Monday 3rd December 2012

Prototype Corvette available on GT5

Be a pre-production test driver from your lounge!

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Ever fancied driving a pre-production prototype, months before any buyers or hacks get their hands on a road-going car? Providing you have access to a PS3, that dream can become a (virtual) reality.

Disguised 'Vette is faithfully rendered

Chevrolet and Sony are offering gamers the chance to drive a disguised Corvette C7 prototype as part of a downloadable add-on for Gran Turismo 5. The finished car is not expected until January's Detroit Motor Show, hence it remains under wraps for the game.

But Polyphony, the creators of the Gran Turismo franchise, have been given unprecedented access to the C7 mules. This means the cars have been subjected to Polyphony's fastidious attention to detail, so expect a typically precise recreation of the driving experience. Even the disguise itself has been faithfully rendered to include every crease and fold.

Teaser vid shows off multi-function dash...

Gran Turismo creator Kazunori Yamauchi is reportedly "thrilled" at the opportunity "to give fans this extraordinary level of access to the seventh generation Corvette that otherwise would not be possible".

So what to expect of a virtual pre-production prototype? We know that the Corvette C7 will be powered by Chevrolet's lighter, more efficient small-block 6.2 V8 for a start. With around 450hp and 450lb ft, a 0-60mph time of under four seconds is claimed. Top speed? No figures as yet, so the Mulsanne straight surely beckons...

...and aluminium suspension parts

What's more, Chevrolet has just released a new teaser video which gives a little more insight into the new model. There isn't much to go on, admittedly, but it has at least revealed that the new car will get an all-digital dash that'll be configurable to bring up any number of car data functions. There's also a glimpse of some aluminium suspension components, which bodes well for the new car's handling abilities

Elsewhere, we can probably expect the C7-generation Corvette to retain the lightweight construction of its forebears. Expect a more drastic departure for the styling however; the C5 and C6 were aesthetically quite similar, but this Corvette could take cues from the 2009 Stingray concept to create a more dramatic look.

 

 

[635csi]

Can I be the first ?

WANT !

[sixspeed]

Blimey, are they still trying to flog that game?

[DanielSan]

I can report so far that it makes a good drifter

[PascalBuyens]

Haven't got a PS, but erhm... I wouldn't mind testing the pre production car for real

[GranCab]

Oh - how exciting .....

[Arun_D]

I remember Nissan did the same with the GTR when it was launched in final production form.

[Twincam16]

I'm not sure about this.

A mate of mine downloaded it and said it's uncannily good. Compliant handling, point-and-squirt performance, demolishes absolutely everything else in its class.

Can the real thing be that good or did GM slip GT a big cheque on the understanding that they'd do a really flattering job?

That's the problem with releasing something on Gran Turismo - they can say what they like about authenticity, but in the end it's down to the programmers to decide how it really drives. Are they completely uncorruptable?

[Stew2000]

It is a fun car.. for going sideways

[DanielSan]

Twincam16 said:

I'm not sure about this.

A mate of mine downloaded it and said it's uncannily good. Compliant handling, point-and-squirt performance, demolishes absolutely everything else in its class.

Can the real thing be that good or did GM slip GT a big cheque on the understanding that they'd do a really flattering job?

That's the problem with releasing something on Gran Turismo - they can say what they like about authenticity, but in the end it's down to the programmers to decide how it really drives. Are they completely uncorruptable?

At the end of the day, it's a game....

[robmlufc]

DanielSan said:

At the end of the day, it's a game....

Although the C6 wasn't exactly slow around the Nurburgring.

[Steve Zodiac]

Car & Driver thinks this will be it








(images courtesy of Car & Driver via www.digitalcorvettes.com)

[zebedee]

sixspeed said:

Blimey, are they still trying to flog that game?

Well yes, as it is still for sale but mainly this sort of thing is to just keep updating it and expanding it, which all adds to its longevity. I never complain about free cars to add to the garage (though I haven't paid for any of the downloadable ones they have added since large, the XJR9 is tempting for the A-Spec Le Mans 24 hours).

[DJRC]

It looks like a GTR crossed with a Sagaris.

Works for me then!

[Frimley111R]

Will it be like all the others, fast, reasonable in the handling dept and a swathe of cheap plastics everywhere?

[RenesisEvo]

The stock game settings allow the car to reach 200mph (you can get 206 if you use the downhill part of Route X), although 6th gear is definitely for economy, 5th getting you up to about 190. No idea how these figures will translate to the real car, as the C6 ZR-1 has a quoted top speed of 205mph with much more power.

The interior is covered over in the game, and more frustratingly, there are no dials or dashboard display. Fun car to slide around though.

[y2blade]

Popcorn at the ready?

[Steve Zodiac]

Frimley111R said:

Will it be like all the others, fast, reasonable in the handling dept and a swathe of cheap plastics everywhere?

It will be better than the C6, faster, more economical, probably lighter, maybe smaller and altogether a bit of a bargain in the US, the price structure in the UK will make it much less attractive here as usual. Probably.

Anyway...Want.

[stephen300o]

Steve Zodiac said:

Car & Driver thinks this will be it








(images courtesy of Car & Driver via www.digitalcorvettes.com)

I'd hope it doesn't look like that.

[Steve Zodiac]

stephen300o said:

I'd hope it doesn't look like that.

I assume it'll look a bit different from those images or Chevy will be very upset with C&D for spoiling their big January reveal and drip drip advertising campaign

[fatboy18]

Steve Zodiac said:

Frimley111R said:

Will it be like all the others, fast, reasonable in the handling dept and a swathe of cheap plastics everywhere?

It will be better than the C6, faster, more economical, probably lighter, maybe smaller and altogether a bit of a bargain in the US, the price structure in the UK will make it much less attractive here as usual. Probably.

Anyway...Want.

"maybe smaller" God I hope not Bring back the C5

As for the rest of the comments, yes its American, so it will be rubbish, safety stickers everywhere (adds weight) so it wont handle, the comments of TVR
Thank god a large company is still prepared to make cars like these, it would be a dull world without them.