GM Marks the Start of 2014 Corvette Stingray Production with Special Premiere Edition

Chevrolet announced on Friday that it will build a limited run of 500 units of a special 2014 Corvette Stingray Coupe named the Premiere Edition, with all units being top-of-the-line 3LT models. With this model, GM will basically kick off production of the 2014 Corvette Stingray.All limited-run editions feature a Laguna Blue Tintcoat exterior with a Brownstone suede interior along with a suede-wrapped interior trim and carbon fiber packages.
On the outside, distinctive elements include a visible carbon fiber roof, variable tuned performance exhaust system and the Z51 Performance Package with Magnetic Selective Ride Control.
Unique extras include “stinger” hood stripe, “Stingray”-logo interior sill plates and wheel caps and even a custom Corvette-branded luggage from Thule. Chevrolet says all Premier Edition models will have a unique vehicle identification number (VIN) starting with 300001, as well as an exclusive dash plaque to remind owners they drive a special Corvette.
There are no changes under the hood where you will find the standard 6.2-liter, 455-horsepower LT1 V8 engine.

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GM Releases European Pricing for New Corvette Stingray, Starts from £61k in the UK

At the same time Buick announced MSRPs for the 2014 LaCrosse in the States, across the pond, GM's Chevrolet brand released prices for the all-new 2014 Corvette Stingray Coupe.

You can catch a glimpse of the starting prices for the seventh generation Corvette in a selection of European countries (not all were available at the time we wrote this piece) in the list below, but we'll mention here that the coupe costs £61,495 (equal to US$96,000 / €71,700 at today's exchange rates) in the UK, and €69,990 (US$93,700 / £60,000) in Germany.

All European Corvette Stingrays will come fitted as standard with the Z51 package (worth $2,500 in the States) that includes a number of features such as an electronic limited-slip differential, aero package, larger wheels and brakes, and sportier suspension and steering system,  plus the magnetic ride control suspension ($1,795), performance traction management and performance exhaust systems ($1,195).

All of the aforementioned features and systems are optional in the States were the Corvette starts from $51,995 (€38,900 / £24,800).

Thanks to the standard sports exhaust system that adds 5hp, the European Corvette Stingray's 6.2-liter V8 engine is rated at 460hp (466PS) and at 6,000 rpm and 630Nm (465 lb-ft) of torque at 4,600 rpm. A standard 7-speed manual gearbox with active rev matching sends all those ponies to the rear wheels, with Chevrolet quoting a 0-60mph (96km/h) time of less than four seconds.

European sales of the Corvette Stingray will begin in the fall of 2013.

2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray PricesCroatia: €69,990 [US$93,700]
France: €69,990 [US$93,700]
Germany: €69,990 [US$93,700]
Italy: € 70,990 [US$95,000]
Spain: € 79,990 [US$107,000]
United Kingdom: £61,495 [US$96,000 / €71,700]
United States: US$51,995* [€38,900 / £24,800]
*U.S. model does not include the Z51 package, magnetic ride control suspension, performance traction management and performance exhaust systems

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2014 Corvette Stingray Officially Rated at 455 HP, 460 HP with the Optional Sports Exhaust

Chevrolet announced on Tuesday that the 2014 Corvette Stingray's all-new LT1 6.2-liter V8 engine has been SAE-certified at 455 horsepower (339 kW or 461PS) and 460 lb-ft (624 Nm) of torque.

With the available performance exhaust system, these numbers are lifted to 460 horsepower (343 kW or 466PS) at 6,000 rpm and 465 lb-ft of torque (630 Nm) at 4,600 rpm, respectively.

Both power levels are valid for the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible as well. Chevrolet says these are the highest power ratings ever for an entry-level Corvette model. Fuel economy is expected to exceed 26 mpg US (9 liters/100 km) on the highway.

The base Corvette will run from 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) in less than 4 seconds, according to Chevrolet. However, the carmaker doesn’t say if it the estimate corresponds to the 455- or 460-hp model.

With 74 horsepower per liter, the LT1 has greater power density than the C6 Corvette’s LS3 6.2-liter engine and even the C6 Z06’s racing-derived 7.0-liter LS7. Up to 4,700 rpm, torque levels are comparable to the LS7, while peak torque is only 5 lb-ft (6.8 Nm) lower than of the 7.0-liter engine.

The new engine delivers 316 lb-ft (428 Nm) from as low as 1,000 rpm, with 90 percent of peak torque being available from 3,000 rpm to 5,500 rpm. This ensures better acceleration is at all engine speeds.

The engine features advanced technologies including direct injection, an all-new combustion system and continuously variable valve timing. For the first time in a Corvette, the engine can shut down half of its cylinders in light-load driving thanks to the Active Fuel Management system.

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All-New 2014 Corvette Stingray Priced from Just $51,995, Convertible from $56,995

Ever since its inception in 1953, the Chevrolet Corvette has always been America's bargain sports – and sometimes, super-car (think ZR1). Despite all the improvements and advances made to the new, seventh generation model, General Motors will keep this tradition with the 2014 Corvette Stingray, the prices of which were announced today.

The base coupe model starts at $51,995 (equal to €39,910 at today's exchange rates), while thesoft-top convertible has a starting retail price of $56,995 (€43,800), with both MSRPs including a $995 destination fee. We'll remind you that the base models are powered by GM's new LT1 6.2-liter V8 delivering 450hp linked to a standard 7sp manual, or an optional automatic transmission driving the rear set of wheels.

Not bad at all, especially considering that the current 430hp C6 Corvette retails for $50,595 (including destination fee), which means Chevrolet increased the price by just $1,400. It also remains cheaper than the base 275hp Porsche Cayman that starts at $53,550 (including a $950 handling and delivery charge).

“The 2014 Corvette Stingray perfectly embodies Chevrolet’s mission to deliver more than expected for our customers,” commented Chris Perry, vice president, Chevrolet marketing. “The Corvette Stingray delivers a combination of performance, design and technology that very few manufacturers can match, and none can even come close for $52,000.”

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