It’s a bumper season for American supercars. First the all-new Viper, now this,
the C7 Chevrolet Corvette. It’s the first ‘Vette to wear the classic Stingray
badge for three-and-a-half decades, but not much else is retro about the new
coupe. Out go the rounded taillights and glassy rear hatch of bygone models,
and in comes a sharp new look with hints of Nissan GT-R, Ferrari F12 and Camaro
about it. Vette fans take note: it’s still left-hand drive only to start, but
we hear right- hand drive versions are under consideration for later in the
car’s life-span.
C7
Chevrolet Corvette
Under the base model’s hood is a 6.2-litre
normally aspirated, direct-injection V8, put- ting out 336kW and 610Nm –
leaving plenty of room for hotter Z06 and ZR1 models in future. The new ‘Vette
will hit 100kph in under four seconds and should top out at 306kph, with better
high-speed stability than the outgoing car. Chev claims a perfect 50-50 weight
distribution for the C7. It’s still got transverse leaf spring rear suspension,
a ‘Vette staple for half a century. Some things never change.
It
is a herltage thing as 2014 corvette Stingray poses with '63 Sting Ray
C7
Stingray can be specced with Z51 Performance Package, which includes an
electronic limited-slip differential, dry-sump oil unique system, extra
differential and transmission cooling, as well as a unique aero package
Digital
dials, including a five-position "Drive Mode Selector" like Ferrari's
manettino switch and a large central display dominate the cabin. Overall
quality is said to be higher than the off the pace C6
Transmissions
are either a six-speed paddleshift auto or seven speed manual with an
"Active Rev Matching" system to smooth out downshifts, like Nissan's
370Z
Roof
and bonnet made from carbon fiber with composite bumpers, fixed to an aluminum
frame
