Chevrolet’s all-new Corvette Stingray has been announced as the pace car for the Indy 500 due to run on Sunday, May 26th.
This marks the 12th time a Corvette will have has paced the field at the race the Indianapolis Motor Speedway bills as “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”
Sporting Laguna Blue Tintcoat with Indy 500 graphics, the Pace Car includes a Z51 track-pack, mandatory safety features and strobe lights. Chevrolet state that no powertrain upgrades are needed for the Stingray to run in front of the IndyCar field due to its all-new 6.2L LT1 engine producing an estimated 450 horsepower and includes direct fuel injection, continuously variable valve timing and Active Fuel Management (cylinder deactivation).
“It is an honor to help inaugurate the all-new Corvette Stingray at the hallowed Brickyard and further the legacy between Chevrolet and the Indianapolis 500,” said Jim Campbell, GM vice president of Performance Vehicles and Motorsports. “The 2014 Corvette Stingray’s performance was influenced by racing, making this prestigious assignment even more fitting.”
“Chevrolet is a great partner of the Speedway,” said Jeff Belskus, Indianapolis Motor Speedway President and CEO. “That connection is heightened this year with the next-generation Corvette in front of a very talented field of racers.”
The 2014 Corvette Stingray coupe goes on sale this fall with a starting price of $51,995 but can be optioned up to $74,000. A convertible featuring a fully electronic top that can be operated remotely with the key fob will be released a few months later. Additional highlights of the new ‘Vette include:
Carbon fiber and aluminum trim, hand-wrapped leather materials, dual eight-inch configurable driver/infotainment screens, and two new seat choices, each featuring a lightweight magnesium frame for enhanced support.
A five-position Drive Mode Selector to allow the driver to customize up to 12 different vehicle characteristics depending preference and road conditions as well as an all-new seven-speed manual transmission featuring “Active Rev Matching.”
Carbon fiber hood and targa roof panel on coupes; composite front wings, doors and rear quarter panels; carbon-nano composite underbody panels and a new aluminium frame help shift weight to the rear for optimal 50/50 weight distribution and power-to-weight ratio.
Sculpted bodywork featuring high-intensity discharge LED lighting and race-proven aerodynamics that balance low drag for efficiency and performance elements for improved stability and track capability.
Track-oriented Z51 Performance Package, including an electronic limited-slip differential; dry-sump oil system; integral brake, differential and transmission cooling and a unique aero package for improved high-speed stability. By James Foreman
