The 2015 Corvette Stingray C7: What You Can Expect From Chevrolet

The Chevrolet Corvette was first produced in 1953 and has continued to be America’s sports car for a soon-to-be 62 years as the 2015 Corvettes begin rolling off car-haulers and onto showroom floors; technically it has been 61 years due to no production cars built in 1983, but that is another story in of itself. It is pretty amazing to look back through time at the way the Corvette has progressed, or watch most of it first hand if you are lucky enough. When looking through Vette history you can’t help but notice what the focus was of the era was and how that has changed overtime, whether it was a stylish small sports car, an emphasis on straight line acceleration, or an aggressive leap into the future to help make the Corvette what is has become today.

As the the new cars emerge from Bowling Green, there are several new exciting options available with the Stingray and many great features carrying over from the previous year. We would like to walk through the available options and trim packages, new technologies, production and availability news and of course… the ZO6.

All photos courtesy of: Chevrolet

All photos courtesy of: Chevrolet

To start with, you have the choice of coupe or convertible. To each their own on this manner, as there are some deep-rooted opinions on body style and constraints with weather and the like, depending on where you live. Although, if money is a factor it should be noted that a convertible will cost you an additional $5,000 regardless of the trim level selected. Speaking of trim levels, there are three to choose from coded as: 1LT, 2LT, and 3LT. All three of the trim packages may be combined with the Z51 performance package, and again this addition will cost you $5,000 for getting your factory Corvette built to handle those weekends at the track or club runs through the mountains that inevitably turn into a friendly competition.

Available Interior Packages

2015 red interior with sport seats

Red interior shown with optional sport seats

The base trim package, 1LT, features quite a list of interior amenities for a “base model” such as: Bose speakers with satellite radio capabilities, 8-way power seats, remote starting, and Bluetooth phone connectivity, just to name a few.

The next step up to the 2LT will cost you a little over $4,100 and adds a level of refinement to the Corvette. For example, this level adds interior matched door panels, seats with heating and ventilation integrated with additional lumber and wing adjustments. The sound system is improved, along with more creature comforts like auto-dimming mirrors, seat memory and a color head-up display.

Last, but far from least, is the 3LT option package which will set you back just under $5,300.  Aside from all the options previously include, this package includes: a custom leather and sueded microfiber interior with Napa leather covering the seating surfaces. The instrument panel is interior matched just like the doors and console of the 2LT.  Technology-wise, the 3LT really shines with an included navigation system as well as the Performance Data Recorder (PDR), however both of these items are available options with the two previous models.

3LT Kalahari interior, with available sport seats and sueded seat inserts

Z51 Package

One might say that the Z51 package is all business in contrast to the previous trim package selections, which focus primarily on the level and/or luxury that your Stingray may or may not have. One of the many great things General Motors (GM) decided to do was allow the combination of the Z51 package with any three of the previous mentioned model packages, and did so at $5,000 despite what else the car is equipped with.  In essence, this gives the option of having a lighter, less expensive base model with the performance package, a fully equipped luxury automobile along with the high-performance running gear, or some middle ground of the two.

Two Z51 equipped Stingrays

The Z51 packages contains a list of awesome performance enhancements including: the choice of the Pacific or Atlantic design package, 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels, a dry sump oil system, electronic Limited Slip Differential, large front brakes up one inch from 12.6″ to 13.6″ and black calipers, upgraded suspension: shocks, springs, and stabilizer bars, differential and transmission cooling, Unique Aero Package to reduce lift at high speed, Michelin Pilot Super Sport ZP tires, HD cooling, slotted brake rotors, performance gear ratios, and an available Magnetic Selective Ride Control and Performance Traction Management system.

2015 Z51, optional wheels and stripes

While there are certain items in this list such as the magnetic ride control, dry sump oiling system, and traction management that either cannot be changed after the fact, or would simply be too inefficient cost-wise to add later, it would be interesting to see how a similarly prepared “non-Z51” car would perform against the factory equipped version. Luckily, many of the Z51 items can be upgraded later whether Chevrolet or aftermarket parts are used. So fear not if you’re already committed to a standard car or simply can’t do the extra $5,000 at this time.

Exterior Options

Optional exposed carbon fiber roof insert

Optional exposed carbon fiber roof insert

If you are in the market for a new Corvette, you’ll have to decide what color you want to adorn your new vehicle. For 2015 you have 10 colors to choose from including: black, white, two different reds, silver, grey, two shades of blue, orange and yellow as you have surely seen the new Z06 displayed in. The specific paint names are available on Chevy’s website if you would like to start buying clothing items and exterior house paint to match your future purchase.

It should also be mentioned that Chevrolet has offered an option for an “exposed grain” carbon fiber roof panel which in our opinion looks fantastic. It will either subtly blend in with the black and grey options, or stand out in stark contrast with the brighter colors as the side vents and hood-mounted heat exchanger do. Add to this, the ability to choose your desired wheels ranging from 18-inch to 20-inch in a number of spoke patterns and finishes. For example, the Z51 shown above combines a body-colored pinstripe on wheels painted in black to accent the trim pieces and double black stripe, making quite a statement.

Performance

The standard Corvette comes equipped with a 6.2L LT1 V8 engine, that pumps out 460 horsepower, and 465 lb-feet of torque. Chevrolet claims that this will accelerate the coupe to 60 miles per hour, in only 3.8 seconds-about the time it takes your iPhone to recognize a thumbprint and ready itself for use.  Thanks to some technological advances in fuel delivery and engine performance, the LT1 utilizes a combination of direct injection, variable valve timing, and an active fuel management system to deliver an EPA estimated 29 miles per gallon when cruising the highway. While fuel economy is probably not at the top of your list of reasons to buy a Corvette, if at all, it certainly is nice to know the Stingray won’t kill you at the pump and hopefully encourages us all to put some more miles on these wonderful sports cars.

Production

2014-Chevrolet-Corvette-C7-LT1-V-8-Engine-side-view-1024x640Production has been under way, and many 2015 Stingrays have already made their way to dealerships  nationwide. Unfortunately, GM had to issue a stop sales on about 2,800 of the cars as a result of two separate potential issues.  One being a drivers airbag attachment, and the other being one of the cables for the emergency brake.  It was reported that a very small sample of these cars will actually need to be repaired, as they are erring on the side of safety. So while you may have to wait a little longer for your Stingray, good things do take time.

As far as wait times are concerned we have read several reports stating that several buyers who placed later orders for a 2014 Stingray have had their orders changed to a 2015 while maintaining any previous agreed-to price points. When faced with this option some folks have even opted to fully cancel their standard Stingray order in light (or in 226 lbs.) of the Z06 being released, and are reordering Z06 models, while agreeing to pay the difference of course. While there is no debating that people were waiting for their cars, especially those ordered with Z51 packages, Chevrolet is producing what they can and should be back on track for typical car orders. As far as the Z06 goes, we will just have to see when the time comes.

2015 Z51 convertible

2015 Z51 convertible, with the Atlantic design package

Transmissions

The base option with the Stingray is a seven-speed manual gearbox that will be offered with an intriguing Active Rev Matching system on both up and down shifts.  As far as the the down shifts are concerned, depending on efficiency it may make double-clutching a thing of the past, although it still never hurts to practice your footwork, that and it’s just awesome to do. The manual option also includes a launch control setting, which is sure to make you a master at hard starts at your local strip.

The transmission that made quite a stir, was the announcement of the new 8-speed automatic transmission, complete with paddle shift technology when you want to use it, launch control, and a host of shift strategies selectable by the driver.  Amongst other technical changes, the new automatic utilizes a dual-clutch design like that of the rear-engine Porsches, and really helps to speed up the shifts. The 8-speed transmission will also be available in the Z06 Corvette and while there are many “manual gearbox purists” among us, it will be interesting to see what trans the public is buying with their Z06.

The Z06

2015 Z06

C7 Z06 parked amongst the C7.R

The wait is almost over with the Z06 expected to hit dealers in December or early January 2015. At Corvette Online, we personally are impatiently awaiting both its arrival and our first opportunity to see what the new, blown V8 really feels like in our own backyard. While hosting many of the features available in the standard Corvette, the Z06 will hit the street with a race-bred LT4.

This supercharged 6.2 liter engine will be putting out 650 brake horsepower, and an equally matched 650 foot-pounds of torque. With the power of the LT4 and an optional 8-speed auto with paddle shifters, you may just start to feel like Ron Fellows or Tommy Milner behind the wheel of the new Z06, but if you’re planning on really letting this car sing, be sure to do so on a closed course, we are pretty sure this car is going to be at least a couple handfuls.

Conclusions

Altogether, we are very excited with the progress Chevrolet has made with the C7 Corvette Stingray in a lot of ways. There have been advancements in fuel consumption technology, onboard video and telemetry, the automatic transmission, quality interior options, and as we drooled over above, the Z06. Despite some potential recall items and the usual line of people just waiting around to pick apart a new vehicle, at Corvette Online, we sincerely believe Chevrolet created a great seventh generation Corvette, and is still continuing to improve it as the list of model years lengthens. As with any new emotional product, as soon as the dust settles, talk and rumors begin to fly about what the next generation will bring.

As some of you may have heard, there is talk about the C8 Vette being a mid-engine car, chatter of all wheel drive, or hybrid technology like that found in the Porsche 918 Spyder. We have no more insight into the next generation then the next guy, but we do know this. Corvette has been known as America’s sports car, and we truly believe it is, after all, where else can you find a car with this kind of performance and quality, at a reasonable price point, that is built by passionate people for their fellow Americans?

About the author

Brent Davis

Brent was born and raised in Southern California. After earning a Bachelors Degree in business marketing from California State University San Marcos, and a project management certificate from the University of California at San Diego, he decided to turn a lifelong passion for automobiles and motorsports into a career. Brent has a specific passion for diesel-powered and all-terrain vehicles that have helped him haul and recover recreational toys over the years.
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