Fourteen-hundred clams. Big ones. Greenbacks. That’s how many dollars sit between the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray coupe and Stingray convertible’s base prices relative to the outgoing models’ prices of entry. Chevy has finally announced complete pricing for the totally redesigned, seventh-generation Corvette coupe and convertible, and it’s nearly shocking how little of an increase there is between the new and last year’s prices. The Stingray hardtop starts at $51,995 and the droptop’s point of entry is $56,995.
Based on features alone, the 2014 Vette comes with far more standard content than the 2013 car—stuff that makes its $1400 price increase seem like a screaming deal. There’s a new seven-speed manual transmission with active rev matching, carbon-fiber hood and roof panel (on coupes), an all-aluminum frame (previously limited to the high-performance Corvette Z06 model), LED headlight accents, dual reconfigurable eight-inch driver and center-stack displays, a Bose nine-speaker audio system, and a power tilting and telescoping steering column. Not to mention the all-new 6.2-liter small-block engine, which gets direct injection and active cylinder deactivation—final power figures are forthcoming, but expect around 450 horsepower—20 more than last year’s base Vette engine. Chevy claims that, with the high-performance Z51 package, the 2014 Stingray can sprint from 0–60 mph in fewer than 4 seconds and be capable of 1-g cornering.
As we discovered when a 2014 Corvette dealer order guide leaked onto the internet, there will be no shortage of options for America’s sports car. Of greatest interest to us, of course, is the Z51 Performance package, which rings in at $2800 and adds an electronically controlled limited-slip diff; tighter gear spacing with the manual gearbox; dry-sump engine lubrication; additional cooling for the brakes, differential, and gearbox; bigger brakes; upsized wheels and tires, and aerodynamic tweaks. The Z51 Package unlocks the option for GM’s Magnetic Ride Control and performance traction-management system for another $1795. For the lithe and narrow among us, we’d also spring for the deliciously bolstered $2495 competition seats. And for hearing the small-block V-8′s full song and dance, the $1195 dual-mode exhaust setup is a must.
Those seeking additional vanity can indulge in the $1995 unpainted roof panel (for coupes) with its carbon-fiber weave on full display, as well as $595 red-painted brake calipers, $495 black-painted wheels, and $995 carbon-fiber interior trim package. We’ve already noted how much of an improvement the 2014 Corvette’s interior look and feel is over the last-gen car’s cabin, but Chevy is offering several ways to up the ante. There is the 3LT interior package, which for $8005 wraps the entirety of the interior (dash, doors, seats, instrument panel) in Nappa leather, adds a 10-speaker Bose audio system, color head-up display, navigation, heated and ventilated seats, and power seat lumbar and bolster adjustment. Buyers who spec the 3LT kit also can have the upper portions of the interior wrapped in sueded microfiber for an additional $995.
For those keeping count, a 2014 Corvette coupe with all the options outlined here lists for $73,360; equally equipped, the convertible is $78,360. You don’t need us to tell you that, in the perennial Corvette vs. Porsche 911 blood rivalry, that the Chevy still has the 911 beat on price. Fully loaded, the Vette coupe is still about $10,000 less expensive than a base 911 Carrera. Now comes the fun part of seeing how the Stingray matches up against the 911 on the road—again.
