C7 Corvette

[hotrodalex]

Might as well add an alarm, too.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Or shoot a flare gun off each time before you back up.

[Tave]

Or a beep-beep horn.

[Raza]

Or a beep-beep horn.

I think one of those LED signs that he can program to say "I'M REVERSING" whenever he starts to back up.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

So raza's a street racer, never imagined that. Like a modern day James Dean he is.

[hotrodalex]

I think one of those LED signs that he can program to say "I'M REVERSING" whenever he starts to back up.

Great idea! He can also program it to say expletives while driving normally, to really show those n00bs behind him!

[12,000 RPM]

I think one of those LED signs that he can program to say "I'M REVERSING" whenever he starts to back up.

Maybe some auxiliary lights? Some white ones?

[S204STi]

Nice try, but you're only using your reverse lights for a fraction of the time you're driving, unless for some reason you like to drive backwards everywhere you go. Is it less safe? Yes, I'll admit that, but honestly, paying more attention and not being an idiot goes a long way with not getting into accidents.

You're wrong.

[S204STi]

http://www.edmunds.com/chevrolet/corvette-stingray/2014/road-test.html

Awesome car.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

The worst parts about that car(design wise, imo) are the camaro elements. Namely the rear lights.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

What are the huge ducts on the quarter panels for? I figured brake cooling ducts but they look alittle overkill. Also the seats still look a bit weak, however edmunds didn't mention anything about them. Apparently the brakes are weak too. I'll give the brakes the benefit of the doubt since this is a base model(i believe).

[Cookie Monster]

You're wrong.

Cool story, bro.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

What are the huge ducts on the quarter panels for? I figured brake cooling ducts but they look alittle overkill. Also the seats still look a bit weak, however edmunds didn't mention anything about them. Apparently the brakes are weak too. I'll give the brakes the benefit of the doubt since this is a base model(i believe).

The Recaros will be available around the time the Vert debuts! But I haven't read any complaints about the seats or brakes!

[FlatBlackCaddy]

The Recaros will be available around the time the Vert debuts! But I haven't read any complaints about the seats or brakes!

Watch the edmunds video, they comment that the brakes were "smoking" after the day at the track. Also at the end that was the ONLY thing they mentioned that was not up to par.

Seat complaints are more of a in general comment that was usually directed at C5's and C6's. I was just making the observation that from the video they don't look to be any more supportive(side bolsters) than those in the previous cars that received complaints.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

Watch the edmunds video, they comment that the brakes were "smoking" after the day at the track. Also at the end that was the ONLY thing they mentioned that was not up to par.

Seat complaints are more of a in general comment that was usually directed at C5's and C6's. I was just making the observation that from the video they don't look to be any more supportive(side bolsters) than those in the previous cars that received complaints.

OK! I only watched the Motor Trend video and they did have a Z51 model.

[Catman]

The worst parts about that car(design wise, imo) are the camaro elements. Namely the rear lights.

I can see that. I'm not overly offended though.


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[SVT666]

Motor Trend specifically stated in their article that the seats are really good.  I also read complaints about the brakes.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

Edmunds also said the tires were toast! Maybe the car had been whipped on all day.

[Rich]

Neither seat option is made by Recaro.  Lear makes both the base seat and the competition seat.  Competition seats will be available some time after launch.

One of the quarter panel ducts air into the diff cooler.  The other one ducts air to the trans cooler.  The air then exits through an extractor on each side of the tail.

[GoCougs]

It's virtually impossible for the C7 to have brake issues - sure it's much faster and generally more capable vs. the C6, but the C7 has more swept braking area and much better passive brake cooling and is stopping 10-12 feet shorter than the C6. Any issues are either ancillary (worn tires) or expected of a well-beat press mule.

[MX793]

It's virtually impossible for the C7 to have brake issues - sure it's much faster and generally more capable vs. the C6, but the C7 has more swept braking area and much better passive brake cooling and is stopping 10-12 feet shorter than the C6. Any issues are either ancillary (worn tires) or expected of a well-beat press mule.

Stopping distance is more a function of tires than brakes.  Both a C6 or C7 (and practically any other car on the road) have more than enough brake to lock the wheels.  It's how much grip the tires can put out before they skid that determines your stopping distance.

And swept area is only one part of the brake fade equation.  If Chevy compromised on the pad friction material in the interest of noise or dust reduction, the pads may be fading/glazing.

[SVT666]

It's virtually impossible for the C7 to have brake issues - sure it's much faster and generally more capable vs. the C6, but the C7 has more swept braking area and much better passive brake cooling and is stopping 10-12 feet shorter than the C6. Any issues are either ancillary (worn tires) or expected of a well-beat press mule.

They complained of brake fade which has nothing to do with tires.

[MrH]

They complained of brake fade which has nothing to do with tires.

Actually, it does.  Stickier tires = more braking force (as seen by the shorter stopping distance in the new vette) = more heat = brake fade more likely.

[GoCougs]

I'll believe brake fade when I hear of it on something other than this first batch of test mules...

[GoCougs]

They complained of brake fade which has nothing to do with tires.

Or, if tires are very worn, as they heat up they lose grip (longer braking distances).

[SVT666]

Or, if tires are very worn, as they heat up they lose grip (longer braking distances).

You don't know what brake fade is do you?

[MX793]

Or, if tires are very worn, as they heat up they lose grip (longer braking distances).

Brake fade means you have to push the pedal harder to get the tires to even lock up (or to trip the ABS).  Worn tires with reduced grip means that the tires start to skid (or the ABS kicks in) with less brake application, which increases stopping distance.

[GoCougs]

I'll believe brake fade when I hear of it on something other than this first batch of test mules...

[565]

The C7 Corvette is mighty impressive in handling numbers.

However I am disappointed they spent alot of the development of the drive train on fuel economy rather than performance.  This is evident in the cylinder deactivation system, the heavier steel torque tube instead of the previous aluminium to deal with the vibrations in 4 cylinders.  All in all this C7 is only marginally faster than the C6.

Here is something interesting I discovered from GT5 of all places.  I was eager to see how much better the 7 speed transmission's ratios were spaced given the extra gear, and I was shocked to find that Polyphony had just copied the old C5 Z06/ C5 Z51 gear ratios across to the new car without bothering to change them, effectively giving the car two overdrive gears for no reason at all.  Then I looked up the real gearing on the C7 to see what the gearing really should be.  Then I realized that Polyphony didn't screw up at all.  GM has the C7 pretty much geared up the exact same way the C5 Z06 was geared up to 4th gear.  Then 5th gear is actually taller in the new car. 

                 C7            C5 Z06
Final drive   3.42:1       3.42:1
1st Gear   2.97:1   2.97:1
2nd Gear   2.07:1   2.07:1
3rd Gear   1.43:1   1.43:1
4th Gear   1.00:1   1.00:1
5th Gear   0.71:1   0.84:1
6th Gear   0.57:1   0.56:1
7th Gear     0.48:1

GM had the chance to really tighten up the ratios for better performance, but instead they added another cruising gear for more fuel economy.

So now after 11 years, the 50K base C7 (12.2 @ 117) just barely manages to out run the 50K C5 Z06 (12.4 @116).  And it's not like the competition hasn't caught up.  In 2002, even the base C5 was head and shoulders faster than the standard NA hot 911 (non turbo, non GT3).  Now the new 911 S is right there (12.0 @ 118)

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2014-chevrolet-corvette-stingray-z51-road-test-review

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2002-chevrolet-corvete-z06-short-take-road-test-review

http://media.caranddriver.com/files/2012-chevrolet-corvette-z06-vs-2013-nissan-gt-r-vs-2012-porsche-911-carrera-s-comparison-test-car-and-driver2012-chevrolet-corvette-z06-vs-2013-nissan-gt-r-vs-2012-porsche-911-carrera-s-febuary2012.pdf


I know that GM is trying to concentrate on sophistication and interior quality.  But honestly I feel like all those improvements become pointless if they lose sight of what made the Corvette's popular in the first place.  The entire point of the Corvette, even the base model, is to be able to out perform the European competition for a fraction of the price, including straight line acceleration, and I dare say especially straight line acceleration.  The Z06/ZR1 versions are beasts for sure, but the base car needs to be upgraded if it is to stay ahead of the rising competition.  In today's world with full size luxury sedan's running 120mph in the 1/4 mile, I honestly expected more straight line speed out of the C7.

[MX793]

To be fair, $50K 11 years ago is equal to ~$65K in today's dollars.  So you're getting a car that's every bit as fast as the C5 Z06 (plus I'd wager better handling) for considerably less money.