[purpleRac3r]

According to a GM exec in this article, the Corvette is NOT behind, but right on the planned schedule. Also an interesting read on body materials:

http://www.mlive.com/auto/index.ssf/...rvette_pr.html

Not sure just how accurate the info is, but I hope this helps ease some minds.

ACME, MI- General Motors Co. continues to tease auto enthusiasts with more interesting details about the highly-anticipated 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray.

During the 2013 Center for Automotive Briefing Seminars Monday, Mike Regiec, GM manufacturing chief of body manufacturing engineering, discussed how the vehicle is not only a halo car for GM, but a "world leader " regarding usage of advanced materials.

“The all-new Stingray composite materials were developed specifically for the seventh-generation Corvette,” he said during a presentation at the 48th annual conference. "In fact, the Corvette is the world leader in composite material development and technology."

Regiec, who was one of six speakers on what automakers are doing to lightweight vehicles, used the seventh-generation Corvette as one examples of how the Detroit-based automaker is lowering the weight of its vehicles without scarifying safety, performance or styling.

Regiec said is continually trying to balance the cost of different materials and how much a customer is willing to pay for a particular vehicle.

While a few pounds here and there might not seem like much, a 10-percent weight reduction in a vehicle's weight can cut fuel consumption by three to four percent.

GM, Regiec said, is continually trying to balance the cost of different materials and how much a customer is willing to pay for a particular vehicle.

GM, "It’s all about finding the right balance for every single vehicle between a price that entices customers and what actually works for GM," he said.

Regiec also used the ATS as another example of how GM is combining cost with advanced materials.

While the ATS is right in the middle, meaning it’s a great mix of advanced materials and pricing, the Corvette is on the far right regarding pricing and the amount of lightweighting materials and technologies.

Regiec said the premium materials, including standard carbon fiber hood and roof panels, were necessary "to meet the performance needs" that the customer expects from the Corvette.

The C7 features a number of advanced materials and new techniques, including lightweight shape memory alloy wire and new aluminum welding technology.

Regiec added the 2014 Corvette, which uses about 17 pounds of carbon fiber materials, is on scheduled to arrive in dealerships by October.

"The vehicle is on schedule to be released here (in the) third quarter, and so far we are abs. on track with all of our goals," he said.

The Stingray coupe, which debuted January in Detroit, will start at $51,995, and the Corvette Stingray Convertible will start at $56,995. Both prices are about $1,400 more than the 2013 models and include a $995 destination.

Regiec also mentioned the next-generation Cadillac CTS as a prime example of the Detroit-based automaker can reduce a vehicle’s weight.

Engineers used a number of new aluminum parts, which are significantly lighter than steel, to reduce the 2014 CTS' weight 250 pounds compared to its predecessor. One of the most notable weight losses was from the use of aluminum doors, which helped the vehicle drop 55 pounds alone.