2014 Corvette/C7

[ubengineering]

Well i hate the new Vipers, I’m talking about over and affordable older model.

[BigRon]

Zo6 coming in Jan to Detroit, so who is coming?

2015 Chevy Corvette Z06 confirmed for Detroit Auto Show debut

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@Big Boss"

C7 Corvette will get all NEW 8-SPEED AUTO

"General Motors Rear Wheel Drive Eight Speed Automatic Transmission

General Motors shall introduce a new rear wheel drive eight speed automatic transmission, known as the 8L90, in the 2015 Chevrolet Corvette. The rated turbine torque capacity is 1000 Nm (737 ft-lb). This transmission replaces the venerable 6L80 six speed automatic transmission.

The objectives behind creation of this transmission are improved fuel economy, performance, and NVH. Packaging in the existing vehicle architecture and high mileage dependability are the givens. The architecture is required to offer low cost for a rear drive eight speed transmission while meeting the givens and objectives. An eight speed powerflow, invented by General Motors, was selected. This powerflow yields a 7.0 overall ratio spread, enabling improved launch capability because of a deeper first gear ratio and better fuel economy due to lower top gear N/V capability, relative to the 6L80. The eight speed ratios are generated using four simple planetary gearsets, two brake clutches and three rotating clutches. The resultant on-axis transmission architecture utilizes a squashed torque converter, an off-axis pump and four close coupled gearsets. The three rotating clutches have been located forward of the gearsets to minimize the length of oil feeds which provides for enhanced shift response and simplicity of turbine shaft manufacturing.

The transmission architecture features a case with integral bell housing for enhanced powertrain stiffness. A unique pump drive design allows for off-axis packaging very low in the transmission. The pump is a binary vane type which effectively allows for two pumps in the packaging size of one. This design and packaging strategy not only enables low parasitic losses and optimum priming capability but also provides for ideal oil routing to the controls system, with the pump located in the valve body itself.

The transmission controller is externally mounted, enabling packaging and powertrain integration flexibilities. The controller makes use of three speed sensors which provide for enhanced shift response and accuracy. Utilization of aluminum and magnesium components throughout the transmission yields competitive mass. The dedicated compensator feed circuit, used in GM six speed designs, was supplanted by a lube-fed design in order to simplify oil routing and enhance shift response. Packaging is within that of the GM 6L80 design, allowing for ease of application integration.

The overall result is a robust, compact, and cost effective transmission which offers significant fuel economy and performance benefit, over its six speed counterpart, and shall provide an attractive balance of overall metrics in the automatic transmission market."

General Motors Rear Wheel Drive Eight Speed Automatic Transmission

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@Big Boss"

[quote=ZishanM]My thought is, what do they have to compete with the quick shifting DCT’s that are becoming common place on high end sports cars.

Seems like that is still in the works. Surprisingly the 8 Speed auto seems to be ready before the DCT is
GM Files Patent For 7-Speed Dual-Clutch, Is Corvette First In Line?
http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1…-first-in-line

These are all the patents that GM already has on DCT tech:

Patents

1 8,600,633 Full-Text Gear preselect systems for a dual clutch transmission
2 8,591,381 Full-Text System and method for controlling an automatic engine restart
3 8,590,684 Full-Text Control system for a dual clutch transmission
4 8,589,042 Full-Text System and method for adaptive transmission clutch torque control
5 8,585,548 Full-Text System and method for controlling an automatic engine stop-start
6 8,579,762 Full-Text Negative torque upshift offgoing clutch control systems and methods
7 8,579,751 Full-Text Hybrid powertrain with layshaft transmission and electric torque converter and method of controlling same
8 8,578,803 Full-Text Synchronizer actuation assembly
9 8,577,565 Full-Text Limiting branch pressure to a solenoid valve in a fluid circuit
10 8,573,084 Full-Text Dual clutch transmission
11 8,567,580 Full-Text Electro-hydraulic control system for a dual clutch transmission
12 8,567,273 Full-Text Gear transfer dual clutch transmission
13 8,561,502 Full-Text Dual drive pump system with one way clutches
14 8,560,192 Full-Text Control system and method for shift fork position in dual clutch transmissions
15 8,551,576 Full-Text Method for controlling a coefficient of friction
16 8,548,699 Full-Text Control system and method for adaptive control of transmission fluid operating pressures
17 8,543,279 Full-Text System and method for detecting and responding to pressure losses in a hydraulic automatic transmission
18 8,534,150 Full-Text Dual clutch multi-speed transmission
19 8,532,890 Full-Text Driven wheel torque estimation systems and methods
20 8,532,858 Full-Text Multi-speed hybrid powertrain with series and parallel operating modes
21 8,529,402 Full-Text Pump arrangement
22 8,528,711 Full-Text Control system for a dual clutch transmission
23 8,528,431 Full-Text Dual clutch transmission
24 8,521,382 Full-Text Transmission oil temperature estimation systems and methods
25 8,511,189 Full-Text Dual clutch multi-speed transmission
26 8,505,401 Full-Text Seven speed dual clutch transmission with four axes of rotation
27 8,505,400 Full-Text Dual clutch five speed transmission
28 8,504,267 Full-Text Control system and method for synchronization control in dual clutch transmissions
29 8,504,265 Full-Text System and method for decreasing acceleration disturbance during transmission upshifts
30 8,504,263 Full-Text Accumulator working volume management and adaptation
31 8,499,656 Full-Text Eight speed dual clutch transmission
32 8,495,926 Full-Text Dual clutch transmission
33 8,485,333 Full-Text Actuation device for a dual clutch transmission
34 8,485,056 Full-Text Dual clutch multi-speed transmission
35 8,479,602 Full-Text Seven speed dual clutch transmission with four axes of rotation
36 8,475,336 Full-Text Hydraulic control system for a dual clutch transmission
37 8,474,586 Full-Text Clutch actuation assembly with satellite pistons
38 8,474,341 Full-Text Dual clutch transmission
39 8,469,858 Full-Text Hybrid vehicle with dual clutch transmission
40 8,469,851 Full-Text Oil supply system for an automatic transmission of a vehicle, an automatic transmission and a vehicle comprising the oil supply system
41 8,464,851 Full-Text Electro-hydraulic control system for an automatic transmission
42 8,464,599 Full-Text Eight speed dual clutch transmission
43 8,459,135 Full-Text Seven speed dual clutch transmission having improved packaging
44 8,453,557 Full-Text Piston actuator assembly
45 8,443,688 Full-Text Method of learning an initial capacity point of a clutch in a dual clutch transmission
46 8,443,687 Full-Text Electro-hydraulic control system for a dual clutch transmission
47 8,443,686 Full-Text Seven speed dual clutch transmission
48 8,439,803 Full-Text System and method for improved closed throttle downshifts
49 8,438,941 Full-Text Eight speed dual clutch transmission
50 8,434,603 Full-Text Low content control system for a dual clutch transmission
51 8,434,380 Full-Text Dual clutch multi-speed transmission
52 8,433,487 Full-Text Shift sequencing systems for a dual clutch transmission
53 8,430,220 Full-Text Wet dual clutch transmission control system
54 8,429,994 Full-Text Hydraulic control systems for dual clutch transmissions
55 8,427,806 Full-Text Control system and method for transmission solenoids
56 8,425,376 Full-Text Multi-speed dual-clutch transmission for a hybrid vehicle
57 8,424,404 Full-Text Eight speed dual clutch transmissions
58 8,413,780 Full-Text Dual clutch for a transmission having multiple input shafts
59 8,413,777 Full-Text High efficiency hydraulic transmission control system
60 8,412,396 Full-Text Electric launch of a hybrid vehicle having a belt alternator starter and a dual clutch transmission
61 8,408,085 Full-Text Seven speed dual clutch transmission
62 8,403,792 Full-Text Hydraulic control systems for dual clutch transmissions
63 8,402,993 Full-Text Hydraulic fluid cooling system for a dual clutch automatic transmission
64 8,402,859 Full-Text Barrel cam shift mechanism
65 8,402,855 Full-Text Hydraulic control systems for dual clutch transmissions
66 8,396,634 Full-Text Method and apparatus for maximum and minimum output torque performance by selection of hybrid range state and input speed for a hybrid powertrain system
67 8,382,639 Full-Text Control system for a dual clutch transmission
68 8,376,109 Full-Text Lever applied dry clutch
69 8,375,817 Full-Text Dual clutch transmission
70 8,371,552 Full-Text Shift actuator valve having a pressure dead band
71 8,366,557 Full-Text Engine drive plate connection
72 8,365,893 Full-Text Dual clutch
73 8,365,622 Full-Text Reverse chain drive for motor vehicle transmissions
74 8,364,364 Full-Text System and method for controlling unpowered to powered transitions in vehicles having dry dual clutch transmissions
75 8,364,361 Full-Text Transmission clutch control apparatus and method
76 8,359,941 Full-Text Hydraulic control systems for dual clutch transmissions
77 8,356,529 Full-Text Hydraulic control systems for dual clutch transmissions
78 8,346,451 Full-Text Realtime estimation of clutch piston position
79 8,336,411 Full-Text Dual clutch multi-speed transmission
80 8,336,410 Full-Text Dual clutch multi-speed transmission
81 8,333,127 Full-Text Seven speed dual clutch transmission with four axes of rotation
82 8,327,730 Full-Text Dual clutch transmission
83 8,313,415 Full-Text Method and apparatus for clutch control in a vehicle having an engine start-stop powertrain and a dual-clutch transmission
84 8,302,500 Full-Text Dual clutch transmission
85 8,297,424 Full-Text Single actuator self-adjusting dry dual clutch
86 8,297,140 Full-Text Dual clutch five speed transmission
87 8,292,055 Full-Text Self-adjusting mechanisms for clutches
88 8,286,526 Full-Text Synchronizer actuating system
89 8,286,522 Full-Text Dual clutch transmission
90 8,285,463 Full-Text Method and system for calibrating a pressure sensor for an automatic transmission
91 8,276,439 Full-Text System and method for determining a volume of a torque converter clutch and calibrating a transmission
92 8,266,986 Full-Text Transmission hydraulic control system having a dual element pump
93 8,266,977 Full-Text Seven speed dual clutch transmission
94 8,241,161 Full-Text Hybrid module for interconnecting an engine and a transmission
95 8,240,224 Full-Text Dual clutch five speed transmission
96 8,234,946 Full-Text Hydraulic control system for a dual clutch transmission
97 8,225,915 Full-Text Dual clutch torque converter control system
98 8,225,687 Full-Text Hydraulic control systems for dual clutch transmissions
99 8,224,537 Full-Text Method and apparatus for dry clutch temperature prediction in a DCT
100 8,221,279 Full-Text Dual apply clutch apparatus for compact electro-mechanical transmission
101 8,220,352 Full-Text Dual clutch transmission
102 8,220,351 Full-Text Dual clutch multi-speed transmission having one countershaft and a reverse shaft
103 8,210,066 Full-Text Electromagnetic synchronizer actuating system
104 8,206,265 Full-Text Control system for dual clutch transmission
105 8,192,176 Full-Text Hydraulic fluid supply system having active regulator
106 8,191,441 Full-Text Hybrid powertrain and dual clutch transmission
107 8,190,343 Full-Text Gear actuator control systems and methods for dual clutch transmissions
108 8,189,336 Full-Text Composite cover with integral heat sink
109 8,166,841 Full-Text Manual transmission for a motor vehicle
110 8,150,586 Full-Text Method for synchronized transmission gear ratio engagement
111 8,137,241 Full-Text System and method for automatic transmission shift control
112 8,117,935 Full-Text Synchronizer actuating system with selectives
113 8,117,933 Full-Text Five speed dual clutch transmission
114 8,117,932 Full-Text Multi-speed transmission with countershaft gearing
115 8,116,951 Full-Text Transmission with substantially identical gear sets for torque load sharing
116 8,104,367 Full-Text Seven speed dual clutch transmission
117 8,104,366 Full-Text Double-clutch transmission for vehicles
118 8,091,696 Full-Text Rocker clutch assembly
119 8,070,649 Full-Text Hybrid powertrain and dual clutch transmission
120 8,070,638 Full-Text Dual input planetary final drive
121 8,065,930 Full-Text Hydraulic actuator for transmissions having reduced noise
122 8,056,663 Full-Text Hybrid module for interconnecting an engine and a dual-clutch transmission
123 8,056,429 Full-Text Multi-speed dual clutch transmission with countershaft gearing arrangement
124 8,038,564 Full-Text Multi-speed transmission
125 8,011,261 Full-Text Multi-speed transmission with countershaft gearing arrangement
126 7,988,772 Full-Text Air/oil separator for transmissions and transaxles
127 7,987,740 Full-Text Multi-speed transmission with countershaft gearing arrangement
128 7,985,283 Full-Text System for de-aerating a hydraulic fluid in a transmission
129 7,980,374 Full-Text Flow accumulator and clutch control system for automatic transmissions
130 7,972,235 Full-Text Hybrid powertrain system having selectively connectable engine, motor/generator, and transmission
131 7,963,191 Full-Text Hybrid powertrain and dual clutch transmission
132 7,913,580 Full-Text Apparatus and method for securing transmission gear synchronizers to shafts
133 7,896,775 Full-Text Control system for electronic range selection in a dual clutch transmission
134 7,896,770 Full-Text Multi-speed transmission
135 7,886,626 Full-Text Multi-speed dual clutch transmission
136 7,870,804 Full-Text Multi-speed dual clutch transmission
137 7,846,055 Full-Text Multi-speed split dual clutch transmission
138 7,845,247 Full-Text Shift fork actuation system for control of synchronizer position
139 7,837,589 Full-Text Multi-speed split dual clutch transmission
140 7,832,298 Full-Text Countershaft clutch and gear assembly
141 7,828,684 Full-Text Control system for a differential in a transmission
142 7,752,935 Full-Text Control system for a multi-speed transmission
143 7,752,934 Full-Text Multi speed transmission having a countershaft gearing arrangement
144 7,743,678 Full-Text Selectable one-way rocker clutch
145 7,743,677 Full-Text Powertrain with torque converter and axially compact seven speed dual clutch transmission
146 7,703,346 Full-Text Multi-speed transmission with countershaft gearing
147 7,695,390 Full-Text Multi-speed transmission
148 7,669,497 Full-Text Powertrain with torque converter and axially compact seven speed dual clutch transmission
149 7,644,639 Full-Text Multi-speed transmission with countershaft gearing
150 7,640,818 Full-Text Multi-speed transmission with a countershaft gearing
151 7,610,825 Full-Text Multi-speed transmission with countershaft gearing
152 7,604,561 Full-Text Multi-speed countershaft transmission with a planetary gear set and method
153 7,597,644 Full-Text Nine or ten speed split clutch countershaft automatic transmission
154 7,524,265 Full-Text Powertrain overspeed protection
155 7,478,572 Full-Text Transmission with torque sensors and method of controlling a transmission
156 7,437,963 Full-Text Power transmission
157 7,415,905 Full-Text Vehicular transmissions utilizing slipper ring clutch control
158 7,401,687 Full-Text Dual clutch engine coupling damper
159 7,353,724 Full-Text Multi-speed transmission with Hi-Lo output torque-transmitting mechanisms and gear sets
160 7,322,456 Full-Text Radially stacked dual dry clutch configuration
161 7,311,630 Full-Text Multi-speed transmission with differential gear set and countershaft gearing
162 7,235,037 Full-Text Friction launch control system for a vehicle
[/QUOTE]

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@Big Boss"

Arguably the most significant vehicle to emerge in recent years is the new C7 Corvette. Forgeline is very serious about perfecting wheel fitment on the C7, so it only makes sense that we would put one in our own stable of vehicles. So our latest project car is this 2LT Z51 in Arctic White with the Adrenaline Red interior. This is the same C7 that was built and exhibited at the 2013 SEMA Show by Whiteside Customs. As of November 2013, it is lowered to the limit of the factory adjustment and is equipped with Kooks headers and 19/20 inch Forgeline VX3C wheels finished with Satin Black centers and Gloss Black outers.

[Onyx_Z32]

[ubengineering]

It is kind of amusing but what point are they trying to make? 7 Gears is too much? ^^

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@Big Boss"

2014 Corvette C7.R To Debut In Detroit Before Heading To Daytona

The racing version of the seventh-generation Chevrolet Corvette will make its debut at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show in mid-January before heading out to Florida that same month for its first competition outing at the Rolex 24 at Daytona.
The new race car, which will be called the C7.R in Corvette tradition, made a surprise appearance at this year’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance where it took to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca–in camouflaged form–for a few hot laps, with Corvette Racing’s Tommy Milner behind the wheel.

The C7.R car will once again be built by Pratt & Miller and compete in various GT race formats, including Le Mans and the newly established United SportsCar Racing. We’re still not sure on the engine, though an updated version of the 5.5-liter V-8 from the outgoing C6.R is a strong possibility.

What we do know is that the car will wear an updated Jake logo, the unofficial mascot of the Corvette Racing team. The latest version is a bit more stylized and features the seventh-generation Corvette’s updated crossed flag logo. The Jake logo first appeared in the early 2000s after the C5.R last raced in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Originally just a sketch on a napkin, the logo was drawn as a skull with crossed flags for the eyes and was named after Jake, the infamous character from The Blues Brothers.

Debuting alongside the new C7.R in Detroit will be an all-new 2015 Corvette Z06. The two cars were co-developed, and represent the closest connection between the racing and road-going Corvettes in modern times, according to Chevy. Look for number of visual cues to be shared between the road car and racer.

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@Big Boss"

Corvette LT1 V8, Cruze Diesel Engine Make Ward’s 10 Best Engines

For the first time since 2008, two General Motors powertrains have made their way onto Wards Auto’s annual 10 Best Engines list, the 6.2L LT1 V8 from the 2014 Corvette Stingray and the frugal 2.0L diesel from the Chevrolet Cruze Diesel.

Wards reviewed 44 engines from 16 different automakers for this year’s competition, looking at power, refinement, new technology and fuel efficiency. In order for an engine to qualify for the list, the vehicle it’s in must carry a base price of $60, 000 or less, up from $55,000 in 2012.

It’s hard not to recognize the LT1 as one of the best engines of 2013. The all-new engine received the most significant overhaul in the small block’s nearly 60 year history, helping make the new Stingray be the quickest, most powerful and most fuel efficient standard Corvette ever. Impressive numbers like 460 horsepower, 0-60 in 3.8 seconds and a highway fuel economy of up to 29 mpg make the LT1 an easy pick for the list.

“The arrival of a completely re-engineered Small Block engine family is truly momentous,” says executive editor of WardsAuto World magazine, Tom Murphy. “The critics can say what they want about the relevance of pushrod engines, but how can more than a hundred million buyers of small-block engines since 1955 be wrong? The new Corvette couldn’t exist without this magnificent V8.”

The 2.0 liter turbo diesel in the Chevrolet Cruze earned its spot on Wards list by being whisper quiet and super-efficient, yet still fun to drive. It may only have 151 horsepower, but the oil burner has a heap of torque on tap at 268 lb-ft, which Ward’s says is great for entering highway on ramps. The only demerit came from the engines slight grumble at low speed idle.

“The Chevy Cruze diesel is everything you want it to be: astonishingly efficient, whisper-quiet on the highway and shockingly fun to drive,” says editor-in-chief of WardsAuto World magazine, Drew Winter.

The awards will be presented on January 15 during a ceremony at the 2014 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

This is the 20th year for the Ward’s 10 Best Engines awards. Out of the 10 winners, eight featured direct fuel injection, six came with forced induction and one was even electric.

The following are Ward’s 10 best engines for 2014:

-3.0-liter TFSI Supercharged DOHC V-6 (Audi S5)
-3.0-liter Turbodiesel DOHC I-6 (BMW 535d)
-3.0-liter Turbodiesel DOHC V-6 (Ram 1500 EcoDiesel)
-83-kilowatt Electric Motor (Fiat 500e)
-1.0-liter EcoBoost DOHC I-3 (Ford Fiesta)
-2.0-liter Turbodiesel DOHC I-4 (Chevrolet Cruze Diesel)
-6.2-liter OHV V-8 (Chevrolet Corvette Stingray)
-3.5-liter SOHC V-6 (Honda Accord)
-2.7-liter DOHC H-6 boxer (Porsche Cayman)
-1.8-liter Turbocharged DOHC I-4 (Volkswagen Jetta)

[Paul_B]

Damn that is going to be a sexy race car.

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@Big Boss"

Official GM Press Release

Chevrolet to Introduce 2015 Corvette Z06 at Detroit Show

DETROIT – Chevrolet will introduce the 2015 Corvette Z06 next month at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. It will be the most track-capable Corvette ever, designed to deliver supercar levels of performance through unique powertrain, chassis and aerodynamic features.

The Corvette Z06 will complete Chevrolet’s performance car lineup, which will also see the addition of the Corvette Stingray Convertible, Camaro Z/28 and SS sedan.

“Chevrolet is America’s favorite performance car brand, and for 2014 we are going to offer enthusiasts more choices than ever before,” said Alan Batey, senior vice president, Global Chevrolet. “No other manufacturer will be able to match the breath of performance cars from Chevrolet.”

Chevrolet sells one out of four performance cars in 2013

For the first 11 months of 2013, Chevrolet has accounted for about 25 percent of all performance car sales in the U.S. as Corvette and Camaro continue to lead their respective segments.

Corvette outsold its closest competitor, the Porsche 911, for the first 11 months of 2013. This is all the more remarkable given Corvette production was halted for six months as the Bowling Green, Ky., assembly plant prepared to build the 2014 Corvette Stingray. In November, Corvette sales jumped 229 percent year-over-year, as demand for the new Stingray continues to outstrip supply.

Camaro also outsold its closest competitor, the Ford Mustang, for the first 11 months of 2013. Camaro enters December with a 4,093-unit lead in total sales. More importantly, Camaro has an estimated 10,000-unit lead in retail sales. If that lead continues through the end of the year, 2013 will be the fourth consecutive year Camaro has been the best-selling sports car in the U.S.

Four new performance cars for 2014

The sales lead for Chevrolet is expected to accelerate as the brand adds four new performance cars to the lineup, including:

First full calendar year of sales of the 2014 Chevrolet SS sedan: The all-new SS, which went on sale in October, is based on a race-proven, global platform that underpins the Camaro, Caprice police vehicle and, in Australia, the high-performance Holden VF Commodore. Elements including lightweight aluminum hood and deck lid panels help give the SS a nearly 50/50 weight balance, while the performance of its 6.2L V-8 – rated at 415 horsepower – and six-speed automatic transmission enable 0-60 mph acceleration in five seconds flat.

First full year of sales of the 2014 Corvette Stingray Convertible: The Stingray Convertible, which goes on sale this month, shares identical chassis tuning and performance technologies with the coupe, with structural changes limited to accommodations for the folding top and repositioned safety belt mounts. As such, the Stingray Convertible requires no sacrifices for a drop-top driving experience, offering up to 460 horsepower /465 lb-ft with the available performance exhaust system; capable of more than 1 g in cornering; and sprinting from 0-60 in under 4 seconds.

Arrival of the 2014 Camaro Z/28: The Camaro Z/28, which arrives in dealerships in the second quarter of 2014, will be the most track-capable Camaro ever. Recently, the Z/28 logged a 7:37.40 lap on Germany’s legendary Nürburgring road course, a time comparable with some of the world’s most prestigious sports cars – and the Z/28 lap was completed in the rain.

Debut of the 2015 Corvette Z06: The all-new Corvette Z06 will make its public debut at the 2014 North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January. Production is expected to begin in late 2014.

@Big Boss"

Autoweek Best of the Best winners 2014-2014 Chevrolet Corvette/2014 Chevrolet Silverado
A year’s worth of testing results in unprecedented Chevy sweep

Another year and another few hundred new cars and trucks have driven through the Autoweek garage for editorial evaluation. To what end? Well, other than giving you our unvarnished opinions, it really comes down to this—when we present the annual Autoweek Best of the Best/Car and Best of the Best/Truck awards.

Think about what it takes to get to this point: Each year, a slew of new cars and trucks hits the market. Each year, automakers spend tens of thousands of hours designing, engineering and manufacturing these cars; if these aren’t the most complex consumer products available, we don’t know what are. Each new vehicle is expected to have best-in-class performance, economy, fit and finish, and reliability, to name just a few key areas. Billions of dollars ride on them, as does the success (or failure) of their companies.

With the level of this automotive game as high as it is, it’s daunting to make a good car or truck—let alone great ones—but that’s exactly what Chevrolet has done. Think of their accomplishment as the grand-slam lotto winner in not one, but two categories: the all-American performance halo car in its seventh generation of influencing car passion, and the all-American truck that is, well, all-American. For 2014, these are the Best of the Best, pure and simple.

What does the title mean exactly? Of all those new cars and trucks driven, we’ve narrowed them to the two we collectively think sit at the pinnacle of the automotive mountain. We choose the most appealing and enjoyable vehicles to own—those we’d happily drive every day.

The process includes track testing, driving around Detroit streets for a couple weeks, taking cars and trucks on vacation, and consulting with our West Coast team, which experiences the same vehicles in different conditions. It’s thorough.

To be considered, a car or truck must be all new or substantively new—those boasting only small facelifts or minimal mechanical updates are not considered. (Models not available for testing by the end of the calendar year count for the next year’s judging.) Cars are sedans, coupes, convertibles, hatchbacks and wagons. Trucks are pickups, crossovers, minivans and SUVs. Once we narrow it down to our finalists, we spend three days at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Mich., and the surrounding two-lanes. We grade drivetrain, ride quality, handling, exterior styling and, of course, fun. We look at refinement and design. We consider whether the car is a good value. Points are tallied for each category.

This year, for the first time ever, we have a sweep: Chevrolet wins both with two new entries, its Corvette and its Silverado pickup. Congratulations to General Motors and the Chevrolet team with an extraordinary effort—and execution—indeed. Two of them, in fact. Check out the stories and links below for more on our winners and why they came out on top.

The Corvette beat two other stout new cars, the Mercedes-Benz S550 and Jaguar F-Type. We haven’t exactly been shy about our lust for Chevrolet’s seventh-generation two-seater. Corvette engineers were charged with developing a car that would exceed expectations of the Corvette faithful, one that would also be the greatest performance car for the dollar on the planet. Oh, and they were also told to make sure it’s good enough to compete around the world. The team succeeded.

First, some quick stats: The new Corvette is about an inch longer than the outgoing model. While styling is new, there’s no mistaking that it’s a Corvette. The C7’s mighty 6.2-liter V8 develops 455 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. It is direct injected and features cylinder deactivation, a Corvette first. You can get a Tremec seven-speed manual, with active rev matching for upshifts and downshifts, or a six-speed automatic.

The other finalists went down swinging. We found the second-place S550 gorgeous to look at—inside and out. The technology level is astounding, making it a comfortable cruiser, but one that can really be hustled for such a big car.

The Jaguar, meanwhile, impressed us with its sexy bod, terrific power and rockin’ exhaust note.

So what pushed the Corvette past the S-class and the Jag?

Well, almost everything.

The Chevy got high marks for its flexible engine—“monster torque,” wrote one staffer—great brakes, and rock-solid chassis and handling. “There’s an eagerness here that a Corvette’s never had,” said one tester. Other logbook comments included “amazing agility,” “the engine is wonderful” and “jeez-o-pete, this car has NO body roll.”

One staffer summed up his C7 experience thusly: “Every person who says they’re a car enthusiast should have a new Corvette sitting in the garage.” We have never been able to say that about a Corvette before.

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@Big Boss"

I think it will:)

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@TRD2000"

https://youtu.be/B-gzNi6MRwI

[Onyx_Z32]

Interesting sounds…

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@Big Boss"

Yes

Following the recent driving debut of the Corvette Stingray HPE600 by Hennessey Performance, the tuner headed out onto a closed section of the Texas Grand Parkway toll road to test out the straight line performance of its brand new C7 based HPE600.

Hennessey Performance is of course no stranger to high speed runs on this stretch of road with its twin-turbo Cadillac CTS-V and upgraded Camaro ZL1 both hitting well over 200 mph here previously. Unsurprisingly, Hennessey Performance had the ambitious goal of reaching 200 mph in the brand new Corvette Stingray and in the end, the HPE600 did it with relative ease reaching 200.6 mph!

As the name suggests, the Corvette Stingray HPE600 by Hennessey Performance produces an impressive 603 hp. However, this HPE600 wasn’t standard and actually featured a custom Nitrous Express kit adding an extra 100 hp at the push of a button! Other upgrades to the powertrain include new cylinder heads, stainless steel headers, custom HPE camshaft, HPE engine management calibration as well as some extensive dyno and road testing.

As it stands, Hennessey Performance plans to offer just 100 units of the HPE600 package for eager 2014 Corvette Stingray owners. Based on the incredible performance of the Corvette Stingray HPE600, we don’t think they’ll have difficulty selling those 100 examples!

@Big Boss"

Texas has some kick-ass interstate cameras!:crazy:

This also gave Texas DOT the opportunity to test its new RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) toll collection system. That’s a good thing, since this new section of the road opens to the public on 12/21 and surely many people will be going 200 MPH plus when they hit the tolls.

And yes, if you were wondering, Hennessey confirmed to us that the toll system was able to read the license plate at that speed. Which is nuts.

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@Memph"

https://youtu.be/23UFJc8xB2Q

[91MR2]

@Onyx Z32

Interesting sounds…

https://youtu.be/ngWHh8Cgp6c

Interesting sounds, for sure…

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@Big Boss"

Teaser - C7 Corvette Stingray on HRE P104

@Big Boss"

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@Big Boss"

Here’s the rest of the set

C7 Corvette Stingray on HRE P104-Brushed Titanium
Front: 20x9.5-285/25/20
Rear: 21x12.5-375/20/21

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GM Expands Corvette C7 Allocation To All U.S. Chevy Dealers

After roughly four months on the market, General Motors has extended allocation of the 2014 Corvette C7 Stingray to all 3,000 Chevrolet dealerships in the United States.

Allocation of the new Corvette was limited to just 900 dealers when the car first went on sale in September, with eligibility being determined by a dealer’s past Corvette sales results. To be eligible for allocation, dealers must have sold at least 4 Corvettes in 2012.

“They are (now) all eligible and it is up to them to decide if they want to participate,” Chevrolet spokesperson Monte Doran told Edmunds.

Given that initial demand for the 2014 Corvette was high and supply was limited during the car’s launch, GM opted to allocate the first several thousand C7s produced to dealers that could sell them quickly. Through the end of November, approximately 7,000 examples of the C7 have been sold.

Now that all U.S. Chevrolet dealers have allocation from GM, those that want to sell the C7 need to meet certain criteria. That criteria consists of sending at least one employee to a one-and-a-half day training session at Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch in Pahrump, Nevada. The program costs $2,000 per employee, not including travel expenses.

“As a dealer, you have to agree to specific criteria that includes sales and service training requirements,” Doran said, adding that even though all dealers will now be eligible to order and sell the C7, some operate in areas where there is little demand for such vehicles.

“It really depends on where the dealer is,” he said. “Some dealers are in markets where there is not a huge demand for a two-seat, rear-wheel-drive, high performance car. Some dealers bring in the new Corvette just to get people to stop by, and even if they don’t purchase it, they could be convinced to get another car.”

[Onyx_Z32]

https://youtu.be/GvU7n1vSNBE

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Cyber Gray on HRE PS40SC’s

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