[VIDEO] Jay Leno and Rick Hendrick Impressed After Driving the 2014 Corvette Stingray

Count talk-show host Jay Leno and racing icon Rick Hendrick among the growing legion of fans of the 2014 Corvette Stingray.

The two men got a first-hand look at the Stingray this month during an appearance in Marina, Calif., and came away mightily impressed.

“I think it’s the coolest Corvette that I’ve ever looked at,” said Hendrick, who plunked down more than $2 million (going to charity) to have the privilege of buying the first Stingray coupe and convertible.

“It just grabs you,” he said. “When I saw it, you know, I just thought immediately the first thing that came to mind, this is a Ferrari killer! It’s a great day for Chevrolet and it’s a great day for Corvette.”

Leno, meanwhile, is no stranger to Corvettes, pointing out to reporters that when he got his first Z06 in 2002, it was the most powerful Corvette with 405 horsepower.

“Now the standard Corvette (Stingray) is more powerful than the most powerful Corvette just 10 years ago,” Leno said, excited to get behind the wheel. “I’ve been a Corvette guy for a long time. I’ve got a ZR1, I’ve got a lot of Corvettes, and I’m just anxious to see what the new platform is like.”

Leno had the honor of climbing behind a dark gray Stingray and leading a parade of classic Corvettes.

“Oh yeah, it’s a terrific car, an amazing car,” he said after climbing out, “especially for the value. It’s an amazing car for the money.”

Ed Welburn, VP of Global Design for GM, posed for photos with Leno and Hendrick and admits that there may be some other great cars with incredible capability “that come somewhat close to this, but they don’t have the emotion, they don’t have the passion” of the new Corvette.

“I’m driving one now, and everywhere I go, people – I don’t care who they are, what their background is, what they are personally driving – they just get excited when they see the car.”

Source:
YouTube.com

Related:
GM Design Chief Ed Welburn Talks Corvettes and Quality
[VIDEO] 2014 Corvette Visits Jay Leno’s Garage
[VIDEO] The 2014 Corvette Stingray Featured on CBS Sunday Morning