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2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray Review

OUR TEST CAR: 2014 CHEVROLET C7 Corvette Stingray Z51 Automatic

 
2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray  - Page - 7
In the end, you can live with the six-speed automatic though. Still, if you do wish to switch to the manual, you’ll have a pleasant surprise. The Automatic Rev Matching function is brilliant. There are special sensors which “feel” where the shifter is going. Thus, the system reacts quicker, as it doesn’t have to wait for a certain gear to actually be engaged, like others of its kind do.

As with Tremec’s six-speed manual, the clutch engages high in its travel, so you don’t risk accidentally launching the car. As for the pedal action itself, you can get used to its necessities.

Regardless of the transmission choice you make, that LT1 V8 is one nicely-dressed brute. Actually, it feels like you have two engines in one. Up to 3,000 rpm it’s a civilized naturally-aspirated unit. Past this point, the muscle start arriving faster and faster, as if there was a miniatural supercharger hidden under that vented hood.

This all means that on the highway, the Corvette isn’t necessarily the car that pushes you to hit the pedal, like the Viper does, for example. And thanks to the increased wheelbase and tracks, the thing is stable. Its natural state right now is to cruise peacefully and you could use the C7 Corvette for a cross-country drive without breaking a sweat.

Oh and all the fuss about boosting fuel efficiency hasn’t been in vain. The official figures place the Corvette Stingray at 17 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. Our “Touring” highway drive returned 28 mpg, while a more spirited behavior made the dash say 21.4 mpg. Nice.

Even with the Corvette’s run-flat tires, the ride stays manageable and, if you switch to the adaptive dampers, things become pretty good. Since we mentioned the rubber, we have to explain that the C7 doesn’t follow the usual growth trend. Its Michelin Super Sports use the same diameter as the tires on its predecessor, but they’re narrower (one inch up front and two at the rear). Chevrolet claims that the rubber was developed specifically for the C7, so it manages to deliver a similar level of grip.

The standard car rides on 18x8.5-inch front wheels and features a 19x10-inch size at the back. The Z51 brings a 19x8.5-inch size up front and a 20x10-inch size at the rear.

The aforementioned state of cruising is maintained as we make a right, heading up to a deep canyon road. You can enjoy the Corvette without having to hammer it, but only after you’re past five out of ten.
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2014 Corvette Stingray with hatch open2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray boot2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray rear2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray LT1 V8 engine cover2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray LT1 V8 engine2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray air intake for LT1 V82014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray engine2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray engine compartmentStingray  emblem on 2014 CHEVROLET Corvette 2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray wheel2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray brake caliper2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray Z51 brake disc2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray digital dashboard2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray cabin2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray door entry sill2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray pedals2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray Head Up Display controls2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray steering wheel2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray center console2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray interior: center console2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray door card2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray electric door handle2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray interior: right seat2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray passenger climate controls2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray electric parking brake2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray Stabilitrack off2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray gear shifter for automatic2014 Corvette Stingray infotainment2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray central display2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray key fob2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray central dashboard2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray Bose audio2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray luggage compartment2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray right seat2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray Eco Mode display2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray Sport Mode display2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray performance display2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray Track Mode dashboard2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray mpg ratings2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray tire monitoring menu2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray dashboard instruments2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray steering wheel controls2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray light control2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray wiper control2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray engine start button2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray touchscreen display2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray navigation2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray 2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray infotainment screen2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray vehicle settings menu2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray navigation menu2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray OnStar menu2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray gearshift paddleOnStar buttons on 2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray 2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray GT seats in red leather2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray GT seats2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray interior2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray interior2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray steering wheelCHEVROLET Corvette Stingray dashboard2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray dashboard2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray Drive Mode SelectorCHEVROLET Corvette Stingray climate controlCorvette badge on 2014 Stingray steering wheel2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray automatic gear shifter2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray 2014 Corvette Stingray 2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray Corvette badge on 2014 Stingray 2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray 2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray 2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray 2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray in BlackCHEVROLET Corvette Stingray front2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray 2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray 2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray hood air vent2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray headlightCHEVROLET Corvette Stingray profile2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray in nature2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray 2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray Z51 front wheel2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray Z51 rear wheel2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray side air vents2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray Z51 rear spoiler2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray rearCHEVROLET Corvette Stingray Corvette badge on 2014 Stingray 2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray taillightsCHEVROLET Corvette Stingray handlingCHEVROLET Corvette Stingray 2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray handling2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray 2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray front fasciaBurned rubber with Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray front2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray  open road driving2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray canyon driving2014 Corvette Stingray drivingCHEVROLET Corvette Stingray acceleration2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray side view2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray 2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray drivingCHEVROLET Corvette Stingray burnoutCHEVROLET Corvette Stingray burnout2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray burnout2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray roof removal2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray interior without top2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray top stowedCHEVROLET Corvette Stingray with roof off2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray driving without the roof2014 CHEVROLET Corvette Stingray driving with top off