When the next-gen ‘Vette was under construction, there were some usual requirements set, as for the American muscle cars’ star. It’s all about the killer looks, big engine, and a racing car handling. On top of the list there was a gas mileage, since the new Corvette was not supposed to be a gas guzzler. As stated by Tadge Juechter, the model’s chief designer, “There won’t be a Corvette if we don’t care about fuel economy”.
So here it is: the 2014 Chevy Corvette Stingray, the all-new version in nine years which actually marks the 60th anniversary of the original “American sports car”. Indeed, the first Corvette C1 debuted on January 1, 1953. The 2014 Corvette C7’s premiere at the 2013 Detroit Auto show this Sunday symbolizes the rebirth of America’s auto industry (considering the fact that it almost died in 2009).
The C7 went through significant changes in order to be compatible with the gas mileage regulations and safety regulations. The improvements include replacement of steel by aluminum and usage of the super-light rivets that held parts together. The V-8 engine was also kicked down to four cylinders at highway speeds. In fact, building a new ‘Vette the way it is now can be called an engineering achievement. Why? Well, the Corvette team had to reduce the car’s weight more even after the usage of lighter materials. The result: the all-new model shares only two Chevy parts with the current model and features 30 mpg on the highway.

The exterior changes touched the following 2014 Chevy Corvette parts: hood that slopes low in order to slice through the wind, the vents and scoops that function like coolers for brakes and transmission. The two-seat car’s rear has the cues taken from the 1963 ‘Vette, which are the sloping roof tapering toward the bottom. There are Stingray badges on each side and a more modern design of the Corvette’s crossed-flag logo.
With a 450hp 6.2-liter small-block V-8 under its hood, the car reaches 60 mph in under four seconds (an improvement of a few tenths of a second over the current base model).

As for the interior, it now has a jet cockpit look due to the used leather, carbon fiber, and soft plastics.

Recognized as the king of American sports cars, the muscle car showed that it can lead in styling aspects, as well as performance and the technology even at a lower cost compared to its European rivals.
Even though it is the seventh-gen of the ‘Vette, the presented model is only the third one to wear the Stingray designation. Moreover, it has a very sporty appearance and looks overall like it was designed by Italians. Well, it’s better to see once than hear hundred times!

Image Credit: Time NewsFeed, Unfinished Man