Last summer I had the opportunity to drive the all-new 2014 Corvette Stingray on the backs roads of Monterey. It was a thrilling experience and you can read about my impressions of this amazing sports car here. The Corvette team more than met the challenge of creating the seventh-generation Corvette that would also be worthy of reviving the Stingray name. The new design is striking and the performance surpasses the already high standards achieved by the Corvette team.

With the removable hard top, any new Corvette owner can enjoy the experience of driving this great vehicle while enjoying the fresh air and beauty of the surrounding scenery. But the Corvette convertible makes that experience even more convenient of course, and I recently got to experience the thrill of driving this beast of a sports car with the top down in the mountains surrounding Palm Springs when we were invited to test drive the new convertible.

All convertibles are fun on a nice day, but the experience in the new Corvette Stingray is quite different when you consider the 455 horsepower engine with 460 lb.-ft. of torque. The Z51-equipped models are able to accelerate from 0-60 in 3.8 seconds, run the quarter-mile in 12 seconds at 119 mph, achieve 1.03g in cornering grip and stop from 60 mph in 107 feet. Factor in the incredible handling and the various drive modes, having the top down with this vehicle gives you quite an experience as you navigate the roads. I had a beautiful day in the area near Palm Springs and it was a challenge to keep my eyes on the road with the stunning scenery surrounding me.

The Corvette Stingray convertible features an all-new, fully electronic top that can be lowered remotely using the key fob. With the all-new folding mechanism the top can be lowered in just 21 seconds. For even more convenience, the top can also be opened or closed as you’re driving at speeds of up to 30 mph. I tested it at low speeds and it worked great. The Corvette is also pretty quiet when the top is up. The designers focused on luxury and comfort with this new model, and the thick fabric top, along with sound-absorbing padding and a glass rear window, contributes to a quiet cabin and premium appearance.

As you can see from the photos, this beautiful vehicle looks fantastic as a convertible with the top down. The profile view looks great along with views from all other angles. I also liked the Stingray’s signature “waterfall” design which brings the car’s exterior color into the interior in the valley between the seats.

The coupe and convertible share identical chassis tuning and performance technologies along with nearly-identical curb weights, as the only structural changes for the convertible model are limited to accommodations for the folding top and repositioned safety belt mounts. With the all-new aluminum frame structure, no structural reinforcements were needed in the convertible. You’ll sacrifice some cargo space in order the have the convenience of the convertible, and it costs $5,000 more than the coupe.
“An important goal for the team was to create a more intimate and connected driving experience for the new Corvette Stingray,” said Mike Bailey, chassis vehicle system engineer. “Because they share common chassis tuning, power-to-weight ratios and structural rigidity, the coupe and convertible feel almost identical behind the wheel.”

As I said when I reviewed the coupe, the Corvette team hit a home run with this new Stingray, and now with the convertible buyers have another great option to choose from along with the Z51 performance package. And it doesn’t end there. The Corvette team just unveiled the new 2015 Corvette ZO6 for those enthusiasts who want to take their track experiences to an even higher level. But for most buyers, the base Corvette or the Z51 will offer a driving experience that will far exceed their expectations.

GM is on a roll these days, and they confirmed just how hot their products are with some big wins to start the NAIAS. The all-new Chevrolet Corvette Stingray and Silverado 1500 are the 2014 North American Car and Truck of the Year. It is the first time Chevrolet has won both awards in the same year.

The new Corvette Stingray is the most powerful standard model ever, with 455 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque from a 6.2L V-8 engine – and 460 horsepower /465 lb-ft with the available performance exhaust system – enabling models with the available Z51 Performance Package to sprint from 0-60 in 3.8 seconds.

Silverado’s available 5.3L EcoTec3 V-8 generates 355 horsepower for confident towing and hauling, yet seamlessly switches to four cylinders to save fuel during light-load driving. With an EPA estimated highway fuel economy of up to 23 mpg, Silverado offers the best fuel economy of any V-8 pickup.

The performance sedan has returned to Chevrolet with the introduction of the all-new Chevrolet SS. This badass, rear-wheel drive sedan features a 6.2L V-8 engine rated at SAE-certified 415 horsepower and 415 lb.-ft. of torque with paddle-shift six-speed automatic transmission and joins the new Corvette and Camaro in Chevy’s impressive performance lineup. The SS was designed and built in Australia by the team responsible for the Commodore and benefits from the global rear-wheel drive architecture that is the foundation for Holden’s VF Commodore, the Camaro and the Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle. I had the opportunity to drive the new SS on some great roads around Palm Springs and I enjoyed pushing it to the limit.

Performance

I love sedans with power so I immediately felt comfortable in the SS. The sedan is big and powerful but also impressively nimble as well. It performed as expected on straightaways with the kind of responsiveness and acceleration that will bring a smile to your face. But it also handled the mountain curves with ease as well. It marries the power of traditional muscle cars with the handling one expects from modern vehicles. The SS is fun to drive and you’ll love the sound of this vehicle as well.

The 6.2L LS3 small-block V-8 is paired with the Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic with paddle-shift control. I was pleased to see the sport mode feature which is a necessary element in modern performance cars. It’s easy to slide into sport mode with the shifter on the floor and then drivers can also use paddle shifters or the floor shifter to manually control the gears. Some purists will lament the absence of a true manual option, and GM would not comment on future options, but there’s plenty here for performance enthusiasts to like.

The sport-tuned suspension gives you great handling when needed along with a very comfortable ride. The front suspension is a MacPherson-strut-based multi-link system with a direct-acting stabilizer bar, featuring a forward-mounted steering rack and dual lower links with individual ball joints at the outer ends. The rear suspension is a multi-link independent system with coil-over shock absorbers and decoupled stabilizer bar.

Exterior

The muscular but clean design of the SS perfectly matches the performance characteristics. The SS is sporty but also understated in its design without any unnecessary flair thrown in. I like the front grille and also the dual-exhaust tips in the rear. I also like the styling of the rims, but I would have preferred an aluminum option as opposed to the shiny chrome rims.

Interior

The interior design is luxurious but also understated in a manner that evokes a sports car interior. I liked the horizontal dashboard and the prominent use of the SS logo and the controls are laid out in a logical manner. The clean, functional approach trumps any urge to push the design envelope which works well with the exterior design and performance car attributes. The interior only comes in black and the sunroof is the only option available. That shouldn’t be a problem as everything you would want is standard, including leather, eight-way power adjustable front bucket seats, in-dashboard touch screen that supports Chevrolet MyLink, navigation system, SiriusXM radio, Bose 220-watt, nine-speaker premium sound system, six months of OnStar and much more.

Overview

The SS is exactly the type of performance car we should expect from Chevrolet. This is Chevrolet’s first V-8, rear-wheel-drive performance sedan since 1996 and signals that the brand is heading in the right direction. The overall package from performance to design works beautifully and Chevrolet should have a hit on its hands with the SS. Priced at around $45,000 this car offers an impressive amount of performance and luxury for the money. Guys in particular will be drawn to this car, and if you’re into performance sedans you have to put the SS on your test drive list.

The 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Z71 4WD LTZ Crew is all new from hood to hitch while carrying over base prices. We had the opportunity to drive this beast of a truck for a week and now understand why supply is having a hard time keeping up with demand.

Chevy didn’t disappoint, as the finished exterior design of the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Z71 4WD LTZ Crew has received rave reviews. Silverado’s design blends strong Chevy truck heritage with a refined, modern aesthetic. The new design is more muscular, functional and aerodynamic. A twin-port grille, full-width bumper and dual power dome hood create a strong presence, which is carried through in sculpted body sides and fender flares. The new Silverado design is about much more than just looks, however. The new front end is engineered to improve sealing for more efficient cooling, while the roof and tailgate spoiler were shaped in the wind tunnel to smooth airflow over the truck for reduced drag. New inlaid doors, which fit into recesses in the bodyside, reduce wind noise for a quieter cab.

Our test vehicle looked sweet from first glance, with improved function from the outside in. Equipment included an EZ lift and lower tailgate; locking tailgate; deep tinted glass; rear wheelhouse liners; chrome body side molding; adjustable with huge turn signal power heated outside mirrors; projector headlamps; 18-inch bright machined aluminum wheels; all-terrain tires; front fog lamps; bed rail projectors; chrome front bumper; rear bumper cornerstep (yes, it’s here!); and front recovery hooks.

Huge strides were made in the cabin and we just couldn’t get over the room and upscale vibe in this new Chevy truck. The all-new interior of the 2014 Silverado 1500 reflects the same focus on form and function. The upright instrument panel, six-gauge instrument cluster and multiple storage options are tailored specifically to the needs of truck customers. Controls are functional, logically placed and easy to operate with work gloves on. Rear doors on crew cabs are larger for easier entry and exit, and rear doors on double cab models are now hinged at the front for easier access, especially in tight spots. The new Chevrolet MyLink provides easy-to-use connectivity for the job site or family vacation, with natural voice recognition and enough ports and power outlets to support multiple devices. Our LTZ model received an 8-inch high-definition touch screen that enables users to scroll or drag through menus. The MyLink system features intuitive, easy-to-operate controls for major functions. Silverado also features four selectable themes for the display screen and drive information center, which tailor the look of the displays to the taste of the customer.

The cocoa leather seats were about as good as you’re going to find in any vehicle out there, with amazing comfort and top-line quality. The spacing inside the cabin is more than one could imagine, and the rear leg room goes on forever. Our truck boasted memory adjust driver’s seat, heated front seats, remote keyless entry, remote vehicle start, theft deterrent system, driver express power windows, power sliding rear window, power door locks, rear window defroster, dual zone climate control, sill plate bright accent, 110 volt AC power outlet, color display color info, leather wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, rear vision camera, universal home remote, Chevrolet MYLINK audio system with 8-inch diagonal color touch, HD Radio, single slot CD/MP3 player, USB ports and Bluetooth for phone. With the LTZ plus package, the interior also included power adjustable pedals, Bose Audio system, heated steering wheel, cooled driver and passenger seat and cargo box LED lighting.

As with most GM products, you will find the venerable OnStar system on board the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Z71 4WD LTZ Crew with OnStar hands-free calling, RemoteLink mobile app, OnStar family link and the simplest and possibly smartest navigation system.

With all of the initial appreciation of a great looking exterior and interior, we wanted to know just how strong the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Z71 4WD LTZ Crew could be! The increased power, torque and efficiency of the new 5.3 liter V8 EcoTec3 engine resulted from an unprecedented level of computer analysis, including extensive computational flow dynamics, to optimize the burning of air and fuel in the cylinders. EcoTec3 engines feature direct fuel injection, Active Fuel Management (cylinder deactivation) and continuously variable valve timing, a combination not found in competitive trucks. The engine also uses a compact overhead-valve design and weight-saving components such as aluminum blocks and cylinder heads to reduce mass for additional energy savings. Fuel efficiency was also improved with our 4WD Silverado coming in at 16 mpg in the city and 22 mpg in highway driving. The new truck cab is also stronger, with nearly two-thirds of the structure made from high-strength steel for a confident feel and improved safety. Similarly, the main rails and key cross members of the updated frame are high-strength steel with major elements hydro-formed for reduced mass and improved strength.

New shear-style body mounts tune out both up-and-down and side-to-side movement for a quieter, more comfortable ride. Double cab and crew cab models have a set of hydraulic body mounts to further isolate the cabs. Combined with numerous other acoustic and NVH (noise vibration and harshness) enhancements, the intended result is a solid, refined feel with no loss in traditional truck capability. The chassis of the 2014 Silverado includes a number of customer-focused updates. A revised front and rear suspension and wider wheels provide a more comfortable ride and more confident handling. Electric power steering improves steering feel and reduces fuel consumption. New four-wheel-disc brakes with Duralife rotors improve brake feel and potentially double rotor life.

As tested, the LTZ came with segment-exclusive safety features such as Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning with an Active Safety Seat, and Front and Rear Park Assist. StabiliTrak with Trailer Sway Control and Hill Start Assist are standard on all Silverados.

There is so much in this truck that we could write for days, so we tried to keep it to the point. The 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Z71 4WD LTZ is one fine machine. This is the truck that you can take your significant other out to dinner in (which I did), haul whatever your heart desires, and plow through whatever Mother Nature can deliver. All of that in a first-class package brimming with high-end options with a clear understanding that the 2014 Silverado 1500 was engineered to be stronger, smarter and more capable than ever before. As you can read above, the test truck we drove was loaded and came in with a sticker price of $49,080, which will have some of the competition staying up at night wondering how the folks at Chevrolet pulled this off. Truck buyers are some of the most knowledgeable customers in the world, and it’s clear that the designers and engineers at Chevy certainly qualify as the same in their respective fields.

The buzz around the 2014 Corvette Stingray has been intense since the all-new seventh generation (C7) was unveiled earlier this year in Detroit and I couldn’t wait to get behind the wheel. I got my chance recently when Chevrolet invited me out to California to test drive this incredible new version of the iconic sports car. I drove the new Vette on long stretches of remote roads near Monterey and Carmel that offered winding paths, tight turns and inviting straightaways, and then we had the opportunity to push it even further on an autocross coarse set up for us by the Corvette team. The experience blew me away.

Exterior

The executives at Chevrolet wanted to make a statement with the design of the new C7 and they obviously succeeded. The new design generated rave reviews from the moment is was unveiled as the designers created a completely new vehicle as opposed to the more incremental styling changes we saw with the C5 and C6. The Corvette team provided us with a Corvette from each of the previous six generations so we could see up close the design changes over the years.

The bold new design also moved the brand team to revive the iconic Stingray name with the new Corvette, and I certainly agree that this new model lives up to that legacy without relying on a retro design. The new design is stunning and the Corvette looks beautiful from all angles.

The most controversial design change involved the rear tail lights with a departure from the classic, rounded lights in favor of new angular lights. Some Corvette purists were disappointed, but the designers wanted a bold, new look and the result looks fantastic. The designers came up with a new look for the tail lights that work for this Corvette design, and that’s why the entire package looks so good.

The designers explained that function helped drive the design process and that the team was heavily inspired by the Corvette racing team. Every vent on the new Corvette has an important cooling function, and the beautiful curves of the new car serve important aerodynamic functions. The new Corvette Stingray shares only two parts with the previous-generation Corvette, incorporating an all-new frame structure and chassis and a new powertrain and supporting technologies.

Interior

The designers of the new Corvette made the interior a priority as well. The goal was to provide a more upscale interior to go with the bold exterior design and to enhance the driver’s connection to the Corvette. The result is a high-tech, cockpit feel coupled with a much more luxurious experience where every surface is covered with premium, soft-touch materials such as hand-wrapped leather with elegant stitching. Other highlights include carbon fiber and aluminum trim, two high-definition, configurable screens and a smaller steering wheel.

Buyers can also choose between two seating choices: a GT seat for all-around comfort and a Competition Sport seat with more aggressive side bolstering for more support on the track. By observing high-performance driving experiences, designers included a steel-reinforced grab bar on the center console for the passenger and soft-touch materials on the edge of the console where the driver naturally braces during high-load cornering.

I was in the Corvette practically all day and the level of comfort is impressive for a sports car, whether you’re cruising on the highway or powering through a tight corner. For the driver, everything is laid out nicely and the center console screen is angled towards the driver, and the driver displays vary depending on the driver mode selected.

Performance

For years the Corvette has set the standard for performance as it could stack up to exotic sports cars that cost much more. In its price range nothing has come close for years, and the new C7 continues that tradition by setting the bar even higher.

The new Stingray features an all-new 6.2L LT1 V-8 engine with direct injection, Active Fuel Management, continuously variable valve timing and an advanced combustion system that delivers more power while using less fuel. The result is the most powerful standard Corvette model ever, with an estimated 450 horsepower (335 kW) and 450 lb.-ft. of torque (610 Nm). The Corvette accelerates from 0-60 in less than four seconds and achieves more than 1g in cornering grip.

Amazingly, the new Corvette will be the most efficient sports car on the market, with EPA-estimated 17 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. It also features a new seven-speed manual transmission with Active Rev Matching that anticipates gear selections and matches engine speed.

For our test drives I picked Vettes with the track-capable Z51 Performance Package which makes this incredible car even more impressive. The package includes an electronic limited-slip differential, dry-sump oiling system, integral brake, differential and transmission cooling, along with a unique aero package that further improves high-speed stability.

I loved the new Driver Mode Selector dial that offers five drive modes that adjust 12 individual vehicle attributes. The modes include Weather, Eco, Tour, Sport and Track so you can easily adjust your driving experience with a turn of the dial. I experimented with all of them except for Weather mode as we have a beautiful day for our drive. The Eco and Tour modes were excellent for city and highway driving, as the Corvette still felt like a badass sports car but you got the benefit of a comfortable drive and even better gas mileage in Eco mode.

But just switch the Corvette to Sport mode and you can feel and hear it unleash the beast within with the kind of engine growl that makes us love to drive and push the engine. And I definitely pushed it! On deserted roads with tight, winding curves followed by long straightaways, I got to experience much of what this Corvette can do. The acceleration blew my mind, and the incredible cornering grip had me pushing it harder and harder around the curves, each time coming away more impressed with what the Vette could do. Driving this car was pure joy.

Then we got to take it on an autocross course set up by the Corvette team with a professional driver in the passenger seat giving us tips. I put the Vette in track mode and took off. Fortunately they gave me six laps, so I was able to improve dramatically as I learned the course with each lap. It was amazing what the Corvette could do in track mode and how hard you could push it around the corners. I could have driven on that track all day.

The final treat of the day had us driving each of the six older Corvettes that they had available for us so we could see the evolution of the performance over the years, including a C1 from 1954, a C2 from 1966, a C3 from 1972, a C4 from 1987, and C5 from 2001 and a C6 from 2013. Check back as I’ll write a separate article about that incredible experience.

Overview

The 2014 Corvette Stingray more than lives up to the hype. This is a car driving enthusiasts will love, particularly when many of today’s top sports cars are moving towards paddle shifters in place of classic manual stick shifts. Here drivers have a real choice between the manual and the automatic. And the versatility of the new Corvette makes it more than just a badass sports car, as you can enjoy driving it and feel very comfortable on all roads and in all conditions.

With a base price of $51,995 there’s no car out there that can match this sexy beast. Even with the Z51 package it’s a much better value than all its competitors. The all-new Corvette Stingray will be in showrooms this month and the convertible should be available by the end of the year. Check it out!

Corvette enthusiasts and sports car fans all over the world have been waiting to see the new Corvette, and Chevrolet unveiled it this morning at the Detroit Auto Show. As you can see from the photos, the new design is stunning and we’re pretty confident that this will be a big hit for Chevy and GM. This sexy beast goes on sale in the third quarter of 2013.

The 2014 Corvette Stingray is the most powerful standard model ever, with an estimated 450 horsepower (335 kW) and 450 lb.-ft. of torque (610 Nm). It also accelerates from 0-60 in less than four seconds, and Chevy expects it to be the most fuel-efficient Corvette, exceeding the EPA-estimated 26 mpg of the current model.

Chevrolet decided to bring back the iconic Stingray name with this all-new corvette.

“Stingray is one of the hallowed names in automotive history,” said Ed Welburn, GM vice president of global design. “We knew we couldn’t use the Stingray name unless the new car truly lived up to the legacy. The result is a new Corvette Stingray that breaks from tradition, while remaining instantly recognizable as a Corvette the world over.”

Here’s a great photo of a classic Stingray in the background.

Here’s another great photo, with the all-new C7 with the prior 6 Corvette body types in the background.

The Corvette is one of the most iconic American nameplates, and frankly it’s very gratifying to see GM triumphantly introducing the newest version of this sports car that many of us have admired since we were kids. We can’t wait to drive one!

Their other videos may have taken more discipline in terms of getting those one-take shots right, but one could make a valid argument that this is OK Go’s most ambitious video yet. Music on wheels!

Here’s the story: OK Go teamed up with Chevrolet – funny how this used to be viewed as a sellout move, but in today’s musical climate, it’s not just survival, it’s savvy business acumen – to produce a two-mile track in the desert outside of Los Angeles where the band strategically placed instruments so that, when the band drove the new Chevy Sonic at a certain speed, it would play a bare-bones version of their song “Needing/Getting” while they sang along in headsets and wearing race car-type crash gear, of course. Once again, each member is wearing his own color, but they’re not the same colors they wore in the videos for “End Love” or “This Too Shall Pass.” Actually, guitarist Andy Ross is wearing red for a second time, but by and large, these guys have a thing about making sure they do not repeat themselves.

As a friend of ours said, they’re the hardest working band in music videos. That may not sound like much, but there is something to be said for creating something indelible. Pop music has given up on immortality, and instead focused on the now. At least someone is still looking at the long term. Don’t be surprised if nearly everything about this generation’s music is forgotten, while OK Go’s videos live on and on.

The Camaro has been a huge hit for Chevrolet and today the company made several announcements relating to the heavily anticipated Camaro ZL1. Chevy said that the ZL1’s monster engine will be rated at 580 horsepower and that the base price of the vehicle will be $54,995. It’s quite a vehicle to introduce as Chevy celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. The new ZL1 coupe is a 2012 model that will go on sale early next year.

The Camaro ZL1 features a supercharged 6.2L engine that makes it the most powerful production Camaro ever. The ZL1 goes from 0 to 60 in 3.9 seconds and hits a top speed of 184 miles per hour! It also features a Performance Traction Management system that helps this beast hug the corners.

Chevy will also introduce a ZL1 convertible as a 2013 model that they featured at an event ahead of the 2011 LA Auto Show and Bullz-Eye was on hand to snap some photos of this beautiful vehicle as you can see in the slideshow above. Anyone who appreciates convertibles will love this vehicle.

If there’s one automotive pilgrimage that must be made by gearheads everywhere, it’s the Woodward Dream Cruise. Located in the automotive Mecca of Detroit, MI, the Woodward Dream Cruise is a weeklong event that celebrates the religion of cars. The Dream Cruise specifically worships the sect of classic American muscle cars with big V8’s, aggressive lines and bad attitudes. All cars are welcome, but these vintage American hulks from a bygone era reign supreme. Today was the calm before these cars are awaken from their slumber and marched towards Woodward Ave. Every year brings something unique, and this year is no exception.

This year’s Dream Cruise marks not only the year of Chevrolet’s centennial anniversary, but also the 100 millionth small block Chevy V8 to be produced. If there were one spokesman for the entire muscle car movement, one defining piece, it would be the Chevy small block. There is no better place to pay homage to this piece of engineering than the Woodward Dream Cruise.

The mission of the Chevy small block was simple: create an affordable engine to bring the power that the marketplace demanded. In 1955, chief engineer Ed Cole completed that task. The result was the Chevy small block.

The formula for the small block is simple: 8 cylinders at a 90 degree angle, 283-350 cu. in., pushrods, and a 4.4 in. bore spacing. Its about as simple as a grilled cheese in terms of engine design and that is exactly why it is so successful. In true American spirit it brought power to the people with a fair price tag attached.

The small block and its descendants continue to be used to this day. It has evolved from 195 horsepower to 638hp as seen in the Corvette ZR1. Also, if you want the original small block for a period correct build you can buy a factory fresh one from GM’s performance catalog. In fact, they will build you any engine to fit in your project of choice from the original right up to the LS9 as seen in the ZRI. The materials, technology and performance may have changed, but small blocks all share the common origin and goal of simple, effective and inexpensive performance.

If anything, the small block is not only a symbol of the muscle car movement, but also a symbol of American ideals. Here is a power plant that is available for a very reasonable cost, simple and powerful. You may also customize it however you see fit with a variety of aftermarket parts from cams to superchargers. It’s the embodiment of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

In the distance, all around Detroit, you can hear the small blocks rumbling while getting ready for the annual dream cruise. Tomorrow, these small blocks will be out in full force with the rest of the automotive landscape on their annual pilgrimage to the Mecca of speed. However, this year is their year. It’s officially the year of the small block. Tomorrow, look for Part Two of Bullz-Eye’s trip to the Woodward Dream Cruise and a visit to the place where modern small blocks are born. Finally, we will cap off the week with the full Woodward Dream Cruise experience and a look into the future of Chevy, the small block, and what may come next.