Chevrolet Corvette

Corvette C7 in brief

The C7 replaced the C6 and kept the traditional Corvette formula: a big V8 at the front, a two-seat cabin, rear-wheel drive and a rear-mounted transaxle that balances the weight. Exterior design was led by Hwasup Lee under design director Kirk Bennion. The story of the model line is told in the history of the Chevrolet Corvette, from the Corvette C1 of 1953 and the first Stingray, the Corvette C2.

C7 styling and aluminium frame

The C7 has a long bonnet, a low cabin set well back and sharp creases, with narrow headlights, LED lights and four exhaust pipes grouped in the centre of the rear. The round twin tail lights of earlier Corvettes gave way to angular units, a change that divided opinion. Wheels measure 19 inches at the front and 20 inches at the rear.

Under the skin is a hydroformed aluminium frame; according to the factory, the body is 57% stiffer than the C6's and the car about 45 kg lighter despite its larger size. The bonnet and removable roof panel are carbon fibre, and the wings, doors and rear panels are fibreglass-based composites. Aerogel insulation keeps heat from the transmission tunnel out of the cabin. Thanks to the rear transaxle, weight is split evenly between the axles. The convertible's power fabric roof operates at up to about 50 km/h (30 mph).

LT1, LT4 and LT5 V8 engines

With the performance exhaust and the 8-speed automatic, a Stingray reaches 60 mph in 3.7 seconds (0–100 km/h in about 3.8 seconds). The Z06 tops out at 298 km/h (185 mph) and the ZR1 at 346 km/h (215 mph) with its low wing. Active Fuel Management shuts down half of the cylinders under light load to save fuel.

The 7-speed Tremec manual has automatic rev-matching on downshifts. The 2014 model year used a 6-speed automatic, replaced from 2015 by an 8-speed automatic with paddle shifters.

Chassis and driving modes

Steering is rack and pinion with variable electric assistance. The optional Magnetic Ride Control dampers use magnetorheological fluid that changes viscosity in milliseconds. A Drive Mode Selector with five modes (Weather, Eco, Tour, Sport and Track) adjusts about 12 systems, including throttle response, gearshifts, exhaust sound, steering, stability control, launch control, dampers, the electronic differential and the instrument display. Ground clearance is low, about 90–105 mm depending on version.

The Z51 Performance Package adds dry-sump lubrication, closer gear ratios, an electronic limited-slip differential, extra cooling, larger Brembo brakes (345 mm discs at the front and 338 mm at the rear instead of 320 mm), and aerodynamic parts.

Versions and special editions

Special editions included the Premiere Edition (2014), the C7.R Edition (2016), the Carbon 65 (2018) and the Drivers Series (2019). The Z07 package and carbon aero packages added carbon-ceramic brakes and more downforce.

C7 size and weight

C7 cockpit and equipment

The C7 seats two, and its cabin is far more upmarket than earlier Corvettes, with soft-touch materials, Nappa leather, suede-like microfibre, aluminium and carbon trim, and hand-stitched panels. The centre console is angled towards the driver. Seats have magnesium frames and come in comfortable or deeper sports versions with electric adjustment, heating and ventilation. The 360 mm steering wheel adjusts for reach and rake.

Standard equipment included dual-zone climate control, cruise control, a reversing camera, an 8-inch touchscreen with Chevrolet MyLink, a configurable digital instrument display, a head-up display and a 9-speaker Bose audio system. The 3LT trim added navigation and more leather-trimmed surfaces.

C7 safety systems

Safety equipment includes front and side airbags, ABS, StabiliTrak stability control with selectable modes, a passenger-seat occupancy sensor, xenon headlights and a tyre pressure system. The run-flat tyres allow the car to continue to the nearest service point after a puncture, and the brakes stop the C7 in a shorter distance than the C6.

Rivals and legacy

The C7 competed with the Porsche 911, Jaguar F-Type, Nissan GT-R and, in the US, the Dodge Viper, the Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 and the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, offering supercar performance for much less money. Its weaknesses were limited rear visibility, a low seating position, little storage space and the lack of rear seats. In 2020 the mid-engined C8 replaced it, making the C7 the last of the classic front-engined Corvettes. Other performance cars are collected in the sports cars section.