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Posted on 03/20/2013 11:33:58 AM PDT by Red Badger
After years of anticipation and speculation, Chevrolet has finally unveiled the all-new, seventh-generation (C7) Corvette. The latest iteration of America’s sports car will launch with more power, an upscale interior and a historic nameplate – the Corvette Stingray.
Outside, the new model continues to use the long hood, short rear deck proportions that have characterized Corvettes for decades, but the overall look is crisper and more angular than before. Notable touches include a tapered greenhouse, new rear-quarter windows and closely-grouped, center-mounted quad exhaust pipes.
Unlike the first model year of the original Stingray (and the recent Stingray Concept), the C7 doesn’t feature a split rear window. In a break with Corvette styling tradition, the usual rounded taillights have been replaced by new rhomboid units, which are grouped with functional vents that connect with air inlets mounted on the tops of the rear fenders.
The Small Block Lives On Though some rumors had indicated that the Corvette would get a twin-turbo V6, the sports car will instead use an all-new small-block V8 known as the LT1. It churns out 450 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 450 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm, improvements of 20 ponies and 26 lb-ft over the LS3. Chevrolet says that output is enough to empower the C7 Corvette to sprint from zero-to-60 mph in under 4.0 seconds, and with over 400 lb-ft of twist on tap between 2,000 and 4,000 rpm, the LT1 also provides plenty of mid-range output.
While the tried-and-true pushrod configuration remains, the LT1 features direct-injection, variable valve timing and a fairly high 11.5:1 compression ratio. A dry sump oil system will be an optional extra in place of a standard wet sump unit.
Also part of the LT1 package is a cylinder deactivation system that saves fuel by effectively turning the 6.2-liter V8 into a 3.1-liter V4. Chevrolet says the system will help the LT1 better the less-powerful LS3's 26-mpg highway rating, although official numbers are not yet available.
Like the latest Porsche 911, the Corvette uses a seven-speed manual transmission. It features a “Active Rev Matching” system that provides rev-matched upshifts and downshifts. It can be switched on or off via steering wheel-mounted paddles shifters – an unusual touch for a manual-equipped vehicle.
The optional automatic transmission is a six-speed unit, not the eight that was previously rumored. Additional gears after the first six offer negligible efficiency benefits, Chevrolet says.
New to the Corvette is the Driver Mode Selector, which lets drivers optimize the sports car for any given driving situation. It offers five different modes: Tour mode is the default setting for day to day driving; Weather mode is intended to provide additional confidence in rain or snow; Eco mode helps achieve maximum fuel efficiency; Sport mode is for spirited road driving and Track mode is, as one would expect, for track use.
The Drive Mode Selector modifies 12 different vehicle settings, including steering assist effort, throttle responsiveness, launch control calibrations stability control settings, traction control parameters, exhaust noise levels, active fuel management settings, Performance Traction Management configurations, automatic transmission shift points, electronic limited-slip engagement and Magnetic Ride Control damper settings (the last two are Z51-exclusive features). Additionally, the gauge cluster changes to display information pertinent to the selected drive mode.
As before, a Z51 performance package will be available to make the Corvette even more track-friendly. It includes dry-sump lubrication, closer manual-transmission gear ratios, an electronically-controlled limited-slip differential and additional cooling for the gearbox, differential and brakes. Also part of the package are upsized brakes and 19-by-8.5-inch front and 20-by-10-inch rear wheels and tires, compared with 18-by-8.5- and 19-by-10-inch as standard.
Available as an option on Z51-equipped models is the third-generation of GM’s Magnetic Ride Control, which features a new twin-wire/dual-coil damper system that reacts 40 percent faster for improved ride comfort and body control.
Lightweight Components For the first time, the base Corvette rides on an aluminum frame – a feature previously reserved for Z06 and Z51 models. The new setup is 99 pounds lighter and 57 percent stiffer than the C6’s steel unit. To save additional weight, the hood and roof are constructed from carbon fiber, and the underbody trays are said to be lighter than before.
Despite those measures, the new Corvette’s higher content level will likely mean it ends up slightly heavier than the C6, which weighed in at 3208 pounds.
Improved Interior Inside, the two most highly criticized elements of the outgoing model’s cabin – cheap materials and seats unbefitting of a performance car – have been improved. Soft-touch materials abound, and premium trimmings such as Nappa leather, micro-suede, aluminum and carbon fiber can be spec’d as options.
Two seating choices will be on offer: comfort-oriented “GT” seats and “Competition Sport” thrones that promise the lateral support for which track-going Corvette enthusiasts have long clamored.
Eight-inch configurable screens are mounted at the center of the instrument cluster and at the top of the center stack, which is canted towards the driver and fitted with Corvette-specific HVAC controls.
Chevrolet says that the 2014 Corvette Stingray will hit the market in the second half of 2013; watch for fuel-economy and pricing details to be released in the coming months.
Live photos by Chris Doane.
Not bad but it can’t compete with the ‘63 split-window coupe.
I have the ‘honor’ of having failed my first drivers test when the Chevy Citation my grandmother insisted I drive, rather than the 77 F250 I wanted to take it in, BLEW THE MOTOR.
I kid the not.
Let that sink in a second. Blew the motor during a driver’s test...chevy....
Been a Ford man every since.
Well, I gotta say that is a novel viewpoint - screwed up, but novel.
NO GM here, we have two made in Mississippi Nissans.
So, they are Nississippians?.......
Well I’m a screwed up and novel kinda guy ;)
Sooooo....what was wrong with it? That engine was a beast of power and design (exceeded only by the 427 SOHC) and the body was classic Mustang. What’s not to love? Other than the price tag?
A pig? Yup. But a damn nice one!
Lovely car, but perhaps it’s reserved for those who intend to spend their entire paycheck on gasoline while being watched wherever they go by highway patrolmen slavering over their ticket books?
I kinda like it, especially the red, but I will never buy an Obama car.
Besides, it would never tow my Airstream trailer, have room for my GSD, hall feed and straw for my geese and ducks, make it up my mountain during the winter snow and ice, or launch my boats. ;>)
I am already handsome, so I don’t need a Corvette. LOL
Me neither! I bought a C5 new in 2000 and still own it. It will be the last GM product I ever buy.
My wife wants one of these so bad she can taste it. I want a 4 door Jeep Wrangler. We have the means and the desire but unfortunately since both GM and Chrysler nursed at the government teat neither will be parked in our driveway. Maybe a Shelby GT500 and a F250 are in order.
Me like.
Well, I gotta say that is a novel viewpoint - screwed up, but novel.
I concur. That honor goes to the 2014 Shelby GT500.
I've been a Corvette lover for half a century. I love darn near every Vette that has ever been produced, and I'm good with this one too.
In a year or two, it'll look like it totally belongs in the stable.
Not my car. My would/will be blue.
My favorite Vette is a 69 with the 63 split a close second. But after the ‘Stingray’ style body was replaced with the mid 80s ones, I just didn’t ‘see it’ as a Vette. To me they look like a variant on the Firebird of the era. The later ones are ‘OK’ to me but still not the same. But then I’m a Ford guy so my opinion on the matter is about irrelevant ;)
I new a guy with one of the first Crossfire cars. After the first 12 trips to the dealer he left it in his garage hoping someday it would be worth something as the dealer would not take it back and he didn’t want to screw anyone selling it to them...or himself for the financial loss he’d have to take to sell it honestly.
But then all Chevy lovers are unAmerican communists anyway... ;)
I’m just old school. But the new Mustangs ARE very nice. Love to have one, just rather have an old one.
Want.....
Hell I’d settle for the sign ;)
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