The Chevrolet Corvette Stingray! Now, if you didn’t see that one coming, clearly you haven’t been paying attention.

Its new mid-engine design is obviously the biggest change to come to Corvette over its 6-decade lifespan; but that’s just the tip of this high-performance iceberg.

Arriving with this ‘vette is an all-new LT2 naturally-aspirated V8, with output of 495-horsepower and 470 lb-ft. of torque.

Some may have wished for more HP, or some power adders, and we’re sure they’re coming sooner rather than later. But, until then, you’ll have to deal with taking a full 2.9-seconds to get to 60, the fastest ever for an entry-level Corvette.

With that naturally-aspirated V8, comes an all-new, and impressively smooth and quick, 8-speed dual-clutch transmission, a first for the brand.

The main reason for moving the engine behind the cabin, is of course better handling. Not only does this move weight towards the rear of the chassis where it can aid traction, but it gets that weight off of the front tires; sharpening steering, and improving overall response.

Speaking of the chassis, it’s a mostly aluminum design built around a central tunnel backbone; with an all-new suspension scheme bolted to it.

Now, all of that means nothing if the driving experience doesn’t improve as well; and trust us, it has. You now sit much closer to the front wheels, and forward visibility is unparalleled; giving you a great view of the road ahead, as well as everything around it rushing by you.

Yet, it also attains a very inviting new level of comfort for Corvette, as it is an impressively quiet car to spend time in. Great news for the many Corvette owners that do extensive road tripping. And for them, Chevrolet went to great strides to ensure that plenty of luggage space stayed a part of the package.

Add in an exterior design, that despite new proportions, looks familiar yet fast forward-thinking. And at long last, a tech-savvy cockpit that is truly supercar-worthy.

But the biggest win for all of us, is that with all of the changes, GM was able to maintain attainability, with base pricing just under $60,000. So, take note also rans, that’s how you earn our MotorWeek Drivers’ Choice Best of the Year!