I really need to work on getting my blogs in on time. However, I've been cut off on memoir writing, so I can't say anymore on the matter. Next topic, please.
I don't think I can say I'm 100% accurate on this situation, not because of any lack of research, but because there is no background to be researched. It's very possible this might not even be the fault of the publication, but rather the author's source. So basically, this is mostly speculation.
I've seen this in just about every publication about this car, so it leads me to believe that it is the fault of the manufacturer, not any of those publications. However, since I read Car & Driver and that's where I saw it first, I'll focus on that.
Recently, I read the January 2013 issue of Car & Driver Magazine on Zinio (an online or mobile e-reader which I recommend to anyone—full issues of magazines for up to 67% off news stand price, which is excellent. Plus, they have back issues (at least in C/D's case) up to January 2005). Specifically, I was reading the article on the new 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray—naturally, since I'm a huge fan of the Corvette and come from a 'Vette-owning family, including one of the original Stingrays, this was a sort of nostalgic thing for me. Anyway, I was reading about the new engine that Chevrolet designed for the base Stingray coupe and convertible (no word yet on a Z06 or ZR1). It's an absolutely beautiful piece of machinery: Direct Injection, Variable Valve Timing, Cylinder Deactivation, all wrapped up in 378 cubic inches (6.2L) of good old, classic, American pushrod V8. See? You can be patriotic and be efficient while doing it, too.
Now, that's all well and good, but here's the thing that irks me. When they mention the power output, they say an "estimated" 450 horsepower and "estimated" 450 lb.-ft. of torque. How do you have "estimated" power output? How do you design and produce a car and not know what kind of power it makes? Now, here's where I stopped myself. These car magazines are released one month early or so—that's even the tagline of the article. The official release date for the Stingray was January 13, 2013. Since readers would have gotten this issue back in December 2012, as of printing time on the January 2013 issue, the next 'Vette wasn't officially released to the public just yet. It was at this point that I pulled back the leash on my bloodhound of automotive journalism opinions. The worst was yet to come, however.
January 13, 2013, came and went. I momentarily died from feel overdose when I saw the next 'Vette unveiled, was revived, and immediately changed my cover photo on Facebook from the one I'd had for over a year, to one of the Stingray. Of course, I had my gripes about the car, such as the Camaro-esque tailights, but I dismissed these in favor of innovation, the same way I did when they did away with the pop-up headlights of the C5. Anyway, this is a magazine review, not a Corvette review.
Here's the part that just sends me off the edge. It is now March 12th, nearly 2 months to the day after the next 'Vette was unveiled, and it's still rated at an "estimated" 450 horsepower! They've even released the convertible version of the car, about a month after the coupe. But somehow, no one can tell me the actual power output of the car? C/D, Motor Trend, Chevrolet, somebody—will someone please put this damned engine on a dynamometer so we can actually know what kind of power this car that we're about to spend $50,000+ actually makes?? Ugh, people. See you later guys, I'm moving to the moon.
No comments:
Post a Comment