50 Years of the Chevrolet Corvette

2014

In 2013, the moment had come. Chevrolet unveiled its closely guarded next-generation Corvette at the Detroit Auto Show broadcast live on streaming platforms such as YouTube and Facebook. It was the 2014 C7 Chevy Corvette Stingray. Lead exterior designer Hwasup Lee and his team completed the vehicle’s design back and 2010 and 2011. Design director Kirk Bennion submitted the design in 2011 where the division’s design director Tom Peters approved it. The Stingray was constructed to take advantage of lightweight materials, electronics, and engineering advancements. It has a carbon fiber hood and rear led tail taillights. Like its predecessor, Chevy made its chassis from hydroformed aluminum. The vehicle also uses Aerogel to prevent heat from the transmission to travel into the cabin. The 2014 Corvette uses a 6.2-liter, LT1 V-8 engine with an impressive 450 horsepower rating. Stylistically, the vehicle is quite different from previous generations with more angular characteristics such as aerodynamic aids cut into every body panel. This angular design is especially apparent in the rear with the trapezoidal taillights. The lineup included a Coupe, Convertible, and Z51 Performance Package and Premiere editions. The Stingray was exceptionally well received, and at the North American International Auto Show, the Corvette was given the title “2014 North American Car of the Year.”