Of all the wonderful things we’ve heard about the new C7 Corvette Stingray lately, there’s been one data set missing: an independent dyno test.
Why is a dyno test important? I’ll tell you.
While Chevrolet has rated the all-new Corvette Stingray to produce 460 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque, those are the power figures at the flywheel just behind the engine. Historically, power drops off precipitously as it travels through the transmission and to the wheels, as there are plenty of opportunities for parasitic drivetrain power loss.
So although the 460 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque rating is good, we wonder how much of that direct injected 6.2-liter V8 power is actually pushed to the pavement?
Delightfully, Edmunds was able to snag a Stingray with the optional sport exhaust – good for an extra 5 hp and 5 lb-ft – and put it on a dyno to find out.
The first power graph is of torque, which is nearly horizontal between 2,000 and 6,000 RPM, meaning the LT1 V8 has plenty of torque. As you can see, at no point between that rev range does the engine push less than 350 pound-feet of torque to the tires. From there, though, the engine tops out at 407 pound-feet at around 5,000 RPM. Note the upward tick in torque around 3,800 RPM. The exhaust bypass valves snapping open caused that.
As for horsepower, the power graph is much more of a vertical climb. Starting in the sub-150 range at 2,000 RPM, the Stingray climbs to a 411 horsepower peak just 1,000 RPM after peak torque.
Next Edmunds – surely to flame the fire a bit – compares the Stingray to the Camaro SS and then to the comparably priced Ford Mustang GT500. As you can see in the final graph, the Ford embarrasses the ‘Ray in power production. Fairly, however, Edmunds is quick to note comparing the two isn’t exactly fair. The ‘Stang is the top of the range while the ‘Ray is the base model. Much more powerful C7s are undoubtedly in the pipeline.
Photos and graphs courtesy of Edmunds.
