Corvette Stingray wins North American Car of the Year

The 2014 Detroit Motor Show has got off to a cracking start for General Motors, with the company winning TWO top North American awards.

With the new Chevrolet Corvette Stingray scooping the North American Car of the Year award, and the Chevrolet Silverado bringing home the Truck of the Year honour, it’s the first time GM has swept the board since 2007.

New 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray in pictures at Detroit Motor Show

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The awards – which are based on the thoughts of a panel of automotive critics – are amongst the most respected in the industry and are said to have a direct influence on a car’s fortunes. Which represents some positive news for the beleaguered GM, following months of negativity and bad press.

The new Corvette went on sale in the United States earlier this month, with prices starting from $51,995 (£31,605). It’s the most technically advanced Corvette ever made, featuring a seven-speed gearbox with downshift rev-matching.

Even the base model features a 455hp V8 engine, with cylinder deactivation used to save fuel. The 0-60mph time comes up in an eye-watering 3.8 seconds.

But the best news of all is that the Chevrolet Corvette is to go on sale in Europe for the first time, although right-hand drive models won’t be available from launch. The C7 Stingray will cost £61,495 in the UK, with each car equipped with the Z51 performance pack, featuring an aero package, upgraded suspension and an electronically controlled limited slip diff.

Completing the clean sweep for Chevrolet and General Motors is the redesigned Silverado full-size pick-up.

It’s some much needed good news for the Chevrolet Silverado, with its appearance at the Detroit Motor Show overshadowed by news that General Motors is to recall 370,000 units  following a discovery that a software glitch could cause an engine fire.

Eight fires have been reported, leading GM into issuing a voluntary recall.

MSN Cars will bring you all the latest news from the 2014 Detroit Motor Show – keep coming back this week as the covers are pulled off the new metal.

On Bing: see pictures of the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

On Bing: see pictures of the Chevrolet Silverado

Find out how much a used Chevrolet Corvette costs on Auto Trader

Find out how much a used Chevrolet costs on Auto Trader

MSN Video: Chevrolet Corvette Stingray at Geneva 2013

Read a Chevrolet review on MSN Cars

By motoringresearch.com