Renderings of the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette - likely from an owner's manual - have leaked onto the Web.
There are few secrets in the auto industry but General Motors has gone to great pains to keep the lid on images and details concerning the next-generation Chevrolet Corvette. Only a handful of journalists have had a chance to see or hear about the new C7 ‘Vette in advance of its debut at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show.
But now, it appears, a number of details, as well as some detailed renderings, have leaked out anyway. But we’re betting that it will only enhance interest when the Corvette reveal takes place in little more than two weeks.
We owe a tip of the hat to Autoblog for nabbing these images which first appeared on the Corvette Forum but which were then quickly pulled back down.
The renderings, which appear to come from an owner’s manual or service guide, reveal a more European design that would seem to be in line, dimensionally, with the likes of a Porsche 911. A large grille is located directly below the steeply raked headlamps. There are large air exhausts behind the front wheels which could be used for brake cooling as well as to exhaust air from the engine compartment.
The new C7's interior design was directly overseen by GM styling chief Ed Welburn.
Some of the more interesting images reveal what appears to be the interior of the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette. For those who have criticized the look of the old ‘Vette’s interior – namely just about everyone – this should come as a pleasant surprise. As TheDetroitBureau.com previously reported, GM’s corporate design chief Ed Welburn has personally overseen development of the new C7’s cockpit.
Among the more intriguing details: the driver’s side of the IP is curved into a very cockpit-like arrangement anchored by a new, large video display. There’s also a new racing-derived steering wheel though it’s unclear if the design shown is a standard feature on all models.
Our friends at Autoblog kicked in a few more details, noting, “There will be a Track Overlay feature that tracks the car on a track and monitors speed, brake and throttle application, gear selection, G force and direction, lap time and steering angle, and it displays a graph for the Performance Traction Management. This will likely work with the (or is a display for) the Performance Data Recorder that is said to be able to save vehicle data, as well as video and audio, to an SD card.”
The rear image shows a distinctly new take on the Corvette's exhaust system.
The Corvette Forum discussion revealed a few other details, such as an Active Rev Match function for manual transmission models. If accurate, that would prove the first such application with a stick, rather than automatic gearbox.
The Forum also mentions a new Engine Sound Management system. That apparently will allow a driver to set the sort of engine note that the new Vette produces no matter what the actual driving mode.
GM has released a very few teaser shots of the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette – and noted that the new LT1 engine is expected to make the new C7 the most powerful standard Corvette ever, with an anticipated output of 450 horsepower and 450 lb.-ft. of torque.
It will also be the quickest standard Corvette ever — with estimated 0-60 performance of less than four seconds — and the most fuel-efficient Corvette ever, exceeding the 2013 EPA-estimated 26 miles per gallon on the highway.
Among the few things Chevrolet has so far officially revealed: the 2014 'Vette's new crossed-flags logo.
“The Holy Grail for developing a performance car is delivering greater performance and more power with greater fuel economy and that’s what we’ve achieved,” said Tadge Juechter, Corvette chief engineer. “By leveraging technology, we are able to get more out of every drop of gasoline and because of that we expect the new Corvette will be the most fuel-efficient 450 horsepower car on the market.”