Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Valet Modes Compared

Corvette Valet Mode

Nobody likes handing their keys over to a valet. Even in the affluent Monaco, valets sometimes make mistakes or stupid decisions and you end up with a smashed up Lamborghini. Plus, I’m sure we all remember the joyriding scene from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Understandable, people are untrustworthy of valets. With the latest lineup of high-powered cars from Chevrolet and Dodge, they try to bring peace of mind to the driver by offering a valet mode before you hand your keys off. But, they are different. Here’s a breakdown of the two systems.

2015 Corvette Stingray Valet Mode

2015 Chevy Corvette Stingray Altantic

As part of the Performance Data Recorder, the valet mode in the 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray offers some really crafty features. After enabling the valet mode from the infotainment system with a four digit code, the glovebox, all storage compartments, and the storage area behind the screen lock so nobody can get in to it. The infotainment system is also disabled.

But where it gets really cool is that it enables the Performance Data Recorder. This system records all sorts of telemetry of the car. Speed, gear, throttle, cornering information, and more is recorded through the system. Also, the front-facing camera is turned on to record live video. Yes, this is also all part of a system to make you faster around a racetrack, but doubling as a valet monitor is a great additional use for the system that costs virtually nothing to implement. All data is stored on a SD card in the glovebox, which is locked when in valet mode. We only wish it could record a picture of the offending valet.

2015 Challenger SRT and SRT Hellcat Valet Mode

Hellcat-exhaust

Where the Corvette records everything the valet does, the Hellcat shuts down the valet’s ability to hoon the car. After putting in a four digit code into the infotainment system, lots of things happen. Traction and stability control is full-on, and cannot be disabled. The transmission (if an automatic), suspension, and steering revert to the street setting. The transmission (if an automatic) locks out first gear, and will only do second gear starts. The manual mode on the automatic becomes useless, as do the steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters. Launch control is also disabled. But most importantly, the car severely limits the horsepower to somewhere around 300hp. It should be noted that this valet mode is also part of the Charger SRT and SRT Hellcat variations as well.

This system makes a lot of sense because it can help prevent the valet from doing something stupid in the first place, instead of recording them while they do it. Both systems can also be useful if you let someone borrow your car.

Chad Kirchner

Chad Kirchner is a freelance automotive journalist that can be reached at Google+Twitter, and his website.