transverse leaf spring, self-adjusting magnetorheological dampers, stabilizer bar
Suspension Type (rear): Independent double wishbones, transverse leaf spring, self-adjusting magnetorheological dampers, stabilizer bar
Tire Size (front): 245/35ZR19 (89Y)
Tire Size (rear): 285/30ZR20 (95Y)
Tire Brand: Michelin
Tire Model: Pilot Super Sport ZP
Tire Type: Asymmetrical, high-performance, summer
As Tested Curb Weight (lb): 3,444

Test Results:

Acceleration
0-30 (sec): 1.8 (2.1 w/ TC on)
0-45 (sec): 2.8 (3.2 w/ TC on)
0-60 (sec): 4.1 (4.7 w/ TC on)
0-60 with 1-ft Rollout (sec): 3.8 (4.4 w/ TC on)
0-75 (sec): 5.6 (6.5 w/ TC on)
1/4-Mile (sec @ mph): 12.0 @ 117.3 (12.7 @ 112.0 w/ TC on)

Braking
30-0 (ft): 23
60-0 (ft): 93

Handling
Slalom (mph): 72.8
Skid Pad Lateral Acceleration (g): 1.08 (1.07 w/ESC on)
RPM @ 70: 1,450

Comments:

Acceleration: Launch control (after several runs) did a respectable job of getting the car off the line but results in heavy wheelspin. A more calculated approach utilizing a 3,800-4,000 rpm engine speed produced the best results. Get the clutch out quickly and let the engine's massive torque push the car forward. Gearchanges are easy, quick and consistent. Engine sound is awesome at wide-open throttle, too.

Braking: Some softening of the brake pedal is apparent even during single-stop tests like this. This car (VIN 0026) has likely endured multiple instrumented tests in a few days. Still, the distance (93 feet) is stunning.

Handling:

Skid pad: Very easy to approach and sense the limit of front grip. Precise steering and no body roll provide ample confidence to drive right past the limit of grip. And with excellent balance and a big margin between the limit of grip and the limit of control, doing so is engaging.

Slalom: It's easy to drive the C7 very close to its limits with little practice. Every single run was within 0.35 second. There's probably a quicker slalom speed in the C7, but we ran out of time to refine the best technique. Even so, this car is very, very capable in this test.

Vehicle: 2009 Chevy Corvette Coupe Z51
Driver: Josh Jacquot
Price: $63,960 (when tested)

Specifications:
Drive Type: Front engine, rear-wheel drive
Transmission Type: Six-speed manual with automated rev-matching
Engine Type: Naturally aspirated, sequential fuel injection, pushrod V8, gasoline
Displacement (cc/cu-in): 6,162/376
Redline (rpm): 6,500
Horsepower (hp @ rpm): 436 @ 5,900
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm): 428 @ 4,600
Brake Type (front): 13.4-inch ventilated cross-drilled discs with sliding calipers
Brake Type (rear): 13.0-inch one-piece ventilated cross-drilled discs with sliding calipers
Suspension Type (front): Independent double wishbones, transverse leaf spring, stabilizer bar
Suspension Type (rear): Independent double wishbones, transverse leaf spring, stabilizer bar
Tire Size (front): P245/40ZR18 (88Y)
Tire Size (rear): P285/35ZR19 (90Y)
Tire Brand: Goodyear
Tire Model: Eagle F1 Supercar EMT
Tire Type: Asymmetrical, high-performance, summer
As Tested Curb Weight (lb): 3,275

Test Results:

Acceleration
0-30 (sec): 2.0 (2.1 w/ TC on)
0-45 (sec): 3.0 (3.2 w/ TC on)
0-60 (sec): 4.3 (4.6 w/ TC on)
0-60 with 1-ft Rollout (sec): 4.0 (4.3 w/ TC on)
0-75 (sec): 5.9 (6.5 w/ TC on)
1/4-Mile (sec @ mph): 12.3 @ 116.0 (12.5 @ 115.4 w/ TC on)

Braking
30-0 (ft): 27
60-0 (ft): 110

Handling
Slalom (mph): 67.9
Skid Pad Lateral Acceleration (g): 0.95 (0.95 with ESC on)
RPM @ 70: 1,700

Comments:

Acceleration: Best launch: 3K rpm, clutch out quickly and pedal it until wheel speed matches vehicle speed, then wide-open-throttle to redline. Shifter feels great when slamming gears, not so great on the street.

Braking: Pedal feel isn't as immediate as I'd like. Some pedal fade on runs four through six.

Handling:

Skid pad: Incredible balance. Great communication at limit during steady-state cornering. Good grip. Stability control works extremely well in "performance driving" mode. Wide threshold and doesn't punish severely.

Slalom: Performance driving mode allows plenty of slip. Best run came with it on without triggering the system. Still, it's very good. Base 'Vette, even with Z51 package, isn't as confident as I'd like in transitions. Feels same as Z06, but not ZR1.

The manufacturer provided Edmunds these vehicles for the purposes of evaluation.