The Official C8 Corvette Thread...

[565]

I'm willing to bet 95% will be under 80K. I can't see the Bean Counters leaving that much money on the table.

It is interesting that the C8 costs about 80K to build.

Compare that to the 911, which is apparently has the highest profit margins.

https://europe.autonews.com/automakers/porsche-911-most-profitable-car-2019

47% profit margin and it sounds like most of it is in options.  It's very likely in terms of pure cost to make, the C8 costs more than the 911.  It makes sense as the C8 is an all new platform and was built to accommodate the future, including a twin turbo V8, hybrid AWD drivetrains etc.  The 911 is mostly an evolution of things that have come before it.


Also something interesting, the 911 only makes up 11%! of Porsche sales.  The majority are Macans and Cayennes.  I see those things everywhere

https://www.motor1.com/news/300557/porsche-best-selling-models-2018/

It looks like in 2018 the Macan more than doubled 911 sales, and the Cayenne also doubled 911 sales.  Its kinda sad when the iconic sports car of a sports car maker only amounts to about 10% of its sales.  Porsche is mainly an SUV maker now.  I guess now I know why Lambo made an SUV and Ferrari wants to make one.  SUVs are where the sales are.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

Randys take on the C8 with Track Alignment!
https://www.motortrend.com/cars/chevrolet/corvette/2020/c7-vs-c8-chevrolet-corvette-track-review/

[Morris Minor]

The C8 is great (just watched the Jay Leno episode on the convertible) but I don't think it's great-looking - too much overwrought-Batmobile fussiness. I'd like more simple purity of line. Amazing achievement though.
https://youtu.be/nvTzcNtaSLU

[AutobahnSHO]

I really love the looks of the current and the next Vettes.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

https://www.hotrod.com/articles/gm-employees-jailed-racing-c8-corvettes-street/

[Laconian]

I wonder if cops look the other way when Ferraris fly around Maranello.

[CaminoRacer]

Article says it's embarrassing for GM but I think it's more embarrassing for the cops for being such lame-o's.

[Galaxy]

I wonder if cops look the other way when Ferraris fly around Maranello.

Yes. It is interesting with the Mille Miglia how the Italian Police shoe traffic away.

[565]

This is good publicity if anything. 

[veeman]

[quote author=565 link=topic=34538.msg2452829#msg2452829 date=1575221316


Also something interesting, the 911 only makes up 11%! of Porsche sales.  The majority are Macans and Cayennes.  I see those things everywhere

https://www.motor1.com/news/300557/porsche-best-selling-models-2018/

It looks like in 2018 the Macan more than doubled 911 sales, and the Cayenne also doubled 911 sales.  Its kinda sad when the iconic sports car of a sports car maker only amounts to about 10% of its sales.  Porsche is mainly an SUV maker now.  I guess now I know why Lambo made an SUV and Ferrari wants to make one.  SUVs are where the sales are.

[/quote]

I remember reading that Porsche would have gone under if they hadn't made the Cayenne and the Cayenne not only saved the company but made them very profitable.  All the Porsche purists who were crying when the Cayenne came out didn't realize the Cayenne allowed Porsche to still build their 911s for the few who can afford a limited use sports car costing 100 grand.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a30471824/c8-corvette-z06-winter-testing-spied/

[Laconian]

The purists are aging out and are being replaced by poseurs that only care about the badge and the status.

[Soup DeVille]

The purists are aging out and are being replaced by poseurs that only care about the badge and the status.

There are a lot of old poseurs out there as well.

[Laconian]

There are a lot of old poseurs out there as well.

Of course, but the replacement rate of "enthusiasts" is lower, and the neo-Gilded age has plumped up demand for status junkies at the very high end of the market (esp. places like China). So of course Ferrari's going to make a truck; nobody who matters really gives a shit anymore.

[giant_mtb]

https://www.hotrod.com/articles/gm-employees-jailed-racing-c8-corvettes-street/

A friend of mine that works for GM knows one of the guys who got fired...they both have CTS V's and cruise together as part of a group on weekends.

[Payman]

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a30471824/c8-corvette-z06-winter-testing-spied/

Looks like an El Camino.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0XUkui3LM8

[GoCougs]

C&D insists/confirms the C8 Z06 will be powered by a 5.5L flat-plane DOHC V8 rated at 8,600 RPM and 600 hp: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a30607956/c8-corvette-testing-video/

One should hope it has some measure of VVL, to avoid driveability/performance issues of other similar, recent motors (*cough* GT350 *cough*). We'll see!

Either way, if GM sticks with this, they could really make some headway with reputation. N/A are simply better across the board, if they can be designed to perform.

[Laconian]

That's ridiculous. It'll sound amazing.

[Payman]

The base 'Vette does 0-60 in 2.8. What the hell will this do, with that high revving 600hp engine? And what do Z06's start at, $85-90,000? Incredible. 

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

The base 'Vette does 0-60 in 2.8. What the hell will this do, with that high revving 600hp engine? And what do Z06's start at, $85-90,000? Incredible. 

Yup! Can't wait for the Comparos!!!

[MX793]

The base 'Vette does 0-60 in 2.8. What the hell will this do, with that high revving 600hp engine? And what do Z06's start at, $85-90,000? Incredible. 

Probably 2.7 unless they have VVL, which to my knowledge GM does not have in their bag of tricks.

[GoCougs]

GM has VVL on some of its 4 cylinder engines.

[Eye of the Tiger]

My balls have VVL.

[MX793]

GM has VVL on some of its 4 cylinder engines.

Which ones?

EDIT:  Found it.  One version of the Ecotec has (had, it's no longer in production) a stepped, 2-stage variable lift on the intake vales, sort of like OG V-TEC.

[GoCougs]

GM's (Chevy) been killing hi-po engine development since the introduction of the LT1 in 1992, so I'm guessing this will work itself out. Exactly how? I'm not sure. VVL has been a known thing for a long time, but GM didn't have any need for it for the majority of its business (i.e., pooprod power). If GM doesn't go with VVL, sky high CR, low weight and DCT helps tons. My bet is GM follows in the footsteps of the R8 or F458 that have a VTEC (two step cam) like process for a simplistic VVL.

[MX793]

Neither the R8 (it's Lambo mechanical twin) nor the F458 use any VVL.  Audi's AVS VVL system is ill suited to higher revving platforms and only used in their 4 and 6 cylinder engines.  Both had continuous VVT.

[FoMoJo]

GM has VVL on some of its 4 cylinder engines.

VVL pretty redundant on a boosted engine.

[ChrisV]

I'm really wanting a convertible version, in this blue, with the optional body colored parts. But I HATE every wheel that's factory available. These BBS's are what I'd like, but so far only HRE will make you a set of the P101s in this style.



I'd still prefer an Aston over one as a dream ride, but for modern performance cars, this is rapidly rising to the top of my wish list.

Even the coupe would be fine...

[MrH]

Wow.  That looks great.  I might skip on the red stripe though.

The only thing I can't stand about them is the spoiler options.  They're both bad.  The tall one is just the lesser of two evils.