Hennessey tunes C7 Corvette Stingray

Hennessey Performance and its gang of Texas tuners are planning upgrades for the 2014 Chevrolet Stingray Corvette before the car even hits the market. We're sure Corvette engineers working on the next ZR1 are taking notice, presumably with a chip on their collective shoulders.

In October, the Hennessey HPE700 Corvette is expected to debut packing a claimed 700 hp, with help from an Eaton TVS R2300 supercharger. It adds 8 psi of boost through custom CNC-ported factory cylinder heads, working with proprietary intake and fueling systems. Hennessey says it will also recalibrate the ECU. Like the factory C7, a seven-speed manual or six-speed automatic can be specified.

If asked, Hennessey says it will also upgrade the exterior of the new C7 with the company's CarbonAero body treatment that consists of a new front splitter, notched rear spoiler, side sills and hood. The new hood gets a larger power dome bump with a larger central vent for extracting heat.

Unlike many body kits, the Hennessey says the pieces actually increase downforce -- it isn't just for looks.

“We're only interested in changes that deliver a measurable increase in performance, period,” said John Hennessey.

Other special touches include 10-spoke alloy wheels with Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires, interior upgrades that have yet to be finalized, optional coilover suspension with Penske double-adjustable shocks and Brembo brakes.

The HPE700 will eventually be the middle child of the lineup. Hennessey plans to offer a naturally aspirated HPE500 version, another supercharged version with 600 hp, a twin-turbocharged 800-hp version and the monster, a 1,000-hp Vette that receives upgrades from head to tail.

The HPE700 will cost $18,450 on top of the $52,000 sticker price of a C7 Corvette. The HPE800 package costs $54,950, and the HP1000 costs $67,950. Check out hennesseyperformance.com for more information.

Hennessey
There are four power options for the Hennessey Stingray

By Jake Lingeman