General Motors has unveiled the long-awaited 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray.
The vehicle is almost completely new, sharing only a couple components with its predecessor. Indeed, Chevrolet packed the 2014 Corvette Stingray with all sorts of sweet tech, including the most powerful standard Corvette V-8 engine ever offered.
The new Stingray boasts 450 hp and 450 pound-foot of torque. The car can hit 60 mph in under 4 seconds, with Chevrolet promising it will achieve 1G of cornering grip. The outside of the 2014 Corvette is reminiscent of several existing vehicles, with hints of Ferrari and other GM products, such as the Camaro, in the overall attractive design.
One of the biggest changes for the 2014 Stingray can be found in the vehicle’s completely new interior. To be sure, Chevrolet has come under fire for its high-end sports car interiors which many believe are subpar compared to other vehicles in the price range. As such, the 2014 Stingray features a tricked-out interior with real carbon fiber, aluminum, and hand wrapped leather materials. The car is available with two new seat choices – each featuring a lightweight magnesium frame.
The latest Stingray is equipped with a five-position Drive Mode Selector that tailors 12 different vehicle attributes to fit the driver’s environment. The car also has a new seven-speed manual transmission with Active Rev Matching technology which automatically matches the engine speed to the wheel speed for perfect shifts. Matching engine speed to the wheel speed is important in high-performance driving, as it prevents a sudden loss of traction that could result in an accident.
The Corvette is constructed from lightweight materials and features a carbon fiber hood along with a removable roof panel. The car is loaded with composite fenders, doors, and rear quarter panels. Additional lightweight materials, including carbon-nano composite underbody and a new aluminum frame were used in the vehicle’s construction, translating into a 50/50 weight balance.
For drivers who plan on taking their new 2014 Stingray to the racetrack, Chevrolet will offer a Z51 Performance Package that adds an electronic limited slip differential, dry-sump oiling system, integral brake, differential and transmission coolers, along with a unique aero package.
Road racers found over the years that Chevrolet V-8 engines used in Corvettes often experience difficulty maintaining oil pressure under high cornering loads, making the dry-sump oiling system very important for road racing track work. Although pricing has yet to be disclosed, we do know the newest Stingray will hit showrooms in Q3 2013.
