Detroit is abuzz with news of General Motors announcement of a new model for Chevy’s Corvette Range. The 2014 Corvette Stingray reinforces a long legacy of racing heritage for the Chevrolet Brand.
According to the design team, the new model’s greatest setback in this planning stage is the fuel consumption, the new Corvette cannot be a gas guzzler as stricter government regulations were forcing better fuel economy in new models. If the new ‘Vette used too much fuel, fines from regulators could mean that the new model would never be built. The Corvette’s chief designer, Tadge Jeuchter was quoted as saying: “There won’t be a Corvette if we don’t care about fuel economy”.
The new model will carry the moniker “C7” and the 1000 member corvette team has had to overcome many hurdles over the years, namely GM’s bankruptcy to finally get the go-ahead for the new model. The all-new street king will be faster, lighter and handle better with aluminium and carbon fibre replacing many steel components and the V8 powerhouse using only four cylinders at highway speeds for economical driving. It has been re-designed from the ground up, using only two parts from the previous model.
There have been no official performance figures released for the all-new 2 seater Stingray, however the team is aiming for a frugal 16-26mgp economy rating and a suggested 450hp with an impressive 0-100 time under four seconds. Detroit will not quote a price on the 2014 model and it is unclear at this stage whether it will ever grace South Africa’s Shores.
~John Govender
The 2014 Corvette Stingray variant is coming out equipped with a new easily customizable instrument panel that cold be programmed to race, sport or touring mode as desired by the user.