Skip advert
Advertisement

Corvette C6

American idol gets six-speed paddle-shift auto 'box

Evo rating
Price
from £46,950
  • Paddles work well
  • Auto mode a little lacklustre

Before we look at the new paddle-shift C6 Corvette, let's recall a couple of details about the manual version. Number one: the American idea of a good manual is something that requires an XXL tub of testosterone and a forearm the size of a baby hippo's leg. As a result the standard manual six-speeder is a little lacking in delicacy. Not bad, just slightly rural. Number two: many people in Britain will avoid buying a Corvette because the stick for shifting is on the right-hand (or wrong) side and there are only so many times it's funny smacking your left hand into the door trim. All right, it's still left-hand drive, but the automatic largely solves both these problems. Slot the lever into 'D' and it's a normal auto, if not a very good one. On full throttle it holds on to gears well, but move along more gently and it seems like it's racing to get to sixth, the rev-counter never seeing the fun side of 2000rpm. It's happy to kick down, but it jumps back up if you stay on a steady throttle, so through a corner it shifts up before you reach the apex, then has to shuffle back down again after it... Happily, if you slot 'S' on the lever, the shift quickens and the paddles wake up. Said paddles are attached to the steering wheel and you can push either one to shift up, or pull to change down. With this extra control you can enjoy what is essentially a good, smooth-changing 'box. It's quick enough for the character of the engine, blips nicely on the down-change and will even run into the limiter without changing up. The only bad thing is that the temptation to change all the time is perhaps too great - you need to remember to leave it in third once in a while and luxuriate in the engine's flexibility and reach. Fifty per cent of Corvettes sold are automatics and you can understand why, since they provide a sort of characterful (and cheaper) alternative to a Mercedes SL.

Specifications

EngineV8, 5967cc, 16v
Max power404bhp @ 6000rpm
Max torque403lb ft @ 4400rpm
0-604.8sec (claimed)
Top speed186mph (claimed)
On saleNow
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

More on C6

Callaway Corvette Stingray
Callaway Corvette Stingray tops 600bhp
News

Callaway Corvette Stingray

Callaway tunes the new Corvette Stingray; power rises from 460 to 627bhp
15 Aug 2014
Chevrolet Corvette Stingray C7 video review
Chevrolet Corvette Stingray C7 sideways
Reviews

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray C7 video review

The new Chevrolet Corvette Stingray C7 could finally challenge its Porsche 911 arch rival. We drive it in the UK
16 Apr 2014
Corvette Stingray picture gallery
1959 Corvette Sting Ray racer
News

Corvette Stingray picture gallery

As we drive the new Chevrolet Corvette Stingray in the UK, here's a roundup of its ancestors
28 Mar 2014
Corvette Stingray drag video
Corvette Stingray red convertible
News

Corvette Stingray drag video

The Corvette Stingray runs up the drag strip for the first time, while a shooting brake version could top 200mph
2 Oct 2013
Corvette Stingray test video
Corvette Stingray test video
News

Corvette Stingray test video

Chevrolet tests the 2014 Corvette Stingray at the Nurburgring and Dudenhofen
17 Sep 2013
Corvette-based Innotech Aspiron revealed
Corvette-based Innotech Aspiron revealed
News

Corvette-based Innotech Aspiron revealed

Czech company Innotech to release Corvette-engined track-day car at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
5 Jul 2013
Corvette Stingray: UK price
Chevrolet Corvette Stingray: UK price
News

Corvette Stingray: UK price

The UK price of the new Chevrolet Corvette Stingray places it £10k shy of the Porsche 911 Carrera
19 Jun 2013
Vencer Sarthe supercar
Vencer Sarthe
News

Vencer Sarthe supercar

The Vencer Sarthe is an all-new Dutch supercar with Corvette V8 power, unveiled at Top Marques 2013 in Monaco
19 Apr 2013
evo's 2013 tours
evo's 2013 tours - Wales, Alps and America
News

evo's 2013 tours

Experience a road trip through Wales, Alpine passes or unseen America courtesy of evo's 2013 tours
1 Mar 2013
Detroit show: Performance car gallery
Detroit performance cars
News

Detroit show: Performance car gallery

Here are pictures of the best performance cars currently on show at the Detroit motor show
15 Jan 2013
Detroit show: American car gallery
Detroit gallery
News

Detroit show: American car gallery

Although European manufacturers have a big presence at the Detroit show, for many it's all about the American cars. Here's what's new in the US right …
15 Jan 2013
Skip advert
Advertisement
Corvette 427 sells for £380K
New Corvette leads American auction highlights
News

Corvette 427 sells for £380K

Corvette's first 427 Convertible sells for 600,000 dollars during an eventful car auction
23 Jan 2012
Corvette goes global
Corvette Z06 Carbon supercar
News

Corvette goes global

Next Corvette supercar could have design elements from outside of its US homeland
11 Mar 2010
Corvette C6
Reviews

Corvette C6

The latest Corvette aims to take on the best European sports cars. What are its chances?
6 Dec 2004