View Poll Results: Horsepower of top model of the C7
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Will the top C7 have 700 HP?
09-01-2012, 06:27 PM
#21
Le Mans Master
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A few reasons and clues:
A) EPA. If the ZR1 is made lighter and more efficient, then increasing the HP is only going to eat more fuel. If the HP levels remain about the same as they were before but the car is made more efficient, it will be faster and use less fuel to do it.
B) Notice that the Viper is only rated 2HP above the ZR1? They could have easily pushed for more power. They didn't even increase displacement. This makes me think that there's a "governing" reason for not pushing much more power. Seems the mid-600s are about what all the sub-Ferrari-priced cars are shooting for. There's likely a very good reason for this; and it's likely that there's going to be some financial responsibilities that come with more power on the consumer end, plus a possible tax on the manufacturer's end.
C) More power requires more building-up of the drive line, brakes, suspension, etc... Even 60HP could be what causes some stuff to be far more expensive to build. Different materials, more materials, more R&D for re-engineering stronger structures, etc. If they're working with what they already know, their up-front costs coming out of this recession will be far lower.
In the end, making the car more efficient, rather than just stacking power would make far more sense in every respect. The power numbers are just that: numbers. If someone just wants to brag about how much power they make (regardless of being able to use it), they can just go buy a Shelby for half the price of a ZR1. But the C6 ZR1 hands the Shelby its *** in every category with less power as it is. What do you think the same ZR1 power in a lighter more nimble and efficient car is going to do? Go slower? No, sir. That thing's going to be an even faster rocket that even a Mustang making 700HP isn't going to be able to touch.
And that's the truth.
A) EPA. If the ZR1 is made lighter and more efficient, then increasing the HP is only going to eat more fuel. If the HP levels remain about the same as they were before but the car is made more efficient, it will be faster and use less fuel to do it.
B) Notice that the Viper is only rated 2HP above the ZR1? They could have easily pushed for more power. They didn't even increase displacement. This makes me think that there's a "governing" reason for not pushing much more power. Seems the mid-600s are about what all the sub-Ferrari-priced cars are shooting for. There's likely a very good reason for this; and it's likely that there's going to be some financial responsibilities that come with more power on the consumer end, plus a possible tax on the manufacturer's end.
C) More power requires more building-up of the drive line, brakes, suspension, etc... Even 60HP could be what causes some stuff to be far more expensive to build. Different materials, more materials, more R&D for re-engineering stronger structures, etc. If they're working with what they already know, their up-front costs coming out of this recession will be far lower.
In the end, making the car more efficient, rather than just stacking power would make far more sense in every respect. The power numbers are just that: numbers. If someone just wants to brag about how much power they make (regardless of being able to use it), they can just go buy a Shelby for half the price of a ZR1. But the C6 ZR1 hands the Shelby its *** in every category with less power as it is. What do you think the same ZR1 power in a lighter more nimble and efficient car is going to do? Go slower? No, sir. That thing's going to be an even faster rocket that even a Mustang making 700HP isn't going to be able to touch.
And that's the truth.
09-03-2012, 11:07 AM
#23
Couldn't agree more. That much power to only two wheels (without major aero downforce) is borderline useless. H3ll, even a ZR1 can get beat around a curvy track by a Z06 (recent Road & Track feature). If they're going to put that much motor in the car it would be wise to think about AWD like the GTR. It's nearly 4000 lbs and can run with a Z06. Having big power makes smoking the tires easy, but I'd prefer a platform engineered to give me a chance at making use of most of it.
09-03-2012, 11:51 AM
#24
Remember folks, GM engineers the Corvette for lap times, not ETs. Whatever they build has to withstand a lot more than running 10s and cooling off.
09-03-2012, 12:16 PM
#25
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Jul 2011
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St. Jude Donor '13
Personally, even though it will be a while before I can be back in a Vette again, let alone a C7, I think the HP numbers are useless.
It's like a lot of posters have said here and in other posts ... if it goes fast, then what do the paper numbers mean?
I don't track my cars, but if I were a racing person, I'd rather say "I won" rather than "My HP is higher and I lost".
It's like a lot of posters have said here and in other posts ... if it goes fast, then what do the paper numbers mean?
I don't track my cars, but if I were a racing person, I'd rather say "I won" rather than "My HP is higher and I lost".
09-03-2012, 12:30 PM
#27
Agreed. On the street I drive my Z06 fairly conservatively b/c I have the GY run craps. I can spin the wheels with about 10% throttle in either 1st or 2nd gear. Power means nothing if it can't be applied. I think they'd be fine to raise the HP to just a bit higher than Viper. Like mentioned before, maybe 650.
09-03-2012, 02:54 PM
#28
Race Director
I don't believe GM will worry about the Viper's HP; they are there now with the ZR1.
Ditto the Mustang at a heavier weight. It barely beats the Camaro ZL1 at the strip and loses on a road course. It can't even smell the top Corvette.
Ditto the Ferrari at many multiples the cost.
Only 'paper racers' and bar/country club guys care about 'bigger is better'.
Ditto the Mustang at a heavier weight. It barely beats the Camaro ZL1 at the strip and loses on a road course. It can't even smell the top Corvette.
Ditto the Ferrari at many multiples the cost.
Only 'paper racers' and bar/country club guys care about 'bigger is better'.
09-03-2012, 07:25 PM
#29
Team Owner
09-03-2012, 10:13 PM
#30
Racer
Wait whaaaat? The mustang runs a mid to high 11 @ mid 120's proven by many on svtperformance. It pulls a z06(documented) the Zl1 runs mid to high 12's in the mid to low teens(documented and vidoed by many on camaro5) The Zl1 get yanked by the gt500. The Gt500 even beats it in a road course even by the mags. It's just "easier to drive" Go look on svtperformance or camaro 5. And please show me a 11sec stock run out of a zl1? 1.69 60ft? GM lied man no way it's pulling awd times. Go check youtube for a zr1 vette against a stock gt500. It's close.
09-03-2012, 11:08 PM
#32
Le Mans Master
You better keep reading because the Camaro actually wins on road courses, or certainly does not lose to the Ford.
Read this!
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...0/viewall.html
http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews...d/viewall.html
http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews...0/viewall.html
http://www.caranddriver.com/comparis...on-test-review
http://www.roadandtrack.com/tests/co...let-camaro-zl1
And YouTube sucks. It documents little.
Last edited by jackhall99; 09-03-2012 at 11:24 PM.