Is the new Corvette Stingray really Chevrolet's best yet? Jethro puts it to the test.

Fitted with the optional Z51 Performance Package

A black 2014 Chevrolet C7 Corvette Stingray is now on sale by a Swedish auto dealer. The car has a unique livery, inspired by the Saleen Mustang police car from Transformers movie.

This Corvette also features a lot of optional equipment – from the limited slip differential, through the 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels, to a couple of aerodynamic tweaks. It has clocked a mere 230 miles (370 km).

Bilcity Superbike Ltd is currently asking 780,000 Swedish Krona (about $120,000 / 87,275 EUR) for the 6.2 LT1 V8 powered Corvette with 460 HP and 610 Nm (449 lb-ft) of torque.

The multicolored trio of Corvettes look absolutely stunning with widened wheel arches, a carbon fiber front splitter, spoiler, and a paint job reminiscent of the primary color palette on high octane contrast.

Contrary to how Italian the company name sounds, Forgiato is actually an American company based in Sun Valley, California. “Forgiato Forged Wheels” are its forte, and it sure has a bit of Italiano flair exuding from its design department.

If the C7 isn’t outlandish enough, the bespoke Forgiato wheels turn the ‘Vette into a vehicle you just can’t look away from. The widened rear haunches and matching rims are just so “tastefully” put together.

Recently, a few friends of mine were asking which car I would buy for under $60k. I happily informed them that a C7 would be my first choice. Now I’ve changed my mind; I want a Forgiato C7 Corvette.

We just received word that General Motors plans to host three world premieres at the forthcoming New York Auto Show on April 16, including a brand new variant of the Corvette C7 (not shown in these photos), "an important new addition" to the brand's small vehicle lineup and an updated/refreshed (these were the precise words used) version of the Cruze.
No specific details were given to us about any of the three cars heading to the Big Apple, though; we suspect that the new small Chevy could be the next Spark, which we have spied in prototype form.

As for the "new variant of the seventh-generation Corvette" which will be displayed next to the "Corvette Z06 and C7.R" at Chevy's stand, your guess is as good as ours at this point – if you have an ideas to as what it may be, do share in the comments, until we find out more information.

Nowadays, even pickup trucks like the Ram 1500 and VW Amarok come with 8-speed automatic transmissions, making the new Corvette C7's 6-speed unit look archaic, but the troubled Detroit automaker is trying to catch up with the times – still no word on a dual-clutch transmission, though.

The 2015MY Stingray will ditch the 6-speed auto for a new 8-speed unit codenamed 8L90 designed and built by GM. It's a modified version of the one that will be offered on the supercharged 2015 Corvette Z06, with different clutch and torque converter specifications matched to the base Corvette's LT1 6.2L naturally aspirated V8.

GM claims that the new unit, which comes with steering wheel paddles, will contribute up to 5-percent greater efficiency over the previous six-speed auto that returns 28 mpg (8.4 l/100 km) highway, with EPA figures to be announced, while also being more than 8 pounds, or about 4 kg, lighter, thanks to the extensive use of aluminum and magnesium.

Furthermore, according to the automaker, "wide-open throttle upshifts are executed up to eight-hundredths of a second quicker than those of the dual-clutch transmission offered in the Porsche 911".

“Corvette Stingray’s new eight-speed automatic delivers the comfort and drivability of a true automatic transmission, as well as lightning-fast shifts and the manual control that enhance the performance-driving experience,” said Bill Goodrich, assistant chief engineer for 8sp automatic transmissions. “It was designed to enhance the Stingray’s driving experience, with performance on par with dual-clutch designs, but without sacrificing refinement.”