2014 Corvette Spy Photos
2014 Corvette Spy Photos
Jalopnik's Acquired Spy Photos of the 2014 Corvette C7
Back in early December we showed you the mock-ups done by the guys at Jalopnik of what they claimed was the C7 Corvette prototype, and it looks like they were pretty close. The lines along the roof and a-pillar, as well as the flairs around the rear wheels all seem dead on. The front lines--particularly those on and around the hood--look a little different, and thankfully they 2014 Corvette looks to be retaining the classic round tail-lights, unlike the Camaro inspired taillights on their mock-up. All in all, from what I can tell in these photos, the car looks to be a gorgeous one. The long and sleek lines are reminiscent of the European super cars without sacrificing the classic Corvette styling. Of course, we're still two years out so this model may see changes, and the camo disguise blanketing the car definitely make telling exactly how the finished product will look a difficult tak. Either way, Corvette spy photos are the holy grail of automotive spy shots, and these are some great ones:
WindRestrictor Soon to be Available for C5 Corvette
The Extremely Popular WindRestrictor is coming for C5 Corvette Convertibles
King Penn Industries' incredibly popular LED Lighted WindRestrictor which had previously only been available for C6 Corvettes is coming for C5 drivers as well - (1/19/2012)
Every now and then a product comes along that's so innovative and exciting it takes a consumer market by storm, and that's exactly what King Penn's LED lighted WindRestrictor did last year for the C6 Corvette public. Designed to help minimize wind noise when driving with the top down, wind buffers/screens are nothing new for Corvette drivers. A number of different net versions have been sold over the years, but none have offered the good looks and quality of the WindRestrictor.
Manufactured from incredible clear acrylic materials, the Corvette C5 WindRestrictor provides the functionality of other wind screens with little to no decreased visibility. This visibility is a large plus over other models similar to it, but is by no means the only point of interest on this product. In addition to the incredible construction, the WindRestrictor is also a unique, stylish, and gorgeous custom product. It's available with a number of different etching options--for the Corvette, much any GM licensed Corvette emblem you can imagine is available--and has available LED lighting which shines through the clear WindRestrictor plate for a fantastic glow.
Also setting the WindRestrictor apart, visually and in construction quality, is its mounting system. Many other wind screens for the Corvette convertible use sub-par mounting systems that are bulky and unattractive and require removing the wind screen when the top is up, but the developers over at King Penn Industries realized this basic structural flaw in the standard wind screen construction and developed their WindRestrictor to be able to remain in place with the top both up and down.
Thankfully, this product is finally available for the fifth generation Corvette. It has been one of my favorites for the C6 since it's release, and will certainly be very welcome for the C5 Corvette as well. The quality and style are undeniable, and the design is unlike any other! Of course, this hasn't been officially announced by King Penn Industries yet, so until it is the release of the product is little more than "rumor" I acquired by talking to the right person on the right phone call, but you can trust me that it will certainly be happening. I'd expect to see the C5 Convertible Corvette WindRestrictor start hitting dealer websites within 3-4 weeks time.
Mid-Engine Turbocharged V6 C7 ‘Vette Rumors Squashed Mercilessly Under Karl-Friedrich Stracke’s Iron Heel
Ok, so, the headline is a little extreme, but it's Friday and I was trying to be light-hearted about this. Do you remember all of those blasphemous Corvette rumors I wrote about earlier these weeks? They included such things as a mid-engine C7, and a Turbo V6 Corvette. Yeah, Gm realized those rumors were floating around and sent out Karl-Friedrich Stracke to decimate them before they did any damage. According to them the rumors are just that. He says that GM has made no plans to develop a mid-engine Corvette platform, nor are they considering such. He also said that the wet-clutch turbo V6 was some weird dream that some strange blogger somewhere must have dreamed up (I'm paraphrasing him just a little bit there). Interestingly, though, Mr Stracke did take his time to address another rumor that hadn't been flying around the web like mad. When asked if the Corvette would ever be offered in a hybrid drivetrain platform, Stracke was not so quick to dismiss. He is quoted as having said:
“That is an interesting idea... Porsche has announced a full hybridization for their complete lineup. What can they do? They need it”[ to meet CAFE standards, but] "the customer always wants power. That will not go away.”
So, there you have it. Less than a week after hearing of the ridiculous idea that was the mid-engine dual-clutch V6 Turbo Corvette you can get that idea out of your mind. Of course, you can now put the idea of a possibly hybrid Corvette right there in its place. I ask you then, which of these rumors presents the lesser evil? I personally like the Torque that an Electric/hybrid drivetrain can provide, but we have to remember that that is very much not a Corvette. Of all the vehicles on this great planet, none seem to have the classic and undying soul that the Corvette does, and I see no reason to change that.
Mid-Engine V6 Turbo – The Future of the Corvette?
If someone were to say they were buying a V6 Turbo Mid-Engine vehicle, one of the last cars that would come to mind for me would be a Corvette. At least, that's how it used to be. Following closely behind reports that Chevrolet's moving to a smaller displacement, forced induction engine to provide their stock Corvette with the power expected in a Corvette at the MPG efficiency mandated by the Government, more word (or rumour, depending upon how you look at it) is hitting the streets concerning the Corvette's future. An anonymous source, who was a former engineering head for Saab and a reputable inside source, just came forward and gave details about his direct involvement in the development of a mid-engine Corvette build. Supposedly, GM had been exploring the mid-engine chassis as a reputable future for the Corvette to provide improved performance handling in a more concise and evenly weighted package. The mid-engine thing, while a little blasphemous to the history of the Corvette, is very cool to me. Mid-engine designs are incredibly well weighted and should provide a greater rear-end grip on the C7 Corvette. But, the other news is not as exciting.
I understand where GM stands right now: between a rock and a hard place. On one hand they have their loyal fan-base of Vette-ophiles who expect a V8 and love Chevy for delivering that. On the other hand, there's the government who's placing heavy mandates (for better or for worse, that's a politics argument I don't want to host) on the MPG efficiency of new vehicles. These more stringent vehicle requirements pretty much guarantee that the V8--in its current state--will become a thing of the past. This is terrible and sad news, especially considering that the new Turbo-V6 Corvette powersource means less true HP and Torque, and less ceiling for vehicle modification. The beauty of the Naturally Aspirated V8 is that, with the addition of a forced induction system, you're suddenly pushing HP numbers so gaudy they'll make your grandmother blush. Selling the Corvette with a stock forced induction system means that the engine's already being pushed to its more extreme levels. More HP can always be had, but it's suddenly not as easy. Of course, the vehicle will provide equivalent HP in a more efficient package, so there's the trade off. The biggest issue in all of it for me, considering the equivalency out of the gate in HP, is the loss of exhaust tone. Sometimes, nothing but a V8 will do, and such is the case with my Corvette. If I want a 500+ HP vehicle that sounds like a 250HP vehicle, I'll buy Japanese. Sorry Nissan GT-R, you're a beautiful, incredible, piece of technologically advanced machinery, but you lack the soul that the Corvette has.
Of course, there's other good news in all of this. The same former Saab engineer who spoke on the mid-engine designs also detailed a wet-clutch transmission that they had had in the works which was designed to withstand over 590 LBS of Torque. 590 Torque! That's a pretty fantastic number! Also, wet-clutch transmission! That right there, is something I am excited to see in the new Corvette. So, there you have it, the rumored future of the Corvette. What do you think? Sound off!
The New Corvette Engine: More Efficient Power!
Well, GM officially announced that the next generation Corvette, the C7, will be among the first vehicles to utilize its new small block V8 engine. The newest engine in the family line of Chevy LS engines, GM put $890 Million in to its development, and came out with a fantastic piece of manufacturing. The next-gen LS will feature aluminum blocks and heads (for weight-saving and improved structural integrity), direct injection, and a new combustion system. With these features, the new engine will come in as a 5.5L 440-Horsepower V8. The current Corvette engine (the LS3) is a 6.2L 435-Horsepower V8. What this means is that the customer will see a drop in engine displacement, but a rise in power, meaning that GM has developed an extremely efficient piece of machine!
Of course, this engine wont change too drastically in other ways. They will maintain their traditional overhead valve layout, which is what allows them to be manufactured with so much power at such an affordable price. It also allows a great deal of compactness in the engine design itself, something which the next LS will certainly capitalize on even further with its lower displacement, lighter-weight build, and push towards higher fuel efficiency. GM says that they're already running test mules of the engine in Detroit to fine-tune it as best as possible. In all, I like the sound of this new engine, as it seems to be a more well designed machine, which will run in a much more efficient manner! Good work GM!
GM Putting $890Million in new LS Development
Well, the LS line of engines is already one of the nicest and most popular in the world today, and GM is committed to ensuring that they remain such for a long time to come. Few things are as iconic as a Chevy small block V8, and GM just dedicated $890 Million towards the R&D on the next line of them. This is good news for Corvette and Camaro lovers everywhere, as the LS engine is a staple in those respective vehicles.
So, that's a lot of money you say. Yeah, it is, but is doesn't appear to be for naught. GM has plans to improve the build and technology for the new LS engine, beginning with the materials and constructing an all-Aluminum engine block. Adding to this the direct-injection technology and the fuel-efficient push GM is making, it's very likely that the new LS engine will be one of the most efficient (power/mpg) engines ever built. GM has also ensured that the new LS engine will E85 Ethanol compatability, certainly another move being made to continue to meet the risingly stringest fuel efficiency demands over the next decade without losing vehicle power.
Another positive of this move by GM is that guarantees to create or retain more than 1,600 jobs, which is something that can be much appreciated in the current economic situation. All in all, this is good news on the Corvette front, as we can expect to see the next generation of LS engine powering Corvettes in the future, continuing to promote the vehicle's popularity and performance strong-hold against competitors. As time goes on I'm sure we'll see more and more information on the engine, but for now we can just speculate and dream. Is there any specific function or feature you would like to see included in the R&D of the new LS?
March Corvette Sales Numbers In
Well, Corvette sales numbers were up for the month of March to 955, which is a solid and respectable number for a 5th year model vehicle, but one that I'm sure GM would like to see rise. Of course, the 331 rise in sales over the February numbers is a good sign, even though it is down 20% from the same time last year, a year in which sales were depressingly low for the flagship GM vehicle. Thankfully, the Corvette's little brother Camaro is selling well enough to ensure that GM has no serious worries, and should continue to until the C7 is released.
On the C7 front, Road and Track recently published a small article on the C7's plans. Apparently, GM had originally planned on making it a mid-engine car, but their bankruptcy issues forced them to put that aside for now. I'm kind of happy they did, personally. I understand that performance benefits that a mid-engine vehicle offers, but I am a bit of a purist and love the front-engine design of the Corvette. Anyways, the info we have about the C7 suggests a better-performing, more fuel efficient, design-enhanced monster, and the hints towards a supercharged Z06 are very promising. We'll see what the future holds for GM, and for the Corvette, and hopefully the sales will stay strong through the rest of the year.
GM Talks C7 Design
Ed Welburn seems to be taking a pretty interesting approach at redesigning the Corvette for the C7 model. I don't know how much I like the whole "lets become more European" school of thought he is employing. The Corvette is a profoundly American car, if not -THE- American car, and I see no reason to try and change this. Its sales (although weak this year) have always been strong enough to justify this, and the Europeans who don't see the beauty of a car with this much performance for this price tag, must simply be blind. Who says their education systems are better? Obviously, they lack something if they can't see the impressive styling and performance of the Corvette for themselves. Of course, the new 'Vette will be gorgeous regardless, and will be an impressive piece of engineering, I have faith in Chevy (the C5, and the Gen 5 Camaro have pretty much won them all the faith one could possibly give) and am excited to see what really happens. Official article from Automotive News below:
Late last year, Ed Welburn, GM's vice president of global design, invited GM's 10 styling studios to submit design proposals.
Some "were absolutely phenomenal," Welburn said. "There is a lot to pick from. The direction that we take is very important, and the decision has not been made."
Global input on the Corvette's design is one of several steps GM is taking to attract buyers in Europe, where the car has little appeal, and young U.S. buyers who favor imports.
"We have challenges in the States with the Corvette," Welburn said in an interview at the Geneva auto show. "The average age of the customer is really rising."
The current average age of a Corvette buyer is 54, according to the Power Information Network, a unit of J.D. Power and Associates.
Corvette sales are in a tailspin. Last year 13,934 were sold in the United States, down 48 percent from 2008.
The current Corvette debuted in the 2005 model year. Prices range from $49,880 for the base coupe to $107,830 for the ZR-1. Both prices include shipping.
A redesign is due in two to three years, industry sources say.
Corvette critics often cite the sports car's size, saying it looks big. They also point to what they say is a cheap-looking interior.
Welburn admitted the interior has a problem: "The execution, materials selection -- it's got to be a much better interior. Our customers desire that."
Welburn said today's Corvette is about the same size as the Porsche 911, but the styling makes it look bigger. "We have to develop a design that feels trimmer, meaner, to go along with the incredible performance that the car has," he said.
In addition to styling, content, pricing and marketing strategy are under discussion, he said.
"It is a key time in the development of the Corvette," Welburn said. "There is a lot of debate and a lot of study on the bandwidth of Corvette."
But, he added, "It can't mutate into something that gets so far away from Corvette that it is no longer a Corvette."
More C7 Speculation!
Some people may be getting tired of the C7 speculation, but I am not one of them. I love these C7 renderings that keep popping up, and this one from TopSpeed is a good one. I like the look of the vehicle a lot, and it kind of matches some of what we know and expect.
By combining some of the lines of the Stingray concept and the C6, this rendering came up. It looks even more like a super-car than the current C6 (of course, as we've seen from the C6's performance, no matter how much more "super" a Lambo or whatever other car looks like, the Corvette always performs in a class all of its own) which is by no means a knock on the C6 styling, because it's almost undeniably the best looking car on the road today. It doesn't show the back-end in this draw-up, but we do know for a fact already that the C7 will have the split-window, so we can use our imagination. Any other ideas as to what the C7 should look like, or things you would like to see?
Credit to Avarvarii for the mock-up which has been getting a lot of press.
Motor Authority Postulating as to the Future of the Corvette
MotorAuthority recently ran an article giving ideas and info as the future of America's favorite sports car, and I thought it was very interesting and at times insightful. While the idea of a supercharged engine does seem to make sense as far as the Corvette's necessity to meet rising fuel-consumption demands, I can't imagine GM would throw out something as recycled as they're proposing. I would like to see the inclusion of a dual-clutch gearbox a lot, and feel like that's an absolutely necessary step as the Corvette moves forward. Perhaps an electric-assisted, forced-induction motor, with dual-clutch gearbox is what we'll see for the next iteration of the Z06? Regardless of what it is, Chevy has my confidence as they've done a great job of keeping the Corvette a wonderful piece of American motor power for so many years now. Out of interest, here's the article below:
By Viknesh Vijayenthiran
There are all manner of rumors concerning the next-generation C7 Chevrolet Corvette, with stories ranging from the possibility of a mid-engined platform to AWD powertrains and even the arrival of a dual-clutch version. Although there isn’t much substance to any of these rumors, an inside source has revealed to MotorAuthority.com that the new car will arrive in time for the 2013 model year. This puts its likely release date sometime in late 2012.
While there have been reports that development on the C7 Corvette had been put on hold indefinitely due to GM’s critical financial situation, two top level executives have previously commented on the project, suggesting that it is ongoing.
Previous Corvette vehicle-line executive Tom Wallace has stated that GM was working on a future Corvette and that some changes to the current model are coming soon. He also acknowledged that CAFE regulations will play a role in determining the layout and hardware of the next-generation Corvette but stressed that it won’t kill the car. Unfortunately, Wallace’s retirement last year has lessened the credibility of his comments.
However, Ed Welburn, GM's product design head, has also revealed that the next ‘Vette will get a split rear window along with some other vintage styling cues.
This computer generated rendering gives us a preview of a possible design direction GM could take for its next Corvette, suggesting that the 50th Anniversary Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Concept seen in the movie Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen could be the inspiration for the car. Some of the elements carried over from the concept include the egg-crate grille, vertical slat headlights, side vents, and the jet-fighter glasshouse.
On the rumor side of things, a smaller, forced induction engine--most likely a supercharger, like the one found on the CTS-V's LSA, not the ZR1's 638-horsepower LS9--is possible to help the car meet fuel economy targets. A dual-clutch gearbox has also been talked about, and would be the next logical step in keeping pace with the likes of Porsche's 911 and Nissan's GT-R.
Like the C6, which was an iterative development of the C5 before it, the C7 will likely be an incremental improvement and redesign of the already proven and fantastic Corvette platform. Don't expect anything radical, but do expect a seriously impressive performance package. The one caveat will be keeping an eye on price as more high-tech elements, materials and machinery get added to the car.
Expect to see more of the car in the coming year or two as Corvette engineers begin to roll out test mules and prototypes, and you can be sure MotorAuthority.com will be there to bring the latest all along the way.