Chevrolet Lifts Lid
on 2014 Corvette Stingray Convertible
GENEVA – Chevrolet
revealed the 2014 Corvette Stingray convertible today at the Geneva
Motor Show, featuring an all-new, fully electronic top that can be
lowered remotely using the car’s key fob. The top can also be opened or
closed on the go, at speeds of up to 30 mph (50 km/h).
“The convertible has
been a part of the heart and soul of Corvette since the very beginning
in 1953,” said Ed Welburn, GM vice president of global design. “With the
all-new Corvette Stingray, we designed and developed the coupe and
convertible simultaneously. As a result, the Corvette Stingray offers an
open-top driving experience with no compromise in performance,
technology or design.”
The Corvette Stingray coupe and
convertible arrive in global markets in late 2013, with left-hand-drive
models to be offered in Europe, the United Kingdom, the Middle East,
Japan and Russia. Changes to Corvettes for export vary only in equipment
required to accommodate a respective market’s regulations, such as
lighting, headlamp washers and outside mirrors.
“It's fitting to introduce the new
Stingray convertible on the global stage at Geneva, because Corvette is
the face of Chevrolet the world over,” said Susan Docherty, president
and managing director of Chevrolet and Cadillac Europe. “It is an icon
that has long been recognized and admired even in countries where it’s
never officially been offered.”
All of the performance technology and
capabilities introduced on the Corvette Stingray coupe carry over to the
convertible. The only structural changes are limited to accommodations
for the folding top and repositioned safety belt mounts. Central to the
Corvette Stingray’s driving experience is an all-new, more rigid
aluminum frame structure, which is 57-percent stiffer and 99 pounds (45
kg) lighter than the current steel frame.
All models are powered by the new LT1 6.2L
V-8, with an estimated 450-hp (335 kW) and 450 lb-ft of torque (610 Nm).
As no structural reinforcements are required for the convertible, both
models share almost identical power-to-weight ratios.
The LT1 combines several advanced
technologies, including direct injection, Active Fuel Management and
continuously variable valve timing to support an advanced combustion
system designed to balance power and efficiency. The new Corvette
Stingray is expected to improve upon the current model’s fuel economy of
13.6L/100km (EPA-estimated highway fuel economy of 26 mpg).
With the top up, the Corvette Stingray
convertible is designed for a refined driving experience. A thick,
three-ply fabric top, along with sound-absorbing padding and a glass
rear window, contributes to a quiet cabin and premium appearance.
With the top down, the Corvette Stingray’s
signature profile is further accentuated. Behind the seat backs, dual
black accent panels enhance the character lines of the tonneau cover.
Corvette Stingray’s signature “waterfall” design originates in the
valley between the nacelles, bringing the exterior color into the
interior.
