by Gabrielle DeSantis

Parts shortages mean the 2021 Chevrolet Corvette is going to have a somewhat limited production run. However, that hasn’t stopped the C8 Corvette from earning admirers on both sides of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Part of that might be due to the C8 being the first ‘Vette available with right-hand drive. But it’s also because it can genuinely hang with its European rivals.

How much does the 2021 Chevrolet C8 Corvette Stingray’s performance cost?

Although the Z06 and other high-performance trims are still in development, the 2021 Chevrolet C8 Corvette isn’t necessarily lacking in the speed department.

Both the Stingray and Stingray Convertible feature a mid-mounted 6.2-liter V8 rated at 490 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. That goes to the rear wheels via an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic. And if you get the optional Z51 Performance Package, the 2021 Corvette makes 5 more hp. With that and launch control, the Chevrolet C8 Corvette goes 0-60 mph in 2.8 seconds, Car and Driver reports.

The Z51 Performance Package offers more than just that exhaust, though. It includes an electronically-controlled limited-slip differential, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, a stronger cooling system, and a different axle ratio. And for a little extra, you can give the 2021 Corvette adaptive magnetorheological dampers.

Speaking of extra, the 2021 Chevrolet C8 Corvette is slightly more expensive than the 2020 model; it now starts at $60,995. But it still has the same three trims: 1LT; $68,295 2LT; and $72,495 3LT. The $5995 Z51 Package is available on all three trims, as are the $1895 magnetorheological dampers.

Between the three 2021 Corvette trims, MotorTrend and Car and Driver recommend the middle-child 2LT. On top of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, WiFi, a digital gauge cluster, and an 8” touchscreen, it has a wireless charging pad and 14-speaker Bose audio system. Plus, the 2LT comes with navigation, a front camera, heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. And while the 2021 Chevrolet Corvette 1LT has well-bolstered seats, the 2LT’s optional GT2 seats are sportier.

The Chevrolet C8 Corvette “feels every inch like a…rival” to Europe’s sports cars and supercars, Evo says

It’s worth noting that international 2021 Chevrolet C8 Corvettes are more expensive than the US equivalents. That’s because shipping costs, taxes, and regulation-related modifications quickly drive prices up, Autocar explains. As such, overseas, the C8 Corvette loses some of its value advantage over its European rivals.

Dynamically, though, the mid-engine Corvette is as “deeply impressive” as those cars, Evo says. While the lighter Porsche 911 Carrera S is faster, MT found the C8 Corvette grips the road better. And while the 911’s steering has slightly more feedback, the Corvette’s steering is no less accurate. However, it’s arguably more stable. Plus, in some ways, the C8 is “initially more engaging than the Porsche 911,” Autocar muses.

VIDEO: Not only is Chevrolet's C8 the first mid-engine Corvette, it's also the first ever to be available in the UK in right-hand drive. Here's what Steve Sutcliffe thought when he got behind the wheel in the US last year. pic.twitter.com/wL3oFyx3RM

— evo magazine (@evomagazine) May 15, 2021

Also, when you’re not at the racetrack, the 2021 Chevrolet C8 Corvette “emerges as one of the best GT cars you can buy,” Top Gear claims. For one, its interior is significantly better than the outgoing Corvette’s interior. And those magnetic dampers “are the stuff of magic” when it comes to ride quality, MT says. The 911 has the edge in interior quality, Autocar reports, but only slightly.

Little wonder, then, that Top Gear calls the Chevrolet C8 Corvette “a revolution, not evolution.”

Where does it still need work?

To be sure, the 2021 Chevrolet C8 Corvette isn’t perfect.

Besides the production issues, reviewers note the mid-engine sports car has a slight tendency to understeer. MT muses that could be a safety-related choice, and points out that the upcoming Z06 will likely resolve that. And the Corvette’s brake-by-wire system doesn’t provide as much feedback as, say, the 911’s system, MT notes.

Still, the C8 Corvette is by no means an also-ran compared to its European rivals. It’s right there with them without costing quite as much.

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by Gabrielle DeSantis

When the Toyota FJ Cruiser arrived for the 2006 model year, it impressed with its retro design, robust underpinnings, and excellent off-roading capabilities. As a result, this capable Toyota sold well the first couple of years it was on sale. However, the sales boom didn’t stick around, and neither did this SUV. That’s because the Japanese carmaker decided to pull the plug officially in 2014.

However, Toyota’s latest sales figures report for 2021 revealed a surprising bit of information. That’s because a brand-new one of these SUVs just sold. As you might imagine, these SUVs have borderline become collector’s items. If we had to guess, a brand-new example with zero miles on the clock likely sold for a considerable sum.

When did the Toyota FJ Cruiser go out of production?

While the Toyota FJ Cruiser officially went out of production for the 2014 model year, a brand-new one just found a home. As you might imagine, the carmaker’s latest sales report doesn’t tell us much. For starters, we only know that this SUV sold sometime during the first half of 2021. As a result, we don’t know where this off-roader was hiding or how much its brand-new owner ended up paying to take it home.

While the sale of this Toyota FJ Cruiser might seem a bit odd, it’s actually not rare for discontinued models to register a handful of sales per year. For example, Dodge managed to sell a handful of Vipers last year, several years after they went out of production.

If it seems like these cars are hiding across the country in dealerships, that’s because they are. It’s not completely unheard of for dealerships to retain low-volume vehicles while speculating a future price increase.

This off-roader has been selling for years

This phenomenon isn’t even rare within the FJ Cruiser’s world. That’s because CarSalesBase reports that this off-roader has continued to sell well years after its discontinuation. For example, 2015 saw the sale of 229 SUVs. Since this is the year directly after its cancellation, these were likely leftover units stuck at dealerships across the U.S. However, the sales don’t stop there.

In 2016, nine of these SUVs found brand-new homes, marking a significant decrease. Before the latest unit sold in 2021, the last FJ Cruiser sale occurred in 2018 when another of these brand-new SUVs sold. As a result, it had been a few years since one of these off-roaders traded hands. Given that trend, it wouldn’t be a stretch to assume that others are out there hiding.

Is the Toyota FJ Cruiser a good SUV?

RELATED: Dodge Managed to Sell 2 Brand-New Vipers in Q4 2020

If you’re wondering why people keep seeking out the discontinued Toyota FJ Cruiser, it’s because it is an impressive SUV. According to Consumer Reports, a brand-new example in 2014 would’ve cost you between $30,875 and $32,500. Additionally, this SUV aced several road tests while achieving excellent owner satisfaction scores. As a result, a low-mileage example of this SUV could easily sell dangerously close to $60,000.

The post Toyota Managed to Sell 1 Brand-New FJ Cruiser in 2021 appeared first on MotorBiscuit.