X25

The web site below lists GS top speed as 186 MPH, and as far as I remember, Car and Driver also listed it as 186 MPH; is this correct? I remember a debate here at the forum where the top speed of the GS models was not listed in GM's own Corvette brochures...

http://www.carbuzz.com/Chevrolet/201...d-Sport-Coupe/

boraxman

Yes...Very slow

TNTC4VETTE

Coupe's faster!

jack5hd

http://www.chevrolet.com/corvette-sports-cars/go here and then click on compare models..coupe is slower in 0 to 60

X25

Yep, we know that, but some of the forum members were suggesting it's much slower. What was the coupe's top speed? 190 MPH? 192 MPH? Honestly, considering the increased high speed stability (read lower lift all around) of the wide body and Z06-based aero elements, 186 MPH is not bad at all

GS-Zero

Alright, class is starting. Everyone sit down, this is physics 101.

Of course the narrower car has a greater top speed. Physics dictates this. The wider body creates more aerodynamic resistance than you get in the coupe. But the few miles per hour difference at the top end is a bargain exchange for the all-round performance of the Grand Sport in all other situations. The wider tires allow for faster launches, and greater cornering capability (up to or even exceeding 1.0G).

If you want to travel at 193 MPH, buy a coupe, though.

ospreycorvette

Really, who cares. 185, 190, I will never come close to that speed just like 99% of owners.
All reviews like the GS stability over the base, more controllable, one of the reasons it is the hottest selling Corvette in these tough times. Lots of great stuff for just $4000, bargain IMO.

boraxman

Wheres Jack?

wombats777

and if you buy a red one, it's even faster.

petermj

If you put ZR1 aero on widebody, the drag will increase even more, thus, the top speed which is drag limited will go down again since there is no extra horsepower available This is regardless how much reduction in lift you would get. CD on base is 0.28 vs. 0.34 for widebody and 0.35 for widebody with ground effects.

petermj

If nobody cares, why bring it up? Best sellers are there due to creative MARKETING and obviously you demonstrate it works very well

Try Z51 NPP base with better tires and then report back regarding that stability....

PittMD1

OK the coupe is faster at straight line top end. Which is faster around a test track?

Wayne O

Individual results may vary.

petermj

The coupe should be faster in 0-60 as well, with Z51, this is why GM discountinued this option on base when GS came around, same rear end, same power and less weight has to be good for something.

X25

Agreed. Drag coefficient is linearly related to the overall drag (not exponentially), so the increase of drag at 0.35 vs. 0.34 should be marginal and limited compared to the jump we suffer from 0.286 (base) to 0.34 (wide body). In any case, I agree with the previous posters that I would take the increased stability over a few MPH more top speed any day.

Triumph Jerry

The engineers worked their tails off to make the C6 and inch narrower than the C5 and now everyone is making their C6's wider.
The NEW C7 will be a foot wider.

petermj

what would happened if you added some aero to the base though? What adds drag to widebodies are those fancy scoops and exposed tires and turbulence that come with them. Do you gain lift reduction this way? Notice how little is the splitter on Z06 and GS vs. ZR1... The air dam seems to be a very effective aide to reduce the front lift, that cheapo piece of plastic works very well as a matter of fact...

petermj

yup, they did, taller as well. Less overhang is good though. I do not think C7 will be wider at all, most likely just taller to accommodate less flexible people.

ohmy

the limiting factor there is driver's skill level. most people can't really utilize the full potential of the base car, no matter how great they "think" they are it's funny how the GS, Z06 and ZR1 owners dish out the extra money for something they will never ever utilize... but that wide bootie sure looks awesome

petermj

yes it does, until you hit a patch of gravel