2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
Chevrolet gave birth to the first Corvette back in 1953. That original Corvette was powered by an inline Stovebolt "Blue Flame" six-cylinder engine mated to a cast-iron, three-speed Powerglide automatic transmission that delivered the driving force to the rear wheels. It was a two-seat roadster with a cloth convertible top, and the optional, removable hardtop came along later.
The first Stingray appeared as a 1963 model. The 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray -- the seventh-generation C7 version -- is living proof of the iconic car's magical evolution.
The 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray is also a two-seater, but it may be ordered as either a convertible or as a coupe with a targa-type top. Construction materials consist of the aluminum frame, a carbon fiber hood and removable roof panel, composite fenders, doors and rear quarter panels and carbon-nano composite underbody panels. All of this contributes to the car's nearly perfect weight balance (49 front/51 rear).
Nestled in an all-new aluminum frame is the most powerful and most efficient standard engine to be found in a Corvette to date. It's a 6.2-liter LT, OHV, 16-valve, pushrod V8 with direct fuel injection, and it resides up front in a longitudinal orientation and produces 460 hp at 6,000 rpm, while developing 465 lb ft of torque at 4,600 rpm with the available performance exhaust. The engine provides power to the rear wheels through either a new seven-speed manual gearbox with Active Rev Match technology or a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. The new Corvette Stingray is capable of rocketing from 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds and of reaching a top speed of 185 mph.
The all-new Corvette Stingray's sculpted exterior features advanced high-intensity discharge and light-emitting diode lighting and racing-proven aerodynamics that balance low drag for efficiency and performance elements for improved stability and track capability.
The all-new, dual-element taillamps represent the greatest departure from tradition and are among the car's most dramatic elements. The state-of-the-art lighting uses hidden LED lamps that cast their light up from the bottom of the housing into a reverse reflector, creating an even glow. LED lamps are also used for the white backup lamps.
Each of the interior's features were designed to enhance the driver's connection to the car, beginning with the fighter jet-inspired wraparound cockpit and continuing with the smaller-diameter steering wheel, more supportive seats and high-definition, configurable screens.
At the heart of the Corvette Stingray's driver-focused technologies is a cockpit-mounted Driver Mode Selector, which allows drivers to optimize the car to suit their driving preference and road conditions through a choice of five settings: Weather, Eco, Tour, Sport and Track, which ultimately tailors 12 vehicle attributes.
During the national press launch, I was able to experience a base model Coupe with the six-speed automatic transmission featuring paddle shifters, finished with a Crystal Red metallic tintcoat exterior and a Kalahari interior. It was base priced at $51,995, but adding the $4,210 2LT Package and the destination charge bumped the final total to $62,330.
SUMMARY: The 2014 Corvette Stingray is clearly the best production Corvette ever. It is engineered to race, but is also built for on-road driving enjoyment. In a word, the new Stingray is INCREDIBLE.
It behaves in a docile and civilized manner when called upon to do so, but it is also a screamer when poked and prodded. It handles with an athleticism and precision never before available in a Corvette, riding comfortably when simply cruising or firmed up for track exercises and more aggressive driving.
There will be some Corvette purists who feel that the new headlight and taillight treatment violates the heritage and purity of the iconic sports car, but everything about this 'Vette represents a step up. If you can find a better high-performance car at a more attractive price, then buy it.
© Auto Impressions, 2013
Price as Tested: $65,780
Engine/Transmission: 6.2-liter, LT1, OHV, 16-valve, pushrod, 460-hp V8 with direct injection/Seven-speed manual with Active rev-matching or six-speed automatic with paddle shifters.
Wheelbase: 106.7 inches
Length: 177.0 inches
Width: 73.9 inches
Height: 48.6 inches
Curb Weight: 3,444 pounds
EPA Mileage Estimates: 17 mpg city/29 mpg highway
The 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray is also a two-seater, but it may be ordered as either a convertible or as a coupe with a targa-type top. Construction materials consist of the aluminum frame, a carbon fiber hood and removable roof panel, composite fenders, doors and rear quarter panels and carbon-nano composite underbody panels. All of this contributes to the car's nearly perfect weight balance (49 front/51 rear).
Nestled in an all-new aluminum frame is the most powerful and most efficient standard engine to be found in a Corvette to date. It's a 6.2-liter LT, OHV, 16-valve, pushrod V8 with direct fuel injection, and it resides up front in a longitudinal orientation and produces 460 hp at 6,000 rpm, while developing 465 lb ft of torque at 4,600 rpm with the available performance exhaust. The engine provides power to the rear wheels through either a new seven-speed manual gearbox with Active Rev Match technology or a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. The new Corvette Stingray is capable of rocketing from 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds and of reaching a top speed of 185 mph.
The all-new Corvette Stingray's sculpted exterior features advanced high-intensity discharge and light-emitting diode lighting and racing-proven aerodynamics that balance low drag for efficiency and performance elements for improved stability and track capability.
The all-new, dual-element taillamps represent the greatest departure from tradition and are among the car's most dramatic elements. The state-of-the-art lighting uses hidden LED lamps that cast their light up from the bottom of the housing into a reverse reflector, creating an even glow. LED lamps are also used for the white backup lamps.
Each of the interior's features were designed to enhance the driver's connection to the car, beginning with the fighter jet-inspired wraparound cockpit and continuing with the smaller-diameter steering wheel, more supportive seats and high-definition, configurable screens.
At the heart of the Corvette Stingray's driver-focused technologies is a cockpit-mounted Driver Mode Selector, which allows drivers to optimize the car to suit their driving preference and road conditions through a choice of five settings: Weather, Eco, Tour, Sport and Track, which ultimately tailors 12 vehicle attributes.
During the national press launch, I was able to experience a base model Coupe with the six-speed automatic transmission featuring paddle shifters, finished with a Crystal Red metallic tintcoat exterior and a Kalahari interior. It was base priced at $51,995, but adding the $4,210 2LT Package and the destination charge bumped the final total to $62,330.
SUMMARY: The 2014 Corvette Stingray is clearly the best production Corvette ever. It is engineered to race, but is also built for on-road driving enjoyment. In a word, the new Stingray is INCREDIBLE.
It behaves in a docile and civilized manner when called upon to do so, but it is also a screamer when poked and prodded. It handles with an athleticism and precision never before available in a Corvette, riding comfortably when simply cruising or firmed up for track exercises and more aggressive driving.
There will be some Corvette purists who feel that the new headlight and taillight treatment violates the heritage and purity of the iconic sports car, but everything about this 'Vette represents a step up. If you can find a better high-performance car at a more attractive price, then buy it.
© Auto Impressions, 2013
2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
Base Price: $51,995Price as Tested: $65,780
Engine/Transmission: 6.2-liter, LT1, OHV, 16-valve, pushrod, 460-hp V8 with direct injection/Seven-speed manual with Active rev-matching or six-speed automatic with paddle shifters.
Wheelbase: 106.7 inches
Length: 177.0 inches
Width: 73.9 inches
Height: 48.6 inches
Curb Weight: 3,444 pounds
EPA Mileage Estimates: 17 mpg city/29 mpg highway
CARS is produced by the marketing department of the San Francisco Chronicle.
For advertising rates and information, contact Bill Barno (415) 777-8875 or bbarno@sfchronicle.com.
For advertising rates and information, contact Bill Barno (415) 777-8875 or bbarno@sfchronicle.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment