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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Wrap Up: Phillips homicide Jobs expected from Illinois Valley airport project St. Mary's students headed to largest astronomy conference in U.S. Brookings man gets federal prison time for gun crime A little bit country, a little bit rock 'n' roll Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Wrap Up: Phillips homicide Brookings man gets federal prison time for gun crime Phillips indicted on murder, attempted murder charges Medford police arrest six at known 'drug house' Tossed pumpkins damage east Medford cars Politics and Elections Latest count shows Measure 92 supporters narrowing deficit Granlund cartoon: GOP wrecking balls Ballot measures played little role in mobilizing voters in state Senate race 'Euphoria' over pot initiative Oregon voters narrowly reject GMO labeling measure Education Good news for SOU: Enrollment's up Mom gives school lobby a makeover Crater students present play about Thoreau's night in jail Half of Oregon's community college enrollees need remedial classes Marketta Gregory: Stretch yourself for God Environment Birders sought for bird counts Grow 'em before you plant 'em Since You Asked: Biomass One makes steam-generated power Organic squash creates a bountiful harvest for ACCESS Prospect-area cow death likely not a wolf kill State News Kitzhaber embattled as he seeks fourth term Nation - World Obituaries Marilee Wininger Ardis Marie (Ardie) Barnes Nancy Elaine Connie Jean Baylor Miller A. Keith Templeman Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Sports Latest Stories Pirates have three on all-star first team Challengers take home top honors Beavers to face high-powered Arizona State SOU football game moved to 3 p.m. Wilson off target lately in Seattle's pass game Varsity 541 College Sports Beavers to face high-powered Arizona State SOU football game moved to 3 p.m. Agholor, Kessler lead USC past Cal Gutches wins by fall, but Raiders lose Beavers seek to contain D.J. Foster Pro Sports Wilson off target lately in Seattle's pass game Rose hurts hamstring in Bulls’ win Dolphins end skid against Bills, 22-9 Berger tied for PGA lead in Mexico Kershaw, Trout take home MVP awards Community Sports Results / Standings Business Latest Stories Latest count shows Measure 92 supporters narrowing deficit Blog: Brrrr! It's Cold Outside! Ride & Drive: 2015 Ford Expedition Family time turns into shopping time Pacific Power girds for winter woes Real Estate News Financial webinars offered for veterans and their families Home prices rise across Jackson County New I-5 interchange puts south Medford on fast lane to fast food People In Business People in Business, Nov. 8 People in Business Transportation Medford airport passenger counts sky high in October Erickson reports third quarter profit Lithia reports $34.5 million third-quarter profit Agriculture Latest count shows Measure 92 supporters narrowing deficit Revenue rises for Harry & David's parent company Where do all those leaves go? Hundreds look for work at Harry & David hiring fair Opinion Latest Amy Gehrt: All presidents deserve respect Our View: Cheers and Jeers Letters to the Editor, Nov. 14 Michael Gerson: Our gathering storm Granlund cartoon: Rosetta and comet Editorials Our View: Cheers and Jeers Our view: Saigo brings an energy to SOU campus Our View: Zoning, building codes should respect fire Our View: Dems should take it slow in Salem Trails can lead to health, recreation and jobs Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, Nov. 14 Letters to the editor Letters to the Editor, Nov. 12 Letters to the Editor, Nov. 11 Letters to the Editor, Nov. 10 Guest Opinions Reflections on the election in Oregon and beyond Measure 89 provides equality for women Eagle Point needs public transportation Guest Opinion: Common Core testing sets math students up for failure Guest Opinion: Campaigning and voting 'the Oregon way' Lifestyle Latest stories Community blog: Happy Holidays? Surviving and Even Thriving in the Dark Times A little bit country, a little bit rock 'n' roll 'Red Nose' a raucous, edgy romp She's a Gem Dr. Murray Feingold: ‘Grief is the price we pay for love’ Food Community blog: Pumpkin, salted caramel pair tradition, trendiness Joanna McQuillan Weeks: Jessica Fisher creates frugal, fabulous recipes Rogue-style Thanksgiving An advanced lesson in homemade mustards Community blog: Egg-rich flan is a stunner for holiday spreads Home and Garden Beyond curb appeal: When it pays to stand out Use the hidden meaning of color to enhance your home 17 things you never knew about turkeys Dear Monty: 10 tips toward a quality offer on a home How to live and work in a tiny home Health Community blog: Happy Holidays? Surviving and Even Thriving in the Dark Times Dr. Murray Feingold: ‘Grief is the price we pay for love’ Health Watch: Tips for post-workout recovery Community blog: Don't Fall For This Dr. Murray Feingold: Children are lacking face-to-face time Hiking Biking Faith Religion news: Seattle-based mega-church dissolves Religion Briefs 'Walk the talk' Religion briefs Christ Unity Church shows 'Gen Silent' Milestones and Achievements Fundraiser to benefit Medford Senior Center New Arrivals The meaning behind Veterans Day Wedding: Broten-Garrett Anniversary: Bucher Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Thanksgiving comes early at Taprock Youth Symphony of Southern Oregon to perform two shows 'Alice in Wonderland' opens at Theatre Convivio 'Red Noses' a romp through slapstick and pathos Hawaiian slack-key guitarist Makana plays the Unitarian Theater 'Red Noses' a romp through slapstick and pathos SOU presents 'The Drunken City' The power of human spirit Review: Funny 'Lion in Winter' roars to life at Camelot Theatre Music Youth Symphony of Southern Oregon to perform two shows The Farr Side: CMA telecast was a disappointment Hawaiian slack-key guitarist Makana plays the Unitarian Rogue World Ensemble presents 'Gather 'Round' Focus on Tanya Gabrielian as Rogue Valley Symphony evokes the Baroque Community Events Review: Randall Theatre's 'Secret Garden' still enchanting Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Spookadelic Halloween Funktacular promises a lively dance party Puss 'N' Boots Costume Ball and Auction Dining Thanksgiving comes early at Taprock Word of Mouth: Brunch at Brothers' Restaurant Blue Toba is a cultural experience Back Porch Bar & Grill Yu's Yummy Yan's offers great take-out Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Detours planned while beams placed at new Phoenix exit ... Phillips indicted on murder, attempted murder charges ... Medford police arrest six at known 'drug house' ... Detours planned while beams placed at new Phoenix exit ... Phillips indicted on murder, attempted murder charges ... Medford police arrest six at known 'drug house' ... SPORTY AMERICAN STYLE Stingray Convertible is a world-beater By Silvio Calabi More Content Now MailTribune.com By Silvio Calabi More Content Now Posted Nov. 3, 2014 @ 6:29 am By Silvio Calabi More Content Now Posted Nov. 3, 2014 @ 6:29 am » Social News This is the softtop version of the new C7, the seventh generation of Chevrolet’s Corvette since the car was born in 1953. Every remake of the ’Vette creates a stir, partly because they arrive so infrequently and partly because of anxiety over how “America’s sport car” will measure up against the rest of the world. Corvette fans cheer its tremendous performance-per-dollar value, while Euro-snobs sneer at its lack of refinement and call it the Plastic Fantastic. (Most Corvette body panels are made of a high-tech resin composite.) In some ways, the Corvette gets more respect overseas — there, it’s an exotic import — than at home, where even General Motors admits it’s the “old man’s sports car.” Baby boom males buy them because a friend of our older brother had one in the ‘60s and we never got over it. The C7, aka the Stingray, is supposed to appeal to younger, hipper drivers, as some of GM’s new Cadillacs and Buicks now do. It’s too soon to say whether buyer age will dip, but it should—this Corvette is a huge step up from the C6. It is more powerful, agile and faster than ever, but easier to drive and more civilized and sophisticated in every way. The interior no longer looks like an early-‘80s bachelor pad, nothing rattles, the ride is smooth and this fat-tired, 460-horsepower supercoupe managed almost 30 miles per gallon on the highway. Our Stingray’s new eight-speed automatic transmission, a $1,750 option, gets some of the credit (or blame) for this particular car’s civility (or docility). Mash the throttle and the slushbox will fire off proper shifts by itself, but in manual mode the paddles on the steering wheel stick slightly and the gear changes could be crisper. (The C7’s standard transmission is a seven-speed manual with dual clutch disks and automatic rev-syncing.) The 6.2-liter LT1 engine seamlessly shuts down half of the cylinders when it’s loafing. At 80 mph on level terrain, the V-8 is turning just 1,650 rpm and operating as a 3.1-liter V-4 — hence the astonishing fuel efficiency. At the car’s top speed of 178 mph, that would likely drop to six or eight MPG. The Corvette now offers five drive modes — Weather, Eco, Tour, Sport and Track — that alter everything from the instruments and the exhaust system to the suspension and how the throttle, steering, transmission, traction control and electronic limited-slip differential behave. The ability to morph from sedate to sporting with the turn of a knob isn’t unusual, but few cars can hit the extremes of the C7. This is especially so for the automatic-transmission convertible, which is stiff and strong enough for the track, yet can amble along on tanning duty in beach traffic without complaint. We left the selector in Sport; Tour made the steering spooky-light. Another radical change is that the C7 now has an aluminum frame that is much more flex-resistant than the old steel girders. Along with the rear-mounted transmission, it helps divvy up the weight equally fore and aft — ideal for a sports car. Along with new rack-and-pinion steering, this may be what makes the C7 feel so much lighter and livelier than the C6. A carbon-fiber hood (and roof, on the hardtop) may help too, by dropping the center of gravity slightly. The C7 debuted as a 2014 model; this convertible is a 2015. The pushbutton, three-layer fabric top can fold and unfold even when the car is moving at up to 30 mph. With the roof down, there isn’t enough turbulence to snatch a hat. With the roof up, rear-quarter visibility is nil, but the wing mirrors and a wide-angle backup camera cover the blind spots fairly well. Too much tire roar comes into the cabin, so the hardtop may be the better touring car. The leather GT seats, however, are supportive and comfortable and there’s plenty of room inside. But pack lightly; the trunk is small. Our $59,000 Stingray Convertible carried about $12,000 in options, and at that price could hold its head up at any country club — or race track. This kind of acceleration, speed, braking, handling, comfort and general drivability from anywhere else costs a whole lot more. America’s new sports car is a fantastic buy and a world-beater. Silvio Calabi reviews the latest from Detroit, Munich, Yokohama, Gothenburg, Crewe, Seoul and wherever else interesting cars are born. Silvio is a member of the International Motor Press Association whose automotive reviews date back to the Reagan administration. He is the former publisher of Speedway Illustrated magazine and an author. Contact him at [email protected]. By Silvio Calabi More Content Now MailTribune.com By Silvio Calabi More Content Now Posted Nov. 3, 2014 @ 6:29 am » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2014 Local Media Group, Inc. 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