Chevrolet has brought back the Stingray nameplate for its all-new Corvette, which has just been revealed ahead of its imminent world debut at the Detroit motor show.
Not only does its design hark back to Stingray of 1963, but this new Corvette also has a serious sting in its tail - being the most powerful 'standard model' Corvette ever.
This thanks to an all-new 6.2-litre direct injection V8 engine that pushes outputs of up to 343kW and 630Nm when fitted with the optional performance exhaust.
The engine has a fuel-saving 'V-4' mode that deactivates four cylinders and GM boasts that it spent over six million man-hours on the combustion chamber alone, but it's all not all about chasing green ideals. The exhaust system is less restrictive than before and has a sport mode that enables a louder exhaust note.
Mated to either a seven-speed manual or six-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission, the new Corvette is said to be capable of running from 0-96km/h in less than four seconds.
LIGHTER, STIFFER
This is also due in part to the Corvette's lightweight design, which gives it a better power to weight ratio than the Audi R8 V8 and Porsche 911 Carrera.
Its predecessor's steel frame structure has been replaced by a new aluminium unit that's 57 percent stiffer and 45kg lighter, while many of the sports car's body panels are made from composite materials.
Engineers have also achieved a 50:50 front to rear weight balance and much time was spent on giving the driver a "more intimate and connected driving experience."
As before, the Corvette has a short/long-arm suspension design, but its components are all new and its third-generation Magnetic Ride Control system also improves comfort.
To further improve grip, the Corvette rides on 18-inch front wheels and 19-inch rear wheels. Those that take their cornering more seriously can opt for the Z51 Performance Package, which comes with sportier Bilstein shocks and an electronic limited-slip diff at the back.
Furthermore, Corvette models come with a five-position Drive Mode Selector that tailors 12 vehicle attributes to the driver's preference.
The Corvette's cabin is decked out in carbon fibre, aluminium and hand-wrapped leather and houses dual high-resolution eight-inch infotainment screens.
The all-new exterior was designed to create a purposeful visual impact just like the original Stingray did back in 1963. Have they achieved this? We'll let you be the judge of that…
-IOL Motoring Staff