Okay, folks, the C7 Corvette is out and we have all had a good chance to see what it is all about. With its launch, the Corvette takes yet another turn in its iconic lifetime. This makes two significant shifts in its lifespan in just two generations, as the C6 generation brought about the first time the Corvette donned fixed headlights since the C1 generation, and now the C7 generation is arguably the first time the Corvette actually looks the part of a supercar.
Regardless of how cool a car is – trust us, the Corvette Stingray is dang cool – they all have their peaks and valleys, and since the Corvette Stingray is so important, its highs and lows can be rather dramatic. Well, we are going to have a quick look at our favorite and least favorite parts of the C7 Corvette in a pair of Top-5 lists.
What would land on your Top-5 favorite and least favorite on the Corvette Stingray?
Click past the jump to read our lists.
Favorite Parts of the C7 Corvette
No. 5 : Breath in the air
The Corvette has never really had a shortage of air vents, be them tasteful or tacky, they were always there. This time around, Chevy knocked it out of the park by tastefully putting air-intake and heat extractor vents in strategic places around the body. A nice touch to an already sexy body.
No. 4: Z51 Package
Though we haven’t gotten any info on the Z06 or ZR-1 models, the Z51 package is a nice substitute for now. Its updated aerodynamics, limited-slip diff, larger rims and upgraded brakes all make the Corvette a lean, mean track-ripping machine. We definitely approve!
No. 3: Seven-speed manual transmission
To hear of seven-speed transmissions seems a little odd to us, but it is starting to become more popular in high-performance cars. Looking at the gear shifter, however, we can see some beginners getting a little bit confused with the setup. The only downside to the transmission is that it retains the same gear ratios as the C6 model, just one extra gear for the highway.
No. 2: LT1 Engine
“The most powerful base-model Corvette ever” are some pretty powerful words, no pun intended. But at an estimated 450 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque, this new LT1 engine make the Corvette Stingray just that. To boot, the 6.2-liter V-8 now features cylinder deactivation, which can cut the `Vette’s engine to a 3.1-liter four-banger when it doesn’t need all 450 ponies, netting more than 26 mpg on the highway. Honestly, we’re surprised it took GM this long to install this technology on the Corvette.
No. 1: All New!
Typically, when you have a redesigned car, it carries over some items from the previous generation. That has just become something that we’ve grown used to and have learned to deal with. When we first caught wind of the C7 Corvette, we honestly thought of the C6 generation, which was little more than a facelift. With that in mind, we prepared for the worst. Even when Chevy announced that only the roof latch would be carried over, we though “Uh huh, suuuure." Well, Chevy delivered on its word, rolling out something that is completely new.
Least Favorite Parts of the C7 Corvette
No. 5: Where’s the Z06 and ZR-1
Not even a mention of them; no “Coming Soon” or “To Be Announced Later.” The complete ignorance of the two super-Corvettes kind of scares us. However, we don’t think that GM will leave the two premium Corvettes off of the options list altogether, but we are afraid that the lack of info means mechanical carry overs from 2013. Not to say the 2013 model year was an off year for either model, but the all-new base model has spoiled us and we want more new gadgets to play with!
No. 4: The melting pot of sports cars
We’re going to say what everyone else is thinking: the 2014 Corvette looks like a mash-up of a GT-R, Dodge Viper and several Ferrari models. Add in the Camaro-like taillights and you have a major melting pot of multiple models that you cannot ignore. Fortunately, the Corvette has enough of its own personality in there to offset the obvious similarities, but they are there and unmistakable.
No. 3: All “estimated”
So, GM has been developing this car for likely many years, and it has likely tested every bearing and screw to exact specifications. To believe that GM’s engineers haven’t dyno tested this car and tested it in every possible category (top speed, 0 to 60, 0 to 100, 1/4-mile, etc.) is naive. They know exactly what this car does on the track and are just not releasing it yet to keep everyone interested. C’mon, GM, we know the game, so just tell us already…
No. 2: Shut your mouth
Nearly every square inch of the C7 Corvette’s body oozes sexiness, except one place. That massive mouth on the lower fascia is an eyesore and the silver accent running through the center looks like it’s wearing a headgear that would make Jan Brady point and laugh. GM really needs to offer a package to tame that a little, maybe a smoked chrome option to not make it so noticeable. Something needs to happen there not draw attention to that area.
No. 1: Let it rest in peace
Did GM really need to break out its shovels and dig up the “Stingray” name for this model? We know that GM's excited over releasing a new and more competitive Corvette, but to slap an iconic name like “Stingray” on it just doesn’t sit right in our guts. Maybe it’ll grow on us in time, but for now, we’re a little turned off by it…