The Return of the Stingray: Corvette C7 Debut

[RicerX]

http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/13/2014 ... s-to-know/



Now that it has debuted, what do you guys think?

When I saw the initial renderings of the vehicle, I was extremely skeptical. After seeing the official vehicle, I must say that for the first time in my life I could finally see myself driving one of these.

The major seller is the rear quarter of the car. I think, stylistically, we are finally seeing the Corvette mature into an exotic. I see hints of Ferrari in it (which is possibly a placebo effect from the red paint) and as far as the interior, it has finally been refreshed to match the price tag of the car.

I would still drive a Viper over one if I had to pick an American sports car and had $120,000 to spend, but realistically, I could get into one of these with the Z51 package in red on the used market in a few years.

Well done, GM. This car really had to show up with its redesign, and I think they met all the high expectations that were set. The Corvette has always had to be the BEST thing GM puts out - it is the beacon of their entire brand. Good to see they put foot to a** and did it.

[flohtingPoint]

Engineering talk about the car, less marketing fluff.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TpOehEGz2s[/youtube]

From the looks of the dampers design, they finally changed them from the C5/C6.

[300ZXttZMAN]

If I had the money I buy a GTR.

But I must say the new Corvette is pretty neat looking.

[fiznowler]

I like it alot. I am just to broke. Maybe a c6 will drop into my range a little sooner

[krash]

I really don't like the rear end, but everything else looks pretty good. I think I might like the C6 better but I don't know, I'll have to see this in person.

I see hints of Ferrari in it (which is possibly a placebo effect from the red paint)

I'm definitely seeing 599.

If I had the money I buy a GTR.

I'd buy a ZR1

[gwoods]

I heard it described best as the mullet of cars, Ferrari in the front Camaro in the back. The corvette guys I know hate it, say it looks like an Aztec or a Camaro. If I was spending that kind of money on a car used XJL Super Sport or used S65/63 with Renntech upgrades. The GTR is better in every way probably faster in most situations.

[MinisterofDOOM]

I like it a lot. It approaches being too busy, but doesn't quite go too far. It's a LITTLE angular for my taste, but stops just sort of too much in that respect as well (with the possible exception of the lower doors).

It's funny that everyone's talking about the Ferrari in the DNA. When the F12 hit (which is magnificent even by Pininfarina/Ferrari standards) the talk was all about how it had Corvette proportions and how that was a good thing; the trimmed-down, sinewy Corvetteness compliments its Ferrariness nicely. I think what it comes down to is this: there's a lot of the same themes going on in the Vette and modern big Ferraris, which makes sense, as they're all GTs.

I really, REALLY like the rear. I love that they've finally DONE SOMETHING with the vertical space in the rear bumper. The C5 was a swath of rubbermaid apocalypse. The C6 added some flat black to break it up, but it was still a wall-o-plastic. This new design adds more detail and completely does away with that plasticky look. The center quad tailpipes look nice, too. And I'm even fond of the tail lights. As I said back when the early renderings hit, I like that they're taking the classic GM sporty four-round in a new direction, while still making it recognizable.

The C7 also makes progress with some other criticisms I've had with 'Vette styling over the years. The C5 had a HUGE, VACANT horizontal flat area behind the cabin. Even the hatch had enough rear deck to sleep on. And the FRC, despite being superior engineering-wise, looked pretty weird with the entire state of Kansas strung out behind the backlight. The C6 cut down on this considerably, but there was still that weird bit of deck behind the hatch. The C7 goes even further. The buttresses and spoiler help disguise what little deck there still is, and you end up with a roofline that looks like it ends at the very back of the car. Very sleek and clean.

I've never liked fender- and hood-vents, and the C7 is no exception. Still better than plexiglass, I guess. But a cleaner look would suit my tastes more.

The C7 has followed in the Viper's footsteps: turn the styling aggression up to 11, except the headlights, which got turned down to 3. LED strips aside, they're pretty soft and generic looking. Honestly, they look like they fell off of a first-gen G35.

I've never liked post-mounted side mirrors, and the 'Vette has had them for years, but this design's application of them seems more noticeable than past versions. I just don't like them. They look conspicuous and weird. Mount them with a sleek aero piece off the A-pillar. Looks a thousand times nicer. I know mirrors on longer cars (especially coupes with aft-of-centerline seating) need to be shifted rearward, but the Corvettes mirrors are still far enough forward to be pillar-mounted.

[bigbadberry3]

It's rear haunches are haunching even more.

[alphapig]

I liked the concept more:



I don't see any Stingray cues in the C7 at all

[bigbadberry3]

I liked the concept more:



I don't see any Stingray cues in the C7 at all

Burn it.

[MinisterofDOOM]

I've seen the Stingray concept in person...definitely looks nicer than in pictures. I liked a lot of it, but never thought much of it would make production.

[s0m3th1ngAZ]

It is decidedly more Italian, but that is a very good thing in this case.

[alphapig]

I've seen the Stingray concept in person...definitely looks nicer than in pictures. I liked a lot of it, but never thought much of it would make production.

Very true, and the concept was overall hideous.

But, it had actual styling cues to the Stingray, like the front wheel arches and the retro split rear window:



The C7 looks like a direct evolution of the C6.

I do not see ANY reason to associate the Stingray name with it.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

I like the C6 better.
The rear end doesn't do it for me. I picture circular/oval rear tail lights when I think Corvette. The vents on the top of the rear haunches just seem unnecessary to me (and they'll pick up water while parked/clog with leaves if you leave it under a tree for more than a day, etc).

Mechanically though, it sounds pretty awesome. I'll have to see one in motion or in person before I cast final judgement.

[Bubba1]

I agree, the rear does not really appeal to me, though I did not wretch when I first saw the pic. The rest of it looks okay and evolutionary. No mistaking what it is. But I'm going to reserve judgement until I get my hands on one.

[darylzero]

http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/13/2014 ... s-to-know/



I see hints of Ferrari in it (which is possibly a placebo effect from the red paint) and as far as the interior, it has finally been refreshed to match the price tag of the car.

This is why you see hints of Ferrari

[300ZXttZMAN]

So now I realize why I like the styling of this new vette, its very similar to the R35.

This picture was floating around on facebook:

[gwoods]

WOW someone on the GM design team owns a GTR

[Razi]

They don't even share a single line.
I don't get it.

Looking at it like that, the GTR looks so bland.

[Ace2cool]

I thought the same thing. They're basically pointing out the door scoop. The corvette's is way more aggressive though.

[MinisterofDOOM]

They don't even share a single line.
I don't get it.

This. They're nothing alike. The GTR sure does look like a fat pig and a skyscraper next to the Corvette.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

The GTR sure does look like a fat pig and a skyscraper next to the Corvette.

Agreed.
Never thought I'd see the day when the Japanese car is being called the fat pig when being compared to something American.

[Jesda]

So now I realize why I like the styling of this new vette, its very similar to the R35.

This picture was floating around on facebook:

Nah. GTR is ugly as sin.

[gwoods]

Really? I think it has the same lines as the GTR? I also think the new Q50 looks like my Jag so maybe I need glasses

[Razi]

I don't think they make glasses for that sort of handicap.

[driverdriver]

I really like the new vette.

[float_6969]

I like it, but I'd take a GTR over it. I think it's an improvement aesthetically, but it don't think it should be wearing a Stingray badge. I expect split window when I hear stingray, I was a little let down.

[MinisterofDOOM]

I can't imagine taking a GTR over even a base model Corvette. Everything the GTR does wrong, the 'Vette does right. Simple, light, 2WD, clutch-and-lever, 2 seats, 8 cylinders.

[float_6969]

Nothing wrong with a manual 2 seater V8, but I grew up on twin turbo straight and vee 6's, and they'll always hold a special place for me. The GTR is what got me hooked on Nissan, long before I could drive. The first time I ever saw an R32 GTR, I was in love. Have been ever since.

[alms24sebring]

As far as the engineering, that was great. Great ideas even though I hate an over abundance of electronics, but its new stuff with a good purpose.

As far as looks, naaah. The symbol of a Corvette is the oval tail lights just like a the similar circular tails are symbolic or the Skylines/GTRs. I like the C6 better. I liked the hood because it was low, long, and flat, along with the headlights. The front side vent was a calm sporty look. Its not like its a fake Mustang hood scoop. Although, the rear scoops on the Z06s were almost functionless, they added a better look and were easily identifiable. This one is alittle too aggressive, with Viper looks. Dont like the very front end and the tails dont feel like a Corvette. I love the hood but I hate how short it is. But, the rest of body is pretty dam gorgeous. I really like the bigger more slanted vent and the bulky muscular look of the car, and nice wheels. Shes a Butterbutt she is.