2011 Corvette
Edited from: thecarconnection.com

Ridiculously fast and still daily-driver practical, the 2011 Chevrolet Corvette is an everyday supercar.

The Chevrolet Corvette has long been a top performance bargain, but with improvements over the past two years, plus upgrades for 2011, the lineup just keeps getting better.

The 2011 Chevrolet Corvette is a two-door coupe or convertible available in a range of performance trims, including base, Grand Sport, Z06, and ZR1. It competes against the world's best sports cars and supercars, including the Nissan 370Z and GT-R, Porsche Boxster and 911, Dodge Viper, and even Italian exotics - depending on the trim chosen.

The base Corvette coupe and convertible offer sport and style, the Grand Sport kicks it up a notch with track-worthy upgrades, the Z06 is a pure-bred supercar, and the ZR1 goes over the top with speed, power, and raw ability.

The 2011 Chevrolet Corvette is a true sports car (or supercar in the case of the Z06 and ZR1) that handles the daily commute as well as the curves, without breaking the bank.

Three different engines are available: a 6.3-liter LS3 V-8 rated at 430 horsepower (or 436 hp with the optional dual-mode exhaust) found in the base model and Grand Sport; a 505-horsepower 7.0-liter LS7 V-8 in the Z06; and a 638-horsepower 6.2-liter LS9 V-8. All of them have throaty exhaust notes, abundant low-end torque, and strong top-end power. The question is only whether too much is really enough. Despite the massive power outputs, the Corvette's V-8 range is surprisingly refined on the road, thanks to the ability to run quietly at low RPMs in higher gears - which also helps fuel economy.

Both slick-shifting six-speed manual and manual-mode six-speed automatic transmission options are available on the base and Grand Sport models, but the Z06 and ZR1 are only available with robust six-speed manuals. The manual-transmission models come with standard launch control in addition to the Corvette's competition-tuned traction and stability programming.

Acceleration times are excellent, with the base coupe and Grand Sport darting to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds, the Z06 doing it in 3.9 seconds, and the ZR1 hitting the mark in a scant 3.4 seconds. It's not all about straight-line speed, though, as the relatively light weight and well-tuned chassis of the various models provide responsive, capable handling. Crisp, communicative steering and excellent brakes are also par for the Corvette course.

The EPA estimates that base Chevrolet Corvettes will get 16 mpg city and 26 mpg highway with the manual transmission, while the automatic drops each of those numbers by 1 mpg. The Chevrolet Corvette Z06 manages 15 mpg city and 24 mpg on the highway, while the 2011 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 scores 14 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway.

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