[Tran]

From C7 Corvette chief engineering exec Tadge Juechter, and LT1 engine boss Jordan Lee:

In a passing comment regarding the exterior panels of the new Corvette, Jeuchter told us, "Whereas previously the body panels were assembled with a five-millimeter gap between them to account for heat expansion of the fiberglass in hot weather, the fiberglass today on the Stingray maintains a year-round three-millimeter gap." This, no doubt, lends something to the crisp look of the overall design.

For his part developing the 465-pound small-block LT1 V8 – the fifth-generation of the small-block – Mr. Lee points out that even as we lead up to the start of deliveries to customers in August, test mules of the engine are continuing to be refined. That process includes final tuning of the Active Fuel Management cylinder deactivation that turns the LT1 into a 3.1-liter V4 motor during low-load phases, at 3,200 rpm or less. Incorporating AFM in the new Corvette's powertrain required extensive re-engineering... and Lee is a well-known perfectionist. He proudly states: "Average fuel economy should be 26 mpg at least.

Via: http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/28/m...ps-and-26-mpg/"