38 years later, the Stingray is back
After a long wait, we finally managed to spend some time behind the wheel of the new 7th generation Corvette and boy did we have fun!
LED daytime running lights give the ‘vette an aggressive nose.
For 2014, the Corvette is “all-new”. Yup, we’ve heard that before and most of the time it really isn’t more than marketing speak. For the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette though, this truly is an all-new car that has been engineered from the ground up. Chevrolet claim to have only carried over 2 parts from the outgoing Corvette with everything else being reengineered brand new. The end result? We were very pleased!
Looks
The performance exhaust is slightly larger, but more importantly features 2 extra valves that create motoring symphony.
The design of the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette has evolved. The typical Corvette body styling remains, while integrating a much more modern and functional body. For instance, the front aero bumper is designed in a way to let air flow into it and out through the hood vents adding downforce to the car. There are inlets on the rear fender which help cool the differential and the transmission. And then we get to the controversial tail lamps. A lot of wars have been waged over internet forums with fans crying foul over the move away from the round tail lamps. These are functional too. With integrated air vents that add to the rear downforce. The LED daytime running lights and the LED tail lamps give the Corvette a beautiful, yet menacing look at the same time. The trademark quad exhausts remain and sit a lot closer together now finishing off a sexy looking behind. All in all, this is one gorgeous looking beast.
Feels
Build quality and interior fit and finish is hugely improved.
This is where the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette really surprises you. Year after year, the Corvette came out with interiors that would seem out of place even in some of the econoboxes. The transformation here, is night and day. The interior is lined with Nappa leather, aluminium and carbon fibre (optional). All genuine materials. Neatly laid out controls, extremely comfortable seats that offer plenty of support and the general fit and finish is what you would expect from a premium German manufacturer. And then there is the configurable screen integrated into the instrument cluster that shows you a whole load of information and a full colour Heads up Display. All of this in a wrap around cockpit makes it a very comfortable and snug place to be in.
Engineering
The Z51 Package comes equipped with bigger brakes.
The car is built on a new stiffer and lighter Aluminium frame while at the heart of the car is an all new LT1 V8, good for 455 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. The result is a better power to weight ratio than the 911 Carrera. With a near 50:50 weight distribution (slight rear bias) and a beautifully sorted chassis this American rockstar can go tackle corners. And a lot faster than you would think. Our test drive took us through some picturesque narrow twisties with a few uneven surfaces in between and the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette was an absolute joy to drive. The chassis felt alive, giving us plenty of confidence while hooning around the country side in near illegal maneuvers. The magnetic ride control does an excellent job in any of the driving modes selected making driving this an absolute joy. In tour mode, the suspension soaks up road imperfections with ease allowing you to cruise down the highway in absolute comfort. Select sport or track and the car is a lot more aggressive with a stiffer suspension making it very hard to get the car unsettled.
What’s on offer?
The new LT1 powerplant has a near flat torque curve and features cylinder deactivation technology.
Equipped with a 6.2L V8, direct injection engine, the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette puts out 455 hp @ 6000 rpm (460 hp with the performance exhaust) and 460 lb-ft @ 4600 rpm. There is an additional Z51 performance package available which offers slightly different gearing, and electronic limited slip differential, upgraded shocks, bigger brakes and wheels and lower profile rubber. There are various trim levels available in the North American market while the details for our region is yet to be announced.
Summing it…
The 2014 Corvette Stingray is here to shake up the world of sports cars.
The Corvette has always been a fun car to drive. However, you really couldn’t compare it to its much more refined German and even some of its Japanese rivals. It was more muscle and less track machine. With the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette, Chevrolet has turned over a new leaf. It is everything the Porsche Cayman is, on a larger scale (it is American after all!). This my friends, really is all that you would expect from a proper sports car. This is a GT, track machine and dragster, all rolled into one. And an extremely good looking one at that! Prince sure would be proud.
AutoMiddleEast.com
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