2013 Chevrolet Corvette

6-SPEED TRANSMISSION
Chevrolet's latest short-throw 6-speed manual transmission makes the shifter in past Corvette models feel like something pulled out of a 1966 Chevy pickup.

KEYLESS ACCESS WITH PUSH-BUTTON START
Keep your keys in your purse or pocket. When you approach the car, you simply reach for a touch-panel in the door handle and the vehicle starts up with the press of a button.

While we are certain that the 2013 Chevrolet Corvette can compete on almost any racetrack with almost any competitor, its interior does not compete as well. It's not a horrible interior, but it does speak to the Corvette's Chevrolet roots. A handsome Custom Leather-Wrapped Interior Package (part of the 4LT Package) is well worth the extra cost, adding a dash of elegance to Chevrolet's road warrior. The newly designed front seats add additional side support and remain fairly comfortable even on long drives. One must remember, however, that this is a V8-powered performance car, so don't expect Lexus-like quiet in the cabin.

The 2013 Chevrolet Corvette coupe is unlike any Corvette before it, yet it retains a familiar look. The Corvette Grand Sport model borrows many of the design elements from the Corvette Z06, creating a thrilling-looking coupe for around $55,000. A traditional feature that is standard on the Corvette coupe is the removable body-colored roof panel, which is also available in tinted glass. There is even a package that offers one of each. The ultimate in Corvette design is the Corvette ZR1, a super-car edition that adds its own unique body panels, and a combination of 19-inch front wheels and 20-inch rears, among other features.

Although there is no denying the pleasure a 430-horsepower (436 horsepower with the optional dual-mode exhaust) V8 delivers, the 2013 Chevrolet Corvette has a certain lack of refinement. The 6.2-liter LS3 small-block V8 feels gruff at idle and roars loudly when pressed into action. It's a purely American feel that instantly takes one back to the late 1960s' muscle-car era. Porsche and Jaguar lovers will probably never like this engine, but they can't easily overlook its tremendous performance potential, either. The Z06's 7.0-liter V8 pushes the level of performance and refinement into the realm of the European supercars. The Corvette ZR1's supercharger allows its 6.2-liter V8 to produce an incredible 638 horsepower and 604 lb-ft of torque.

6.2-liter V8
430/436* horsepower @ 5,900 rpm
424/428* lb-ft of torque @ 4,600 rpm
* with optional exhaust
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/26 mpg (manual), 15/25 mpg (automatic)

7.0-liter V8
505 horsepower @ 6,300 rpm
470 lb-ft of torque @ 4,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/24 mpg

6.2-liter supercharged V8
638 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm
604 lb-ft of torque @ 3,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 14/21 mpg

The 2013 Chevrolet Corvette coupe's Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starts just under $51,000, while the Corvette convertible's price is closer to $55,500. The Corvette Grand Sport starts around $57,000, while the Corvette Z06 begins closer to $76,500. The ZR1's price exceeds $113,000. A wide range of competitors with similar performance and horsepower figures include the Porsche 911 Carrera S, priced at about $97,500; the Nissan GT-R, with an MSRP of about $97,000; and the 650-horsepower Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, priced right around $55,000. Be sure to visit KBB.com to see our Fair Purchase Price which shows what others in your area paying. Even if you find yourself paying full retail for your Corvette, you can take solace in the fact that over a 5-year period the 2013 Chevy Corvette rivals the Porsche 911 Carrera S in projected residual values.

To find out what consumers are really paying for this vehicle, first select a style to see the Fair Purchase Price| Calculate payments for this vehicle