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After months of speculation, spy shots and “leaked” 3-D images raising the anticipation level and the excitement of the fanboy in us, here it is folks, The 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, and yes, the iconic Stingray name is back since it was last seen in the ‘Vette C3. As promised, Chevrolet has taken off the wraps of what’s arguably one of the most highly anticipated cars in 2013 at the Detroit Motor Show. This is the day we at TopSpeed have been waiting for since all of this C7 talk started about a year ago. Rather than calling it the “Corvette,” Chevy boldly calls it the “New Corvette.”Calling it “New” is absolutely correct, as everything on the car is brand new. From a new design to a new powertrain to a brand new interior, Chevrolet has revolutionized every nook and cranny of the `Vette. But it still has that modern Corvette philosophy that has been retained for the past six generations, maybe even made it better. Click past the jump to enjoy our full review and check out whether we were impressed by the all new ‘Vette or if Chevy could’ve done better. Exterior  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. Design does have some inspiration from the Stingray Concept 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. Very aggressive styling that competitors can drool at Speaking of the rear end, it’s all vents and tailpipes. The rear end 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 Lundgreen 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). Exterior Specifications:
Standard Exterior Features
Interior 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 third-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 C6 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: - base version and a body-hugging more body hugging Sport Competition seat. The aggressive design doesn’t stop with the exterior. The interior now looks peaceful, 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 more driver focused now, as all of the controls and the navigation system are angled towards him. Peaceful and cozy yet has a subtle aggressiveness that the driver will look forward to planting his bottom 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 does bring build quality and suppleness to the table, an aspect that Europeans have been flaunting for years. Standard Interior Features
Performance and Ride 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 450 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque, making it the most powerful standard Corvette ever launched. Engine Specifications:
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 unmatched 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. In fact, GM anticipates greater than a 26 mpg highway city rating for the 2014 Corvette, which is quite spectacular when compared to its petrol-chugging rivals. While the engine has a dual personality, where one sips fuel and the other fires all eight cylinders like a madman, which — thanks to the weight savings of the new aluminum chassis, and a carbon-fiber hood and roof — warps the ’Vette Stingray 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 twin 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. With the new Stingray, Chevy engineers have abandoned that 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 set-up 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... Suspension Specifications
 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. With that much stopping power, do be very of your eyes popping out... Braking Specifications:
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... 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 in: 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 CompetitionLast 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. 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. Jaguar XK8  Another car that competes is the Jaguar XK8. This car is merely the British definition of the word "Muscle." It’s a fine GT car that has an exceptional build quality and ride. While the young and middle aged man will find the Corvette very attractive, the elderly will find the Jag a better choice as it doesn’t have that aggressiveness that permeates from the Corvette Stingray’s air vents . If the Jaguar was Megan Fox, the new C7 is Arnold Schwarzenegger. It’s your choice. But, frankly speaking, the new Corvette C7 is reaching up to the levels of refinement and build quality that only brands like the Jag flaunt around.   All-new design
Powerful engine even at the basic trim
New, more luxurious interior
Design sports some elements of rivals
Not available until Q3 2013
Press Release Chevrolet is redefining modern performance with today’s debut of the all-new Corvette Stingray. And only a Corvette with the perfect balance of technology, design and performance can wear the iconic Stingray designation. The 2014 Corvette Stingray is the most powerful standard model ever, with an estimated 450 horsepower (335 kW) and 450 lb.-ft. of torque (610 Nm). It is also the most capable standard model ever, able to accelerate from 0-60 in less than four seconds and achieve more than 1g in cornering grip. It is expected to be the most fuel-efficient Corvette, exceeding the EPA-estimated 26 mpg of the current model. “Like the ’63 Sting Ray, the best Corvettes embodied performance leadership, delivering cutting-edge technologies, breathtaking design and awe-inspiring driving experiences,” said General Motors North America President Mark Reuss. “The all-new Corvette goes farther than ever, thanks to today’s advancements in design, technology and engineering.” The all-new Corvette Stingray shares only two parts with the previous generation Corvette. It incorporates an all-new frame structure and chassis, a new powertrain and supporting technologies, as well as completely new exterior and interior designs. Highlights include:
“Stingray is one of the hallowed names in automotive history,” said Ed Welburn, GM vice president of global design. “We knew we couldn’t use the Stingray name unless the new car truly lived up to the legacy. The result is a new Corvette Stingray that breaks from tradition, while remaining instantly recognizable as a Corvette the world over.”  The new Corvette Stingray will be built at GM’s Bowling Green, Ky., assembly plant, which underwent a $131-million upgrade, including approximately $52 million for a new body shop to manufacture the aluminum frame in-house for the first time. “We believe the Corvette represents the future of modern performance cars because it delivers more power, more driving excitement and better fuel efficiency,” said Tadge Juechter, Corvette chief engineer. “The result is better performance by every measure. 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.” The 2014 Corvette Stingray coupe goes on sale in the third quarter of 2013.
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