Latest news with #CorvetteStingray
The Herald Scotland
10-07-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Kansas State, Avery Johnson pursue College Football Playoff run
Because pushing out a championship starting quarterback last year for his potentially rare backup, only to have the potentially rare quarterback leave a year later, would've been peak transfer portal nonsense. Instead, there was Johnson, representing K-State at Big 12 Media Days, setting lofty goals for Year 2 as a starter. And maybe finally reaching those Johnny Manziel comparisons. "I can't wait for the season to begin," Johnson said Tuesday, July 8 at Big 12 Media Days. "We're shooting for a Big 12 championship. Anything else would be a letdown." And speaking of letdowns, get a lot of this drama: It was prior to last season when Klieman - one of two coaches in school history to win a conference championship in the modern era - gambled on Johnson by placing the program in his hands. Will Howard had one season of eligibility remaining, and was a year removed from leading K-State to its first Big 12 championship since 2012. He and Klieman met, and they decided maybe both needed a fresh start. Johnson led K-State to nine wins in 2024, and had the Wildcats in the College Football Playoff hunt until the last week of the regular season. Howard led Ohio State to the national championship. BIG PLANS: The billionaire booster who wants to save college sports TOP 25: Ranking the best college football quarterbacks In a not so surprising twist of irony, when the offseason arrived, guess who was fielding transfer opportunities from major Power conference teams? That would be Johnson -- the same quarterback Klieman elevated over Howard in 2024 to prevent Johnson from leaving for the transfer portal in the first place. Look, it's a business now. A crazy, unbridled mess of a business. "But he likes it here," Klieman said of Johnson, who threw 25 touchdown passes in 2024, and rushed for more than 600 yards in his first season as a starter. Really, he does. Johnson grew up in Wichita, about two hours south of the campus in Manhattan. He knows Kansas, he has lived Kansas. More important: Kansas loves him. Johnson has an impressive NIL portfolio, which recently added deals with CVS and a regional telecommunications provider. This on the heels of a deal last year with a local car dealership, which paved the way for him to drive around Manhattan in a lavender Corvette Stingray and black Mercedes AMG GT. Not only that, you, too, can swig Johnson's favorite drink (strawberry lemonade) thanks to an NIL deal with a local drink manufacturer. So yeah, life is good in Kansas. Now it's time to make it even better on the field. Johnson says he has gained "10-12 pounds" in the offseason, has built strength and hasn't lost what makes him so dangerous: speed and dynamic athleticism. He says the game moves slower now, and Klieman added more pieces around Johnson with key transfer portal additions to further develop the pass game. Three of K-State's top four receivers arrived this offseason from other schools. "The best supporting cast I could ask for," Johnson said. "It's a different feeling now. I'm so much farther ahead of where I was at this time last year." Last month, Johnson was invited to the Manning Passing Academy, an invitation typically reserved for the elite of the game. He roomed with Gunner Stockton (Georgia), Marcel Reed (Texas A&M) and Austin Simmons (Mississippi). "An SEC room," Johnson joked. Who knows just how close he came to joining that conference, and competing in the quarterback-heavy league. How close K-State went from experiencing both sides of transfer portal turnover at the most important position on the field. From a difficult choice one year, to a difficult departure the next. From learning on the job one season, to improving his completion percentage, and making better decisions post snap. He understands the position and the concepts. Now it's all about refining his game, and reaching the massive expectations coming out of high school. "I love this team, I love the chemistry we're building," Johnson said. "Everybody should be excited." Because Johnson didn't bite -- and allow what goes around to come back around. Matt Hayes is the senior national college football writer for USA TODAY Sports Network. Follow him on X at @MattHayesCFB.
USA Today
09-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Kansas State thinking College Football Playoff after Avery Johnson declined NIL offers
Of course it came back around. All it took was Chris Klieman to admit it, and open yet another window to the absurdity of the now transactional sport of college football. Fortunately for Kansas State, star quarterback Avery Johnson didn't bite at NIL offers from bigger schools. Because pushing out a championship starting quarterback last year for his potentially rare backup, only to have the potentially rare quarterback leave a year later, would've been peak transfer portal nonsense. Instead, there was Johnson, representing K-State at Big 12 Media Days, setting lofty goals for Year 2 as a starter. And maybe finally reaching those Johnny Manziel comparisons. 'I can't wait for the season to begin,' Johnson said Tuesday, July 8 at Big 12 Media Days. 'We're shooting for a Big 12 championship. Anything else would be a letdown.' And speaking of letdowns, get a lot of this drama: It was prior to last season when Klieman – one of two coaches in school history to win a conference championship in the modern era – gambled on Johnson by placing the program in his hands. Will Howard had one season of eligibility remaining, and was a year removed from leading K-State to its first Big 12 championship since 2012. He and Klieman met, and they decided maybe both needed a fresh start. Johnson led K-State to nine wins in 2024, and had the Wildcats in the College Football Playoff hunt until the last week of the regular season. Howard led Ohio State to the national championship. BIG PLANS:The billionaire booster who wants to save college sports TOP 25: Ranking the best college football quarterbacks In a not so surprising twist of irony, when the offseason arrived, guess who was fielding transfer opportunities from major Power conference teams? That would be Johnson — the same quarterback Klieman elevated over Howard in 2024 to prevent Johnson from leaving for the transfer portal in the first place. Look, it's a business now. A crazy, unbridled mess of a business. 'But he likes it here,' Klieman said of Johnson, who threw 25 touchdown passes in 2024, and rushed for more than 600 yards in his first season as a starter. Really, he does. Johnson grew up in Wichita, about two hours south of the campus in Manhattan. He knows Kansas, he has lived Kansas. More important: Kansas loves him. Johnson has an impressive NIL portfolio, which recently added deals with CVS and a regional telecommunications provider. This on the heels of a deal last year with a local car dealership, which paved the way for him to drive around Manhattan in a lavender Corvette Stingray and black Mercedes AMG GT. Not only that, you, too, can swig Johnson's favorite drink (strawberry lemonade) thanks to an NIL deal with a local drink manufacturer. So yeah, life is good in Kansas. Now it's time to make it even better on the field. Johnson says he has gained '10-12 pounds' in the offseason, has built strength and hasn't lost what makes him so dangerous: speed and dynamic athleticism. He says the game moves slower now, and Klieman added more pieces around Johnson with key transfer portal additions to further develop the pass game. Three of K-State's top four receivers arrived this offseason from other schools. 'The best supporting cast I could ask for,' Johnson said. 'It's a different feeling now. I'm so much farther ahead of where I was at this time last year.' Last month, Johnson was invited to the Manning Passing Academy, an invitation typically reserved for the elite of the game. He roomed with Gunner Stockton (Georgia), Marcel Reed (Texas A&M) and Austin Simmons (Mississippi). 'An SEC room,' Johnson joked. Who knows just how close he came to joining that conference, and competing in the quarterback-heavy league. How close K-State went from experiencing both sides of transfer portal turnover at the most important position on the field. From a difficult choice one year, to a difficult departure the next. From learning on the job one season, to improving his completion percentage, and making better decisions post snap. He understands the position and the concepts. Now it's all about refining his game, and reaching the massive expectations coming out of high school. 'I love this team, I love the chemistry we're building,' Johnson said. 'Everybody should be excited.' Because Johnson didn't bite — and allow what goes around to come back around. Matt Hayes is the senior national college football writer for USA TODAY Sports Network. Follow him on X at @MattHayesCFB.
USA Today
09-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Kansas State thinking College Football Playoff after Avery Johnson passed on NIL offers
Of course it came back around. All it took was Chris Klieman to admit it, and open yet another window to the absurdity of the now transactional sport of college football. Fortunately for Kansas State, star quarterback Avery Johnson didn't bite at NIL offers from bigger schools. Because pushing out a championship starting quarterback last year for his potentially rare backup, only to have the potentially rare quarterback leave a year later, would've been peak transfer portal nonsense. Instead, there was Johnson, representing K-State at Big 12 Media Days, setting lofty goals for Year 2 as a starter. And maybe finally reaching those Johnny Manziel comparisons. 'I can't wait for the season to begin,' Johnson said Tuesday, July 8 at Big 12 Media Days. 'We're shooting for a Big 12 championship. Anything else would be a letdown.' And speaking of letdowns, get a lot of this drama: It was prior to last season when Klieman – one of two coaches in school history to win a conference championship in the modern era – gambled on Johnson by placing the program in his hands. Will Howard had one season of eligibility remaining, and was a year removed from leading K-State to its first Big 12 championship since 2012. He and Klieman met, and they decided maybe both needed a fresh start. Johnson led K-State to nine wins in 2024, and had the Wildcats in the College Football Playoff hunt until the last week of the regular season. Howard led Ohio State to the national championship. BIG PLANS:The billionaire booster who wants to save college sports TOP 25: Ranking the best college football quarterbacks In a not so surprising twist of irony, when the offseason arrived, guess who was fielding transfer opportunities from major Power conference teams? That would be Johnson — the same quarterback Klieman elevated over Howard in 2024 to prevent Johnson from leaving for the transfer portal in the first place. Look, it's a business now. A crazy, unbridled mess of a business. 'But he likes it here,' Klieman said of Johnson, who threw 25 touchdown passes in 2024, and rushed for more than 600 yards in his first season as a starter. Really, he does. Johnson grew up in Wichita, about two hours south of the campus in Manhattan. He knows Kansas, he has lived Kansas. More important: Kansas loves him. Johnson has an impressive NIL portfolio, which recently added deals with CVS and a regional telecommunications provider. This on the heels of a deal last year with a local car dealership, which paved the way for him to drive around Manhattan in a lavender Corvette Stingray and black Mercedes AMG GT. Not only that, you, too, can swig Johnson's favorite drink (strawberry lemonade) thanks to an NIL deal with a local drink manufacturer. So yeah, life is good in Kansas. Now it's time to make it even better on the field. Johnson says he has gained '10-12 pounds' in the offseason, has built strength and hasn't lost what makes him so dangerous: speed and dynamic athleticism. He says the game moves slower now, and Klieman added more pieces around Johnson with key transfer portal additions to further develop the pass game. Three of K-State's top four receivers arrived this offseason from other schools. 'The best supporting cast I could ask for,' Johnson said. 'It's a different feeling now. I'm so much farther ahead of where I was at this time last year.' Last month, Johnson was invited to the Manning Passing Academy, an invitation typically reserved for the elite of the game. He roomed with Gunner Stockton (Georgia), Marcel Reed (Texas A&M) and Austin Simmons (Mississippi). 'An SEC room,' Johnson joked. Who knows just how close he came to joining that conference, and competing in the quarterback-heavy league. How close K-State went from experiencing both sides of transfer portal turnover at the most important position on the field. From a difficult choice one year, to a difficult departure the next. From learning on the job one season, to improving his completion percentage, and making better decisions post snap. He understands the position and the concepts. Now it's all about refining his game, and reaching the massive expectations coming out of high school. 'I love this team, I love the chemistry we're building,' Johnson said. 'Everybody should be excited.' Because Johnson didn't bite — and allow what goes around to come back around. Matt Hayes is the senior national college football writer for USA TODAY Sports Network. Follow him on X at @MattHayesCFB.
Miami Herald
07-07-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Verus Engineering Turns the Stingray Into a Downforce Monster
When Chevrolet moved the engine behind the seats for the eighth-generation Corvette, it changed the nameplate's history. The C8 Stingray is no longer just America's sports car; it's become a legitimate rival to Europe's best. That's even more true with the arrival of the C8 Corvette ZR1 and the electrified Corvette ZR1X, both top-dog models aiming to stand toe-to-toe against supercars and hypercars on the other side of the big ol' pond. The Corvette Stingray now sits in rarefied company. But what if you already have a Stingray and want visual and performance boosts? That's where Verus Engineering – the same company that worked with Ken Block's Hoonipig – comes in with its new range of aero upgrades, led by the Stage 3 Ventus package. Verus Engineering's new aerodynamic kit for the C8 Stingray goes beyond looks, though it certainly makes a statement with that towering swan-neck rear wing. Developed in collaboration with Paragon Performance and tested on track, the kit was designed to improve real-world performance by reducing drag and increasing downforce at all four corners. At the rear, a carbon fiber diffuser cleans up airflow under the car and improves tire grip by reducing lift. It works in tandem with a ducktail spoiler and the flagship V1X rear wing, which is adjustable and optimized specifically for the C8's profile. Up front, dual-element canards and a carbon fiber front splitter with optional air dam channel airflow to the right places, adding usable downforce while maintaining aerodynamic balance. Even the side splitters are made from polyweave – a motorsport-grade material that resists cracking and warping under stress. While a package is available, all the components are modular, meaning owners can start with a basic setup and add more aggressive pieces over time as needed. Verus Engineering sells the kit in stages through its Ventus Package lineup, depending on the performance level you're after. The Stage 1 kit includes the front dive planes and rear diffuser, while the Stage 3 kit, as shown in the demo car, is the most aggressive setup available and aimed at serious track use. Verus Engineering didn't reveal the pricing for the whole kit, though individual prices for each part are available. The rear diffuser is priced at $2,000, while the side splitters come in at $650. The front splitter costs $2,000, with an optional carbon air dam available for an additional $850. The showpiece V1X rear wing, optimized for maximum rear-end downforce, is listed at $5,995. Optional upgrades such as CAM XM plates and splitter end plates can also be added for further aero refinement. All parts are now available for purchase directly from Verus Engineering's website. And, if ever you own the more aggressive Corvette Z06, it looks like the company's already working on a set of aero parts for the model. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Car and Driver
07-05-2025
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
2026 Chevrolet Corvette Review, Pricing, and Specs
Overview It goes fast, nails apexes, and looks like a supercar, but the 2026 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray starts at under $100,000, making it one of the best performance-car values of all time. A naturally aspirated V-8 engine sits behind the cabin and pumps out up to 495 horsepower to the rear wheels, enough to blast this two-seater to 60 mph in under 3.0 seconds. Two trunks—one in the front and one in the back—provide added practicality, and the Corvette's interior is comfortable enough for two adults to take a road trip. Upper trim levels get even more luxurious, with fancier leather, a better stereo, and more convenience features. Any way you slice it, the Corvette Stingray impresses with its ideal balance of performance and everyday usability, and that's why it remains one of our favorite cars. What's New for 2026? The Corvette lineup receives a revamped interior design for 2026 that eliminates the row of buttons on the dividing console between the two seats. That divider has been redesigned to include a passenger grab handle, and the climate control buttons that were there have been moved to a panel of switches below the infotainment screen. The infotainment display itself is now larger at 12.7 inches, and the digital gauge cluster is now a 14.0-inch unit with a new 6.6-inch touchscreen display to the left of it for auxiliary controls. The drive-mode selector has been redesigned but remains on the center console near the gear selector, but its new smaller size creates room for a new wireless smartphone charging pad. A USB-C charging port has been added to the passenger's side of the cabin, and the cupholders gain ambient lighting, and in 2LT and 3LT models they feature real aluminum trim. Pricing and Which One to Buy The price of the 2026 Chevrolet Corvette is expected to start around $71,000 and go up to $89,000 depending on the trim and options. 1LT Coupe $71,000 (est) 1LT Convertible $77,000 (est) 2LT Coupe $78,000 (est) 3LT Coupe $82,000 (est) 2LT Convertible $85,000 (est) 3LT Convertible $89,000 (est) 0 $25k $50k $75k $100k $125k $150k The Corvette is available as either a coupe or a convertible with a folding hard top. Since the coupe's roof lifts off for open-top motoring anyway, we'd stick with it. We'd instead spend the money to upgrade to the 2LT version, which adds several features, including a head-up display, a wireless smartphone charging pad, heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, a 14-speaker Bose stereo system, blind-spot monitoring, and much more. The Z51 performance package is also a must-have, as it brings all the Corvette's best performance-oriented gear and makes the Vette track-capable. Engine, Transmission, and Performance The C8 Corvette is powered by a 6.2-liter pushrod V-8 that makes 490 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. With the dual-mode performance exhaust that is part of the Z51 package, power goes up a smidge to 495 horsepower. The Z51 option also adds an electronic limited-slip rear differential, more aggressive brakes, and summer tires. An eight-speed dual-clutch automatic is the sole transmission. It is controlled by a push-button gear selector on the center console and two large steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles. A manual transmission is not available. Even in base form, however, the new Corvette is capable of heroic handling and mega performance. 0–60-MPH Times In our testing, we recorded a 60-mph time of 2.8 seconds, and a quarter-mile pass of 11.2 seconds at 122 mph in a car equipped with the Z51 performance package and the optional FE4 magnetorheological dampers. It stopped from 70 mph in 149 feet and cornered at a stout 1.03 g on the skidpad. View Photos Michael Simari | Car and Driver Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG The EPA hasn't released any fuel economy information for the 2026 Corvette yet, but the 2025 model earned ratings of 16 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 19 mpg combined. We subjected it to our 75-mph highway fuel-economy test and recorded 26 mpg, 1 mpg better than its estimate. For more information about the Corvette's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website. Interior, Comfort, and Cargo The mid-engine C8 Corvette is a pure two-seater, and the futuristic interior can be dressed up with materials such as leather, real metal trim, and imitation suede; it even has a fancy stitched headliner. Speaking of the roof, it's removable on the coupe—one person can wrestle it off—just like with previous Corvettes, and it fits inside the trunk just aft of the engine compartment. The driver sits behind a squared-off steering wheel and a 14.0-inch reconfigurable gauge display; a large infotainment touchscreen is angled toward the driver for ease of use. The interior design takes the driver-focused concept to the max, bisecting the cockpit with a wall-like separator between the driver and passenger. Opting for the top 3LT package gets you upgraded, upscale materials, such as sewn leather on most interior surfaces, plus carbon-fiber trim. The Corvette's two trunks—one in the nose and the other behind the engine—offer a total of 13 cubic feet of storage space. Chevrolet says the Corvette can fit two sets of golf clubs stacked on top of each other in the rear compartment. In our testing, we were able to fit our set of clubs easily, so Chevy's claim seems valid. When it came time to see if there was room for our carry-on-size suitcases, we were able to fit one in the Corvette's front trunk and two in the rear compartment. Chevrolet Infotainment and Connectivity The 2026 Corvette comes with a 12.7-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth audio streaming, onboard Wi-Fi, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability. The system is easy to use and quick to respond to commands, plus apps can be downloaded from the Google Play Store to help customize the interface to your liking. A 10-speaker Bose stereo system is standard, but upper trims come with a 14-speaker setup also tuned by Bose. Safety and Driver-Assistance Features The Corvette comes with several driver-assistance features as standard, but others, including blind-spot monitoring, cost extra. For more information about the Corvette's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include: Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist Available blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert Warranty and Maintenance Coverage While its performance is amazing, the Corvette's warranty coverage is strictly average. At least the first maintenance service is covered at no cost. Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles Complimentary maintenance is covered for the first visit
