C7 Corvette

[MX793]

as an option? is a fixed roof standard?

Given the way that the Corvette is constructed, even if it is a fixed roof, it's not going to add any appreciable stiffness.  The roof isn't a stressed structural member.  It'll be like the "fixed roof" on the Exige, which was just a relatively flimsy plastic/GRP panel bolted where the normal targa top would be.  Making it fixed just means you lose the open-air aspect of the car (not to mention that taking the roof off completely sheds some weight).  As memory serves, the fixed roof on the old Z06 notchback didn't have any real structure in it either.  The non-liftback rear window was lighter than the liftback on the normal coupe, which was really the only reason they used that body style.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Given the way that the Corvette is constructed, even if it is a fixed roof, it's not going to add any appreciable stiffness.  The roof isn't a stressed structural member.  It'll be like the "fixed roof" on the Exige, which was just a relatively flimsy plastic/GRP panel bolted where the normal targa top would be.  Making it fixed just means you lose the open-air aspect of the car (not to mention that taking the roof off completely sheds some weight).  As memory serves, the fixed roof on the old Z06 notchback didn't have any real structure in it either.  The non-liftback rear window was lighter than the liftback on the normal coupe, which was really the only reason they used that body style.

The other issue I don't like is that removable roof's are sometimes required to be removed for track use.

I'd really just rather not have the hassles.

[Catman]

I read the press release and I remember something about the roof being fixed

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

I read the press release and I remember something about the roof being fixed

It's removable. And the C7 Z06 is 20% stiffer than a C6 ZR1 with its roof removed and 60% stiffer with the roof in place....

[Catman]

Should be fine

[Lebowski]

Removable roof on the z06 is a plus IMO. Not that I regularly take mine off, but it's nice to have the option.

[Galaxy]

A really impressive vehicle this Corvette. The Viper people must be really depressed.

[Catman]

The new viper looks old.

[GoCougs]

A really impressive vehicle this Corvette. The Viper people must be really depressed.

Dodge tries too much to make the Viper NOT like a Corvette, despite it being a Dodge Corvette, compromising it in the process. No one wants a car purposefully designed to be less refined.

[CALL_911]

All things considered, I have no doubt the Corvette is a better car than the Viper. I still want a Viper so fucking badly, though

[Eye of the Tiger]

Dodge tries too much to make the Viper NOT like a Corvette, despite it being a Dodge Corvette, compromising it in the process. No one wants a car purposefully designed to be less refined.

So all sports cars should be as quiet and smooth as a Lexus LSleep.

[565]

Given the way that the Corvette is constructed, even if it is a fixed roof, it's not going to add any appreciable stiffness.  The roof isn't a stressed structural member.  It'll be like the "fixed roof" on the Exige, which was just a relatively flimsy plastic/GRP panel bolted where the normal targa top would be.  Making it fixed just means you lose the open-air aspect of the car (not to mention that taking the roof off completely sheds some weight).  As memory serves, the fixed roof on the old Z06 notchback didn't have any real structure in it either.  The non-liftback rear window was lighter than the liftback on the normal coupe, which was really the only reason they used that body style.

The notch back FRC body style was indeed stiffer than the coupe even with the roof on.

http://www.c5registry.com/zo6/hib/page2.htm

"Rocket scientists out there will be interested to know the convertible's first torsional frequency is 20hz. Coupes with the roof out are at 20.5hz and, with the roof on, jump to 22hz. The Z06 is a stout, 24hz."

So the coupe even with the roof off was slightly stiffer than the vert.  Adding the roof made the coupe stiffer byt 1.5hz.  Going with the notch back made it stiffer still by 2hz.

[MX793]

The notch back FRC body style was indeed stiffer than the coupe even with the roof on.

http://www.c5registry.com/zo6/hib/page2.htm

"Rocket scientists out there will be interested to know the convertible's first torsional frequency is 20hz. Coupes with the roof out are at 20.5hz and, with the roof on, jump to 22hz. The Z06 is a stout, 24hz."

So the coupe even with the roof off was slightly stiffer than the vert.  Adding the roof made the coupe stiffer byt 1.5hz.  Going with the notch back made it stiffer still by 2hz.

Didn't Chevy put some additional stiffening into the lower part of the chassis on the Z06 that the coupes didn't have?  I don't believe the notchback design alone was that much stiffer.

[565]

Didn't Chevy put some additional stiffening into the lower part of the chassis on the Z06 that the coupes didn't have?  I don't believe the notchback design alone was that much stiffer.

The notchback had the same extra cross bar behind the seats as the convertibles.  However as the notchback was 20% stiffer than the vert, the addition of a top clearly contributed alot to the stiffness.  In addition the coupe was slightly stiffer than the convertible even with the coupe's roof off, so the cross bar in the back didn't make drastic additions to stiffness.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-general/2326760-chassis-rigidity-coupe-vs-vert-vs-frc.html

"The Hardtop's underbody structure is the stiffest of all C5s. It has both the Coupe's "top bow" and the extra crossbar behind the seats, characteristic of the Convertible. Its exterior bodywork behind the windshield and above the belt line is bolted to the windshield header and is bolted and adhesively bonded to the rear deck. The underbody structure, the hard top and the lack of the big hole in the back for the hatch make the Hardtop about 12% stiffer in torsion and bending than the Coupe with its roof in place. Additionally, though the removal of the coupe's heavy hatch glass and lighter top structure, the Hardtop's curb weight is 80 pounds less than the lightest Coupe"

[ifcar]

Dodge tries too much to make the Viper NOT like a Corvette, despite it being a Dodge Corvette, compromising it in the process. No one wants a car purposefully designed to be less refined.

While their numbers are clearly fewer, that is precisely what the diehards want.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

No ZR1 is in the plans rite now.  with the Z06 making over 600 HP I really don't see a need for it.
http://blog.caranddriver.com/corvette-lead-engineer-confirms-zr1-not-under-development/?src=spr_TWITTER&spr_id=1458_40144048

[Eye of the Tiger]

It just sucks that the base model is dropping to 220 hp. That is not enough power for this class of car. I mean, why even bother with slapper bars for the leaf springs?

[Soup DeVille]

Dodge tries too much to make the Viper NOT like a Corvette, despite it being a Dodge Corvette, compromising it in the process. No one wants a car purposefully designed to be less refined.

Some people clearly do.

[GoCougs]

While their numbers are clearly fewer, that is precisely what the diehards want.

Some people clearly do.

They are not people. They are Viper buyers, that curious subset of homo sapiens that buys the inferior car precisely because it is purposefully inferior. 

[MrH]

They are not people. They are Viper buyers, that curious subset of homo sapiens that buys the inferior car precisely because it is purposefully inferior. 

[Lebowski]

The viper is cool, but yeah I can't imagine even seriously considering handing over actual dollars for one. 

[Soup DeVille]

They are not people. They are Viper buyers, that curious subset of homo sapiens that buys the inferior car precisely because it is purposefully inferior. 

Its only inferior to you because it doesn't do what you think it should do as well as another. Other people have a different opinion of why they buy such cars.

Most buyers of these cars won't ever use their capabilities, or close to it. So, the question to ask is: what are they really looking for in that car?

[68_427]

Was a gray z06 at Detroit as well.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

I read that Chevy is dropping Velocity Yellow for next year even tho the Z06 was unveiled in that color. A differant hue of yellow will be offered. I hope it has as much 'POP" as V Yellow did....   

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

Was a gray z06 at Detroit as well.

Yep! They had one in Shark Gray (replaces Cyber Gray next year) on the floor.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

The Z06 is in Shark Gray and the Stingray is Cyber Gray.

[CALL_911]

Z06 is a bit over the top, but I dig it anyway

[Catman]

Shark gray looks fantastic.

[giant_mtb]

That hood window just gets bigger and bigger.

[MX793]

Is it actually a window on this car or did they just paint the top of the power bulge black (or leave it exposed carbon fiber)?