C7- now Due in 2013
Discussion
General Motors announced it will begin production of the C7 Corvette sports car in April of 2012 in advance of a scheduled launch as a 2013 model. The announcement was made as part of GM’s two-year product plan for its four core brands – Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac and GMC.
This news brings the C7 to market a full year earlier that expected. The next generation Corvette was originally scheduled for a 2014 launch. It seems the General Motors, emerging from bankruptcy, is anxious to capitalize on the interest that is always created by the arrival of a new generation Corvette, and in this case, on the 60th Anniversary of Corvette.
The C7 Corvette is likely to have a smaller, lighter body using more lightweight materials such as carbon fiber, aluminum and magnesium.
The new Corvette may even include a smaller, yet more efficient engine, but with its lighter body it should retain the necessary power-to-weight ratio demanded from Corvette owners. It's nearly impossible to imagine a Corvette without a V8, but some interesting options are on the table. A twin-turbo V6 is a very strong possibility," A twin-turbo version of the direct-injection 3.6-liter DOHC V6 that's currently in the Cadillac CTS could easily pump out 400 hp, just short of today's 430hp LS3 V8.
While there very well could be a V6 as the base engine, a pushrod V8 will certainly be a part of the plan as it is part of the Corvette Tradition . In light of new fuel economy restrictions from the Obama administration, the displacement will certainly be down from today's 6.2-liter and 7.0-liter engine sizes, to between 5.0- and 5.7-liter. Turbocharging and variable valve timing are distinct possibilities to make those smaller V8s comparable with today's V8. A dual-clutch gearbox is also not out of the question either if GM wants to keep up with the Porsche 911 or even the Nissan GT-R. It's still too early to know exactly what the powertrain lineup will look like, but expect three levels of performance similar to today's, base model, Z06 and ZR1. Yes, the ZR1 could live on as a C7.
To sum it up, all this also means that the Corvette design and engineering team will now have the resources and the corporate blessing to move full speed ahead on a new Corvette that could see changes to America's sports car that include a smaller, lighter body, greater use of advanced weight-saving materials like carbon fiber, aluminum and magnesium and perhaps a smaller engine but one that will still provide the power-to-weight ratio that Corvette owners have become accustomed to.
At the NCM's C5-C6 Birthday Bash in April of this year, Corvette Chief Engineer Tadge Juechter reassured the Corvette owners present that the team is always thinking about the next generation Corvette and how to make it better. Now that the mid-engine layout has once again been tossed aside, Tadge's engineering team will have essentially just a couple of years to make these engineering decisions and test them in mules which we could see as early as 2011.
Styling-wise, the car could look similar to that of the Corvette Stingray Concept that appeared at the Chicago Motor Show this year. However, in today's economy, a complete retooling of the Bowling Green plant would be very expensive ( one reason the mid-engine design was ruled out ). We believe the new C7 will be more of a transition and refinement of the C6 body style. It may be though, that the design team will see that owners would accept more of a radical departure from the looks of the C5 and C6 (Sources: Inside Line and Corvetteblogger.com)
This news brings the C7 to market a full year earlier that expected. The next generation Corvette was originally scheduled for a 2014 launch. It seems the General Motors, emerging from bankruptcy, is anxious to capitalize on the interest that is always created by the arrival of a new generation Corvette, and in this case, on the 60th Anniversary of Corvette.
The C7 Corvette is likely to have a smaller, lighter body using more lightweight materials such as carbon fiber, aluminum and magnesium.
The new Corvette may even include a smaller, yet more efficient engine, but with its lighter body it should retain the necessary power-to-weight ratio demanded from Corvette owners. It's nearly impossible to imagine a Corvette without a V8, but some interesting options are on the table. A twin-turbo V6 is a very strong possibility," A twin-turbo version of the direct-injection 3.6-liter DOHC V6 that's currently in the Cadillac CTS could easily pump out 400 hp, just short of today's 430hp LS3 V8.
While there very well could be a V6 as the base engine, a pushrod V8 will certainly be a part of the plan as it is part of the Corvette Tradition . In light of new fuel economy restrictions from the Obama administration, the displacement will certainly be down from today's 6.2-liter and 7.0-liter engine sizes, to between 5.0- and 5.7-liter. Turbocharging and variable valve timing are distinct possibilities to make those smaller V8s comparable with today's V8. A dual-clutch gearbox is also not out of the question either if GM wants to keep up with the Porsche 911 or even the Nissan GT-R. It's still too early to know exactly what the powertrain lineup will look like, but expect three levels of performance similar to today's, base model, Z06 and ZR1. Yes, the ZR1 could live on as a C7.
To sum it up, all this also means that the Corvette design and engineering team will now have the resources and the corporate blessing to move full speed ahead on a new Corvette that could see changes to America's sports car that include a smaller, lighter body, greater use of advanced weight-saving materials like carbon fiber, aluminum and magnesium and perhaps a smaller engine but one that will still provide the power-to-weight ratio that Corvette owners have become accustomed to.
At the NCM's C5-C6 Birthday Bash in April of this year, Corvette Chief Engineer Tadge Juechter reassured the Corvette owners present that the team is always thinking about the next generation Corvette and how to make it better. Now that the mid-engine layout has once again been tossed aside, Tadge's engineering team will have essentially just a couple of years to make these engineering decisions and test them in mules which we could see as early as 2011.
Styling-wise, the car could look similar to that of the Corvette Stingray Concept that appeared at the Chicago Motor Show this year. However, in today's economy, a complete retooling of the Bowling Green plant would be very expensive ( one reason the mid-engine design was ruled out ). We believe the new C7 will be more of a transition and refinement of the C6 body style. It may be though, that the design team will see that owners would accept more of a radical departure from the looks of the C5 and C6 (Sources: Inside Line and Corvetteblogger.com)
Edited by Vet Guru on Friday 5th February 00:11
Vet Guru said:
new Corvette could see changes to America's sports car that include a smaller, lighter body, greater use of advanced weight-saving materials like carbon fiber, aluminum and magnesium and perhaps a smaller engine
Styling-wise, the car could look similar to that of the Corvette Stingray Concept that appeared at the Chicago Motor Show this year. However, in today's economy, a complete retooling of the Bowling Green plant would be very expensive
Seems the basic chassis structure will be much as before and that's no bad thing although it's hard to see how that can lead to a "smaller" car. Guess everything will hang on the effectiveness of body mods and restyling.Styling-wise, the car could look similar to that of the Corvette Stingray Concept that appeared at the Chicago Motor Show this year. However, in today's economy, a complete retooling of the Bowling Green plant would be very expensive
Great news, but I agree, there is no scope (or need) to make the new one smaller than a C6. It's already one of the shortest cars in its class (same as a 911).
Lighter would of course be great, as would retaining the LS9 for a ZR1 range topper.
Make it look like the Stingray concept and I'm in!
Lighter would of course be great, as would retaining the LS9 for a ZR1 range topper.
Make it look like the Stingray concept and I'm in!
No need to make it smaller? You've obviously forgotten how wide a Z06 is since you became a supporter of minicab maker rice burners! (Except that isn't exactly a slim-jim either).
The length isn't a problem but it could certainly trim a few inches off the width making it a lot easier to hustle through the lanes.
Either way really looking forward to a new shape, better start saving my pennies.
The length isn't a problem but it could certainly trim a few inches off the width making it a lot easier to hustle through the lanes.
Either way really looking forward to a new shape, better start saving my pennies.
Sizewise... If the C7 can get through a 7-foot standard UK garage door without the mirrors folded or has electric-folding mirrors I'll be happy. (OK, in theory a C6 can, but with less than 1 inch to spare on each side it's a bit too close for comfort!). I think the overall size of the C6 is as low as it can go without ending up with no luggage space or a cramped cockpit - I used to have a Z4 and you had to choose between knees under your chin or sitting bolt-upright.
car95 said:
I remember my first sitting in the driver's seat and thinking "blimey that's a huge bonnet/hood stretching away from me, forward and right".
But it's not too wide. Wouldn't want a Corvette to look like a Boxster!
Christ - if that ever happened where do I advertise my Z?! I would like it to handle like a Boxter though....!But it's not too wide. Wouldn't want a Corvette to look like a Boxster!
And yes sitting on the left does make it a little more awkward but I still maintain a inch (or two) wouldn't go a miss. Followed Gary Garwood on a trip last year and it really highlighted to me just how wide the Z body is over a standard C6. The car had very little room either side down country lanes (I think we were going to the Bentley wild fowl museum), where as the C6 looked a lot slimmer. Not for one minute suggesting that the remove the wheel arch extensions off the Z - that’s its best visual feature.
Edited by G4HKS on Saturday 13th February 13:42
It is a little curious that GM started with the fairly wide C5, trimmed an inch out of its width for C6 with much fanfare about it being a smaller car and then added back nearly 3.5 inches to create the latest Z06.
In other words, both C6 Z06 and the similarly bodied Grand Sport are about 2.6 inches wider than the longer and lower C5.
In other words, both C6 Z06 and the similarly bodied Grand Sport are about 2.6 inches wider than the longer and lower C5.
General Motors is mulling a radical re-engineering for the Chevrolet Corvette, centered on a more fuel-efficient, mid-engined V6 powertrain, a lightweight alloy body and a more compact footprint. The changes are penciled into GM's product plan for the next major model change, the C8, with an on-sale date around 2016.
The mid-engined C7 got as far as engineering development but was canceled when the global credit crunch. As a result, GM recast its Corvette plans around a more modest revamp of today's C6 into the C7 version, essentially a stopgap until the world-beating C8 arrives.
"The C7 will be the last of the traditional, old-style Corvettes," a senior GM insider told AutoWeek, buying GM time while it works on a revolutionary new concept for the C8 Corvette that can blend fuel-economy and emissions improvements with the required level of supercar performance and handling.
Engineers are likely to shrink the C8 Corvette's footprint to cut weight and aerodynamic drag and reduce its visual bulk, which also will help with sales outside the United States.
Likely to shock Corvette purists is the suggestion that a V6 will replace a V8 in the C8, although 440 hp courtesy of twin turbochargers ought to calm fears of reduced power output.
With a traditional C7 on the horizon and a world-challenging all-new C8 in the wings, the survival of GM's greatest sports car likely will depend on its adaptability more than on its longevity.
There's more to this story in the March 22 issue of AutoWeek. Read more:
http://www.autoweek.com/article/20100317/CARNEWS/1...
The mid-engined C7 got as far as engineering development but was canceled when the global credit crunch. As a result, GM recast its Corvette plans around a more modest revamp of today's C6 into the C7 version, essentially a stopgap until the world-beating C8 arrives.
"The C7 will be the last of the traditional, old-style Corvettes," a senior GM insider told AutoWeek, buying GM time while it works on a revolutionary new concept for the C8 Corvette that can blend fuel-economy and emissions improvements with the required level of supercar performance and handling.
Engineers are likely to shrink the C8 Corvette's footprint to cut weight and aerodynamic drag and reduce its visual bulk, which also will help with sales outside the United States.
Likely to shock Corvette purists is the suggestion that a V6 will replace a V8 in the C8, although 440 hp courtesy of twin turbochargers ought to calm fears of reduced power output.
With a traditional C7 on the horizon and a world-challenging all-new C8 in the wings, the survival of GM's greatest sports car likely will depend on its adaptability more than on its longevity.
There's more to this story in the March 22 issue of AutoWeek. Read more:
http://www.autoweek.com/article/20100317/CARNEWS/1...
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