Chevrolet announces next generation Corvette - attaches back 'stingray' name

Besides bringing back the Stingray name, the targa top 2014 Corvette Stingray is also the most powerful stock model and will be built at GM's Bowling Green assembly plant. The highly advanced 6.2-litre V8 engine delivers more power than before while using lesser fuel concurrently. The V8 develops 450bhp and 610Nm of torque propelling the American cruise missile to a 100km/h in less than four seconds, while providing more than 1G in cornering grip.

Performance figures aside it is also expected to be the most fuel efficient Corvette as well, thanks partially to a 'V4 mode' when the Corvette is cruising. The V8 drives the rear wheels through a six-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission or an industry-exclusive seven-speed manual with Active Rev Matching.

The Corvette is literally 'all new' as it only shares two parts with the previous generation model - featuring an all new frame, chassis and powertrain among others. The interior trim features real carbon fibre, aluminium and hand-wrapped leather in a cocoon-like driver centric cockpit, which looks as if two different cars have been joint together.

The highlight in the cabin would be the dual eight-inch configurable driver/infotainment screens. The cabin is well furnished and may we say, is in comparison with offerings from Italy - with fully-wrapped premium, soft-touch materials. The two screens offer excellent visibility in direct sunlight, while the centre screen is also touch-screen controllable and conceals away a hidden storage that includes a USB input for device charging or uploads.

Ensuring that no design details are repeated from previous generations, the designers took to aerospace and nature to pen the design for the Corvette C7- and the results are worthy. Exuding a striking profile with a canopy inspired by fighter jets and the signature dual-element LED tail lights (though the shape has changed from a circle to a distorted hexagon) and centrally located quadruple exhausts. The front end styling is refined from the previous generation and it is reminiscent of the SRT Viper.

Again, much like its Italian super car counterparts, advanced computer modelling and extensive wind-tunnel testing was used to create the slick body of the Corvette C7. Data garnered from the Corvette racing programme also aided in the sculpting of the shape to help balance front and rear grip for high speed stability.

The new aluminum frame is 57 percent stiffer but 45kg lighter than the current steel frame. Composite materials like carbon fibre for the hood and roof panels, lightweight moulded sheet for the fenders, doors and rear quarter panels, and carbon-nano composites for the underbody panels help reduce the weight of the body by 17kg.