Some cars are delightfully impractical. While a few might think this Corvette falls into that category given its 6.2 liter V8 and petite, two-seat capacity, thinking such things might be missing the point – and completely misjudging the car itself.
When generously offered the chance to drive this Corvette, it would have been rude to refuse. In scouring my memory, I do not remember ever having ridden in any Corvette other than this example, let alone driving one. So in a sense, this was my first foray into Corvette-dom, this car being the benchmark I will likely forever use to judge all other Corvettes. Doing so will cause all its predecessors to inherently possess some manner of unrefined-ness in comparison, but as I don’t Corvette shop very often I’m willing to run that risk.
I was fortunate to get some good seat time in this ‘Vette, about 150 miles of hills, curves, a few towns, and some interstate. Venturing from my home base of Jefferson City to the town of Cuba, the departure route is the one seen here in blue. The return trip was via the eastern and more northern route shown, the one with a distance of 75.5 miles. This route, and the circumstance, gave me ample opportunity to explore the extremes of the Corvette’s behavior.
Participating in a car club cruise to visit a place along old Route 66 in Cuba, I was told upon departure our convoy would be traveling at 50 mph. In one of those many instances where plans don’t materialize, we generally ran a lethargic 35 to 45 mph, with a brief blast to 55 mph. We did get to see the world’s largest rocking chair that was perched near our destination.
The oldest car present was a 1948 Lincoln Continental I had followed for the duration of the trip to Cuba. It’s flathead V12 was capable (and profoundly silent when idling) so I’m still perplexed on the sauntering pace.
As an aside, the most incongruent moment of the trip was driving a newer ‘Vette, looking at the rear of this Lincoln, and hearing this Jefferson Airplane song coming over the radio.
Traveling at these gingerly speeds never allowed me to shift the Corvette’s seven-speed manual transmission beyond fifth gear – and even in fifth gear the engine was barely above idle speed. Despite all the slow running the Corvette was as calm and docile as a Camry or any other comparable mid-sized sedan. It never once balked about loafing for such prolonged periods and it gave me abundant opportunity to realize its throttle is not touchy; in fact, unlike some torquey engines I’ve experienced with manual transmissions, this Corvette requires a wee bit of throttle or it will stall. That only happened once, upon my first getting in it and backing from a parking space.
The constant rowing of gears also demonstrated how this clutch is likely the best I’ve ever experienced. Light without being numb, and heavy enough to know you were still using a clutch, there was easy, precise engagement and a delightfully short travel distance. This Corvette is equipped with a toggle switch just behind either side of the steering wheel that says “rev to match”. In my gleeful ignorance, I was privy to learn it will match engine speed to the next gear whether upshifting or downshifting.
In full throttle mode it really works great.
Upon departure from the rest of the group, I was given free reign upon hearing “Jason, drive it as hard and as fast as you want. I’m tired of going slow.” Ah, carte blanch hooning! Always happy to oblige, I eased onto old US 66 and stood on the happy pedal.
Acceleration in this car is the biggest opiate it contains – as well it should as comparable ‘Vettes have been clocked doing the 0 to 60 mph sprint in a mere 3.8 seconds. And it will reach that speed in first gear. It also seems that second gear is good for ninety (or so), but I was too busy concentrating on the rapidity of the world approaching me, primarily that annoying Tahoe in front of me. I can verify the 6.2 liter engine is as smooth at its 6,500 rpm redline as it is at idle.
While I stated this Corvette requires a little nudge on the throttle to start from a stop, don’t equate that to having no low end torque. It’s quite the opposite. While I did have a full throttle blast (or two), I drove the speed limit or under for the majority of this escapade as there were simply too many cars driving well below the speed limit on these two-lane roads. However…
For one section of Route 19 north of Cuba, I was the second person behind a very pokey Ford Ranger. I was going down a hill into a valley and facing a sizable grade when oncoming traffic abated. In fifth gear I punched it and was soon going 80 mph – uphill and from an initial engine speed that was little above an idle. While I dearly love the newer turbocharged engines, this scenario explains why I prefer old fashioned displacement. There is no waiting for a turbo to spool up or need to downshift to get the engine in its power band. The 6.2 comes across like a bottomless well of power, limited only by the 6,500 rpm redline.
Another (mis)perception that I have often had about Corvettes is the ride quality, or lack thereof. While most of the roads we drove were in quite good condition, we did venture off state maintained highways, with a two mile voyage down a gravel road.
Even with the washboard texture found in places along this aggregate avenue, the ‘Vette maintained its genteel composure. In other words, it didn’t make my belly fat jiggle like a bowl of jello sitting on top of a washing machine during the agitate cycle. This same road would have provided abundant cellulite shaking sensations in many other vehicles and I was sitting close enough to the road surface to gauge it well.
In fact, the ride quality more than once put me in mind of the Cadillac XTS also owned by the owner of this Corvette. Don’t get me wrong – it isn’t the same but this Corvette is consistently smooth on all road surfaces, a feat that is hard to accomplish. Even better, slowing down for curves when driving this ‘Vette is wasted effort; even on sharp ones you never feel it as the car remains as flat as a table top.
Making me better appreciate the build quality of this Corvette is the fact it is a convertible. Frankly, other than the wind hitting the top of my scalp, it was easy to forget this was a convertible given its absence of rattles, body flex, wind noise, and by its useful heater (it was 43 degrees Fahrenheit / 6.1 C when we left that morning). It being a convertible is also a huge benefit upon entry and exit; it seems I am no longer twenty-odd years old and my flexibility isn’t what it used to be. Not having a roof in the way was a real bonus for getting in and out.
But once in, it’s a great place to be. The shifter is placed in just the right spot with nice, short throws. If having to look for a demerit, the only one would be the shifter as what often seemed to be an upshift from fifth to sixth occasionally resulted in a downshift to fourth. Going into sixth required a mild intentional movement to the right to ensure success. However, as 60 mph in sixth gear results in a fast idle engine speed of 1,300 rpm, I didn’t use sixth very much due to the speed limits and gearing of the car, so this is almost a non-issue.
Built in the base 1LT trim, this “stripper” Corvette covers all the bases and is profoundly comfortable for long drives. The only gripe the owner has is the size of the interior. It seems he likes to stop for an occasional nap when traveling and the interior layout is not at all conducive for doing this.
In all my reviews of late model cars, I have unintentionally developed the habit of commenting on the console. In reviewing what I’ve said previously, it often appears like I’ve been out to skewer, excoriate, or otherwise sully the car due to the asinine size of its console. In reality, that has never been the intent; the console affects my person more than does say, the axle or compression ratio, and these ridiculously bloated consoles have often cast a big, dark shadow of unfortunate over an otherwise terrific car.
Well, I can’t say anything negative here. Sure, the console is close but you know what? It never once assaulted, molested, or annoyed my leg in any way, shape, or form. The only other car I can remember where I didn’t indict the console for grossly imprudent behavior is a 2011 Chevrolet Impala.
So based upon these two data points, I will offer this: Toyota, Nissan, Ford, and a few others I’ve reviewed need to take lessons from GM on how to build a console in a car. It obviously isn’t some herculean feat of engineering and GM has done it right. There is a certain irony in the smallest interior car I’ve reviewed having the best console of them all – plus, it’s been the only one in which there is a driveshaft to work around. Sure, GM has a few issues (and let’s be honest – who doesn’t?) but they’ve figured this one out. A round of applause for GM is in order.
Every few days I happen to drive by a billboard showing what the latest lottery jackpots are. While I don’t play the lottery, seeing this usually prompts the fifteen second daydream of what my self-congratualtory ride would be should I ever win the MegaLottoPowerBallCashIsKing jackpot.
My thoughts have vacillated a lot, as I can mentally cover a lot of ground in a quarter-minute. Thoughts have ranged from an Audi R8, a Mazda MX-5, and even the most alluring new (and highly versatile) F-250 King Ranch I can find – you name it.
After having experienced this Corvette – a car that is as docile as a drugged goldfish at low speeds, can pounce like a leopard when provoked, possesses a surprisingly roomy trunk, is nearly as smooth on gravel as on pavement (a feat I have seen repeated, but only by the biggies from the 1970s), and has an EPA rating of 28 mpg highway (21 combined city/highway) – which is one mpg better on the highway than the four-cylinder MX-5 and vastly better than the R8. In fact, the ‘Vette is only 2 mpg worse on the highway than a new Toyota Avalon. I think I have a strong candidate.
And, unlike that Audi, when something goes wrong, there will always be a Chevrolet dealer a short distance away regardless of where I am in North America. Plus the ‘Vette costs a lot less. Overall, this Corvette is much more practical than what first meets the eye – a high performance car that isn’t finicky, gets terrific fuel mileage is driven judiciously, and has adequate storage room.
While I never thought I would type such a sentence, I will confess I am now a fan of the C7 Corvette. Its predecessors? I have no experience there.
A hearty thanks to T.S. for giving me this opportunity.
Nice drive review, and a great opportunity for you to drive a Corvette! I don’t think I’ve seen a C7 in silver before which seems weird since every other car seems to be most common in that color…The color works well on that shape and tones it down a bit.
Often I have (as I suspect most of us do) some degree of preconceived notions on how something will drive. This surpassed all of them. GM had their A-team designing and building this car.
True, but I hope this wasn’t at the expense of its mainstream range. GM’s 1st priority should be winning the ordinary family car market, not niche “halo” models like the Corvette which is for old men now. My impression is, sports cars are easy to design compared to the bread-and-butter family car which has to balance a lot of requirements, make money, & yet be of good value to mainstream buyers.
Good writeup on a sharp looking car and I throughly enjoyed reading it. Your quip about having a Chevy dealer nearby I agree with since I prefer to have my (un)reliable vehicles cheap and easy to repair without the extra drama of overpriced parts etc.
The current Super Duties look a bit fugly, but as long as they are reliable I can live with that. Would be interesting to come back in 20 years to see how the King Ranch and Corvette have held up.
A lot of people don’t seem to like the styling on this, but I do. I don’t love it, but I do like it. And that view out the windshield is pure Corvette.
Nice writeup on an American Classic.
Corvettes have always been a dream cars for most American car fans. Myself included. It’s clear that the current model has benefited from constant evolution and refinement. It seems that the Corvette since the C4 has been on an improving arc. In the past I’ve been close to buying an older model but something always came up. Glad to see that the Corvette is still the standard bearer for American performance. Good job GM!
This is the work of art I want, but sadly will never own. I have sat in them and find absolutely nothing to complain about. Perhaps one day I’ll be able to drive one, stick or auto.
Looking at the map, Redbird was a dead town in the 80s. Beautiful country down in that part of Missouri. Last time I was there was on a camping trip in 1989, on the Bourbeuse River near Redbird.
“Grit” newspapers were still sold in the area, too!
I’ve driven through Redbird and never even realized its existence until now. How Google maps chooses towns to feature on the map is unique, as there are a few other extinct settlements shown in addition to Redbird.
I neglected to mention that our camping spot was at a place called Hussman’s (sic) Ford near Redbird. Apparently it was quite the swimming hole for the locals we found out too late, but it was still a fun weekend.
Earlier in the 70’s, a friend at the time had a place also in the area and did some hiking around. As I said, beautiful country.
How does it STEER??
The steering wheel/column is connected to a rack and pinion steering system, which moves the steering linkages, which turn the front wheels one direction or another, as desired.
Some cars steer heavy, some cars steer light.
Some cars center quickly, some need a little help
centering. Some corner like they’re ‘on rails’,
others float through turns with no feel.
So I’ll ask again – and please don’t delete my
legitimate question – how does this generation
Corvette steer?
If you keep repeating the same question, they will be deleted. Once is enough. If Jason choses to answer or not, that’s up to him.
Maybe he doesn’t want to because you’ve acquired a bit if a rep here. As in obsessive about steering issues. Please drop it already.
“obsessive” – about a safety issue? You should
be thrilled I’m not obsessed about how big a
Kicker I can fit in the trunk. 😉
If you really want to know how it drives there are many road tests on Corvettes. This buying guide specifically mentions the steering characteristics:
http://www.caranddriver.com/chevrolet/corvette
Thanks Bill. I don’t consider magazines to
be “real” evaluators, compared to the live
folk here on curbside. 🙂 Car and Driver
considers the little Nissan Versa Note
hatch to be one of the worst handlers
out there – yet I found it to be most predictable
and excellent steering.
Problem with car magazines is that their
benchmark is usually a six-figure German or
Italian sports car or coupe. Anything that
doesn’t steer or handle like those, to them,
is somehow inferior.
If you’re in the market for one I suggest you drive one as well as whatever you see as its competition. The only one who can determine if it’s good or not is you. You’re not realistically going to order one from Amazon just on Jason or mine or anyone else’s opinion, so why bother asking, you yourself indicated it is a subjective thing, not objective such as if two golf bags fit or not.
Drive it. You will have a different benchmark such as the Nissan Versa Note to compare it to.
But if you’re not considering buying one then who cares and what difference does it make either way what the author thinks?
Great write up. I think if more people tried a modern Vette, people would be surprised at how good they are. Even without considering the bang for the buck, it’s hard to beat these cars period. I had a co-worker from Toronto was looking for a sports car, and he said he’d only buy German. An older gentleman who has owned and traded Vette’s for years traded his in (a later C6) and I convinced him to go look at it. Needless to say after the test drive he was blown away and he bought it. He has had zero regrets and plans to buy a C7 when he has the coin.
I have always been a big fan of Vette’s although I have never owned on I have been behind the wheel of every generation. When I worked at GM, I was never overly impressed with the C4, even though they could be fast and fun, they were cramped, had a rough ride and were poorly assembled. When the C5 was released it just blew me away on how much more refined the car became. The suspension had great handling while being surprisingly smooth especially compared to previous generations. Since then the C6 and C7 just continue to refine the excellent formula Corvette released in 1997.
My father always wanted a convertible and finally had the chance to do so several years ago buying a new 2012 Corvette convertible, base model but fully loaded. The car has proved to be a fantastic long haul car and get’s surprisingly good fuel economy. While it’s a pussy cat when driven around town, it’s an absolute beast if you want to have some fun. The ride is so smooth its actually bordering on supple, while it will still handle pretty much anything you can through at it in the curves. He did have me upgrade the brakes to the larger Z51 brakes and I installed the larger Z51 sway bars, neither of which effected the ride quality.
“Stood on the Happy Pedal”. That literally made me laugh out loud here on cubicle island, with some concerned looks in my direction.
Very nice review Jason you should have been doing it on a new press car from GM. My experience with Vettes is limited to a terrifying ride in my friend’s dad’s C3 with the 454 (a ’74 the last year), two C4s and a C5.
You hit the nail on the head with your fuel economy and ride comfort observations. Both started getting good, really good, with the later C4s. The C5 was too big — it looked and felt bloated in anything other than extreme driving.
I think car companies can stop where they are with the engine performance. We don’t need any more. Spend the money elsewhere or even dial it back a bit.
Nice review, I think I’ve ridden in a Corvette only once, and that was in 1985 or so.
I was relieved when you finally got away from the group, 150 miles at 35mph in such a car sounds like torture. But this does raise a point for me: I’ve ridden in a Viper, the driver basically had to tip-toe around in it to maintain near-legal speeds which wasn’t very fun. So if you were Jason Shafer, Corvette owner, wouldn’t it drive you nuts to know you’re only using about 5% of the car’s capability most of the time?
On the other end of the spectrum is my 40hp VW, which you floor everywhere and has difficulty reaching legal speeds. There must be a happy medium in between.
Also, don’t worry about not playing the lottery. The odds are only incrementally worse if you don’t buy a ticket. 🙂
The first half was at the painfully slow speeds – traffic was backed up (it was a two-lane road) for an embarrassing distance. US 63 is one of the main north-south roads in the state.
The trip back was at normal speed, and the ‘Vette was amazingly easy to hold at whatever speed was desired.
I thought about the 5% capability question. There wouldn’t be too many opportunities around here to truly open the car up to more hyper-legal speeds. However, just the blast from a stop to highway speed is as big an adrenaline rush as anything. Upon getting in it, I did enter onto a four-lane section of US 50. I needed a smidgeon of speed to get in front of a pickup that couldn’t move over a lane. It was no problem at all.
The only ‘vette I’ve been in was a 1980 C3 with a 4 speed, 49K on the clock, and could have got it for 5K. I passed. Car was the biggest rattle trap I have ever been in. Made my ’96 Saturn SL2 seem like an Accord. The Corvette has come a LONG way, and I like them, but would rather have a Ford GT myself. And just how do you drug a goldfish, Jason??
A touch of Valium in their tank. It’s not that hard to do.
Comparing a 1980 sports car to a 1996 sedan? idiotic
Nice review of a great car with a great heritage. I own a 2000 C5 coupe, 6 speed and torch red to boot. I love this car, not only for all the obvious Corvette reasons, but also because – as noted in the review – it’s practicality! The trunk is amazing, swallowing 2 sets of golf clubs and enough luggage for wife and I to cruise comfortably anywhere we want to go. Try that in a 911.
I’ll keep that in mind when the kids move out.
“Honey, we need a Corvette, the minivan just isn’t practical anymore!”
🙂
Hey Phil, that’s exactly what worked for me! After 3 kids and 8 years of minivans it was time for a more practical mode of transport! Waaaaay more fun too!
Have your cake & eat it too:
http://autoweek.com/article/car-reviews/toyota-sienna-r-tuned-and-s-tuned-concepts-first-drive
Here in Hungary the Corvette is a rare sight: I spotted the first C7 about two weeks ago, a white coupe.
What was really surprising for me is what you’ve wrote about how practical, comfortable and easy-to-use is this car in usual traffic. Nowdays turbo engines are the trend – because of emissions, fuel-economy etc. But a well-built modern N/A V8 seems to have a more natural and more driver-friendly behaviour.
Thanks for this great review!
I think that the engine is supercharged. Possibly it may also have magnetic shocks, but they are optional, at least now.
Chevrolet says nothing about it being supercharged.
http://www.chevrolet.com/corvette-stingray/engine.html
“The LT1 and LT4 use unique aluminum-alloy pistons with a structure designed for the more intense cylinder pressures that come with forced induction. The pistons have a unique head topography that is essential to the Direct Injection system.”
Taken from your reference… Oh note the two words “forced induction”
Except that the base Corvette LT1 isn’t supercharged. Period. Either the brochure is wrong, or they just use the LT4 pistons in it anyway.
The supercharged LT4 ups power from 455 to 650 hp.
I did sort that out. I had assumed that the CTS-V engine was the standard engine in the Corvettes.
As Paul already pointed out, there is no-supercharger on the LT1. In fact, there have only been two factory supercharged Corvettes. The first was the C6 Corvette ZR1, 6.2L LS9 which made 638 hp and was released in 2009. The second was the C7 Corvette Z06, 6.2L LT4 which made 650 hp and was released in 2015.
If you believe the current auto press, Car and Driver claims the Grand Sport is the best all round Vette. It has the base Vette’s LT1 naturally aspirated engine, and the chassis/suspension of the Z06. In their annual Lightening Lap race, the Grand Sport had an amazing time, out classing some much more powerful cars, while not being much slower overall than the supercharged Z06.
Actually, after looking at GM’s Media website, I think the supercharged engine is only available with the Z06 version, or the CTS-V.
And the HSV Commodore.
Is that similar to the 9C1 “Police Pack” Commodore?
Neil, the HSV cars are the equivalent to AMGs, modified by a factory-approved third party. Police pack cars are based on a standard Holden model and usually have the FE2 heavy duty or sports suspension, calibrated speedometers, heavy duty electrical systems etc. There are rumours they are tuned for more power, but it is more likely that this sort of thing is done after production (eg when the police gear is added, or during servicing) if at all.
Come to think of it, I’ve never ridden in a Corvette, either. On top of that, I probably stopped paying much attention to Corvettes about 20 years ago, so my perceptions of are (or, were) a few decades out of date. I don’t know exactly when or how, but at some point Corvettes such faded off of my radar screen.
What I find interesting is that the ride quality and overall drivability were so good. The fact that a 150-mi. drive in a Corvette didn’t shake some organs loose is pleasantly surprising.
Great review — definitely changes the way I look at new Vettes.
My 1986 Corvette was not a bad ride even on gravel roads. Not that I drove it on many gravel roads, but there was a detour once.
A drive in a Corvette convertible is always a delight. Reminds me I need to write up my drive in the ’67 I drove this summer in Nashville.
The ’70 I rode in back-in-the-day was harsh.
The 2005 Z06 I got to drive seven years ago was like sex on wheels. As docile as a Cobalt around town but put your foot down and IT WAS THERE! In all its 505-HP glory. And the ride was much better than the ’70.
I wish I could justify one. But then I’d have to either push back my ’57 Handyman project a few more years or sell it. Neither one is acceptable, but an LS engine and C4 suspension/brakes/steering in the Handyman will work just fine. Replace the factory transverse leaf springs with coilovers and we’ll be golden.
My impression of the Corvette will forever be sullied by the C3, an ill-built beast if ever there was one. I’m relieved, frankly, to learn that the new Corvette is both a blast to lean on and civilized in average driving. Now I want to try one!
Great writeup, Jason.
The C3 seems to have a well-earned bad rep, and I’ve never been in one. But to me it is the quintessential Corvette, its classic (if a bit cartoonish) lines the inspiration for every Corvette since.
If you are invited to a ride in a C3, bring your ear plugs, and the kidney belt you wore while riding your dirt bike back in ’83….
To me every Corvette made after the C3 is a walmart Ferrari, capable but utterly devoid of character(as imitators often are). The C7 I like more than the C4/5/6 though since there’s a bit of that C3 style injected into it.
The C3 was not too bad when it was released in 1968, other than its horrendous quality control. It was still a very good sports car and excellent performance car for this time although somewhat brutish in execution. A 1968-69 427 or a 1970 LT1 Corvette are serious performance machines. However, it used the same basic 1963 chassis up until 1982. The 1970/1980’s GM quality control and the de-emphasis on performance, combined with almost 20 year old chassis resulted in the C3 being way out of it’s league in 1982 compared to contemporary sports cars. While IMO the C4 was a vast improvement in engineering, and overall performance, it was never well executed had issues with a shaky structure and poor quality control.
That said, I still argue the C5 was revolutionary and it drastically changed the Vette by finally having a world class chassis. The C6 and C7 chassis have really just evolved from the C5 design and it continues to be one of the best handling sports cars in the world, regardless of price.
XR7 Matt, not sure if you have ever driven a newer Vette, but I suggest you do. I don’t think many would say they are devoid of character. As much as I love the older Vettes, especially the C2s, previous generations were always compromised. These modern Vettes really are GM’s no holds barred approach at making the ultimate performance machine. Read “All Corvette’s are Red” if you want to find out the back story behind the development of the C5. It’s an excellent read about the passion of the engineers and the backwards bureaucracy of GM.
Ive been in a C3 but not allowed to drive it the owner was hooning it burning rubber and sliding it about it seemed like fun at the time, but, I followed a red C3 home from the school drop off run there are a couple of advised corners on my route I normally wouldnt slow for I had to brake behind this Corvette because he braked for them why its meant to be a sporty car and he was already under the speed limit both turns are 55kmh advised in a 70kmh zone and bumpy even my old Hillman takes them at 70 without complaint, but a C3 is still a great looking car to me I dont mind seeing the few we have locally one bit.
My CTS can take a 35 MPH curve at 50 to 60 MPH easily (not rough road though). 35mph ->56 KmPH; 50 MPH->80 KmPH
I’m sure the C7s are impressive driving cars and great performance bargains, but I still can’t forgive GM for the riced-out styling.
Maybe a Corvette crossed with a GT-R is just what the world wants, but I wish they had shown a bit better taste in the design.
A fun read. I have never worshiped at the Shrine of Corvette. I have had two rides in my life, both C2s. I developed an impression based on reading about the C3 and C4 of a willowy hard riding fiberglass manhood enhancer, and it just never appealed to me.
You have now broken through all of my prejudices about these, and what do you know – it’s a really good sports car.
I am happy to see that GM has nailed this one, and happy that you got such in-depth experience and shared it here.
I’m now convinced the CC Effect works in reverse for me. I see a car in the wild, and then it appears on CC. My sighting was also silver, but a hardtop.
A day ago, I was pacing the current Corvette for a few miles, and got to see it from every angle – and I really liked it. Maybe it’s that becoming a man of a certain age thing.
Nice write up, and I agree with others that the typical CC writer approaches vehicles with a much more real life user approach than the typical magazine writer.
I understand that these are probably technologically the best Corvettes in history, and I’m sure they’re a blast to drive, but man, they’re just gaudy as hell. The worst-looking ‘vette ever.
Craig:
Welcome to the Century of Gaudy! 😉
I don’t particularly care for the styling of the current ‘Vette in coupe form, but for some reason it looks much better as a convertible. The silver paint might tone it down a bit as well.
Haven’t ever driven one, but I’ve been a passenger in a first-year C6. Quite impressive even from the passenger seat, and it didn’t seem to be lacking one bit of refinement. Good to hear the C7 continues that trajectory.