Thursday, March 24, 2022

My GT7 Log: The star of GT6

The next Gran Turismo star we'll be showcasing in Gran Turismo 7 is the Chevrolet C7 Corvette Stingray, the star of Gran Turismo 6.


Unveiled in 2013 as a 2014 model, the Chevrolet C7 Corvette marked a radical revolution of America's sports car that promises performance equivalent to its European rivals. Under the hood lies a newly-developed LT1 6.2L V8 engine producing 455HP of power and 460ft-lb of torque while the optional Performance Exhaust adds five more, making it the most powerful standard model ever since launch. Apart from the performance it delivers, the C7 Corvette Stingray features the most sophisticated driver tech, lightweight materials capable of delivering a near-perfect weight distribution, and a track-capable Z51 Performance Package.


Gran Turismo fanatics had fond memories with the C7 Corvette. Back in late 2012, Chevrolet offered players the chance to experience the pre-production, heavily camouflaged, test mule in GT5 before the real deal unveiled in mid-January 2013. They've challenged them to lap around the Nurburgring with the said prototype as well. Of course, I remembered the part and I barely did it in flying colors. It's a herculean task many have tried but some have made it, even me.

When the real deal made its world premiere, the Gran Turismo franchise became the first to give players the taste of the C7 Corvette Stingray and because they're so impressed, they've made it the hero car of Gran Turismo 6, the last Gran Turismo game made for PS3. There's even a modified version of the C7 Corvette, in honor of the Gran Turismo franchise's 15th anniversary, displayed at the 2013 SEMA Show as well!



Anyway, no time for being sentimental. It's time to give the C7 Corvette a quick spin in the Big Willow segment of the Willow Springs International Raceway, just to see if it still feels like the moment you drive the C7 Corvette around this track back in GT6. Let's roll the tape.


After a quick lap in the Big Willow, the C7 Corvette did it in 1:32.026. Not the best I've done but I have made America proud with this American-made sports car made to give Europeans a run for their money.


The C7 Corvette is highly remembered in motoring history as the last FR Corvette ever made. While such a decision pouted Corvette purists, rest assured that the C7 Corvette is peak Corvette at its best and its resale value is questionably outrageous by today's standards. Who knows, it could be worth more in an era where petrol-powered cars are gone for good in favor of electrification in the new normal. Whatever the reason, I'm glad that the whole world got hooked with the C7 Corvette until the very end.

What other Gran Turismo stars should I drive next? Stay tuned for more.

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