C7 Corvette

[Catman]

I don't think I'd be disappointed with the performance.

[Cookie Monster]

So why 3 overdrive gears?

[Laconian]

The new Vette delivers massive bang for the buck for 95% of its buyers. I want to know what the souped up ZR1 or whatever will be like, that'll be a better comparison.

[MX793]

So why 3 overdrive gears?

Because 3 is better than 2!

[SVT666]

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 Gear2.97:12.97:1
2nd Gear2.07:12.07:1
3rd Gear1.43:11.43:1
4th Gear1.00:11.00:1
5th Gear0.71:10.84:1
6th Gear0.57:10.56:1
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.

What are you expecting for $50K?  Maybe GM has decided the base car is fast enough and now they need to give it better seats, better interiors, and better ride and handling.  Personally, I'm pretty impressed...and I've never been much of a Corvette fan.

[280Z Turbo]

Yeah, and it's hard to even get a new 911 under $100,000. It damn well better be faster at that price!

[FlatBlackCaddy]

So is the auto option going to be a dual clutch unit?

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

So is the auto option going to be a dual clutch unit?

Nope

[afty]

Yeah, if there is one thing the Corvette *doesn't* need, it's more performance.  It's still much faster than anything else in its price range, and if you really want more, you can step up to the Z06 or ZR1. 

[Lebowski]

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.

I think the fuel economy stuff has more to do with cafe standards and avoiding the gas guzzler tax.

911 S isn't the "standard" 911, it's $14k more starting than the base Carrera and well into six figures by the time you configure it decently.  Comparing two well equipped cars, the C2S is nearly twice the price of the C7.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Nope

FFS

[GoCougs]

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.

Not really. ~12.1 (C7) vs ~12.6 (C6) in the 1/4 mile is a HUGE gap in performance. The C5 Z06 was equivalent to ~$80k today. That the $54k C7 outguns it easily, and is all around a much higher quality and handling product, is phenomenal. GM didn't really spend any time on improving MPG. The Corvette games the EPA test well because it is light and tiny.

There is no full size luxury sedan that runs C7 1/4 mile times that doesn't cost ~$100k.

[Byteme]

What are you expecting for $50K?  Maybe GM has decided the base car is fast enough and now they need to give it better seats, better interiors, and better ride and handling.  Personally, I'm pretty impressed...and I've never been much of a Corvette fan.

I just read the reviews in Motor Trend, Road andTrack, Automobile and AutoWeek.  Early reviews are impressive.  I like them despite the Camaro rear end and video game dash.   

Convertibles are projected to cost about $55k.    I was kind of thinking about it as an alternative to a used XK8.  So I went to the local Chevy dealer to see when they would have one in the showroom.  The answer "NEVER".   The salesman told me the local dealership was not a corvette dealership; only selected dealers can sell corvettes.  I asked what if I bought one somewhere that could sell them and needed service.  I was told I'd have to take the car to Little Rock, the closest Corvette dealer.  That bit of news put that fire of desire out.

When did Chevy begin this policy.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

I've never heard of that myself. But since I live in a large city maybe our Chevy dealerships don't have that issue.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

I've never heard of that myself. But since I live in a large city maybe our Chevy dealerships don't have that issue.

Never heard that either, ever. I live in a rural(ish) area and the local dealer ALWAYS got vettes, even if it was just one or two. Maybe GM is trying to re-position the vette and are doing this "exclusivity" crap.

[hotrodalex]

Yeah I've never heard that.

[Lebowski]

Smaller dealers don't get as good allocations, but I don't know if any dealers around here that can't service them.

[Rich]

http://www.chevrolet.com/new-2014-corvette/#!/specs/specs_1

There's a note on the website what allows you to search for a participating Stingray dealer.  It caught my eye a few days ago when I was drooling, but didn't think anything of it.  I thought they were just trying to make it sound exclusive even if they were sold in every Chevy dealer (as had been the case in the podunk dealer where I grew up).

Guess they switched it up for pre-orders at least.

edit: Yup, looks like the only dealers authorized Stingray preorders are in Syracuse.  There's a dealer in Rome and Utica, and I'm sure a few others closer, but none are authorized.

[GoCougs]

Wow, that's trying too hard IMO to elevate the brand.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

Wow, that's trying too hard IMO to elevate the brand.

Rite! Just sell it out of Caddy Dealerships if thats what GM is trynna do!

[Laconian]

Stingray dealer? FFS.

[Byteme]

Rite! Just sell it out of Caddy Dealerships if thats what GM is trynna do!

I guess they are trying to shake the half unbottoned shirt and gold chain image the car evokes.   

One of the attractions of the car was that you could take it to any chevy dealer when it broke.  Apparently, if the salesman wasn't blowing smoke, you won't beable to do that with a 2014 model.

I'd bet the selected dealerships have to invest in a corvette boutique area on their showroom floor.

[hotrodalex]

Corvettes are supposed to be the "every man's" sports car. Guess now they'll change that to "every man close to an authorized dealer" sports car.

[68_427]

I thought it was just for the beginning of production

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

I thought it was just for the beginning of production

That's most likely the case....I hope.

[S204STi]

Smaller dealers don't get as good allocations, but I don't know if any dealers around here that can't service them.

Pain in the ass at my dealer. Only lift that can be used for one is my alignment rack, and only if I put blocks of wood in front of the ramp to avoid scraping the nose.

[GoCougs]

C&D and M/T road tests are in. No brake fade. In fact during brake testing the last stop was the shortest stop.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

C&D and M/T road tests are in. No brake fade. In fact during brake testing the last stop was the shortest stop.

I haven't heard any brake complaints either...

[GoCougs]

I haven't heard any brake complaints either...

In the C&D test the C7 Z51 out brakes the Viper GTS and 911 from 70-0. M/T has a brief blurb about the use of more iron vs. aluminum for better heat resistance.

[Byteme]

In the C&D test the C7 Z51 out brakes the Viper GTS and 911 from 70-0. M/T has a brief blurb about the use of more iron vs. aluminum for better heat resistance.

Every new series introduction and first drive I remember in CD and R&T starting with the 1968 models always had the reviewers gushing about the newest and best Corvette like a 12 year old girl babbling about the newest cover boy in Tiger Beat.  The writers are always giddy, like they are having some kind of mass orgasm.  Complaints and reservations are always downplayed at intro and first drives (They are more strongly addressed in later reviews).

The difference this time is previous weak areas seem to have been addressed.  Time will tell if they are really fixed.  I'd hope they are.  Hell, I'm impressed and I don't even like Corvettes or GM.

Given the pricing and that Chevrolet only sells 20,000-25,000 a year I wonder what the profit margin (if any) is on the Corvette?