RE: Small-Capacity Turbo Rumoured For Next Corvette
Tuesday 31st May 2011
That last bastion of big-capacity performance motoring, the Chevrolet Corvette, could be about to cave to downsizing pressure and introduce a small-capacity turbo motor in the next-generation C7 version.
Small-Capacity Turbo Rumoured For Next Corvette
GM cuts the cubes for Corvette C7
According to TheDetroitBureau.com, the new engine will have a capacity of a little more than 3.0 litres (yes, we know - that's only really 'small capacity' in US terms), with a high rev limit, overhead cams and turbocharging helping it to produce an expected 400bhp-plus.
The move is symptomatic of a new Corvette that, according to insiders (at least according to insiders according to TheDetroitBureau.com), is aiming at appealing to younger buyers who would otherwise be tempted by the likes of Porsche, Lamborghini and Ferrari.
But it seems that the classic Corvette mould isn't being entirely broken - a big-block OHV version will apparently still be available for those who still subscribe to the adage that 'there ain't no replacement for displacement'.
Discussion
I don't really see the point on such a low volume car. With the 1.4TSI and the Mercedes and BMW V8 turbos the volumes are high enough to make a genuine difference, but with this it just won't. Unless they are using the 'halo' effect to turn Americans on to downsizing to shift more of their higher volume models with small turbo engines.
For those who care, 3.0 will still be too big; for those who don't, this will not appeal.
For those who care, 3.0 will still be too big; for those who don't, this will not appeal.
DrewBot said:
I don't really see the point on such a low volume car. With the 1.4TSI and the Mercedes and BMW V8 turbos the volumes are high enough to make a genuine difference, but with this it just won't. Unless they are using the 'halo' effect to turn Americans on to downsizing to shift more of their higher volume models with small turbo engines.
For those who care, 3.0 will still be too big; for those who don't, this will not appeal.
Actually the Corvette is a massive seller in America, with 100s of 1000s made each year. I don't believe that they will switch to smaller turbocharged engines as they've said that lots but never done it.For those who care, 3.0 will still be too big; for those who don't, this will not appeal.
cheesyblob said:
Actually the Corvette is a massive seller in America, with 100s of 1000s made each year. I don't believe that they will switch to smaller turbocharged engines as they've said that lots but never done it.
They made 35,000 of them in 2008 so not exactly low volume but pretty small fry compared to the total of all GM cars made.cheesyblob said:
Actually the Corvette is a massive seller in America, with 100s of 1000s made each year. I don't believe that they will switch to smaller turbocharged engines as they've said that lots but never done it.
Oh, my mistake. Maybe there is a point then. Although high revv-ing turbo 3.0 V8 sounds very appealing to me, I have already proved I know nothing of the US car market so am in no position to speculate about potential sales
Can't see it.
Gm already have a direct injection 3.6 V6 that produces 305hp in the Camaro and somewhat less in the Cadillac CTS so turbocharging that would easily take it over the 400hp barrier.
Since the V8 doesn't even incur the gas-guzzler tax, this can only be a sop to those brainwashed by the small european elastic-bandwagon contingent who might buy one with a smaller turbocharged engine but it would clearly have no advantage so far as emissions are concerned in the UK and I believe European taxation favours under 2.0 cars.
I could maybe see the sense in a 2.0 blown Corvette but that would then have to compete with lesser cars and destroy any cachet the big V8 had.
Gm already have a direct injection 3.6 V6 that produces 305hp in the Camaro and somewhat less in the Cadillac CTS so turbocharging that would easily take it over the 400hp barrier.
Since the V8 doesn't even incur the gas-guzzler tax, this can only be a sop to those brainwashed by the small european elastic-bandwagon contingent who might buy one with a smaller turbocharged engine but it would clearly have no advantage so far as emissions are concerned in the UK and I believe European taxation favours under 2.0 cars.
I could maybe see the sense in a 2.0 blown Corvette but that would then have to compete with lesser cars and destroy any cachet the big V8 had.
car95 said:
XitUp said:
StottyZr said:
And those of us who like good fuel consumption when driving steady and a lot of power when we want it
Doesn't the Corvette do that already?mackie1 said:
They made 35,000 of them in 2008 so not exactly low volume but pretty small fry compared to the total of all GM cars made.
They only sold about 11,000 cars last year I think and they have never sold more than about 30,000 odd a year, except in a couple of years.The way they will appeal to younger buyers is to make the cars cheaper, not with smaller engines. I bought a new C5 Z06 on 2003 and it cost approx $50,000 now an equivalent car is double that new. The Corvette has always appealed to the blue collar American workers because it was seen as affordable, now I don't think that is the case which is why Japanese performance cars are so popular with the younger generation, as they are much cheaper to buy and it has little to do with the engine size. so if GM think that by dropping a 3.0L Turbo motor in the car they will attract a younger audience they had better also think about selling the car for a lot less.
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