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Edmunds Compares 2014 Corvette Stingray Z51 And E92 BMW M3

Edmunds recently set out to answer one simple question: If you have $70,000 dollars to spend on an everyday sports car, what do you buy? Certainly the 2014 Corvette Stingray Z51 and the 2013 E92 BMW M3 are two of the best sports cars on sale, but could you use them every day? And if so, which ones better?

Although the M3 and the Stingray are both very different, they share some interesting characteristics In that they are more livable than most cars with similar performance figures. However at the track, there is no competition between these two. The Stingray’s best lap around the Streets of Willow Springs was a 1:24.55 achieving a top speed of 112.5 mph, compared to the M3’s 1:29.02 at a top speed of 105.26 mph.

The figures from acceleration testing tell a similar story. The Stingray, with all 460 hp from its 6.2 liter V8, reaches 60 from a standstill in 4.3 seconds and completes the quarter mile in 12.4 seconds at 113.7 mph. The German from Munich and its 414 hp 4.0 liter V8 managed to complete the quarter-mile in 13 seconds at a trap speed of 109 mph.

Power aside, the Stingray also pulls ahead on the skidpad, achieving a lateral g reading of 1.05g compared to the M3’s 0.92 g. The C7 darted through the slalom at 73.5 mph, while the M3 comes in a little slower at 70.3 mph. The lighter Vette’ also stopped shorter, slowing from 60 mph to 0 in 99 feet, with the M3 taking 104 feet to stop from the same speed.

Edmunds reports that although the Corvette gave the M3 a proper ass whipping at the track, they would still have the M3 as a daily driver, citing a proper traditional trunk, 4 seats and a more memorable driving experience as their reasoning.

After this test, the C7 continues to solidify itself as the ultimate performance bargain. As tested, the 2013 M3 Lime Rock Park edition came in at $73,000, when you could have the more powerful Vette’ as tested for $69,375. But with a new BMW M3 set to launch next year, we’re sure the Germans will manage to at least narrow the gap in performance.

Sam loves to write and has a passion for auto racing, karting and performance driving of all types.

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Comments

  1. As predicted, I read comments elsewhere about the “huge 6.2” that makes “only 450hp” and how much it “sucks”.

    The torque figures, however, always escape their notice. Strange, as the difference between the two is worth mentioning: the M’s 295 to the Stingrays 460.

    It’s only just a sucky 6.2. 😉

    Reply
    1. Haha, yeah not to mention the great fuel economy (Corvette application) of said “huge” 6.2L, the weight advantage of the “huge” 6.2L, the ease of maintenance, the outstanding reliability, or the vast list of practical use including trucks, airplanes, and boats. I guess it would be hard to see with their head that far up their own ass.

      Reply
  2. Just one question that it seems NOBODY can answer. When will the first and second allocations of the C7 hit the dealers? Originally it was “Aug”., than “the end of Sept. possibly”, and the latest dealer answer “hopefully October or November.” Is there anyone out there that has a clue?? Corvette had a website so you could track your order as it progressed through the factory but that didn’t work as they were overwhelmed with people entering the site and apparently causing it to crash as they were not ready for the response. There is a contact email address and they will respond but basically don’t tell you anything other than contact the dealer and the dealer can’t tell you anything except for the “hopefull” dates of arrival. At this rate the 2014’s won’t arrive until 2014 it appears, lets hope not!

    Reply
  3. So with more power, better handling, better braking than the BMW, the German car has a “more memorable experience”? If that means you will remember the C7 whipping your @$$ then yeah, otherwise forget it.

    And this was a DD sports car comparison, not a family car comparison so the comment about having more trunk space and 2 more seats is pretty moot.

    GoGo General!

    Reply
  4. Seriously – you compare an M3 (sport sedan – not sports car!) to a Corvette – not even in the same catagory except price. I really don’t get it. All these magazines/sites called a 4 seater a sports car – freak! A sports car by definition is a 2 seat sporty type vehicle – period. But nowadays we call a station wagon everything but (guess wagon is not cool!) Well I’d take a CTS-V Wagon any day and wax all those what-ever they call ’em right off the road…. I have (2) Vettes sitting in my garage (and there have been 7 previous ones before – of several generations.) The new Stingray is freakin’ awesome sports car – period! Way to go Chevrolet….

    Reply
    1. So what is the Ferrari Mondial, the FF, the 911, or the GTR? Are you saying they’re not sports cars?

      I wouldn’t be so hasty in stating that “A sports car by definition is a 2 seat sporty type vehicle – period” as if it were an absolute fact. I fear you may have just made that statement up on a whim.

      Reply
  5. Just looked it up in the dictionary:

    sports car
    noun

    : a low, small car that seats two people and that is made for fast driving

    OK, I didn’t just make it up… besides, I’ve been driving sports cars since I was 15! (now 60)
    I have worked in the automotive industry all my adult like… a sports car is a sports car! 4 seat sport coupes are what they are…. nothing wrong with that. A 911 is a sporty 4 seat coupe, so is the GTR… always have been, always will be. Just saying

    Reply
    1. It doesn’t matter if you’ve worked in the industry for X years, however long you’ve had your licence, or how many Corvettes you’ve owned. This is a matter of etymological study, not about what a mechanic or sales manager thinks on the matter.

      In fact, here’s another definition of ‘sports car’:

      “noun
      a low-built car designed for performance at high speeds, often having a roof that can be folded back.”

      http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/sports-car?q=sports+car

      and another.

      “a low fast car, often with a roof that can be folded back or removed”

      http://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/sports-car

      So now what? What about the 3 seater, Mclaren F1? What about the Ariel Atom? If we’re using the number of seats as the standard, I think you’ll be hard pressed to declare either of those two cars as anything less than sports car.

      How about the Honda CRX? It sat 2, and it could certainly handle well enough to be a sports car. What about the Del Sol? Again, 2 seats, but with a targa. How about a Fiero….an Ironduke 2M4? That’s got sports car written all over it.

      I could put forth my viewpoint on car classification, but I want to wait for your response.

      Reply

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