Best Muscle Car: 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible
The “sinister” headlamps of the 2014 Stingray
The long-awaited “Stingray” variant of Chevy’s top pony car was on full display at the auto show, and for good reason–it is a magnificent combination of industrial design and flat-out power. According to the reps, the updated styling features an aluminum frame, carbon-fiber hood and a convertible top that can be lowered at speeds up to 30 mph without the need for a mechanical latch. The base 6.2L V-8 engine gets direct injection, variable valve timing and cylinder deactivation–which improves the fuel economy. A brand new 7-speed manual transmission has been added and boasts active rev match, a technology which blips the throttle to match the wheel speed for a smooth ratio change when the clutch pedal is released.
After taking a seat behind the wheel, I immediately felt as if I had entered the cockpit of some luxury land-jet. The interior features real carbon-fiber, aluminum and leather trim as well as available competition-grade seats. The driver display is completely configurable thanks to two 8-inch LED screens in the dash, which I was told can be seen clearly in the brightest of sunlight even with the top down.
A personal favorite feature of mine is the new Xenon HID headlamps that resemble a sinister Decepticon robots eyes–wickedly awesome. This is the fastest and most advanced base Corvette ever, and you would be hard-pressed to find a more intoxicating muscle car in the upcoming 2014 automobile lineup.
- EPA Econ City/Hwy: 17-18/28-29 mpg
- 0-60: 3.8-3.9 sec
- Warranty: 3 yrs/36,000 miles
- Base Price: $56,000
- Runner Up: 2014 SRT Viper
Runner Up: 2014 SRT Viper
