2014 - 2016 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

TopSpeed Driving Impression

The 2014 Stingray is still in very short supply, but we managed to get our hands on one a few minutes and took it out for a short cruise. In just the short time we had with the car, we can tell you that the Stingray drives like just like a Corvette should.

The seven-speed gearbox is smoother than any Corvette gearbox to date, and that new LT1 V-8 has just as much pin-you-in-your-seat power as last year’s model, and with better fuel economy — win-win.

The model we tested had the Z51 track package installed, which includes a dry-sump oil system, tire temperature sensors, an electronic limited-slip diff, integral braking, transmission and differential cooling, and upgraded wheels, brakes and tires. This gave us the best opportunity to see exactly what the top-line 2014 Corvette — to date — can do.

The biggest improvement for us is the cabin. The new interior is superb and finally feels "Corvette exclusive" instead of being a bunch of bits and pieces pulled from various GM part bins. Watch the above video for some on-the-go impressions... The Corvette is cool again!

Exterior

Design does have some inspiration from the Stingray Concept

This aspect definitely deserves a separate section of its own. Unlike the design of the Corvette C6 which was merely a C5 with a facelift, the C7’s was designed from scratch. It does have some inspiration from the Stingray Concept, both in design as well as the name it carries.

The front end embraces an all-new design that looks even more visceral than ever before. At a certain angle, the car sports an evil smile that does suit its nature. The headlights are new with the industry-standard LED daytime lights. The front does look really good, but we can’t help but notice the eerily striking resemblance to the SRT Viper. But it’s not all that controversial, unlike the rear end.

The rear end is all vents and tailpipes. It has received a very aggressive styling that competitors can drool at when the Stingray blazes past them. The quadruple taillights stay true to the Corvette tradition, but the trapezoidal design has a slight inspiration from the Camaro. Like the recent `Vettes, the Stingray sports large trumpet-like quad tailpipes bolted nicely in the center of the rear valence.

The resemblance to other competitors doesn’t stop with the front end. Coming to the side profile, it clearly has elements of the Nissan GT-R and Ferrari all mashed up into one, but it doesn’t wander away from the actual shark-like design of the original Stingray. It’s again all aggressive with creases and slashes here and there, like a Dolph Lundgren character after being beaten up by villains. Then again, when a hero is beaten up, it’s only then he gains the power to kill the villain — a movie cliché.

With vents all over, including a massive one up front, and the aerodynamic design, the new ’Vette has a low drag coefficient and stays planted to the ground. Thanks to the carefully sculpted creases and fenders, it also dispels air without a sweat.

To sum it up, the design is absolutely visceral, jaw-dropping and arguably the best Corvette ever made. Though it has certain elements of its competition, it’s still instantly recognizable as a Corvette (or rather the “new” Corvette).

Changes for 2015

There are several new appearance options and new exterior looks for the 2015 Stingray, and though they don’t change the car’s basic design style, the options help customers create their own personalized car with a unique look. First up are two all-new colors: Shark Grey Metallic and Daytona Sunrise Orange Metallic, which replace Cyber Grey and Lime Rock Green.

The next big change is the addition of the Pacific Design Package. It bundles a ton of smaller packages together into one big visual update. The changes include a visible carbon-fiber roof panel with body-colored surrounds; the Carbon Fiber Package; the Carbon Flash Full-Length Dual Racing Stripes Package; the Carbon Flash Badge Package; Carbon Flash license plate holder; Carbon Flash-painted outside mirrors and rear spoiler; Z51-sytle Satin Black wheels with red stripes; front and rear black splash guards; red-painted brake calipers; the Competition Sport bucket seats; carbon-fiber instrument panel trim; custom sill plates and premium carpeted floor mats with the Stingray logo, and a gray indoor car cover with crossed flags logo to cover it all up.

If you’re looking to add the Pacific Design Package, you’ll have to order the Jet Black or Adrenaline Red interior with the exterior color of Shark Grey Metallic, Arctic White, Blade Silver Metallic, Black, or Torch Red.

Some of the smaller options newly available are the Carbon Fiber Ground Effects Package, five-spoke black aluminum wheels, black machined aluminum wheels, and the ZF1 Appearance Package. The ZF1 package includes many of the Z51 Performance Package appearance extras without the added performance go-fast bits under the hood and fender wells.

Finally, a dealer-installed clear protective coat can be applied to protect all that paintwork.

New for 2015:

• Wheels, 5-spoke, Black aluminum, 18" x 8.5" (45.7 cm x 21.6 cm) front and 19" x 10 " (48.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
• Wheels, Black machined aluminum, 18" x 8.5" (45.7 cm x 21.6 cm) front and 19" x 10" (48.3 cm x 25.4 cm) rear
• Wheels, Z51-style Satin Black with Red stripe aluminum 19" (48.3 cm) front and 20" (50.8 cm) rear
• Wheels, Black machined aluminum, 19" x 8.5" (48.3 cm x 21.6 cm) front and 20" x 10" (50.8 cm x 25.4 cm) rear
• Black and Silver Custom Valve Stem Package with crossed flag logo, Genuine Corvette Accessory

Changes for 2016

Much like 2015, the 2016 model year brought an array of updates and added options, as well as three appearance bundles, dubbed Design Packages.

Two new exterior colors have been added to last year’s palette. Corvette Racing Yellow Tintcoat replaced Velocity Yellow, while Long Beach Red Metallic Tintcoat displaced Crystal Red Tintcoat. Customers selecting the Carbon Flash badge option should know it deletes the chrome bar on the front grille. Likewise, the carbon-fiber hood option gained a visible weave section. Chevy also added a new wheel design that can be had in either silver, black, machined or chrome.

As for the design packages, they each come with their own exterior and interior colors, wheel selections, and options. The Twilight Blue Design Package includes Shark Gray, Blade Silver, Arctic White and Night Race Blue exterior colors. Other features include a blue top and Shark Gray tonneau inserts for convertible models, Shark Gray side vents, polished motorsport wheels and either black or gray brake calipers. A red, white and blue tri-color stripe is available for customers wanting the U.S. flag on their cars.

Moving over to the Spice Red Design Package, exterior colors include Long Beach Red Metallic Tintcoat, Shark Gray, Blade Silver, and Arctic White, while the soft-top for convertibles is Spice Red. Polished motorsport wheels are standard with the bundle.

The Jet Black Suede Design Package is the most well-equipped option. Buyers can choose between Black, Blade Silver, Arctic White or Torch Red for the exterior, but they’re stuck with a black top for convertible models. The wheels are finished in satin black with red stripes and hide red brake calipers. This one also received Carbon Flash badges and satin black hood extractor and graphics.

New for 2016

• Twilight Blue Design Package
• Spice Red Design Package
• Jet Black Suede Design Package
• Two new exterior colors: Corvette Racing Yellow Tintcoat and Long Beach Red Metallic Tintcoat
• New standard wheel design offered in silver, black, black machined and chrome
• Carbon Flash badge option deletes the chrome bar on the front grille
• Carbon Fiber Hood option features a visible weave section

Exterior Specifications:

Standard Exterior Features (1LT)

• 5-spoke, Silver-painted aluminum 18-by-8.5-inch front wheels and 19-by-10-inch rear wheels
• Tires, P245/40ZR18 front and P285/35ZR19 rear, performance, run flat (STD)
• Carbon-fiber, body-color, removable roof panel
• High intensity discharge (HID), Xenon headlights, LED park and turn signals and Daytime Running Lamps
• Heated power-adjustable mirrors

Interior

Peaceful and cozy, yet has a subtle aggressiveness that the driver will look forward to.

Chevrolet has a track record of making one of the worst interiors for the Corvette over the years. Do they maintain that track record with the new Corvette C7? In a nutshell , absolutely Absolutely not!

It’s a significant departure from the bland, second-class interior that people got even after paying a fortune for an iconic supercar. What a relief...

Cheap plastic that used to dominate the C6’s interior is now replaced with a soft-touch material and leather everywhere. Unlike the bland seats of the C6, the Stingray C7 sports two types: a base version and a body-hugging Sport Competition seat.

The aggressive design doesn’t stop with the exterior. The interior now looks peaceful and cozy, yet has a subtle aggressiveness to it that the driver would look forward to planting his bottom in every day. The Stingray’s interior is more driver-focused now, as all of the controls and the navigation system are angled towards him.

Also available on the 2014 Stingray is an advanced cluster display that allows the driver to customize the display to show only the information that is important at that time, using preset "themes." Each theme changes the display to only highlight the data that you need to achieve the task at hand. The customizable features are as follows:

Tour theme: This is the base display that shows when the Stingray is in Weather, Eco, or Tour drive mode. This display provides essential vehicle information drivers want for commuting or long-distance driving and includes key vehicle information and multimedia displays.

Sport theme: This theme shows up when the Stingray is in Sport mode. It is designed to recall the classic sports-car experience, with a single, radial tachometer dominating the display.

Track theme: Drawing inspiration from the cluster from the Corvette Racing C6.R, this theme is designed to optimize your on-track experience.. It includes a “hockey stick” style tachometer, large gear indicator and shift lights.

Adjustable redline: All themes feature an adjusting redline that shows the suggested maximum engine speed as low as 3,500 rpm when the engine is cold.

Tachometer ‘halo’: – When the Sport theme is activated, a ring around the tachometer turns from yellow to amber to red as engine speed increases.

Shift lights: – With the cluster in its Track theme, a set of shift lights, which were influenced by the C6.R, transition from green to yellow to blue and flash at redline, providing an easy-to-see shift notification at high speeds.

Friction-bubble/cornering force: The friction bubble that displays lateral and longitudinal G-forces allows drivers to measure how close they are to the Stingray’s limits.

Tire temperature gauge: This system uses the tire pressure monitoring system to measure the tire temperature and display it on the cluster.

Acceleration timer: This display allows you to measure the acceleration time of the Stingray, from the typical 0-to-60 mph time to a 70-to-100 mph time.

Lap timer: Allows you to measure a lap time on a course and display it.

The interior is by far the best interior that has been made for the Corvette and, frankly speaking, the best interior we’ve ever seen in an American car. It brings build quality and suppleness to the table, an aspect that Europeans have been flaunting for years.

Changes for 2015

The interior of the 2015 Vette isn’t going unchanged either. A new suede and quilted headliner became available later in the year, though it strangely cannot be combined with the Corvette Museum Delivery option. (Seems odd that the delivery destination defines what options are available.) Though not new, the sueded microfiber-wrapped upper interior trim package is now standard equipment with the 3LT trim package.

In the electronics department, the 10th-generation OnStar now includes 4G with Wi-Fi hotspot capabilities for mobile communications, while the Performance Data and Video Recorder is now available, though it requires Chevy MyLink with Navigation.

Chevrolet integrated its Performance Data Recorder into its Valet Mode. The Valet Mode now not only allows you to lock all interior storage and disable the infotainment system via a four-digit pin, but for 2015 the Performance Data Recorder also takes an HD video with audio and captures all the performance data while the car is in the care of a valet. Now you will know if the valet took your baby to a local track while you were enjoying dinner. See the video above to see how it works.

Changes for 2016

The interior gets a tad sportier for the 2016 model year, with the inclusion of a flat-bottom steering wheel. New options include two-tone GT seats in either leather or suede, and red or yellow stitching for 3LT trims with the Jet Black interior.

As for the Design Packages, each come with different features of their own. The Twilight Blue offers a Twilight Blue interior, while the Spice Red sports a Spice Red cabin. Lastly, the Jet Black Suede features Jet Black upholstery, steering wheel and shifter in sueded microfiber, and a carbon-fiber trim plate.

Standard Interior Features (1LT)

• Dual, eight-inch configurable driver/infotainment screens
• Next-generation Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system and rear vision camera
• Bose nine-speaker audio system with SiriusXM Satellite radio, Bluetooth connectivity, USB and SD card and auxiliary input jack
• Keyless access
• Push-button start
• Power tilt/telescope steering wheel
• Lightweight magnesium seat frames
• Eight-way power seat adjustment

New for 2015

• Suede quilted headliner, Genuine Corvette Accessory
• OnStar Gen 10 with 4G and Wi-Fi hotspot4
• Performance data and video recorder

New for 2016

• Flat-bottom steering wheel
• Available two-tone GT seats – red or gray – offered in leather or suede
• Red or yellow stitching option offered on Stingray 3LT Jet Black interior
• Power-cinch feature for coupe hatch and convertible trunk latches
• Front curb view parking camera offered on Stingray 2LT/3LT

Drivetrain

The one aspect that has added weight to the word "iconic" is its performance. The beast under the hood is an all new direct-injection 6.2-liter small-block V-8 engine dubbed the LT1. It produces 460 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 465 pound-feet of torque at 4,600 rpm, with the available performance exhaust system and 455 horsepower and 460 pound-feet with the standard exhaust system.

To cope with stringent carbon emissions and fuel efficiency regulations, the Corvette Stingray sports an Active Fuel Management system that will shut down four cylinders, leaving the`Vette with a 3.1-liter 4-pot engine for fuel efficiency when V-8 power isn’t needed . The engine will also feature direct injection and variable valve timing to help it use less fuel.

When equipped with the all-new seven-speed manual transmission, the new Corvette delivers a an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 17 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. Also, when "Tour" mode is activated, the model delivers 28 mpg on the highway and when the "Eco" mode is activated it delivers 30 mpg on the highway.

Thanks to the weight savings of the new aluminum chassis, and a carbon-fiber hood and roof, plus that mighty V-8, the ’Vette Stingray sprints from 0 to 60 mph in under four seconds and to an anticipated top speed of 180 to 190 mph. Even in the base trim, the Stingray packs a punch, so imagine the personality of its brother, the Corvette Stingray Z51.

Transferring all that raw power is a brand new seven-speed manual gearbox with Active Rev Matching, which anticipates gear selections and matches engine speed for perfect shifts every time. Even with the seventh gear, the transmission isn’t a very significant upgrade, considering the fact that the gear ratios are still the same as the C6 — the 7th cog kept just for better fuel economy. Additionally, you can opt for a six-speed, paddle-shifted automatic transmission.

Changes for 2015

The list of changes for the mechanical bits are less numerous, but far more impactful. For starters, the old six-speed automatic transmission gives way to an all-new eight-speed automatic with paddle shifters. Out back, the old 2.56 rear end is replaced with 2.41 ratio gears with the new automatic. The new combination helps give the Stingray solid EPA fuel economy numbers and outstanding performance capabilities.

The performance exhaust system will now come as standard equipment on the Z51 Performance Package, giving the car a five-horsepower bump to 460 ponies.

Chevrolet has also made a major announcement regarding the Corvette’s new gearbox. Yep. The six-speed unit has been replaced by a new eight-speed automatic transmission. The new gearbox has made the Corvette faster and more fuel efficient.

Take for example its 0-to-60-mph and quarter-mile times. The new eight-speed automatic slashes 0.1 second off of both times, allowing the Corvette to cover the 0-to-60-mph sprint in 3.7 seconds to go with a quarter-mile time of just 11.9 seconds.

Also added is a new 2.41-to-1 final-drive ratio on base models, which replaces the 2.56 unit from last year. This new ratio drops the Corvette’s revs by 123 rpm when cruising at 70 mph, which also reduces fuel consumption.

The new transmission and rear axle ratio combine for EPA ratings of 16 mpg city, 29 mpg highway and 20 mpg combined. Though the city and combined ratings are identical to last year’s, the 2015 Corvette Stingray gets 1 mpg more on the highway than last year’s six-speed auto.

Changes for 2016

Drivetrain carries over unchanged for the 2016 model year.

Patrick Herrmann on the Stingray’s Valved Exhaust System

Drivetrain Specifications:

Performance Figures w/ Z51 Package and MRC with PTM:

Suspension and Brakes

With the new Stingray, Chevy engineers have abandoned the old road and instead are following in the footsteps of the car that has always been the epitome of handling — the Porsche 911. Like most latest-gen supercars, the Corvette features electric power steering for better cornering and less drain on the engine. The rack and pinion setup is now beefed up for a stiffer response than the outgoing C6.

The suspension is revised with five different settings that you can choose from, depending on the response you’re looking for. At the top setting, the suspension becomes stiffer, steering ratios are revised and traction control is turned off, making it a track-ready car at the touch of a button. At the lowest setting, it becomes a restrained and comfortable car that makes highway cruising something to look forward to. Talk about convenience...

Courtesy of Brembo, the brakes are upsized to 12.6-inch front rotors and 13.3-inch rotors on the rear with a set of four-piston calipers squeezing them, resulting in greater stopping power. It is expected to take about 11 fewer feet to decelerate the Stingray form 60 to 0 mph than the current-gen Corvette.

Overall, the C7 underneath is brimming with race-spec technology that promises to be a departure from the hard-to-handle ’Vette’s of the past, something that is bound to terribly shame its counterparts. Even with all that technology, the Corvette C7 is still powered by the spirit of the legendary 1963 Chevrolet Corvette GrandSport A true Corvette, by far...

Suspension Specifications

Brake Specifications

Suspension and Braking Performance w/ Z51 Package and MRC with PTM

Price

The Stingray Coupe comes in at a base MSRP of $51,995 including destination charge, making it far more affordable than most people thought it would be.

There are tons of available options for the Stingray Coupe. The 3LT package, which includes a Bose 10-speaker stereo, SiriusXM for one year, HD Radio, color heads-up display, a memory package, navigation, heated and ventilated seats, power lumbar and bolsters, Napa leather seating, a leather-wrapped dashboard, instrument panel, console and door panels, comes in at an $8,005 premium.

Additionally, you can add: competition sports seats for $2,495; an exposed-carbon-fiber roof for $1,995; Magnetic Ride Control with Performance Traction Management for $1,795; dual-mode exhaust system for $1,195; carbon-fiber interior trim for $995; sueded, microfiber-wrapped upper interior trim for $995; red calipers for $595; and black-painted wheels for $495.

You can view the ordering guide for the 2014 Corvette Stingray here

For reference, the highest price we could turn up in the online configurator was $75,625. That is a 3LT with the Z51 performance package with every working option checked, including the neat Corvette Museum Delivery package.

2014 Pricing Details

2015 Pricing Details

2014 Option Pricing

Driving Impressions

Only second to Chris Harris as our favorite tell-it-like-it-is video reviewer, Matt Farah had the fortune of having GM loan him a C7 Corvette Stingray Z51, and he laid praise upon the new Corvette by the truckload. Farah pointed out how the low-end torque kicks you in the ass even better than the 7.0-liter Z06 from 2013. He also pointed out that it was capable of smoldering the tires, which he proved many... many... MANY times during the video.

The only real complaint we heard cross his lips was that a seven-speed manual gearbox was just "too many gears." He also pointed out that it is rather easy to miss fifth gear and hit seventh mistakenly, leaving you too low in the powerband to keep up with most cars in its class.

Other than that, Farah seemed rather pleased with the C7. You can see the video above.

Consumer Reports’ Initial Drive — 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

Competition

Last but not least, the cars that must fear this beast from Detroit … Chevy is adamant in sweeping the competition off of the floor, which explains the years that went into the development of the car. With Chevy brandishing the new technology and features of the car, the first car that will feel the tension and chills down its spine will be the SRT Viper.

2013 SRT Viper

Resurrected after Dodge confirmed its death in 2011, the SRT Viper has always been a close nemesis to the Corvette, right from its inception in 1993.

If there is one thing that the Viper can brag about, it is its early presence in the market and the sheer power it pumps. With 640 horses under the hood, it shames the new Corvette, but bear in mind, the key to customer satisfaction is the comfort and amenities offered by the car while delivering power, in which the ’Vette rises to occasion. After all, horsepower isn’t the sole deciding factor for any car. Additionally, the Corvette looks more intimidating and much cooler to than the Viper in our opinion.

2014 Jaguar F-Type Coupe

The F-Type Coupe will be more of a fringe competitor for the Corvette Stingray, as its base model is slightly slower than the Stingray and the V8 S model is too expensive for consideration. Additionally, the F-Type is on a different level of luxury than the Stingray is. Despite their differences, the F-Type remains a possible option for buyers willing to pay a little more money for added luxury with reduced performance.

Conclusion

At first we were all a little turned off by the return of the Stingray name, but after seeing all of the hard work and dedication that went into creating this car, we can now see that this name fits the C7 Vette like a glove. From the sexy, new body all the way to the optional performance exhaust system, the C7 Corvette Stingray is downright bad-ass.

The 2015 model year simply continues to pile new and more awesome options to the Corvette. The eight-cog automatic is likely our favorite, but the new colors and appearance packages heap even more awesomeness onto the Stingray.

• Love it
  • * All-new design
  • * Powerful engine even at the basic trim
  • * New, more luxurious interior
  • * Awesome performance with the Z51 package installed
• Leave it
  • * Design sports some elements of rivals
  • * Gets expensive as the options add up.

Update History

Updated 08/20/14: The 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray is getting a new eight-speed automatic transmission. Chevrolet has just announced this latest development makes the sports car faster and more fuel efficient than the six-speed automatic-equipped version.

Updated 05/28/2013: Chevrolet officially announced today the final specifications for the new Corvette Stingray. The company announced that when equipped with the optional performance exhaust system, the new Stingray delivers a total of 460 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 465 pound-feet of torque at 4,600 rpm. The baseline figures - with the standard exhaust system - are 455 horsepower and 460 pound-feet.

Updated 06/20/2013: Chevrolet confirmed the official performance figures for the new Corvette Stingray when it is equipped with the Z51 performance package and Magnetic Ride Control with Performance Traction Management. Click past the jump to see how fast this new model is.

Updated 07/09/2013: Chevrolet confirmed that the 2014 Corvette Stingray is "the most fuel efficient sports car on the market." Click past the jump to see fuel economy figures for it.

Updated 07/09/2013: Chevrolet has just revealed the specifics on the 2014 Stingray’s advanced cluster display, which allows you to customize the gauge cluster to your driving needs.

Updated 8/29/2013: A skeleton version of the 2014 Corvette Stingray configurator has hit the internet., Sure, it is not complete, but it does offer a look at the available colors, pricing details and optional equipment. You can see more here.

Updated 9/6/2013: Matt Farah got his hands on a C7 Corvette and gave us a nice, long review of in in video format. You can see the video in the "Driving Impressions" section after the jump.

Updated 09/26/2013: We finally had our chance to test drive the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette.

Updated 10/02/2013: Chevrolet released a series of new high res images - about 40 of them - for the new Stingray. Check the picture gallery to see the new sports car in various exterior colors.

Updated 10/10/13: Patrick Herrmann, technical manager at Chevrolet Europe, made a video explaining the Stingray’s new valved exhaust system. You can see the video after the jump.

Updated 12/05/2013: Chevrolet unveiled a new commercial for its new Corvette Stingray. Of course it may be considered a little bit too strange, but after all, it could happen to see an alien coming for your Stingray! Check it out!

Updated 1/6/2014: GM revealed a video of the Stingray’s Data Performance Recorder in action at the Consumer Electronics Show this year. This technology will be available in the 2015 Stingray, which will hit the market in the third quarter of 2014.

Updated 5/27/2014: GM has revealed the information on the 2015 Corvette Stingray. Though it will look the same, there are tons of new additions for 2015, including an eight-speed gearbox, a new appearance package, and much more. See all of the changes after the jump.

Updated 07/21/2014: One of our readers sent us an ordering for the 2015 Corvette Stingray and we surely like what we hear. Click past the jump to find out what’s new for 2015.

Updated 8/18/2014: Chevrolet has announced the integration of the Performance Data Recorder with the Corvette Stingray’s Valet Mode. You can read more about this feature, and see a video of it in action, after the jump.