My day with a C7
10-23-2013, 02:34 PM
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Member Since: Nov 2000
Location: Boston MA
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My day with a C7
I got a chance to spend a day with a 3LT/Z51/FE4/NPP torch red model a couple of days ago and I just have to write about it. Unfortunately it was an auto, and I only had it on public roads, but it was still an awesome experience. [if you are in the Boston area I encourage you to google new england corvette rental]
What you hear about it being better looking in person is so true. Everything that looks overdone in pictures: the multitude of vents, busy two-tone back end, the chrome ‘retainer’ in the front grill - all seem to fade and the beautiful lines and proportions just shine through. The only exterior detail I still don’t like is those two bumps in the lower front fascia. Reminds me of when the 5-mph bumper regulations came out and many pretty cars were ruined by ugly add-ons. I expect a midlife design refresh to address those (but I’m not waiting!).
I left the C5 at home so I wouldn’t experience a C7 to C5 disappointment at the end of the day (that strategy seems to have only partially worked!). Our family ride is a Cadillac SRX and I was not sure how it would be stepping out of that into the C7. That went better than expected. The look and finish of the materials is almost as nice. The cockpit flows around you and feels smaller than a C5/C6 but you don’t seem to mind. The seating position is a bit higher with less ‘falling into’ feeling as you enter. The steering wheel horn button that looks huge in pictures is no big deal in person. The door panels and some other interior pieces have flex to them but I’ll take that tradeoff to save grams. It was a black interior so not much contrast but still almost everything looked and felt first class.
The one area I don’t think is well done is to the left of the center stack screen. With just the engine start, radio volume, and screen up/down control there is too much plastic showing. I am going to seek out a C7 with the carbon fiber dash option and see if that helps. I’d also say the area with the cup holders and power outlet does not feel as finished - its visually boring compared to how the upper parts of the dash all flow together so nicely. My final nit is with the radio controls. The HVAC controls are great but there’s not enough hard buttons for all the stuff that the radio can do. I had to use the ‘home’ button + touch screen a lot. A nice array of user programmable buttons (like the optimus keyboard http://www.artlebedev.com/everything/optimus/mini-six/) around the radio screen would fill up the space and make it easier to interact with the car (I did not try the voice commands).
Oh, and when my hand is draped over the shifter it naturally falls near the climate temp ****, where I’d like it to be closer to the radio volume. Guess I have to get used to the steering wheel controls. Ok, I’m done with picking nits, now to the area where the car shines.
The thing that astounds me is the dual personality of the car. When in touring mode the ride is really nice (like BMW firm) and easily handles the bad roads here in New England. Put it into sport or track and you really feel the car change personality. The steering, suspension, exhaust, etc. all change into tense race car mode. I’ve had the adjustable shocks on previous vettes but it’s never been anything close to this.
Besides the diver mode selection wheel there’s another control that brings out the beast in this car. It’s under your right foot. OMG, when you hit the gas this thing just goes bipolar and really gets after it. The noises are closer to a race car than other vettes I’ve driven – the emphasis is on exhaust sounds behind you - the engine/valvetrain clatter in front of you is only a minor presence. I’ve never driven a C6 Z06 or ZR1 but I’d love to hear comments from others on how the personality compares.
I plan to put an order in for a 2015 – my last 2 vettes have been polo green and bowling green, I hope lime rock green makes it more than one year!
What you hear about it being better looking in person is so true. Everything that looks overdone in pictures: the multitude of vents, busy two-tone back end, the chrome ‘retainer’ in the front grill - all seem to fade and the beautiful lines and proportions just shine through. The only exterior detail I still don’t like is those two bumps in the lower front fascia. Reminds me of when the 5-mph bumper regulations came out and many pretty cars were ruined by ugly add-ons. I expect a midlife design refresh to address those (but I’m not waiting!).
I left the C5 at home so I wouldn’t experience a C7 to C5 disappointment at the end of the day (that strategy seems to have only partially worked!). Our family ride is a Cadillac SRX and I was not sure how it would be stepping out of that into the C7. That went better than expected. The look and finish of the materials is almost as nice. The cockpit flows around you and feels smaller than a C5/C6 but you don’t seem to mind. The seating position is a bit higher with less ‘falling into’ feeling as you enter. The steering wheel horn button that looks huge in pictures is no big deal in person. The door panels and some other interior pieces have flex to them but I’ll take that tradeoff to save grams. It was a black interior so not much contrast but still almost everything looked and felt first class.
The one area I don’t think is well done is to the left of the center stack screen. With just the engine start, radio volume, and screen up/down control there is too much plastic showing. I am going to seek out a C7 with the carbon fiber dash option and see if that helps. I’d also say the area with the cup holders and power outlet does not feel as finished - its visually boring compared to how the upper parts of the dash all flow together so nicely. My final nit is with the radio controls. The HVAC controls are great but there’s not enough hard buttons for all the stuff that the radio can do. I had to use the ‘home’ button + touch screen a lot. A nice array of user programmable buttons (like the optimus keyboard http://www.artlebedev.com/everything/optimus/mini-six/) around the radio screen would fill up the space and make it easier to interact with the car (I did not try the voice commands).
Oh, and when my hand is draped over the shifter it naturally falls near the climate temp ****, where I’d like it to be closer to the radio volume. Guess I have to get used to the steering wheel controls. Ok, I’m done with picking nits, now to the area where the car shines.
The thing that astounds me is the dual personality of the car. When in touring mode the ride is really nice (like BMW firm) and easily handles the bad roads here in New England. Put it into sport or track and you really feel the car change personality. The steering, suspension, exhaust, etc. all change into tense race car mode. I’ve had the adjustable shocks on previous vettes but it’s never been anything close to this.
Besides the diver mode selection wheel there’s another control that brings out the beast in this car. It’s under your right foot. OMG, when you hit the gas this thing just goes bipolar and really gets after it. The noises are closer to a race car than other vettes I’ve driven – the emphasis is on exhaust sounds behind you - the engine/valvetrain clatter in front of you is only a minor presence. I’ve never driven a C6 Z06 or ZR1 but I’d love to hear comments from others on how the personality compares.
I plan to put an order in for a 2015 – my last 2 vettes have been polo green and bowling green, I hope lime rock green makes it more than one year!
10-23-2013, 02:38 PM
#2
Le Mans Master
Nice review! I'm also with you on the Fangs but GM of Europe required it.....waitwut
10-23-2013, 03:36 PM
#4
Safety Car
The thing that astounds me is the dual personality of the car. When in touring mode the ride is really nice (like BMW firm) and easily handles the bad roads here in New England. Put it into sport or track and you really feel the car change personality. The steering, suspension, exhaust, etc. all change into tense race car mode. I’ve had the adjustable shocks on previous vettes but it’s never been anything close to this.
Besides the diver mode selection wheel there’s another control that brings out the beast in this car. It’s under your right foot. OMG, when you hit the gas this thing just goes bipolar and really gets after it. The noises are closer to a race car than other vettes I’ve driven – the emphasis is on exhaust sounds behind you - the engine/valvetrain clatter in front of you is only a minor presence. I’ve never driven a C6 Z06 or ZR1 but I’d love to hear comments from others on how the personality compares...
Besides the diver mode selection wheel there’s another control that brings out the beast in this car. It’s under your right foot. OMG, when you hit the gas this thing just goes bipolar and really gets after it. The noises are closer to a race car than other vettes I’ve driven – the emphasis is on exhaust sounds behind you - the engine/valvetrain clatter in front of you is only a minor presence. I’ve never driven a C6 Z06 or ZR1 but I’d love to hear comments from others on how the personality compares...
). There were plenty of twisties where I drove it though, and I couldn't agree more with your description. My wife's C6 Coupe has the mag ride, and you (well I) can only feel the difference between Tour and Sport mode when cornering aggressively. But with the C7 you feel every bump in the road, when you enter Sport or Track mode, but in a good way.We (4 or us) cruised up in 2 C6 Z06's, each of which are heads/cam cars that put about 550HP to the rear wheels. I got to drive both of them as well, and honestly I couldn't feel too much of a difference from idle to ~4K RPMs. The LT1's low end torque is amazing, and very noticable.
Congrats to the GM team for hitting a home run with this car...
10-23-2013, 03:53 PM
#5
I kind of like the 'fangs'. Have no idea where they came from but I would take a guess and the designers tried to mimic, albeit figuratively, of a stingray. That's what the fangs look like to me. And I think it suits the car very well.
10-23-2013, 04:47 PM
#6
I think the detail upfront now is amazing.....the Suctioned hood and the tense lines and the fangs look really cool as far as im concerned.
10-23-2013, 06:25 PM
#9
Race Director
I like the fangs although I imagine fang protectors will be on my shopping list..
Great review..what was the cost to rent the car?
Great review..what was the cost to rent the car?
10-23-2013, 09:34 PM
#10
Instructor
Member Since: Oct 2013
Location: North Attleboro Massachusetts
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I got a chance to spend a day with a 3LT/Z51/FE4/NPP torch red model a couple of days ago and I just have to write about it. Unfortunately it was an auto, and I only had it on public roads, but it was still an awesome experience. [if you are in the Boston area I encourage you to google new england corvette rental]
What you hear about it being better looking in person is so true. Everything that looks overdone in pictures: the multitude of vents, busy two-tone back end, the chrome ‘retainer’ in the front grill - all seem to fade and the beautiful lines and proportions just shine through. The only exterior detail I still don’t like is those two bumps in the lower front fascia. Reminds me of when the 5-mph bumper regulations came out and many pretty cars were ruined by ugly add-ons. I expect a midlife design refresh to address those (but I’m not waiting!).
I left the C5 at home so I wouldn’t experience a C7 to C5 disappointment at the end of the day (that strategy seems to have only partially worked!). Our family ride is a Cadillac SRX and I was not sure how it would be stepping out of that into the C7. That went better than expected. The look and finish of the materials is almost as nice. The cockpit flows around you and feels smaller than a C5/C6 but you don’t seem to mind. The seating position is a bit higher with less ‘falling into’ feeling as you enter. The steering wheel horn button that looks huge in pictures is no big deal in person. The door panels and some other interior pieces have flex to them but I’ll take that tradeoff to save grams. It was a black interior so not much contrast but still almost everything looked and felt first class.
The one area I don’t think is well done is to the left of the center stack screen. With just the engine start, radio volume, and screen up/down control there is too much plastic showing. I am going to seek out a C7 with the carbon fiber dash option and see if that helps. I’d also say the area with the cup holders and power outlet does not feel as finished - its visually boring compared to how the upper parts of the dash all flow together so nicely. My final nit is with the radio controls. The HVAC controls are great but there’s not enough hard buttons for all the stuff that the radio can do. I had to use the ‘home’ button + touch screen a lot. A nice array of user programmable buttons (like the optimus keyboard http://www.artlebedev.com/everything/optimus/mini-six/) around the radio screen would fill up the space and make it easier to interact with the car (I did not try the voice commands).
Oh, and when my hand is draped over the shifter it naturally falls near the climate temp ****, where I’d like it to be closer to the radio volume. Guess I have to get used to the steering wheel controls. Ok, I’m done with picking nits, now to the area where the car shines.
The thing that astounds me is the dual personality of the car. When in touring mode the ride is really nice (like BMW firm) and easily handles the bad roads here in New England. Put it into sport or track and you really feel the car change personality. The steering, suspension, exhaust, etc. all change into tense race car mode. I’ve had the adjustable shocks on previous vettes but it’s never been anything close to this.
Besides the diver mode selection wheel there’s another control that brings out the beast in this car. It’s under your right foot. OMG, when you hit the gas this thing just goes bipolar and really gets after it. The noises are closer to a race car than other vettes I’ve driven – the emphasis is on exhaust sounds behind you - the engine/valvetrain clatter in front of you is only a minor presence. I’ve never driven a C6 Z06 or ZR1 but I’d love to hear comments from others on how the personality compares.
I plan to put an order in for a 2015 – my last 2 vettes have been polo green and bowling green, I hope lime rock green makes it more than one year!
What you hear about it being better looking in person is so true. Everything that looks overdone in pictures: the multitude of vents, busy two-tone back end, the chrome ‘retainer’ in the front grill - all seem to fade and the beautiful lines and proportions just shine through. The only exterior detail I still don’t like is those two bumps in the lower front fascia. Reminds me of when the 5-mph bumper regulations came out and many pretty cars were ruined by ugly add-ons. I expect a midlife design refresh to address those (but I’m not waiting!).
I left the C5 at home so I wouldn’t experience a C7 to C5 disappointment at the end of the day (that strategy seems to have only partially worked!). Our family ride is a Cadillac SRX and I was not sure how it would be stepping out of that into the C7. That went better than expected. The look and finish of the materials is almost as nice. The cockpit flows around you and feels smaller than a C5/C6 but you don’t seem to mind. The seating position is a bit higher with less ‘falling into’ feeling as you enter. The steering wheel horn button that looks huge in pictures is no big deal in person. The door panels and some other interior pieces have flex to them but I’ll take that tradeoff to save grams. It was a black interior so not much contrast but still almost everything looked and felt first class.
The one area I don’t think is well done is to the left of the center stack screen. With just the engine start, radio volume, and screen up/down control there is too much plastic showing. I am going to seek out a C7 with the carbon fiber dash option and see if that helps. I’d also say the area with the cup holders and power outlet does not feel as finished - its visually boring compared to how the upper parts of the dash all flow together so nicely. My final nit is with the radio controls. The HVAC controls are great but there’s not enough hard buttons for all the stuff that the radio can do. I had to use the ‘home’ button + touch screen a lot. A nice array of user programmable buttons (like the optimus keyboard http://www.artlebedev.com/everything/optimus/mini-six/) around the radio screen would fill up the space and make it easier to interact with the car (I did not try the voice commands).
Oh, and when my hand is draped over the shifter it naturally falls near the climate temp ****, where I’d like it to be closer to the radio volume. Guess I have to get used to the steering wheel controls. Ok, I’m done with picking nits, now to the area where the car shines.
The thing that astounds me is the dual personality of the car. When in touring mode the ride is really nice (like BMW firm) and easily handles the bad roads here in New England. Put it into sport or track and you really feel the car change personality. The steering, suspension, exhaust, etc. all change into tense race car mode. I’ve had the adjustable shocks on previous vettes but it’s never been anything close to this.
Besides the diver mode selection wheel there’s another control that brings out the beast in this car. It’s under your right foot. OMG, when you hit the gas this thing just goes bipolar and really gets after it. The noises are closer to a race car than other vettes I’ve driven – the emphasis is on exhaust sounds behind you - the engine/valvetrain clatter in front of you is only a minor presence. I’ve never driven a C6 Z06 or ZR1 but I’d love to hear comments from others on how the personality compares.
I plan to put an order in for a 2015 – my last 2 vettes have been polo green and bowling green, I hope lime rock green makes it more than one year!
Last edited by Roadrunner 73; 10-23-2013 at 09:48 PM.
Cool