C7 Corvette

[Raza]

That is a terrible parking job.

[r0tor]

Horrible body gap on that roof panel

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

First Look: 2014 Corvette Stingray - Jay Leno's Garage

[SVT666]

By Nat Shirley Tuesday

 
The Chevrolet Corvette has improved exponentially over the years, but it's also become considerably more expensive: the 2013 Corvette carries a base price of $50,595, putting it out of reach for many enthusiasts.

To make America's sports car accessible to a broader range of 'Vette fans, Chevrolet is planning a new low-cost model known as the Corvette Coupe, according to a Motor Trend report.

In place of the Corvette Stingray's 450-horsepower 6.2-liter LT1 V8, the Coupe will reportedly use a direct-injection 5.3-liter V8. A relative of the 5.3-liter mill that recently debuted in GM's new-generation pickups, the engine will likely produce fewer than 400 horsepower, although mileage should be improved over the larger LT1.

Chevrolet reportedly considering fitting the Corvette Coupe with a twin-turbocharged V6, but the mill didn't provide enough of an fuel efficiency benefit to make it to production.

Outside, a revised front fascia, front fender and rear diffuser will differentiate the Coupe from its more potent Stingray sibling. No word on whether the Coupe will replace the standard model's removable roof panel setup with a fixed roof, as did the C5 Corvette Hardtop.

The Corvette Coupe is expected to land in showrooms in 2015. No pricing information has been released, but look for the entry-level 'Vette to start comfortably below $50,000.

[SVT666]

This is a great idea.

[Xer0]

This is a great idea.

+1

I can get behind this and it should still provide somewhere between 350hp C5 and 400hp C6 straight line speed which is still really quick.

[SJ_GTI]

By Nat Shirley Tuesday

 
The Chevrolet Corvette has improved exponentially over the years, but it's also become considerably more expensive: the 2013 Corvette carries a base price of $50,595, putting it out of reach for many enthusiasts.

To make America's sports car accessible to a broader range of 'Vette fans, Chevrolet is planning a new low-cost model known as the Corvette Coupe, according to a Motor Trend report.

In place of the Corvette Stingray's 450-horsepower 6.2-liter LT1 V8, the Coupe will reportedly use a direct-injection 5.3-liter V8. A relative of the 5.3-liter mill that recently debuted in GM's new-generation pickups, the engine will likely produce fewer than 400 horsepower, although mileage should be improved over the larger LT1.

Chevrolet reportedly considering fitting the Corvette Coupe with a twin-turbocharged V6, but the mill didn't provide enough of an fuel efficiency benefit to make it to production.

Outside, a revised front fascia, front fender and rear diffuser will differentiate the Coupe from its more potent Stingray sibling. No word on whether the Coupe will replace the standard model's removable roof panel setup with a fixed roof, as did the C5 Corvette Hardtop.

The Corvette Coupe is expected to land in showrooms in 2015. No pricing information has been released, but look for the entry-level 'Vette to start comfortably below $50,000.

Interesting idea. Curious to see how (or if) it works.

[GoCougs]

By Nat Shirley Tuesday

 
The Chevrolet Corvette has improved exponentially over the years, but it's also become considerably more expensive: the 2013 Corvette carries a base price of $50,595, putting it out of reach for many enthusiasts.

To make America's sports car accessible to a broader range of 'Vette fans, Chevrolet is planning a new low-cost model known as the Corvette Coupe, according to a Motor Trend report.

In place of the Corvette Stingray's 450-horsepower 6.2-liter LT1 V8, the Coupe will reportedly use a direct-injection 5.3-liter V8. A relative of the 5.3-liter mill that recently debuted in GM's new-generation pickups, the engine will likely produce fewer than 400 horsepower, although mileage should be improved over the larger LT1.

Chevrolet reportedly considering fitting the Corvette Coupe with a twin-turbocharged V6, but the mill didn't provide enough of an fuel efficiency benefit to make it to production.

Outside, a revised front fascia, front fender and rear diffuser will differentiate the Coupe from its more potent Stingray sibling. No word on whether the Coupe will replace the standard model's removable roof panel setup with a fixed roof, as did the C5 Corvette Hardtop.

The Corvette Coupe is expected to land in showrooms in 2015. No pricing information has been released, but look for the entry-level 'Vette to start comfortably below $50,000.

Corvettes have always been outside many (er, most) enthusiasts' means - it's always been one of Detroit's most expensive cars.

Part and parcel of buying "premium" in the US is the ego boost that comes from spending a lot of money - for example there would be relatively little market for a stripper $40k E-class or 5 series (hence why they're not sold here).

I'm gonna guess it's not going to work all that well (= will sell a lot less than the Stingray).

[Raza]

Corvettes have always been outside many (er, most) enthusiasts' means - it's always been one of Detroit's most expensive cars.

Part and parcel of buying "premium" in the US is the ego boost that comes from spending a lot of money - for example there would be relatively little market for a stripper $40k E-class or 5 series (hence why they're not sold here).

I'm gonna guess it's not going to work all that well (= will sell a lot less than the Stingray).

Unless it looks better.  Which it pretty much has to, right?  I mean, this isn't as good looking as any previous Corvette, so nowhere to go but up from here.

Wait, is it going to have new sheetfiberglass or is it just a lower power engine in the current Corvette?

[Cookie Monster]

Totally improbable, but I think it would be cool if the base corvette had a straight 6 like the C1.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

Unless it looks better.  Which it pretty much has to, right?  I mean, this isn't as good looking as any previous Corvette, so nowhere to go but up from here.

Wait, is it going to have new sheetfiberglass or is it just a lower power engine in the current Corvette?

Just the engine will be differant with revised rear splitter and front "bumper". I think it'll work If GM can start it close to 45k.

[MX793]

By Nat Shirley Tuesday

 
The Chevrolet Corvette has improved exponentially over the years, but it's also become considerably more expensive: the 2013 Corvette carries a base price of $50,595, putting it out of reach for many enthusiasts.

To make America's sports car accessible to a broader range of 'Vette fans, Chevrolet is planning a new low-cost model known as the Corvette Coupe, according to a Motor Trend report.

In place of the Corvette Stingray's 450-horsepower 6.2-liter LT1 V8, the Coupe will reportedly use a direct-injection 5.3-liter V8. A relative of the 5.3-liter mill that recently debuted in GM's new-generation pickups, the engine will likely produce fewer than 400 horsepower, although mileage should be improved over the larger LT1.

Chevrolet reportedly considering fitting the Corvette Coupe with a twin-turbocharged V6, but the mill didn't provide enough of an fuel efficiency benefit to make it to production.

Outside, a revised front fascia, front fender and rear diffuser will differentiate the Coupe from its more potent Stingray sibling. No word on whether the Coupe will replace the standard model's removable roof panel setup with a fixed roof, as did the C5 Corvette Hardtop.

The Corvette Coupe is expected to land in showrooms in 2015. No pricing information has been released, but look for the entry-level 'Vette to start comfortably below $50,000.

How exactly is a different small block V8 going to dramatically drop the price of the car?  The LT1 is not as exotic as, say, the LS7 or LS9.  I find it hard to believe it costs that much more than a GenIV small block to produce.  And if it is that much cheaper with a Gen IV motor, why not use a 400+ hp L92 (Vortec 6200) or even the LS3 from the C6 Corvette?  The 5.3L being a smaller displacement doesn't make it significantly, if at all, less expensive to make than a larger displacement version.

[SVT666]

How exactly is a different small block V8 going to dramatically drop the price of the car?  The LT1 is not as exotic as, say, the LS7 or LS9.  I find it hard to believe it costs that much more than a GenIV small block to produce.  And if it is that much cheaper with a Gen IV motor, why not use a 400+ hp L99 (Vortec 6200) or even the LS3 from the C6 Corvette?  The 5.3L being a smaller displacement doesn't make it significantly, if at all, less expensive to make than a larger displacement version.

If it's going to be a volume model, then the cost goes down.  Besides, they are charging what people will pay, and a Corvette with less than 400 hp isn't going to command as high of a price, especially when it will also have a stripped interior and probably a non removable roof.

[Eye of the Tiger]

How exactly is a different small block V8 going to dramatically drop the price of the car?  The LT1 is not as exotic as, say, the LS7 or LS9.  I find it hard to believe it costs that much more than a GenIV small block to produce.  And if it is that much cheaper with a Gen IV motor, why not use a 400+ hp L99 (Vortec 6200) or even the LS3 from the C6 Corvette?  The 5.3L being a smaller displacement doesn't make it significantly, if at all, less expensive to make than a larger displacement version.

I never understood the logic behind things like this, either. Generally, not much can be changed.  It would probably cost more money to redesign and retool everything to make the rest of the drivetrain and chassis components out of shittier parts. On the other hand, they can't save $10K by just tossing in a truck motor.

[MrH]

None of this story makes any sense.  I'm going to call BS on it.

[68_427]

The 5.3 is used in the fullsize trucks as well.

[MX793]

The 5.3 is used in the fullsize trucks as well.

So is the L92/Vortec 6200.  So why not use the more powerful L92 in this rumored "cheap" model?  Can't cost any more to make than the Vortec 5300.

[68_427]

Because the 6.2 won't get the same f/e and would be too close in power to the lt1

[MrH]

The Corvette will never be a volume seller.  No two seater at that price point will be.  There is little to gain from a cost perspective in doing this.  Whatever small amount of additional sales wouldn't justify the effort.

[Cookie Monster]

The Corvette will never be a volume seller.  No two seater at that price point will be.  There is little to gain from a cost perspective in doing this.  Whatever small amount of additional sales wouldn't justify the effort.

+1

Volume model for a Corvette does not have economies of scale.

[280Z Turbo]

Burlap seats, truck motor, no cruise control, sealed beam headlamps, no radio, vinyl floor, rear drum brakes, and 15" wheels and it would still cost $40,000.

[Eye of the Tiger]

The internet sells LC9 5.3 crate motors for $4,778
LS3 for $6,193
LS7 for $10,582
YMMV

[GoCougs]

How exactly is a different small block V8 going to dramatically drop the price of the car?  The LT1 is not as exotic as, say, the LS7 or LS9.  I find it hard to believe it costs that much more than a GenIV small block to produce.  And if it is that much cheaper with a Gen IV motor, why not use a 400+ hp L92 (Vortec 6200) or even the LS3 from the C6 Corvette?  The 5.3L being a smaller displacement doesn't make it significantly, if at all, less expensive to make than a larger displacement version.

None of this story makes any sense.  I'm going to call BS on it.

Yeah, thinking about I'm also going to call BS on the "report."

First, bad premise - "enthusiasts" are going to go after the top end (= performing) model mostly.

Second, the Corvette hasn't been about volume/segmentation since the mid '70s. From the mid-'70s onward, and definitely since the C4 ('84) onward, the Corvette has come with only one motor save for uber high end and low volume models (Z06, ZR1).

Third, pretty much all of the premium cost of the Corvette is in the space frame chassis, torque tube + rear mount tranny, plasticky body, and general low volume production of various bits and pieces. A cloth interior, simpler dash, 350 hp V8 and 6 sp M/T ain't going to drop manufacturing costs $7-10k or whatever margin would be needed to materially separate MSRP from the Stingray (without taking a bath that is).

[MrH]

Yeah, thinking about I'm also going to call BS on the "report."

First, bad premise - "enthusiasts" are going to go after the top end (= performing) model mostly.

Second, the Corvette hasn't been about volume/segmentation since the mid '70s. From the mid-'70s onward, and definitely since the C4 ('84) onward, the Corvette has come with only one motor save for uber high end and low volume models (Z06, ZR1).

Third, pretty much all of the premium cost of the Corvette is in the space frame chassis, torque tube + rear mount tranny, plasticky body, and general low volume production of various bits and pieces. A cloth interior, simpler dash, 350 hp V8 and 6 sp M/T ain't going to drop manufacturing costs $7-10k or whatever margin would be needed to materially separate MSRP from the Stingray (without taking a bath that is).

Exactly.  Any sales gains will mostly be at the cost of the Stingray anyways.

[Lebowski]

Sounds like BS to me, too.

[Rich]

They did end up doing the fixed roof coupe for the C5.

I could see them making another fixed roof coupe with the 5.3


We'll see

[r0tor]

Burlap seats, truck motor, no cruise control, sealed beam headlamps, no radio, vinyl floor, rear drum brakes, and 15" wheels and it would still cost $40,000.

Hmm... I would like an all burlap interior

[Eye of the Tiger]

Hmm... I would like an all burlap interior

And I would enjoy a vinyl floor. Much easier to clean up bodily fluids.

[S204STi]

Even at its previous price it was out of the range of the average buyer.  Nothing really changed.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Even at its previous price it was out of the range of the average buyer.  Nothing really changed.

The average price of a new car is now over $30K. The Corvette started at $42K two years ago, and all of a sudden it is going to be $50K. It used to be affordable to DINKs. Now it's a stretch.