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Tag: 2014 Corvette

  • Corvette Stingray Already Starting Trends Among Buyers

    If you see a vehicle that moves like a stealth bomber on wheels while driving, don’t be alarmed. It’s just the 2014 Corvette, and you can bet your money that you’ll be seeing it quite often real soon.

    On the brink of the new Corvette’s release, Chevrolet reported that as of last month, 485 pre-ordered vehicles have been shipped to various dealerships around the country. Whether the 485 recipients know it or not, they’ve already started a few trends with the new vehicle.

    In a brief interview with AutoBlog, Chevrolet representative, Monte Doran, revealed that nearly all of the customers who placed pre-orders for the vehicle are not new to the Corvette experience. As a matter of fact, nearly all of them were existing owners of previous Corvette models.

    The awe-factor in the Corvette trends was that a notable 38% of the new vehicles where built with the request of the all-new seven-speed manual transmission. The intriguing percentage is actually one for the record books as it was noted as the highest of any General Motors vehicle. That goes for the Camaro too. Another fascinating trend is that a whopping 75% of the pre-order customers opted for the Z51 Performance Package, and more than half of those vehicles were customized with the magnetic ride suspension system.

    General Motors stated that they expect the high level of customized Corvette orders to eventually wane as more C7 fanatics get their hands on their prize possession. They also expect the purchase percentage to increase for the six-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission.

    However, if you want a new customized C7 before it hits mass production, be prepared to play the waiting game – possibly six months to be exact, according to CarBuzz. With some customers willing to pay a whopping $20K for priority on the waiting list, the vehicle is definitely in high demand. But, it doesn’t seem anyone is complaining so the Vette must be worth the wait.

    http://youtu.be/z49duwQ4Zao

     

    Image via Chevrolet

  • C7 Corvette Stingray Eats Quarter-Mile in 12 Seconds, HPE Does the Honors

    They say numbers don’t lie, and actions speak louder than words. Chevrolet is definitely living up to both cliches with the highly anticipated C7 Corvette Stingray. But, there’s one auto performance guru that looks to make the ‘Vette even more of a monster than it already is. Back in July, Hennessey Performance Engineering announced their aspiring plans to kick things up a notch, taking the Corvette to yet another accelerated level – literally and figuratively. Now, they’ve did the honors of testing the first consumer production release of the 2014 Corvette Stingray.

    With a laudably notable reputation for building fast toys, the Texas-based, tuning powerhouse recently announced their preliminary plan of action to expound upon their customized upgrade package for the new C7 Corvette. Now here’s the kicker – Chevrolet has yet to release official details for the Z07 and Z51 performance version of the Stingray, let alone mass-produce the base model of the vehicle for dealerships.

    But, regardless of the factory modifications Chevrolet will present, it probably won’t come close to the “Stingray on Steroids” that Hennessey looks to produce. With plans to tweak the ‘Vette’ up to approximately 1,000hp, Hennessey’s twin-turbo HPE1000 upgrade package looks as though it will be unprecedented and highly lauded in the modified auto world.

    But before the package can be deemed effective, the preliminary modification process has to start with a blueprint, and what better way to produce such a massive blueprint than to put it to the test. Hennessey had the esteemed honor of putting the first customer-owned ‘Vette on the asphault in a baseline dyno test.

    Hennessey stated that the Black Stingray in the video is a bone stock 3LT, 6-speed automatic, with a Z51 Performance Package. In the video, the Stingray puts down approximately 399rwhp with 400ft-lbs of torque. So in a nutshell, Chevrolet backs its promise to “under-estimate and over-deliver.”

    Chevrolet also stated that the Vette’s power-to-weight ratio improvement for a ‘lighter and faster’ execution are the components that make the car’s “0-60 in four seconds” possible. In all actuality, the Vette precisely produces 460bhp, hitting 60mph in 3.8 seconds. However, Hennessey’s speed test proved the results to be slightly different, but only by tenths of seconds in contrast to Chevrolet’s claims, reported Corvette Blogger.

    Hennessey’s black Stingray produced a 4.15 second, 0-60mph run, accelerating to 100mph at 9.5 seconds. So the power-to-weight calculations, in conjunction with the speed expectations, were slightly inaccurate. But, you have to take into consideration the kit designed to test the car which adds to its weight. This particular element actually rationalizes the reason for the baseline dyno test, but at this point, Hennessey’s tests are all preliminary, and the final results will probably end up totally different by the time their performance package is perfected under the hood.

    But aside from the preliminary test, Hennessey has no intention of waiting for Chevrolet to unveil their plans for the Z07 and ZR1 customized models. They’re already tenaciously at work designing powerful modifications and supercharged conversions, just as General Motors is working to mass-produce the vehicle for dealerships. This is definitely just the beginning for the C7 Corvette Stingray.

    http://youtu.be/CTe2wnfsALo

     

     

    Image via Hennessey Performance Engineering

     

  • 2014 Corvette Stingray to Exceed High Expectations

    With the release of the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, General Motors promises way more than eye-candy with an attractive, exotic body style, and a gleaming set of racing rims. Whether you’re simply admiring it from afar, or watching it zip down a freeway or race track, the automaker promises that the new sports car will “over-deliver.”

    Widely known as the “C7” among avid sports car enthusiasts, the 2014 ‘Vette base model is expected to come with approximately 450 horsepower, which will probably span out to 455 horsepower once the definitive numbers are garnered in. Then, there will be the optional customization, which will offer a ‘high performance exhaust kit, expected to render a whopping 460 horsepower, for those who thrive off the need for speed. However, it isn’t just the power that makes the notorious ‘Vette unprecedented. With a strategically amended engine structure currently undergoing various performance tests, the LT1 6.2-liter V-8 is expected to be the glory of the Stingray.

    During a GM press release, chief engineer of the engine program, Jordan Lee, said, “The 2014 Corvette Stingray’s LT1 engine is a triumph of advanced technology, delivering more power and torque than ever before with greater efficiency. The LT1’s performance compliments the Corvette’s low mass with a tremendous feeling of power that builds as the rpm climbs. Drivers will experience more power and acceleration than ever before with the standard engine – in fact, it’s power and torque surpass many up-level engines offered by competitors.”

    With the improvement of its power-to-weight rate and 460 pounds of torque, the C7 looks to live up to the concept of “lighter and faster,” going from 0-60 seconds in a mere four seconds. Definitely not bad for a base model sports car!

    According to NBC News, the Stingray is purposed to make history as the most powerful base-model Corvette ever released over the car’s six decade pedigree. The 2014 Corvette Stingray edition is slated to be released by the end of the summer with a base price starting at $51,995, with the convertible to follow by the top of next year.

     

    Photo Credit / General Motors