General Motors has confirmed that the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray will be the pace car for the 97th Indianapolis 500.
What differentiates the pace car from the production model is the Laguna Blue paint scheme, official Indianapolis 500 graphics plastered on the doors, track-mandated safety features and strobe lights. Even the 450 horsepower direct injection 6.2-litre V8 with continuously variable valve timing and cylinder deactivation has been retained. Either ways the C7 is plenty quick, capable of 0 to 100 km/h runs in a claimed 3.9 seconds.
The C7 is available as a 7-speed manual transmission with Active Rev Matching. It features a carbon-fibre hood and roof panel (on coupes); and other composite panels surrounding the aluminium frame. Both coupe and convertible models will go on sale this fall.
The ‘vette Pace Car also features the track-capable Z51 package, including an electronic limited-slip differential; dry-sump oiling system; integral brake, differential and transmission cooling; as well as an aero kit.
Chevrolet has also competed as an engine manufacturer in 1986-93 and 2002-05 with V-8 engines, and returned in 2012 with the Chevrolet IndyCar twin-turbo V-6 engine with direct injection. In that duration Chevy won 118 IndyCar races, seven driver series champions and scored seven Indianapolis 500 victories.
This will be the 24th time a Chevrolet has served as the official Pace Car of the Indianapolis 500, more than any other brand, starting with the to 1948 with a Chevrolet Fleetmaster. The Camaro has done the job 7 times and Corvette, 12 times, since 1978.
