The 2019 Corvette is undeniably a remarkable car, achieving real-world accolades that speak volumes about its engineering and capabilities. It’s a vehicle that has demonstrably set track records, for instance at Virginia Raceway in January, and has consistently challenged benchmarks set by automotive powerhouses like the 911 GT2 and 720s. In head-to-head comparisons, it has outperformed previous generation supercars such as the Ford GT and Huracan Performante, firmly establishing itself in an elite performance class, distinct from vehicles like the Chevrolet Camaro, despite the latter’s own impressive merits.
However, when translating this real-world prowess into the digital realm of racing games, specifically within titles like Forza, nuances emerge. The 2019 Corvette appears to be operating at the very edge of its chassis capabilities within the game environment. This perception might stem from the game’s interpretation of its tire setup. The actual Corvette comes equipped with tires optimized for track days, yet they aren’t full-blown race tires like those found on cars such as the 720s. The game seems to lean towards a more aggressive tire profile, potentially limiting upgrade pathways and influencing its competitive placement within different performance classes.
There’s a valid argument that Forza may be somewhat unforgiving in its portrayal of the Chevy Corvette. While the in-game tires are undeniably soft and grippy, they arguably shouldn’t be classified as outright race tires in their stock configuration. This categorization effectively eliminates opportunities for meaningful tire upgrades, a common avenue for performance enhancement in other in-game vehicles. The near-maxed-out handling in its stock form further underscores this point. The decision to essentially equip the stock Corvette with race-grade tires within the game mechanics curtails its ability to effectively compete in the S2 class. Yet, considering its real-world performance metrics, it logically should be a strong contender in S2.
Conversely, in the S1 class, the 2019 Corvette encounters a different set of challenges. It can feel somewhat heavy and burdened by excessive downforce, creating a performance profile reminiscent of the 2016 ACR in S1. Both vehicles, in this context, become victims of their stock Performance Index (PI) positioning, placing them too close to the upper limits of the S1 class, hindering their competitive flexibility. However, a crucial distinction emerges: the ACR possesses sufficient grip to excel in the higher S2 class, a domain where the Corvette, in its game representation, might struggle due to the aforementioned tire and upgrade constraints.
Despite these in-game limitations within S1, personal testing on circuits like Moorhead Wind Farm Circuit revealed that the best achievable performance with the 2019 Corvette placed it in the lower segment of leaderboard rankings. Interestingly, optimizing the car with stock aerodynamics yielded faster lap times compared to utilizing Forza aero components, suggesting a well-engineered base configuration. Furthermore, experimenting with a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) setup proved to be both enjoyable and surprisingly competitive. The RWD version maintained lap times within a second of the best all-wheel-drive (AWD) times, indicating a balanced and driver-friendly chassis. This positive driving experience might encourage players to retain the RWD configuration for casual races against AI opponents (drivatars), prioritizing fun and engagement over absolute leaderboard dominance.
