New Corvette Stingray Unveiled

***RayfieldsWRX*** · 01-14-2013 08:13 AM

Here comes the C7...I'm glad that Chevy continues to improve a world class sportscar, to offer a true manual (7 speed!) transmission, and to evolve their LS series of V8's, now starting at 450hp for the base.
The styling may or may not be a little over-the-top...I'll need to see one in real life.

New Corvette Is A Sign Of The Times At GM - Forbes

**Soobvirgin** · 01-14-2013 09:05 AM

Website here:2014 Corvette Reveal | Chevrolet

Not keen on the exterior styling. it just looks a bit messy to me. Those tail lights remind me of the Camaro. And I don't like that. However, I think the interior looks really nice. 7 speed manual? I don't know what to think of that. Sounds unnecessary. But who knows, maybe it works.

**Mikie13** · 01-14-2013 09:17 AM

I like it. I like the performance it offers at a non-supercar price.

However...I hate that they got away from the traditional quad circular tails. They do indeed look like the Camaro tails, which I dislike.

**AccordRanger** · 01-14-2013 09:19 AM

Not sure how I feel about the exterior. It may need to grow on me, but it looks too Ferrari/Viperish. Doesn't look like a Vette in my opinion. Now give me that drivetrain In a C6 or earlier and ill be happy.

**MOTION** · 01-14-2013 09:22 AM

I love my C6, I think these are going to take a long time to get used to, I hate the tails but the rest of the car looks like it came out pretty good. As for the 7 speed manual, I actually think it's suppose to have a 7 spd auto and a 6 spd manual.

**Rambo** · 01-14-2013 09:55 AM

Originally Posted by MOTION

As for the 7 speed manual, I actually think it's suppose to have a 7 spd auto and a 6 spd manual.

False. Chevy's own spec sheet on their website says 7-speed manual w/ Active rev-match, or a 6-speed flappy-paddle automatic.

I really want to love the Corvette line. It's supercar power and tech for Suburban money, but I just can't get excited about them, and I don't know why. I've ridden in a ZL1 around a track and it was easily the fastest and most powerful car I've been in, but that didn't really make me want one, weirdly. I will say, though, this 2014 model appears to be their best yet. Good for you, Chevy!

***RayfieldsWRX*** · 01-14-2013 10:24 AM

Originally Posted by MOTION

As for the 7 speed manual, I actually think it's suppose to have a 7 spd auto and a 6 spd manual.

7-speed manual is right there on Chevy's site. :shrug:

I'll give them credit for one thing...I feel like they were willing to take chances with the exterior, and try something perhaps a little bolder than the standard C5-C6'ish evolution. I did kinda like the circular taillamps, as a way of tracing back through the lineage...but who knows, I might think it's teh secks when I see it on the road for the first time.

**SD_GR** · 01-14-2013 10:59 AM

Ford did the 7 speed manual first, heh...

Anything in the styling that reminds me of the 6 cylinder Corvette is correct. Anything else is not.

This might be an interesting car if the fuel economy and emissions are world class. I'm keeping an open mind. Go GM!

**drkhead** · 01-14-2013 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by Soobvirgin

Website here:2014 Corvette Reveal | Chevrolet7 speed manual? I don't know what to think of that. Sounds unnecessary. But who knows, maybe it works.

Well what do you expect anyone to do once they top out 6th gear?!

***RayfieldsWRX*** · 01-14-2013 11:10 AM

Maybe 6th gear is Warp Speed, and 7th opens a Transwarp Conduit?

Dunno. I've never really had a great need for more than 5 forward gears..but then, most of the fun I have in cars is <75mph. Perhaps for those that track their Corvette, the full gear range becomes useful..?

**Rambo** · 01-14-2013 11:33 AM

Originally Posted by RayfieldsWRX

Maybe 6th gear is Warp Speed, and 7th opens a Transwarp Conduit?

Dunno. I've never really had a great need for more than 5 forward gears..but then, most of the fun I have in cars is <75mph. Perhaps for those that track their Corvette, the full gear range becomes useful..?

Top Gear tested the Corvette a couple years ago, and they said the Corvette reached top speed in 5th gear, and that the 6th was just for efficiency, and actually brought down the top speed. It had so much torque, they could accelerate from zero in 5th gear, so they went from zero to 150 mph IN ONE GEAR!

I imagine the 7th gear is the same sort of thing here, and helps it get that 26+ hwy mpg it's supposed to get.

**SD_GR** · 01-14-2013 11:34 AM

A 7spd would be even more useful if Chevrolet finally does the right thing and discontinues the large V8s in the Corvette, replacing them with a smaller 6.

Ford used their 7spd on a 2,0 L 4 cyl. The experience was described as "rowing with one hand and steering with the other." With a wider power band though it would be different.

Didn't GM use a "4+3" (auto though) in the 84+ Corvette?

Anyway, I'm all for innovation even if it sometimes seems its being done second, or for its own sake.

And I'd support a retro tail plus retro rear glass on new models.

**Soobvirgin** · 01-14-2013 11:34 AM

Originally Posted by RayfieldsWRX

Maybe 6th gear is Warp Speed, and 7th opens a Transwarp Conduit?

Dunno. I've never really had a great need for more than 5 forward gears..but then, most of the fun I have in cars is <75mph. Perhaps for those that track their Corvette, the full gear range becomes useful..?

Yeah, that's about all I could think of - to achieve top speed. But even with 7 gears, in a car this powerful, 3rd must surely take it to 80mph (and most likely beyond). So on US roads, all you'd need is the first 3 gears to play with. I'm picturing an on-ramp to a freeway... 1st, 2nd, 3rd, then straight to 7th for cruising. Whenever I've driven a 6-speed 'box, 5th gear has always gone unused as 4th takes you well beyond the speed limit (even in a MINI). For anyone who plans on using this car solely on public US roads, legally, *ahem*, now you'll have at least two unused gears.

I wouldn't be surprised if this was done more as a marketing move than out of mechanical necessity. Look - we're already talking about it! 7th gear just did its job.