2014-’19 Corvette: The Short But Very Successful C7
The Illustrated Corvette Designer Series No. 270
It seems like a few years ago the C7 Stingray made its debut. A draped C7 was center stage with graphics being projected on the covering while a multimedia presentation played on large screens above and behind the draped C7. A bright-red 2014 Corvette then drove out from behind a side curtain and around and in front of the draped C7 and onto a rotating display. It was very cool.
There was some pre-debut anxiety about the C7's taillights, but once word got out how stunning the car was, fans got over it. The C7 was almost the same size as the C6; a 1-inch increase in wheelbase and had more chiseled features. Both the coupe and convertible would be immediately available.
Under the pretty composite fiberglass was an all-new, all-aluminum frame that was stiffer than the C6's aluminum Z06 frame. The suspension layout was essentially the same as the C6, only much more refined. Under the hood was the new 455-horsepower LT1 with direct port injection. With the optional NPP performance exhaust output bumped up to 460.
Ever since the 1974 Gymkhana option that included stiffer front springs and larger front sway bar, the Corvette has been offered with upgraded suspension packages. All of the C7 Z51s were performance models without a badge. The $2,780 package included: performance brakes, slotted rotors, black calipers, special front and rear wheels and tires, upgraded suspension, dry-sump oil system, performance gear ratios, aero package and electronic limited-slip differential with a cooler.
The C6 generation would have been much more successful were it not for The Great Recession that pushed GM into bankruptcy. The C7 was put on hold at first, but a government agent learned that the only GM vehicles that showed a profit were Corvettes and trucks. The C7 was put back on the front burner, but it had to be awesome.
The biggest media complaint about the C6 was the interior and seats. No one complained for the first few years, but by around 2008 every road tester had to pile on. While other sports cars upped their interior game, the Corvette got caught in the GM crunch and could only do limited things. The C7's interior design, finish, color and trim combinations were gorgeous. The basic seats looked great, were comfortable and the optional sport seats were first class. The steering wheel was smaller in diameter—14 inches—and the dash had two 8-inch LED displays. The display in front of the driver had three different presentations. The center screen had the MyLink system to control navigation, phone and various interior functions.
The base price for the C7 coupe and convertible was $1,420 more than the 2013 model; coming in at $51,995 for the coupe and $56,995 for the convertible. Sales rocketed from 11,647 in 2013 to 37,288 in 2014; the best year since 2007. The Z51 coupe was the best-seller with 15,431 sales. Coupe sales came in at 11,134.
In 2015, the Z06 was released with two big surprises. For the first time, the Z06 was available as a coupe or convertible and available with the seven-speed manual or eight-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission. The manual transmission had rev matching that automatically blipped the throttle to the correct higher rpm when downshifting, so you look like a pro. The Z06's price of $78,995 for the coupe and $83,995 was not inexpensive, but when you factor in the performance enhancements, it is a performance bargain.
The supercharged LT4 engine had 650 horsepower and 650 lb/ft of torque. The widebody, raised carbon-fiber hood, unique side vents and side scoops looked downright mean. The suspension; wheels and tires; and ground effects that included a dedicated front splitter with side spats, side rockers, rear fender drivetrain scoops and tall rear spoiler took the C7 Z06 as close to a track car as ever before. If the regular Z06 wasn't enough, the optional Z07 Performance Package added adjustable front and rear aero parts, Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes and Michelin Pilot Super Sport Club tires that were more like racing meats with a few grooves. When it comes to track performance, one can never get too much suspension.
