Designing the
seventh-generation Corvette was never going to be easy. The Corvette is one of,
if not, America’s most iconic car. GM designers were given the difficult but
enviable task of fusing the old with the new, while giving Corvette owners a
sense of the vehicles history.
After debuting at the
2013 Detroit Auto Show, it would seem the 2014 Corvette Stingray did just that.
With a completely redesigned body sculpted for high aerodynamic efficiency and bold,
aggressive styling, it really is an all-new Corvette. No design details were
carried over from the C6 model, but the new C7 is distinctly Corvette.
When designing the
new C7, exterior design director Tom Peters relied on two markedly different
concepts; aerospace and nature, or more specifically, fighter jets and
stingrays. It’s through the Corvette’s design that it’s similar to both. Like a
stingray and fighter jet, it’s body is designed to cut through the air or the
water as efficiently and fluidly as possible.
The C7 features a
huge front intake and as with the C6, has a roof attached to a pair of
blacked-out A-pillars. Both the hood and roof are constructed out of carbon fiber,
while the hood features a functional air extractor. For the headlamps, the
Corvette is equipped with front light clusters and features LED daytime lights
and turn signals. The doors feature wing-style mirrors and curves to enhance
aerodynamics.
In the back of the
vehicle, the Corvette design team really took some chances; none greater than
the new tail lamps. Gone are the traditional rounded tail lamps that have been
a Corvette staple. As discussed earlier, the fighter jet theme is back. The new
rear tail lamps are inspired by fighter jets with dual element rear lamps. On
the C7 they provide an aggressive, three-dimensional appearance thanks to the
sculpted lens’ having indirect LED lights. These indirect light are illuminated
by hidden LED lamps which indirectly cast light from the bottom housing of the
lighting into a reverse reflector, which creates an even, three-dimensional
glow.
Why is lighting in
the 2014 Corvette Stingray so important? It doesn’t matter what perspective you’re
looking at the vehicle from, the dynamic signature lighting bring the new
Corvette to life. At nighttime, there will be nothing like it on the street.
The exterior is just
as much about function as it is about showmanship. As mentioned before, the C7’s
design is based of aerodynamics and nature. Every curvature and cut has a point.
Engineers at GM spent countless hours predicting the airflow on all aspects of
the car. The team also incorporated some design principals from the Corvette
Racing team to help balance the front and rear grips to maximize high-speed
stability. The 2014 Corvette is a marriage of track and street.
Here are some
highlights of the Corvette Stingray’s functional exterior according to GM
Authority:
"
·
A
new grille/radiator arrangement and hood vents are standard on all models.
These elements vent air out of the hood to reduce total front-end lift for
improved steering response at high speeds.
·
Front
fender side coves assist in venting under-hood air pressure to reduce
aerodynamic drag. These are immediately followed by Stingray badges on the
fenders.
·
For
models equipped with the automatic transmission or the Z51 Performance Package,
a functional vent on the driver’s side direct air over a heat exchanger to cool
transmission fluid; on the passenger side, a similar arrangement is used to
direct air over a heat exchanger for the electronic limited slip differential.
·
You
may have even noticed the small diffuser-like pieces on the outside of each
rear taillight. These aircraft-inspired elements serve as outlets for the
available differential and transmission heat exchangers, as do the air outlets
located on the lower rear fascia.
·
Models
equipped with the Z51 Performance Package include brake-cooling ducts, a unique
rear spoiler, and additional air deflectors for enhanced track capability. "
Every inch of the 2014 Corvette is designed to enhance
high-performance driving. With its
muscular but finesse design, refined dynamics and aggressive styling, GM has
referred to the C7’s design as “controlled aggression”.
For more information on the 2014 C7 and when it will be
coming to Jim Butler Chevrolet, you can
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