Chevrolet Corvette News

GM's dark days of bankruptcy left the company without a compact sports car-- leaving room beneath the Camaro and Corvette for such a model. While the dynamically-focused 2014 Corvette Stingray starts at a reasonable $51,990 in the US (AU$50,750), that's about double the US price of the Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ. Lesser Camaros can be had for 86/BRZ money, but they lack the dynamic edge of the new Japanese heroes. Chevy wants to step back into the affordable, compact sports car market, says GM's North American president -- and former head of Holden in Australia -- Mark Reuss. It's not much of a surprise after the launch of the Code 130R concept at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show, though Reuss told Automotive News the 130R's design won't be used, as it's "already dated." Instead, a new design would be dropped on an entirely new platform -- something "scalable and efficient", according to Reuss, rather than the Alpha platform that underpins the Cadillac ATS and is tipped for the underpinnings of the next-gen Camaro. Considering the ATS' relatively light weight of about 1542kg, we would like to see a much more compact car using the same architecture. Such a car could conceivably check in under 1360kg -- perhaps as low as 1270kg, putting it in the range of the Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ twins. If GM chooses to go with an entirely new platform, it will be a challenge to meet weight and performance targets within a cost-return ratio likely based on relatively small volume targets. If Chevy can pull it off, however, with a choice of normally aspirated and possibly turbocharged four-cylinder engines -- with options to upgrade to V6 and turbo V6 engines, at least in theory -- a light, rear-drive sports car might just find the niche Chevy needs below the larger, heavier, far more powerful Corvette. The idea, however, remains on the drawing board for now. GM hasn't yet decided to give the green light. www.motorauthority.com

Spied lapping the German circuit with disguised Chevrolet C7 Corvette, Camaro ZL1and Z/28 development mules, the right-hand-drive SS V Ute looks to be undergoing final evaluation ahead of its launch in June.Curiously, no VF Commodore Sedan or Sportswagon variants were sighted, despite Holden’s pledge to launch all body styles simultaneously.Holden, with parent company General Motors, has used the 20.8km Nordschleife circuit extensively for chassis tuning and evaluation since developing the VE/VF Commodore and fifth-generation Camaro’s shared Zeta platform in the early noughties.Several other manufacturers have taken advantage of the spring weather at the circuit in recent weeks, but this Holden/Chevrolet convoy was captured by Dale Lomas of Bridge to Gantry.

Let's go back 60 years to 1953 -- and the Waldorf Astoria in New York.  In main auditorium is a wondrous display of General Motors production cars and dream cars. For this is the 1953 Motorama. The centre of the crowd's attention is a smallish, white, fibreglass bodied sports car showing off a red interior. Its designer is Harley Earl and its engineer is Ed Cole. Both know the car by its code name, EX122. You and I know it as the Corvette. The Corvette is only a concept car, but the strong, visceral reaction of Motorama visitors causes GM Chairman Harlow "Red" Curtice, to order it into production. Within seven months the six cylinder speedster is in dealer showrooms. Also in the auditorium, is another engineer. He's Russian, born in 1909. He's seen the Tsar toppled and the communists come to power in 1917. He's worked in Berlin during the rise of Hitler and because of his Jewish faith, had to make a fast escape through Paris and Spain, where he boarded a ship that landed him in New York in 1939. His name is Zora Arkus Duntov, and 33 years later at the opening ceremony of the National Corvette Museum 120,000 Corvette devotes will give him a standing ovation for all that he has done to make the car one of the most iconic marques of the automobile world. A brilliant engineer, in 1953 Duntov was already well known in hot rodding circles for his development of cylinder heads for flat head V8 Ford motors which increased power by a stunning 60%. What he sees in front of him at the Waldorf is his future. He writes to GM asking for a job on the Corvette program and is hired to help with engineering issues. Then as sales slow, less than 4000 sold in two years, and GM top brass get cold feet about the car's potential. Duntov puts his corporate neck on the line and writes a memo to the key decision makers. It is a passionate call for the need to have a car in the Chevrolet line up that speaks to the youth of America and to provide the whole Chevy range some much needed pizzazz. He prevails, and the Corvette gets a reprieve. Duntov then sets about making some changes. He rips out the six and powerglide transmission and inserts the new Ed Cole designed, small block V8. He adds a four speed gearbox and fuel injection, tweaks the suspension and within three years his magic has transformed the Corvette from a stylish cruiser into a object of primal desire for generations of Americans. And the rest of the story you know. When he died in 1996 American columnist George Will wrote of Duntov: "If you do not mourn his passing, you are not a good American". David Burrell is the editor of Retroautos.com.au  

The 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible is just a day or so away from its official unveiling, but for the moment we get a sneak peek at the car as it rolls off the truck toward the show floor. Posted to Chevrolet Europe's Facebook fan page, the image shows what is clearly a roofless Corvette Stingray rolling down the ramp. Unfortunately, a car cover obscures the choicest details, but the general proportions of the rear end -- arguably one of the most important aspects of any convertible -- are clear. And they're good. Of course, we expected the Stingray Convertible to look good. Last month, what appeared to be a design study for the car leaked onto the web, and then earlier this month, Chevy confirmed the car for its Geneva debut. Following its debut in Europe, the first Stingray Convertible will be auctioned at Barrett-Jackson in April, with proceeds going to the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute in the US. www.motorauthority.com    

The 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray was just unveiled at the 2013 Detroit motor show, and unless you've been hiding under a very large rock, you already know what it looks like and every other detail, too. Now, it seems the coupe's convertible alternative has leaked about a year ahead of its expected arrival.The images, posted by The Auto Insider, look to be authentic. In fact, if they are a digital manipulation of the coupe photographs, they're the best we've ever seen--and we see dozens of attempts daily.So, ogle to your heart's content--this is, if not the real deal, so close as to make no difference.It's worth noting, however, that we're disappointed these images leaked. It doesn't require much imagination to envision what a convertible version of the 2014 Corvette Stingray would look like, but there's something to be said for mystery, anticipation, and that mixture of fear and excitement over the unknown.Early leaks spoil the magic. By the time the actual Stingray Convertible rolls across an auto show stage, likely some time in late 2013 or early 2014, it'll be old hat.And that's just sad.www.motorauthority.com 

When the new 2014 Chevrolet Corvette arrives late next year, it will be powered by a technologically advanced, race-proven 6.2-litre V8 delivering an estimated 335kW and helping produce 0-100kmh times in under four seconds. The new Corvette LT1 engine, the first of the Gen 5 family of small block engines, combines several advanced technologies, including direct injection, Active Fuel Management (AFM) and continuously variable valve timing to support an advanced combustion system. “Our objective for the development of the all-new LT1 was to raise the bar for performance car engines,'' said Mary Barra, senior vice president, Global Product Development.' ‘We feel we have achieved that by delivering a true technological masterpiece that seamlessly integrates a suite of advanced technologies that can only be found on a handful of engines in the world. “What makes this engine truly special is the advanced combustion system that extracts the full potential of these technologies. The art and science behind that combustion system make the Corvette LT1 one of the most advanced V8 engines in the world,” said Barra. Output, performance, and fuel economy numbers will not be finalised until early next year. It will be: the most powerful standard Corvette engine ever, the quickest standard Corvette ever and the most fuel-efficient capable of achieving around 9.0 L/100 kmh.  Australia will get this engine sometime soon and hopefully, it will make its way into a V8 supercar replacing the decades-old pushrod V8s currently used....  

Remember T-Tops? They first appeared on the 1968 Chevrolet Corvette as a way to offer a convertible experience without the loss of chassis strength and rigidity. Soon every car maker seemed to have one T-Topper in their line up.Porsche 911 fans will point out that the 911 boasted a Targa Top as far back as 1966, but it was roll bar and a full width, removal roof section. No "T" there. Triumph devotees will go even further back, to 1961, and the TR4. It had fixed rear window with a removable canvas roof stretched between it and the front windscreen. No "T" either.The inventor of the real T-Top was Gordon Buehrig. Yes, the same guy who shaped 1930s Auburns and Duesenbergs, and the iconic 810/812 Cord. In 1948 Buehrig and some business associates decided to design and manufacture an all-American two seater sports car. They set up The American Sports Car Company, and used an acronym of the company name, Tasco, for the car.After some discussion it was agreed the Tacso ought to be a closed coupe, but with the open air experience of a convertible. That's where Buehrig's idea for T-Tops came in. The 2012 equivalent of $4,000,000 was spent to build one prototype which was shown across America to an underwhelming response. The projected price, $7500 in 1948 money, (about $500,000 in 2012) scared away most prospective customers and the weird styling took care of the rest.Very quickly the company folded and Buehrig went to Ford to head up one of their advanced styling studios, styling the first Crown Victoria hardtop coupe. The actual Tasco is still intact and in good condition. It sulks in a dark corner on the second floor of the Auburn Duesenberg Cord Museum in Auburn, Indiana.Buehrig was granted a patent on the T-Tops idea in 1951. He tried to interest Ford, Chrysler and General Motors but no one could see their value in a world full of real convertibles. Then came Ralph Nader's pivotal tome 'Unsafe At Any Speed', and suddenly the roll over safety of convertibles became a news topic.In 1968, Chevrolet released the Corvette with a T-Top option. Buehrig's patent was still operable so he sued GM and won some compensation for infringement of copyright. With the advent of rectracle steel roof convertibles, T-Tops have long disappeared. Buehrig himself died in 1990.www.retroautos.com.au 

Driving simulators such as Forza Motorsport, Gran Turismo and Need for Speed are well-known--and well-loved--here at Motor Authority.However, there is a new title in the works that may upset these video game heavyweights, and that’s GRID 2 from Codemasters.The sequel to 2008’s GRID, the focus of the new game is having arcade-style fun rather than creating a totally realistic driving experience.Nevertheless, the graphics are still as realistic as that of any of the rival games and the lineup of cars looks promising.The list includes the likes of the Chevrolet Corvette, Ford Mustang, McLaren MP4-12C and the Pagani Huayra. The game’s creators say the total list of cars spans four decades and three continents.GRID 2 will be released early to mid-2013 and will be available for the Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360 and PC.Motor Authority  

Leading importer Performax International has just named the Ascot dealership as the first one in Western Australia to carry their range of right-hand drive converted Corvette, Camaro and Mustang sports cars and the Chevrolet Silverado sports truck.The vehicles are imported and re-engineered to Australian Government right-hand drive specifications by Performax International.Performax has completed factory-standard conversions on thousands of its own and privately imported vehicles over almost 25 years at its factory near the Queensland Sunshine Coast. All conversions carry ISO 9001 Quality Assured certification.The formal appointment of Performance West as a Performax dealer was finalised late last year, but the company has been selling American vehicles for several months."We've already had excellent sales since taking on the dealership and are looking forward to another strong year as demand for these types of vehicles grow. WA buyers are becoming aware that there is now a one stop shop providing professional sales, parts and service at their doorstep." Performance West chief executive Peter Rullo said."The majority have been Chevrolet Silverado trucks, but we've also sold some Camaros and Corvettes. Companies that supply or service the mining industry and some recreational and small business operators make up the majority of Silverado owners. The Silverado is ideal for West Australian conditions with its 6.6 litre V8 diesel engine, four-wheel drive, luxurious comfort and substantial towing and carrying capacity. There simply isn't anything else like it for toughness, performance, comfort and practicality."Performax International general manager Glenn Soper said the dealer appointment would make it easier for West Australian customers to buy and maintain their American vehicles."These are big vehicles for a big State and we're proud to have Performance West aboard to introduce them to more WA drivers. Peter Rullo is a well-known WA businessman and motorsport competitor and his understanding of performance vehicles should give added confidence to our customers," he said."Performance West joins other recently-appointed Performax dealers in New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania. We now sell and support our range of American cars and trucks throughout Australia."The Chev Silverado has class-leading towing capacity of up to 10.2 tonnes. It attracts buyers from the building, construction and mining industries, plus recreational users who tow big boats, cars, horse floats or luxury vans.

Adam Carolla and Matt Farah pit the Corvette ZR1 against the Mercedes SLS at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California.The Mercedes SLS AMG weighs a little over 1678 kg and is powered by a 6.3L V8 producing 414 kW.This will allow the supercar to hit 0-100 km/h in 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 317km/h.The 1,511 kg Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 does a bit better with its 6.2L V8 producing 469 kW.The extra horsepower allows the Corvette to achieve a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 322 km/h.