When it comes to Chevrolet’s latest Corvette, skip the formalities.

There’s simply no time.

The 2014 Corvette Stingray goes 0-60 in 3.8 seconds

Chevrolet says the 2014 Corvette Stingray is the most capable standard Corvette ever. Using the optional Z51 Performance Package, the Stingray is capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds, braking from 60 to 0 in 107 feet and sustaining 1.03 g in cornering.

In a speed run at the Virginia International Raceway’s 4.2-mile “Grand Course” Cumulatively, the Stingray ran the lap in 2:51.78.

“For the new Stingray, we set out to elevate every aspect of the Corvette’s performance,” said Tadge Juechter, Corvette chief engineer. “Considered alone, the acceleration, braking and cornering performance of the Corvette Stingray is truly impressive. More significant is how well they work together, resulting in a lap time at VIR that places the new Stingray in the upper echelon of all sports cars.”

Performance stats are identical for the manual or automatic transmissions, but he VIR lap was with the seven-speed manual, Chevrolet says.

By comparison, the 2013 Porsche 911 Carrera S will do 0-60 in 4.1 seconds with the seven-speed PDK automated manual and 3.9 seconds when equipped with the Sport Chrono performance upgrade.

The 2013 SRT Viper (with V-10) will do 0-60 in the low three-second range, the company says, and 60 to 0 mph in 106 feet. Top speed is 206 mph.

The lap around VIR was in a Stingray with the optional Z51 Performance Package and Magnetic Ride Control. The vehicle that conducted the lap was modified only with safety features like a racing seat and harness, and a fire extinguisher system.

“The new Stingray constantly communicates feedback to the driver, which makes you feel incredibly confident behind the wheel,” said Jim Mero, Corvette vehicle dynamics engineer. “That confidence encourages you to attack each corner because the Stingray drives so well: the tire grip is incredible; the steering response is some of the best I’ve ever experienced; the Magnetic Ride dampers allow little body roll through the corner, while still soaking up the rumble strips when you clip the apex,” he said. “It’s just addictive on the track.”

Pricing: The 2014 Corvette Stingray coupe goes on sale in the third quarter of 2013 for a suggested starting retail price of $51,995, excluding tax, title and license fees.

The $2,800 Z51 Performance Package includes an electronic limited-slip differential; dry-sump oiling system; integral brake, differential and transmission cooling; as well as a unique aero package that further improves high-speed stability.

Magnetic Ride Control with Performance Traction Management is a $1,795 option.

A Corvette Stingray equipped like the test car used at VIR would cost $56,590.

Ground-shaking

F-150 Tremor

Ford will debut its street-savvy F-150 Tremor pickup this fall and has given it a couple of unique features. Tremor gets a style and performance treatment with a 365-horsepower, turbocharged V-6 and a “launch optimized” 4.10 rear axle ratio with an electronic locking rear differential.

This will be the first time Ford has put its Ecoboost 3.5-liter in a short-wheelbase F-150 -- and with 420 foot-pounds of torque, the Tremor should be capable of some ground shaking. Ford says Tremor will be the on-road counterpart to the SVT Raptor but not as expensive -- meaning less than $44,000; pricing will be announced later

The regular-cab pickup (available in two- or four-wheel drive) is also the only F-150 body style with a center console and bucket seats. Tremor upgrades include black leather seats with red piping and Alcantara inserts, FX graphics and 20-inch flat-black wheels.

2014 Chevy SS

starts at $44,470

Chevrolet priced its 2014 Chevrolet SS sports sedan at $44,470, including a $995 destination charge. The rear-drive sedan, the brand’s priciest model, goes on sale in the fourth quarter. The SS, Chevy’s first rear-wheel-drive performance sedan since it stopped selling the Impala SS in 1996, will be imported from GM Holden in Australia and built on the same platform as the Camaro and Holden’s VF Commodore.

It will come in just one model. The only options will be a sunroof ($900) and a full-sized spare tire ($500). The car will be powered by a 415-horsepower, 6.2-liter V-8 making it capable of acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in about five seconds, GM says.

‘Largest Parade

of Subaru Cars’

Subaru of America Central Region is headed back to Itasca, Ill., in the hope of setting a record for Guinness World Records for the “Largest Parade of Subaru Cars.”

The attempt will take place on July 13, 2013 at 9 a.m. The parade will start at 500 Park Boulevard in Itasca.

Registration is limited to the first 500 vehicles, but there may be room for more. Registration is online: www.subaruparade.com.

In July 2009, Subaru set the Guinness record with 339 vehicles parading on a 4.2-mile route through Itasca. Subaru will try to break its record with a similar route. A Guinness adjudicator will observe and confirm the record attempt.

Subaru’s Central Region will collect a $10 registration fee with all proceeds benefitting PAWS Chicago and Salute, Inc. For more information on these organizations: at www.pawschicago.org and www.saluteinc.org.

Information: https://www.starwoodmeeting.com/Book/subaru and www.itasca.com.

Mark Maynard is online at mark.maynard@utsandiego.com. Find photo galleries and more news at Facebook.com/MaynardsGarage.