Long-term tests are a great way for automotive journalists to find out what can go wrong with a vehicle and usually these tests uncover interesting facts.

However, Car & Driver’s experience with their long-term Corvette Stingray Z51 tester has proved to be quite an adventure, as the car had a major failure at just 6,000 miles (9,656 kilometers). More specifically, the C7’s LT1 small-block V8 engine “lunched itself” at 6,000 miles and needed to be completely replaced under warranty.

C&D says that an investigation by GM found that a piece of metal debris (likely from a bad oil filter) was to blame. The piece purportedly reached the oiling system and wrecked a connecting-rod bearing, creating more debris that damaged the engine’s bottom-end.

The folks from Car&Driver say that they’ve heard of a few similar stories throughout the Stingray community. GM has acknowledged the issue and is currently analyzing its manufacturing process to track the cause.

After the engine replacement, the magazine’s Corvette returned quickly and “healthy as new.” As for other issue, C&D complained of the Stingray’s Competition seats which offer insufficient lumbar support and of the occasional slowness of the MyLink infotainment’s operation.

Also, the magazine said the seven-speed manual’s gates should be better defined. Significant road noise and hot footwells complete their list of complaints.

So, um…yeah…if anyone wants to take a bite out of the new Corvette Stingray's design prowess, there's an aftermarket firm offering a "Shark Tooth Grille" upgrade.

Mind you, it's not a sticker, but a real stainless steel grille piece sold by American Car Craft, which describes it thusly:

"Each grille is made from 304 stainless steel and is guaranteed not to rust or tarnish over time. We cut each of these grilles using computer controlled industrial lasers and then each piece is hand finished by our skilled craftsmen."

And just how much will this rib-tickling accessory cost you? It retails for $327.30 in polished form and $422.76 for the Black powder-coated version.

Torque bumped to 757 Nm

Geiger Cars is introducing a comprehensive tuning job for the Chevrolet Corvette C7 Stingray.

The Corvette prepared by Geiger Cars packs a 590 bhp (440 kW) punch from the same 6.2-liter V8 engine which has received an Eaton compressor conversion. Besides the additional 130 bhp (97 kW) bump, torque has also increased by 127 Nm (94 lb-ft) to 757 Nm (558 lb-ft). Thanks to this healthy power boost, the tuned Corvette is able to hit a top speed of almost 199 mph (320 km/h).

Geiger Cars also installed a KW variant 3 coilover suspension which lowers the front axle between 10 and 35 mm while the rear axle goes down by 15 to 45 mm. Other changes include lightweight forged 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels wrapped around in 255/30 R19 and 305/25 R20 tires, respectively.

The whole body kit has been manufactured from carbon fiber and aside from lowering the curb weight it also improves its aerodynamics according to the tuner. It includes a front splitter, left & right side flaps, diffuser, side sills, front grille, rear spoiler and a rear mudguard cover.

The vehicle being showcased in these images costs €113,000 and includes the €15,500 power hike, €6,500 wheels, €3,900 suspension, €6,652 carbon body kit and €6,000 motorsport gold paint. All prices include installation, except for the wide body kit.

Did anyone ask if the BMW i8 could beat a 2015 Corvette Stingray in a straight-line duel? Probably not, but now that we mention it, right…

The answer comes from TFL Car that took BMW's new plug-in hybrid sports car and drag raced it against a 2015 Corvette Stingray Convertible.

GM's model has a 6.2-liter naturally aspirated V8 with 455hp and 460 lb-ft of torque (624 Nm), while the BMW relies on a complex hybrid powertrain pairing a 229hp 1.5-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder petrol lump to a 129hp electric motor for a combined output of 357hp (362PS) and 420 lb-ft (569Nm).

In standard configuration, the i8 weighs 1,567kg / 3,455 lbs and the Corvette Stingray Convertible, 1,529kg / 3,362 lbs.

Before you hit play (skip to the 2 minute mark for the race), do note that the test took place at an altitude of about a mile about sea level, which means that, while the petrol engines in both models suffered a power loss, the BMW's electric motor did not.

And oh, if you're wondering how the i8 competes against the Porsche 911, check out this video.

Starts at $78,995

Following last month's pricing announcement, Chevrolet has uploaded the online configurator for the 2015 Corvette Z06.

Prices start at $78,995 for the coupe and $83,995 for the convertible and both are available with a Z07 Performance Package priced at $7,995. The kit adds Brembo carbon ceramic-matrix brake rotors, an adjustable rear spoiler, larger winglets and Michelin Pilot Super Sport Cup tires. There's also an optional $2,995 Carbon Fiber Ground Effects package which encompasses a larger rear spoiler, carbon fiber side skirts and a functional front splitter made from the same lightweight material.

Regardless of trim (1LZ, 2LZ, 3LZ), all versions of the Corvette Z06 are powered by a supercharged V8 6.2-liter engine developing 650 bhp (485 kW) and 881 Nm (650 lb-ft) of torque sent to the road through a seven-speed manual gearbox or an optional all-new eight-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission.

There are four 19-inch front & 20-inch rear alloy wheel sets to choose from along with ten exterior paint schemes and several interior themes depending on the selected trim.

Deliveries of the 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Coupe & Convertible will commence early next year.

A feature in the 2015 Chevrolet Corvette is facing legal scrutiny not because of speed, but because of privacy concerns.

According to Automotive News, GM has instructed Chevy dealers to tell customers not to use the 2015 Corvette's Valet Mode right now until a software update is made available to ensure the system is “consistent with legal requirements that pertain to audio recording devices."

Twelve U.S. states, including California and Michigan, ban the audio recording of people unless both parties consent to the recording – in some cases, it's a felony crime.

GM announced the system in August as "a baby monitor for your car," with the ability to access video, audio and vehicle data in addition to locking out the infotainment system and the glovebox.

The company has told dealers a software fix would be available in October to remedy the situation, which is supposed to include some kind of notice to passengers of the vehicle that they may be recorded, according to Automotive News.