We finally know that the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray starts at $51,995. Let’s just call it $52,000. Let me first say that is a lot of car for that price. NOTHING will touch the performance you get for for $52,000. At the same time I’m disappointed. This is going to upset some but $52k is not affordable. You see the Vette was always affordable. It was an unsaid promise. If you had a decent job, worked hard, and didn’t spend like a drunken sailor you could have a Corvette. I’m just not sure that’s the case any more. Before I get into why here’s a list of standard features.
-Seating with lightweight magnesium frames for exceptional support, and eight-way power adjustment
-Five-position Drive Mode Selector that tailors up to 12 vehicle attributes
-New seven-speed manual transmission with Active Rev Matching
-6.2L LT1 V-8 engine with direct injection, Active Fuel Management, continuously variable valve timing and an advanced combustion system
-Carbon fiber hood on all models, and a carbon fiber removable roof panel on coupes
-Aluminum frame that is 99 pounds lighter (45 kg) and 57-percent stiffer than the previous model’s structure
-Advanced, high-intensity discharge (HID) and light-emitting diode (LED) lighting
-Dual, eight-inch configurable driver/infotainment screens, with next-generation Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system and rear vision camera
-Bose nine-speaker audio system with SiriusXM Satellite radio, Bluetooth connectivity, USB and SD card and auxiliary input jack
-Keyless access with push-button start
-Power tilt/telescope steering wheel
-An all-new, fully electronic top on the convertible that can be lowered remotely using the key fob
That is a nice bit of kit. It really is and it coupled with the blistering performance justify the price in a day and age where the Toyota Camary costs 30k. Here’s where things get well sucky.
Other options include
-3LT interior package, with leather-wrapped interior ($8,005)
-Z51 Performance Package ($2,800)
-Competition sports seats ($2,495)
-Exposed-carbon-fiber roof panel ($1,995)
-Magnetic Ride Control with Performance Traction Management ($1,795)
-Dual-mode exhaust system ($1,195)
-Carbon fiber interior trim ($995)
-Sueded, microfiber-wrapped upper interior trim ($995)
-Red-painted calipers ($595)
-Black-painted wheels ($495)
Most of these options you want especially things like the Z51 pack, dual mode exhaust (because stock it will be too damn quiet), and magnetic ride control.
All the options above bring the car up to $73,300. Which is absurd. That’s what you can get a C6 Z06 for these days, which begs the question, what the hell is a C7 Z06 going to cost? OUCH. Now I’m under no delusions that the Corvette should be a bargain basement racer. It should not, but it was only a few years ago a base model C6 could be had for $42,000 out the door. Now we are talking 10k more then that.
Again I should say I’m %100 in love with the new C7. I’ll own one in a few years with they are on the used market cheap, but until then I’ll leave it to you guys with bigger bank accounts to snatch up the new ones.
Press Release
DETROIT – The 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray coupe will have a suggested starting retail price of $51,995, and the Corvette Stingray Convertible will start at $56,995. Both prices include a $995 destination fee but exclude tax, title, and license.
“The 2014 Corvette Stingray perfectly embodies Chevrolet’s mission to deliver more than expected for our customers,” said Chris Perry, vice president, Chevrolet marketing. “The Corvette Stingray delivers a combination of performance, design and technology that very few manufacturers can match, and none can even come close for $52,000.”
Standard features on the all-new 2014 Corvette Stingray include:
Seating with lightweight magnesium frames for exceptional support, and eight-way power adjustment
Five-position Drive Mode Selector that tailors up to 12 vehicle attributes
New seven-speed manual transmission with Active Rev Matching
6.2L LT1 V-8 engine with direct injection, Active Fuel Management, continuously variable valve timing and an advanced combustion system
Carbon fiber hood on all models, and a carbon fiber removable roof panel on coupes
Aluminum frame that is 99 pounds lighter (45 kg) and 57-percent stiffer than the previous model’s structure
Advanced, high-intensity discharge (HID) and light-emitting diode (LED) lighting
Dual, eight-inch configurable driver/infotainment screens, with next-generation Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system and rear vision camera
Bose nine-speaker audio system with SiriusXM Satellite radio, Bluetooth connectivity, USB and SD card and auxiliary input jack
Keyless access with push-button start
Power tilt/telescope steering wheel
An all-new, fully electronic top on the convertible that can be lowered remotely using the key fob
As shown at the North American International Auto Show, the Stingray coupe fitted with the major available options would be $73,360, including:
3LT interior package, with leather-wrapped interior ($8,005)
Z51 Performance Package ($2,800)
Competition sports seats ($2,495)
Exposed-carbon-fiber roof panel ($1,995)
Magnetic Ride Control with Performance Traction Management ($1,795)
Dual-mode exhaust system ($1,195)
Carbon fiber interior trim ($995)
Sueded, microfiber-wrapped upper interior trim ($995)
Red-painted calipers ($595)
Black-painted wheels ($495)
The 3LT interior package includes: Bose 10-speaker surround-sound audio system; SiriusXM Satellite radio with one-year subscription and HD radio receiver; color head-up display; memory package; navigation system; heated and ventilated seats with power lumbar and bolster adjustment; premium Napa leather seating surfaces; and leather-wrapped dash and instrument panel, console and door panels.
The Z51 Performance Package includes: high-performance gear ratios; transmission-cooling system; larger 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels and tires; larger, slotted rotors and brake-cooling ducts; electronic limited-slip differential and differential cooling system; unique chassis tuning; and available Magnetic Ride Control active-handling system with Performance Traction Management. Equipped with the Z51 package, the Corvette Stingray is capable of accelerating from 0–60 mph in under four seconds, and more than 1 g in cornering.
About Chevrolet
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4.5 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design, and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.