Chevrolet announced on Tuesday that the 2014 Corvette Stingray‘s all-new LT1 6.2-liter V8 engine has been SAE-certified at 455 horsepower (339 kW or 461PS) and 460 lb-ft (624 Nm) of torque.
With the available performance exhaust system, these numbers are lifted to 460 horsepower (343 kW or 466PS) at 6,000 rpm and 465 lb-ft of torque (630 Nm) at 4,600 rpm, respectively.
Both power levels are valid for the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible as well. Chevrolet says these are the highest power ratings ever for an entry-level Corvette model. Fuel economy is expected to exceed 26 mpg US (9 liters/100 km) on the highway.
The base Corvette will run from 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) in less than 4 seconds, according to Chevrolet. However, the carmaker doesn’t say if it the estimate corresponds to the 455- or 460-hp model.
With 74 horsepower per liter, the LT1 has greater power density than the C6 Corvette’s LS3 6.2-liter engine and even the C6 Z06’s racing-derived 7.0-liter LS7. Up to 4,700 rpm, torque levels are comparable to the LS7, while peak torque is only 5 lb-ft (6.8 Nm) lower than of the 7.0-liter engine.
The new engine delivers 316 lb-ft (428 Nm) from as low as 1,000 rpm, with 90 percent of peak torque being available from 3,000 rpm to 5,500 rpm. This ensures better acceleration is at all engine speeds.
The engine features advanced technologies including direct injection, an all-new combustion system and continuously variable valve timing. For the first time in a Corvette, the engine can shut down half of its cylinders in light-load driving thanks to the Active Fuel Management system.
By Dan Mihalascu
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