2014 Chevrolet Corvette C7
The new Chevrolet Corvette C7 has been caught testing and what was expected to change on it isn’t going to happen.
There is no drastic change in the design like the engine being placed in the midsection as the planning was for the new Corvette.
The Corvette will remain a front-engined, rear wheel drive car and the C8 can be expected to herald any change in this department.
The suspension of the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette C7 will be similar to the one on the current car, which has among other things transverse leaf springs. The dimensions of the car are expected to remain largely same as the current car and nothing dramatic is expected to happen in this department.
The test mules spotted going through their paces late last year had a narrow track as the bodies on them were from the C6 Grand Sports, which boasts of wide fenders and track than seen on base model Corvettes. The C7 is also likely to be lighter and this will make the power to weight ratio quite healthy.
2014 Chevrolet Corvette C7 Features
Design
The headlights appear to be narrow and more complex than those on the C6. The double bubble roof is back, while there is more space between the bumps and the panels are also flatter than before. There appears to louvers or a scoop fitted on the nose for better ventilation and this is akin to what is seen on the ZR1, Z06 and the Grand Sport.
The outside rear view mirrors are larger and less rounded than those on the C6. The camouflage hides many details, chief among them is the what the rear end will look like. Though it seems that the look of the tail will remain largely same but we can confidently say that the boat-tail look is back.
It is also not easy to tell whether the overhang at the rear is longer than before, but what can be said with certainty is the round taillights will be back and the spacing and the size which can be seen through the shroud is meant to distract the onlookers. The exhaust tips, four in number, are now bunched together and not separated pairs like they are on the C6.
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Powertrain
More than the exterior, changes under the hood will be more significant. General Motors has already invested about $1 billion in factories where the iconic small block V8 is manufactured and the C7 will see the fifth generation of the this engine under its hood.
The engine will certainly be downsized in the interests of efficiency and what is expected is a 5500cc or a 6000cc naturally aspirated unit which will take the place of the current 6200cc which powers the base model C6. The rumored V6 twin-turbo engine is more likely to find a place under the hood of the C8.
The engine with less displacement will continue to use pushrods and an aluminum block, while the power output will be same as the current 6200cc engine makes — 430hp. This will because the compression ratio will be higher and it will be fitted with a direct fuel injection system.
The V8 powerplant will also boast of cylinder deactivation system and variable valve timing and lift.
And we will certainly see the return of the Z06 and ZR1 fitted with their larger supercharged V8.
Sum up
Though Chevrolet is keeping everything a secret, but the Corvette C7 will certainly debut in 2013 as a 2014 model. Most likely launch date will around fall. The price won’t see a change from current level and the base Corvette C7 can be had for around $50,000.
