The seventh-generation Chevrolet Corvette was launched with great success in the 2014 model year, grabbing numerous awards, including the TopSpeed Car of the Year, and exceeding GM->ke1024's initial expectations in terms of sales. In fact, demand for the 2014 Corvette Stingray was so high it prompted Chevrolet->ke199 to adjust 2015 pricing in line with demand by increasing the sports car->ke506's MSRP by $2,000.

The vehicle's popularity is likely to continue into the 2015 model year as well, although the Corvette Stingray is not scheduled to receive too many updates. Needless to say, the C7 is fresh enough to give its competitors a run for their money without any visual or performance-related enhancements.

On the other hand, Chevrolet has been working on numerous ways to improve the Corvette Stingray in other areas, such as fuel economy and driving experience, and it appears to have obtained that by developing an all-new gearbox.

Click past the jump to read more about the 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray.

2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
  • Engine/Motor: V8
  • Horsepower: 455 @ 6000
  • Torque: 460 @ 4600
  • Transmission: 7-speed manual
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

By designing the 2014 Corvette Stingray on a clean sheet of paper, Chevrolet finally discarded the 17-year-old styling approach seen on both the C5 and the C6 models. The change was warmly received, although Chevrolet got some heat for its new, JDM-like approach. However, the C7 still breaths Corvette heritage through every pore and GM's decision to link it to the original Stingray makes it even more attractive.

With Chevrolet's struggle to keep up with demand for its halo car likely to continue in 2015 as well, changing the outer shell wouldn't have made sense. The aggressive front end and the nearly square taillights are here to stay for another year.

2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray - Est. Exterior Specifications

Base Curb Weight

3,298 Lbs

Trunk Volume

15.0 Cu. Ft.

Height, Overall

48.8 In

Length, Overall

176.9 In

Track Width, Front

63 In

Track Width, Rear

61.7 In

Wheelbase

106.7 In

Width, Max w/o mirrors

73.9 In


Interior

While it received brand new sheet metal on the outside, the 2014 Corvette Stingray was equally overhauled inside, receiving a cabin that's finally worthy of a halo car. As you might have already guessed, that won't change for 2015.

All told, expect to find the same driver-focused cockpit with refined, soft-touch surfaces and the advanced cluster display that allows users to measure acceleration and even lap times.

Speaking of technology features, the 2015 Corvette Stingray will be available with the Performance Data Recorder (PDR), a high-performance, on-board telemetry system developed specifically for the track.

The new tool, which can be had as an option, will measure and display anything from speed and G-force to 0-to-60 and quarter mile times and will send all that data into an SD memory card for further analysis.

2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray - Est. Interior Specifications

Front Head Room

37.9 In

Front Hip Room

53.7 In

Front Leg Room

43 In

Front Shoulder Room

55.2 In

Passenger Capacity

2


Drivetrain

The Chevrolet Corvette Stingray will carry on into 2015 with the same 6.2-liter, small-block, V-8 engine. The newly developed LT1 unit generates 455 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque with a standard exhaust system, while the optional performance exhaust increases output to 460 hp and 465 pound-feet.

While power remains unchanged, the 2015 Corvette Stingray gets a new transmission. Specifically, General Motors has opted to ditch the six-speed automatic in favor of a brand-new, eight-speed gearbox that was developed for the 2015 Corvette Z06.

Dubbed 8L90, the new transmission promises to deliver "world-class shift times that rival the best dual-clutch designs" (read Porsche 911->ke282) and improve fuel efficiency by up to five percent. If the latter proves to be accurate, then the eight-speed Corvette should return nearly 30 mpg highway and about 17 mpg city.

Operated via paddles mounted behind the steering wheel, the transmission benefits from new, unique algorithms and smaller steps between gears, all of which were developed for the track-focused Corvette Z06. Adding to the good news, the new gearbox is also nearly nine pounds lighter than the six-speed auto it replaces.

2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray - Est. Drivetrain Specifications

Standard Engine

Gas V8

Displacement (liters/cu. in.)

6.2L/376

Transmission

Standard 7-speed manual

Horsepower @ RPM

455 @ 6000

Horsepower (with performance exhaust)

460

Torque @ RPM

460 @ 4600

Fuel Injection

Direct Injection

Drivetrain

Rear Wheel Drive

Axle Ratio

3.42

Acceleration from 0-60 mph

3.8 seconds

Top Speed

180 to 190 mph


Prices

Pricing for the 2015 Corvette has yet to be announced, but MRSP isn't expected to change, at least not for the first half of the 2015 model year. Accordingly, the Stingray will have a sticker of $53,995, while a model fitted with the Z51 Performance package will retail from $57,995.

Competition

2014 SRT Viper

Although SRT boss Ralph Gilles has stressed that the Viper was never meant to compete against the Corvette, these sports cars->ke506 have been loosely pitted against each other ever since the snake-badged, V-10 vehicle was launched in 1992.

With 640 horses throbbing under its hood, the SRT Viper sits above the 2015 Corvette Stingray in terms of power figures, but the latter is superior in many other aspects. Firstly, the Corvette can be ordered with an automatic transmission, while the Viper is manual exclusive, being more of a driver's car, as per its manufacturer.

Secondly, the Chrysler-built sports car loses more terrain in the cabin, which lacks the numerous amenities that can be found in the Corvette. Of course, the Viper has its very own goodies, such as a built-in WiFi and an available Harman Kardon premium audio system, but the Corvette's advanced cluster display is far more attractive. And that's just one example.

Lastly, there's the pricing issue. The SRT Viper begins at $102,485, while its Detroit rival is nearly half the price at $53,995.

2014 Porsche 911

The Porsche 911 is Corvette's main competitor from Europe. The Stingray packs more power than both the base 911 and the 911 S, which are pushed from behind by 350 and 400 horsepower, respectively. Naturally, the American sports car is faster than both from 0 to 60 mph, needing about 3.9 seconds for the sprint, compared to 4.6 seconds for the 911 and 4.3 seconds for the 911 S.

Unlike the Viper, the 2014 Porsche 911 is available with either a manual or an automatic transmission, the latter known as a PDK. While the exterior can't be labeled as redesigned, the interior is equipped with an array of safety and convenience features and boasts that sporty feel that made Porsche->ke1 famous.

Moving over to pricing, the 2014 911 Carrera starts from $84,300, while the more powerful Carrera S comes with a $98,900 sticker. That's a lot more when compared to the Corvette Stingray.

The 2015 model year will see the introduction of a revised 911, but performance improvements are likely to be marginal. And it won't be cheaper either.

Conclusion

It's very hard to say "no" to the C7 Corvette. It's affordable compared to other sports cars and its brilliant LT1 engine delivers plenty of American-made power. The Corvette's half-a-century-old heritage is difficult to match (the F-Type is trying to much as an E-Type successor), while its fuel economy figures turn it into more than just a Sunday ride. You'd really have to hate to go for a ride that costs nearly twice as much.