The Corvette's levels of acceleration, cornering, braking and top speed are simply beyond the realm of most drivers' experiences. And it takes a highly skilled driver, in a test track environment, to search the limits of its capabilities. For most of us, an occasional (if brief) romp on the gas pedal, or an enthusiastic fling around a freeway cloverleaf, will be about the most that can be experienced on a public road. With a car like the Corvette, stand on the gas for just a few seconds and you're going very, very fast.On the test track, the Corvette holds its own with the world's best. Even for those long familiar with this car's capabilities, its ability to accelerate, go around corners and stop is awe-inspiring. This kind of all-out capability has little relevance for daily driving, but it does promise a huge reserve that the skillful and aware driver can use to help avoid many emergencies. Even at normal, legal speeds, superior cornering gives a car the ability to steer around potential danger, and better braking might make the difference in a potentially dangerous situation. With all this high-performance capability, the Corvette's ride is surprisingly comfortable, particularly on smooth roads and highways. People accustomed to family sedans might find the ride quality slightly harsh, but it's actually quite good in the context of the car's performance level. Only on rough surfaces, such as poorly maintained city streets, does the ride start becoming objectionable. The current Corvette has come a long way in this regard. There's an optional ride and handling package for serious off-road use only (such as autocross and other competitive driving). We recommend it only for those who will use the Corvette in competition, as its ride is just too harsh for normal street use. |
