There are currently two Chevy sports car variants in the lineup: the front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 6th-generation Camaro, and the brand’s signature supercar, the latest C8-generation of the Corvette Stingray. The latter is considered the ultimate sports car from Chevrolet, which is now mid-engined for the first time and is already dipping its toe in hypercar territory, even before the faster variants have launched in the USA.
The Corvette story spans decades of evolving models since the classic Mk1 launched in 1953. New 2021 Chevy sports cars still bear the same name as one of the most revered in the US in this segment. The Camaro is a more recent entrant, having debuted as Chevy’s pony car in the late 60s, conceived to compete with Ford’s popular Mustang. With both these vehicles remaining popular, and an industry trend towards alternative sources of power, future Chevy sports cars may even fit into the hybrid and EV classifications going forward.
The Corvette is currently only available with one engine, the 6.2-liter gas V8 with 490 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. This can, however, be pushed up with five more hp and lb-ft of twist if the Performance exhaust is specced. This is coupled to an eight-speed dual-clutch auto transmission. These mechanical specifications apply to 1LT, 2LT, and 3LT models in both coupe and convertible configurations. This is good enough for a sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 3 seconds, or 2.9 seconds with the Z51 Performance Package, thanks to slightly higher outputs. However, some test drive results have shown even quicker results. Its top speed is listed as 194 mph.
With more variety in the Camaro range, buyers can choose between a turbocharged four-cylinder, a 3.6-liter V6, or a 6.2-liter V8 that can be had in standard configuration or with a supercharger for even more oomph. Outputs range from 275 hp through to 650 hp, and - for the purists - a six-speed manual transmission is standard. An optional eight- or ten-speed automatic is available, with the former paired to the inline-four, and the latter paired to V6 and V8 powertrains.
Both the two-door coupe and convertible Corvette Stingray models are available in 1LT, 2LT, and 3LT trim levels and, with the exception of the optional Z51 Performance Package, this represents all the vehicles in the lineup for now. The convertible has a power-folding hardtop and the coupe’s roof panels can be removed and stowed in the trunk. Other than that, the trim and standard spec for the coupe and convertible are the same. The starting price of the cheapest C8 offered for sale is around $60,000 and it peaks at over $80k - not cheap, but far less than top-end European rivals. Still, it’s so in demand, you won’t strike a bargain on low-mileage used ones yet. The 2-door Camaro is available in five models and a choice of four engines with outputs ranging from 275 hp to 650 hp and starting with quite a low MSRP in the mid-$20k area. The entry-level 2-liter turbocharged Camaro LS is the slowest of Chevy’s fast cars, with a 5.4-second sprint to 60 mph. The current Chevrolet sports-cars list is quite long:
Model | Power | Engine | Base Price |
---|---|---|---|
Chevrolet Camaro Coupe | 275 hp | 2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Gas | $25,000 |
Chevrolet Corvette 427 Convertible | 505 hp | 7.0L V8 Gas | $75,925 |
Chevrolet Camaro Convertible | 275 hp | 2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Gas | $31,500 |
Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Coupe | 650 hp | 6.2L Turbo V8 Gas | $63,000 |
Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Convertible | 650 hp | 6.2L Turbo V8 Gas | $69,000 |
Chevrolet Corvette Convertible | 430 hp | 6.2L V8 Gas | $54,600 |
Chevrolet Corvette Coupe | 430 hp | 6.2L V8 Gas | $49,600 |
Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Convertible | TBC | 6.2L V8 Gas | $125,400 |
Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Coupe | 490 hp | 6.2L V8 Gas | $60,900 |
Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible | 490 hp | 6.2L V8 Gas | $67,400 |
These Chevrolet sports cars all share certain common traits:
In our buyer’s guide, you can find a detailed review on each Chevy mentioned here, as well as the latest news on upcoming models.