All right folks, the dripping faucet over at GM has once again revealed a future model before it ever gets confirmed. Much like it has in the past, GM has allowed images of the Corvette Stingray Convertible to slip their way onto the Internet. Now, whether it was an unintentional or intentional “leak” is up for debate – we say it’s more of the former because it shows way too much – but the coolness of seeing it before its intended release is indescribable.
With the images in hand and enough of the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray’s info at our disposal, we have a pretty good idea of what we’re in for. We can only hope that the Corvette Stingray Convertible actually looks as downright sexy as the leaked images we dug up.
Updated 02/07/2013: Chevrolet officially confirmed today that the Corvette Stingray convertible will make its world debut on March 5 at the Geneva Motor Show. Also, he confirmed that the first unit will be auctioned at the Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach collector car auction to benefit the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute.
Click past the jump to read our full speculator review on the 2014 Corvette Stingray Convertible. And stay tuned for official details soon.
Exterior and Interior
Okay, so we already know that the new Corvette is pretty sick looking – in a good way – to say the least. It’s aggressive, sporty, stunning and sharp all at the same time. Once you hack the lid off of the thing, however, the C6 generation’s influences really stand out. Now that you’re no longer distracted by the sexy new roofline and back end, all that remains is a restyled C6 Corvette – from the front, at least. So, in that aspect, the convertible disappoints us a little.
Flip the car around, so you get a good look at its hind quarters, and you see what makes the C7 Corvette so awesome. Its signature quartet of trumpets spewing exhaust and a wonderful soundtrack, and those refreshed taillights light up our lives. And with the new roofline out of the way, the differences on the rear fascia really get the opportunity to shine through. There really is a big contrast between the changes up front and those on the back.
Inside the cabin, we expect to see much of the same equipment found in the base model Stingray, which is a good thing. Gone the way of the dinosaurs is the boring old Corvette interior of yesteryear, as GM finally pried a little money from its coffers and pumped it into developing an interior that doesn’t look and feel like a $3 suit – at least this is what Chevy is claiming. We’ll ultimately be the judge of the final interior design, but we expect GM to deliver on its promise.
As for standard features, you can expect things like navigation, a multi-speaker sound system, dual-zone climate control, electroluminescent gauges and other high-end features to all come standard. As an option, you’ll likely see some upgraded leather, two-tone color schemes and contrasting stitching.
Exterior Specifications:
Measurement Specification
Wheelbase 106.7 In.
Overall Length 177 In.
Overall Width 73.9 In.
Overall Height 48.6 In.
Weight Distribution (% Front / Rear) TBD
Engine and Performance
We already know what the Corvette Stingray is rocking under its sexy new hood and that is a 6.2-liter V-8 engine that GM has dubbed the LT1. This LT1 small-block engine is 100-percent brand new, as not even a bolt was reused from the outgoing 6.2-liter unit. This V-8 powerplant is slated to punch out and estimated 450 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque, and we do not expect any de-tuning for the drop-top model.
This engine will feature the same cylinder deactivation technology that drops it to a fuel sipping 3.1-liter four-cylinder engine when all eight cylinders are not needed. GM claims that this engine, which mates with the seven-speed manual transmission or six-speed automated manual, will exceed the 26 mpg highway rating that the C6 `Vette has. We assume that it won’t exceed it by too much, so we expect something around 27 mpg highway.
GM claims that the 2014 Stingray will hit 60 mph in under four seconds, but is being mighty stingy with the official specifications. Given the fact that the convertible hardware will add some extra weight to the `Vette, we would say that the convertible model should fall in at about the 3.8- to 3.9-second range to 60 mph. That’s a whole lotta toupee-ungluing quickness right there, so strap that baby on tight.
Engine Specifications:
Displacement 6.2-Liters
Bore & Stroke 4.06 In. X 3.62 In.
Block Material Cast Aluminum
Cylinder Head Material Cast Aluminum
Valvetrain Overhead Valve, Two Valves Per Cylinder
Fuel Delivery Direct Injection
Compression Ratio 11.5:1
Horsepower 450 (Est.)
Torque (Lb-Ft) 450 (Est.)
Under the skin, the 2014 Corvette Convertible should remain virtually identical to the coupe version. This means it will feature short- and long-arm double-wishbone setups that allow each wheel to move independent of the other, resulting in superior handling.
From the looks of things, the Z51 package, which adds in some really sweet suspension components, is not going to be available on the convertible model, so you’ll likely have to live with the base setup. The braking system includes a set of Brembo units with rotors measuring 12.6 inches up front and 13.3 inches on the rear. Squeezing these rotors are two sets of four-piston calipers. On the coupe model, this brake setup knocks 11 feet off of the C6’s braking distance, so we assume it will do the same for the convertible version.
Suspension and Brake Specifications
Front Short/Long Arm ( SLA) Double Wishbone, Cast Aluminum Upper And Lower Control Arms, Transverse-Mounted Composite Spring, Monotube Shock Absorber
Rear Short/Long Arm ( SLA) Double Wishbone, Cast Aluminum Upper And Lower Control Arms, Transverse-Mounted Composite Spring, Monotube Shock Absorber
Traction Control StabiliTrak, electronic stability control
Brake Type Brembo Four-Piston Fixed Front And Rear Calipers
Rotor Diameter Front 12.6 In. / Rear 13.3 In.
Pricing
Unfortunately, GM hasn’t released any pricing info on the coupe model, leaving us completely in the dark about the convertible model too. We’re assuming a $50,000 to $60,000 sticker price on the coupe model, so a $55,000 to $65,000 price for the base convertible sounds about right.
Hopefully GM doesn’t go crazy and jack up prices just because its closest competitor is pricier.
Competition
2014 SRT Viper Roadster
There has been no official confirmation of a roadster model for the SRT Viper, but we all pretty much know that there will be one starting in 2014. This beast will boast the same 8.4-liter pavement-pounding V-10 engine as its coupe sibling, which punches out 640 horsepower through a six-speed Tremec transmission.
The SRT Viper coupe hits 60 mph in the low-3-second range, so we anticipate the roadster model doing about the same. This puts the Corvette at a serious acceleration disadvantage, but that’s not all you need to consider with this type of car.
The first thing to consider is that the thirsty V-10 engine in the Viper wasn’t given any advancements to increase its mpg, like the Corvette has been, so the `Vette will likely get much better fuel economy. The biggest difference, in our opinion, is the fact that the Corvette has always been and will likely continue to be a more refined and easy-to-drive sports car than the Viper, making it more tolerable for buyers that prefer comfort over balls-to-the-wall performance. Add in the fact that the SRT Viper Coupe runs $97k and the convertible will likely crest the $100k mark and you have a really strong argument to go with the Stingray.
Ford Shelby GT500 Convertible
Sure it’s a pony car instead of a two-seat sports car, but the Shelby GT500 convertible has earned a slot right alongside the Viper and Corvette. With a supercharger-fed, 5.8-liter V-8 monster pumping out 662 horsepower and 631 pound-feet of torque, this beast puts both the Viper and the `Vette to shame – in total output, at least.
For hasn’t officially released the 0-to-60 time, but with a 1-foot rollout, the Shelby `Stang hit 60 mph in 3.8 seconds. From a dead stop, it was slowed to 4.1 seconds. So, it will likely hang with the Corvette, but the Viper would simply eat it alive. Where the Mustang will lose out is in the twisty stuff, as the Corvette is tuned for curves and the Shelby, while competent in corners, isn’t on par with the likes of the Viper or Corvette.
However, at a bargain of $59k, how can you pass on this this `Roided up pony?
Serious horsepower
Likely much cheaper than its higher-end rivals
Every square inch is brand new
Somewhat resembles the C6 Vette with the top chopped off
No performance numbers released
GM could surprise us with super-inflated prices
.
,then it would be useful.
