Pricing for the hotly anticipated 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray was recently announced, giving the faithful plenty of time to save up before its fall release.

Up slightly from last year, the redesigned Corvette will begin at $51,995, and $56,995 for the convertible. Those prices will net you a 450 horsepower, 6.2 liter V-8, Drive Mode Selector, and a new seven speed manual transmission.

More high end standard features have been added, including push button start, 8 inch infotainment and digital gauge displays, and a Bose 9 speaker audio system. Like any car, there are options. The 3LT package adds luxuries like navigation, upgraded sound system, heated and ventilated seats, and premium leather throughout.

Sure to be more appealing is the Z51 Performance package, adding revised gear ratios, transmission cooling, bigger wheels and brakes, a Traction Management system, and an electronic limited slip differential. Further add ons include GM’s Magnetic Ride Control system. All told, the 2014 Corvette Stingray can have you pushing 80 grand in the blink of an eye—and that’s before dealer mark-up.

And no word yet on the ultra-high performance ZR1, though with rivals like the McLaren MP4-12C, Audi R8 V10 and the Porsche 911 Carrera S, a six figure price tag is not out of the question.    

And while being behind the wheel of a brand new Corvette certainly requires full attention, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has released new guidelines for all automakers on ways to cut distracted driving. The guidelines, while not mandatory, come at a time when in-car systems are growing increasingly complex, requiring too much driver attention, according to NHTSA.

They look to reduce the amount of on- screen text, required driver input, and video or animation based infotainment features from future automobiles. It’s all part of a long-term goal by the U.S. Department of Transportation to combat in-car distractions and allow driver’s to keep their attention on driving.  

And that’s where our attention is focused for this week’s Motor News.