The lithe, slightly more European looking two-seater gets a carbon-fiber hood and roof panel, a compact high-compression 450-horsepower V-8 and a new seven-speed manual transmission (a six-speed automatic remains an option).
The car’s taut body — fitted to a wheelbase that is about one inch longer than the current car and an inch wider — includes composite fenders, doors and rear quarter panels and carbon-nano composite underbody panels.
In addition, it will ride on a hydroformed aluminum frame that is 57 percent stiffer and 99 pounds lighter than the current car, Chevy says.
Direct fuel injection and cylinder deactivation for cruising in four-cylinder mode were just some of the additions to the ‘Vette’s 6.2-liter V-8.
In fact, the Stingray shares only two parts with the previous-generation Corvette, Chevy said of its new Porsche- and Viper-fighter.
“The 2014 Corvette delivers the fastest acceleration, the most cornering grip, the most track capability, the best braking performance and what we expect to be the best fuel economy ever for a standard Corvette,” said Tadge Juechter, chief engineer for Corvette.
Chevy says the Stingray will rip to 60 in less than 4 seconds and achieve highway fuel economy of more than 26 miles per gallon.
Although the company did not disclose the car’s weight, it should have a better power-to-weight ratio than a Porsche 911 Carrera or Audi R8, Chevy said.
The new Stingray also seeks to fix one of the Corvette’s long-standing problems — an interior that fell far short of expectations for a car costing more than $50,000.
The “fighter-jet inspired” cockpit will be crafted in premium materials such as Napa leather trim for the seats, soft-touch material on the edge of the console, a smaller steering wheel and high-resolution information screens.
Standard Stingrays will blister the pavement with 18-inch wheels up front and 19s in the rear, while Z51 performance models will roll on 19s in front and 10-inch wide 20s in the rear.
“We continually apply technologies and strategies developed for Corvette racing directly to the production car,” Juechter said. “That influence can be seen in virtually every aspect of the new Corvette Stingray, from the aerodynamic design to the use of carbon fiber to the cooling techniques and even in the brake system.”
