Ah, the Chevrolet Corvette. We’ve tested a lot of them in our 44 years, most recently the mighty Z06 and electrified E-Ray, the current front runners of the C8 generation. That is until the ZR1 returns later this year.

Well, this isn’t any of those. This is a 2025 Stingray 3LT Coupe, somewhat humble by comparison but equally deserving of some laps at Roebling Road Raceway to show that you don’t need one of those top performers to have some pure fun.

To be fair, this 3LT’s optional Z51 Performance Package does sharpen this ‘Vette’s track focus, and it’s more than just a redesigned spoiler. Wrapping the five-spoke wheels are Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tires, 245s for steering and fat 305’s for ample rear-wheel-drive traction, and an electronic limited-slip diff evens power distribution.

The Corvette’s mid-ship-mounted 6.2-liter V8 generates 495 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque, provoking the right foot to challenge Chevy’s 2.9-second 0-60 claim. That said, we know what this chassis is capable of, and a little more horsepower wouldn’t hurt. Still, blasting down Roebling’s front straight at wide open throttle got us close to 150 mph at which point stomping on the Z51’s larger monoblock Brembo brakes from the five-marker brought us down to turn one entry speed with room to spare.

The performance package exhaust sounds fantastic as each eight-speed dual-clutch downshift releases a burst of endorphins the way only an American V8 can. The Z51-tuned suspension, reinforced by optional magnetic selective ride, had us fast and flat through all nine corners with the GT2 sport seats keeping us in place in heavy lateral G sections like Turn three’s high-speed, you’ll-be-sorry-if-you-lift lefthander.

The 2025 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 3LT proves you don’t need a Z06 or ZR1 to enjoy this American sports car stalwart. You can pick up a 2025 Corvette for around $70,000, a 3LT around eighty, and one like ours just shy of $100,000. By no means cheap, but with more performance than cars two to three times its price, and a ride that’ll make you smile every mile.

And we’ll have more Quick Spins…soon!

Jeep has been flirting with electrification with their 4Xe models for years, but has finally gone all in with this 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S; and we’re just back from San Diego, where we got a chance to take a Quick Spin in the all-electric Wagoneer S Launch Edition which is available now.

Coming in about the size of the Grand Cherokee, the Wagoneer S shares a chassis with the Dodge Charger Daytona, and in similar fashion comes with standard all-wheel drive thanks to front- and rear-mounted electric motors. Here in the Jeep, they combine to whip up 600 horsepower and 617 lb-ft of torque, and power is managed through five different drive modes as part of Jeep’s Selec-Terrain. Current max rating is 303 miles of relaxed cruising.

“One of the first things I noticed while driving this Wagoneer S is just how comfortable it is. I mean, this suspension has luxury levels of comfort, and it’s just a passive suspension. It’s a pretty simple set up, but it works so well.”

It may ride better than most Jeeps, but it certainly looks genuine, seven-slot grille and all; though with perhaps much more attention paid to aerodynamics than any Jeep before it. Inside the five-passenger cabin, the vibe is highly similar to the big ICE Grand Wagoneer; premium leather-like materials, plenty of screen space, and even a jammin’ 1,200-watt McIntosh sound system.

This 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S Launch Edition stickers for about $72,000. But a recently announced Limited trim is on the way for $5,000 less.

And we’ll have more Quick Spins…soon!