2014 Chevrolet Corvette C7 Stingray ZR1 Rendering Released

The 2014 Chevrolet Corvette C7 has just made its world debut in Detroit and the vehicle is now keeping those who handle virtual tuning busy. Yesterday we showed you a rendering of the car wearing COR wheels and now it’s time to go even further.

The adjacent image shows the new Stingray as a ZR1, with the car receiving new front end details. The front fascia is significantly more aggressive than before, as if it would indicate the presence of the ZR1's supercharged engine under the bonnet. It also uses massive LED daytime running lights, as well as a generously-sized front splitter that draws quite a lot of attention to the vehicle.

The ‘Vette is also shown wearing a set of custom rims from Advance One Wheels. These come with a multi-spoke, deep concave design. The simple styling cues of the wheels allow us to focus on the design of the car and simply make it stand out a bit more.

Image credits: SpinnerBG on deviantart

Read More

Spyshots: New 2014 BMW M3 Snow Fun

Earlier today, we showed you some allegedly leaked images of the upcoming 2014 BMW M3 and now we're back on the topic to offer you a fresh set of spyshots.

While the aforementioned images only revealed the front of the car, the adjacent spy photos offer us a complete view of the M3, which is still wearing some camo.

The 2014 M3 will follow the trend seen in many performance car segments nowadays: it won't up the ante on the power front too much, but it will lose some serious weight.

The vehicle is targeting the weight of the E46 M3 from two generations ago - 1470 kg (3240.8 lbs) for the coupe. This will improve performance in all areas, as well as increase fuel efficiency. The diet will include the use of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) body parts on a larger scale than before.

Boosting fuel economy is also the reason for which the naturally aspirated 4.0-liter V8 unit of the current generation will have to go. This will be replaced with a turbocharged unit, which is expected to be a 3.3-liter six-cylinder delivering about 450 hp.

The test vehicle captured here uses the BMW M performance brakes (blue calipers), but you'll be able to order to production version with the new BMW M Carbon Ceramic brakes. The ceramics, which were introduced at the Detroit Motor Show on the M6 Gran Coupe, come with golden calipers.

---

Photo Galleries:

Read More

First 2014 Corvette Stingray Sold for $1.1 Million at Barrett-Jackson

The 2014 Corvette, a brand new generation of the legendary sportscar that has taken the world by storm, was finally unveiled last Sunday (January 13th), after a long teasing process.

It’s only due to enter production in autumn, but the C7 Corvette Stingray is bound to achieve cult status.

The very first production model that will be wearing a vehicle Identification Number (VIN) ending in 0001 was pre-sold at the at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale sale in Arizona.

The new Corvette is only supposed to cost a few hundred dollars more than the old one. So, do you guys want to know how much the very first one cost? $1,100,000. That’s $1.1 million George Washingtons.

The guy who wanted the first Stingray that badly is Corvette collector Richard Hendrick, who also owns a NASCAR team. The proceeds from the sale will go towards the Detroit College for Creative Studies.

Read More

Bugatti to Keep Building Veyron Grand Sport Through 2014

Despite rumors of a new model being on its way, Bugatti has announced that it will keep building the Veyron Grand Sport, and while it has not been specified how long it will go on, production is expected to continue through 2014. This information comes as a direct result of Bugatti extending their contract with transmissions manufacturer Ricardo, which will continue to build the seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox for the Veyron, until the end of 2014.

Mark Barge, Director of Ricardo’s high performance transmissions division said: “We are pleased to be able to announce this further extension of our longstanding and highly successful collaboration between Ricardo and Bugatti. The Veyron represents the ultimate in high quality automotive design, engineering and manufacture, and we are proud to have been able to extend the support provided to Bugatti in the design, engineering and manufacture its advanced DCT.”

It is unclear what will happen after 2014, but as of last year, Bugatti still had 105 Grand Sport models to build, and their construction will be a painstaking process, as it is with these ultra-exclusive motors.

Read More