[VIDEO] What’s New for the 2015 Corvette

At the National Corvette Museum’s Annual Bash, Corvette’s Chief Engineer Tadge Juechter and Corvette Product Manager Harlan Charles went through the highlights of the 2014 Stingray. The new C7 fared pretty well last year, picking up more awards than any other car. In fact, they said that it was most likely the most awarded car ever.

Following the 2014 highlights, Tadge and Harlan jumped right into the “What’s New for the 2015 Corvette” talk, starting with the all new Corvette Z06 coupe and convertible.

Tadge set the tone for the Z06 discussion by talking about how this will be the most capable Corvette ever built. On it’s first outing to the MRC track at Milford, the Z06 set a new track record, besting the previous C6 ZR1s time as well as setting a new record for a Z06 around the ring course. Tadge gives credit to improved computer models but also said its a result of the technology transfer between the race program and the production car.

The Z06s design marks the widest production Corvette yet. The design of the car is still not quite locked in as the team continues testing the car and making changes. Tadge said the final rear spoiler will actually be larger than the one shown on the show car. He also mentioned they will be testing the Z06 on tracks “all around the world”. Hope that means we’ll finally get a Nurburgring video for the C7.

The Z06 will be offered in three levels of downforce. The standard package has a unique front splitter and an aggressive rear spoiler. The second level offers the addition of the “CFZ/CFV” carbon fiber aero package. The CFZ is carbon flash painted while CFV is visible carbon weave. The package contains a carbon fiber front splitter, rocker panels and a new “wicker-bill” rear spoiler. The Z07 performance adds the larger winglets on the front spoiler, and the adjustable-height center wicker-bill on the rear spoiler. The Z06 with the Z07 delivers more downforce of any production car ever tested at the GM wind tunnel.

Finally, Tadge says the Corvette Z06 was previously estimated to have a 0-60 mph time under 3.5 seconds and now he saying it will be under 3.4 seconds.

Production of the Corvette Z06 will begin in 2014 with deliveries beginning in early 2015. The price range will be similar to the the C6 Z06.

Harlan then took over and showed the content available on the interior trim levels. The good news is the 1LZ does have the Heads Up Display as standard. The 2LZ package contains all the driver comfort options including headed/vented seats, the memory package and Bose Premium audio. If you want Navigation and the new Performance Data Recorder, you’ll need to step up to the top 3LZ option.

Regarding the Z06’s interior, the most obvious change is the flat bottomed steering wheel with a Z06 logo. Two interior colors are exclusive to the Z06, dark gray and a blue leather wrapped interior is available only on the 3LZ trim level. Here are the two new Z06 interior colors as shown on these sample boards:

Four wheel options will be available for Z06. Buyers will be able to choose between Silver, Black, Chrome and Spectra Gray with a machined groove.

Harlan transitioned into some of the new options available for the 2015 Corvette Stingray. Two new colors will be available for all Corvettes including the Stingray. They are Shark Gray and the Daytona Sunrise Orange. Shark Gray replaces Cyber Gray while Daytona Sunrise Orange replaces Lime Rock Green.

The Stingray will have new wheels available for 2015. In addition to the current wheel options, Chevy will be offering a black non-Z51 wheel, a Black machined non-Z51 wheel and a black machined Z51 wheel. Four new accessory wheels are also on the options list including the satin black Z51 wheel with either a red stripe or yellow stripe around the lip. There are also two “Motorsports Design” wheels offered in either polished or black.

The 2015 will have two new gauge cluster screens. The Tour Theme will have show speed with vehicle data. The Sport theme will contain a pocket gauge option showing horsepower and there will be an new eLSD status and Wheel Slip gauge available in all themes. These new screens cannot be flashed or installed onto the 2014 Corvette’s gauges.

The 2015 Corvette Stingray will no longer be limited to just the black colored exterior vents. Buyers can get them now in standard Black, Shark Gray or body color:

• EYT – Carbon Flash Exterior Badges
• EFX – Shark Gray Exterior Vents
• EFY – Body Color Exterior Vents
• E57 – Carbon Flash Tonneau Inserts for the Convertible

The Performance Data Recorder is paired with Navigation (I06/UQT) and is optional on 1LT/2LT and included on 3LT packages. The NPP performance exhaust is now included with Z51 and the Suede wrapped upper interior trim (IWE) is now included on 3LT.

Harlan then talked about the new Atlantic and Pacific Design Packages. Again, these are more like a “check one box” allowing the Corvette Stingray to be set up either as a luxury GT-styled Convertible or Performance Coupe.

The Atlantic Design Package (RPO ATI) is a convertible Z51 with 2LT or 3LT interior. Highlights include:

• Available in all colors
• Front Z06 style splitter
• Shark Gray Hood Stinger Graphic, Exterior Vents and Tonneau Inserts
• Chrome Torque Wheels with Stingray center caps and logo valve stem caps.
• Stingray Underhood liner
• Custom splash guards
• Rear license plate frame
• Stingray Floor Mats
• Custom Luggage

Photo courtesy of the National Corvette Museum

The Pacific Design Package (RPO PFI) is a coupe Z51 with 2LT or 3LT interior. Those highlights include:

• Available in Torch Red, Black, Arctic White, Blade Silver and Shark Gray
• Satin Black Z51 Wheels with the Red Stripe and Red Brake Calipers
• CFZ Carbon Fiber Ground Effects Package
• Visible Carbon Fiber Roof
• Satin Black Full Length Racing Stripes
• Carbon Flash Spoiler and Mirrors
• Carbon Flash Badges
• Competition Sport Seats in Black or Red
• Carbon Fiber Interior Trim Package
• Stingray Wheels Center Caps
• Stingray Sill plates
• Custom Splash Guards
• Rear License Plate Frame
• Stingray Floor Mats
• Indoor car cover in Gray

Photo courtesy of the National Corvette Museum

Finally, the Performance Data Recorder was reviewed in some depth. We learned that this is a system that Harlan has been working on for about 7 years. We’ll have more on the PDR system coming shortly.

Harlan then talked about the 2015 Corvette Z06 Convertible. Once again, the door is apparently closed on any further models in the C7 generation including a Grand Sport or ZR1: “I had the honor of being at the New York Auto Show last week where we introduced the fourth [model] that basically completes the 7th generation Corvette family,” said Harlan to the Bash crowd.

Here is the full video from the What’s New for 2015 seminar. It runs an hour and eleven minutes with the Q&A so grab your favorite beverage and get a comfortable seat because there is a lot of information covered.

Related:
[VIDEO] 2015 Corvette Z06 Convertible Start-Up and Exhaust
New Atlantic and Pacific Corvette Design Packages Offered on 2015 Stingray Models
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