By Scott Campbell

With the all-new 2014 Corvette rolling into dealerships later this year, Chevrolet continues to build on a six-decade legacy of design, performance and technology. It is also the world's longest-running continuously produced sports car and the best-selling sports car in America, commanding 33 percent of the segment.

Corvette's legacy was forged 60 years ago this month when it was introduced at the General Motors Motorama show in New York City.

The Corvette wasn't born an icon, however. It earned its reputation as America's sports car through decades of continual refinement and fundamental engineering advancements.

The 2014 Corvette marks the 7th generation of the car.

Each has been defined by all-new or significantly revised design, architecture and technology features – including powertrain and chassis/suspension technologies – that have helped Corvette maintain its position as the best-selling premium sports car in America.

All, however, have shared unique elements:

• All Corvettes have been two-seat sports cars with a front engine driving the rear wheels, and a long dash-to-axle proportion that enhances its powerful look
• Corvettes have always featured bodies made of composite materials, from fiberglass on the first cars in 1953 to lighter, more advanced composites – including carbon fiber – today
• The small-block V-8 has been the standard engine in the Corvette for 57 of its 60 years
• Corvette has been a test-bed for new technologies that migrate to other GM vehicles.

For nearly all of its history, Corvette's design, performance and technology has been influenced by the lessons learned on the racetrack.

It is a pillar of the development process established by Zora Arkus-Duntov, Corvette's first chief engineer, through overt and covert racing initiatives, leading up to the factory-backed Corvette Racing program's 2012 American Le Mans Series championship in the production-based GT class.

Corvette's iconic status is reflected off the track, as well. In popular culture it has numerous co-starring roles to its credit, from "Route 66" on television (1960-64) to the namesake big-screen performance in "Corvette Summer" (1978) – and countless cameos and supporting roles since.

Corvette has inspired songs, artwork and video games, including the current version of the Gran Turismo series, where the seventh-generation appeared in pre-production camouflage.

Chevrolet is further redefining modern performance with the all-new Corvette Stingray. And only a Corvette with the perfect balance of technology, design and performance can wear the iconic Stingray designation.

The 2014 Corvette Stingray is the most powerful standard Corvette model ever, with an estimated 450 horsepower (335 kW) and 450 lb.-ft. of torque (610 Nm). It is also the most capable standard Corvette model ever, able to accelerate from 0-60 in less than four seconds and achieve more than 1g in cornering grip.

The new Corvette Stingray is expected to improve upon the current model’s fuel economy of 13.6L/100km (EPA highway fuel economy estimate of 26 mpg).

Mark Reuss, General Motors North America President added "Like the ’63 Sting Ray, the best Corvettes embodied performance leadership, delivering cutting-edge technologies, breathtaking design and awe-inspiring driving experiences."

The all-new Corvette Stingray shares only two parts with the previous-generation Corvette. It incorporates an all-new frame structure and chassis, a new powertrain and supporting technologies, as well as completely new exterior and interior designs.

The performance technology and capabilities introduced on the Corvette Stingray coupe carry over to the convertible. The only structural changes are limited to accommodations for the folding top and repositioned safety belt mounts.