C7 Generation Life Span?
 

OK, I'm not a fan of Peter DeLorenzo (Autoextremist) but I finally watched the Autoline After Hours show from Detroit. In that, they are talking about how short the generations will be and DeLorenzo specifically mentions that GM VP Mark Reuss "promised" him that the C7 generation wouldn't last more than 5 years.

Look here from 17:00 to 17:30 minutes.
BTW, if you want to see them interview Harlan Charles on the floor of the show, go to 22:25.

What do you think of that? Would that change your thinking about buying a C7 if you knew the C8 was that close behind?

Sorry if this is a dupe.

I'd heard that as well. Also heard or read, can't remember which that the C7 will be the last traditional Corvette (i.e. V8, front engine) due to impending CAFE regs and tail pipe carbon limits.

I think the C8 will likely be a mid-engine hybrid six cylinder.

Called it.

I think C7 is transitory, everything about it screams to me "evolution" rather than "revolution." I do believe C8 is going to be rather exciting...unless it's a mid-engine six-banger...which would be completely lame.

^ with auxiliary electric motors on the wheels...! :willy:

For me, it would depend on what I was discovering via information leaks about the styling and engineering. I could live with a mid-engine six cylinder so long as it was competitive with Porsche. As for now, my GS only has 11K miles, I love it, and I can wait around.

After seeing an 8 second 3.8 Firebird, I could more than live with a vette getting a six banger :thumbs:

Five years sounds about right really, given how rapid tech advancements have been.

In 1984 had they already decided the C4 was going for 13 years? In 2005 had they already decided the C6 was going for 9 years? Plans are simply plans and the best made plans of mice and men...

I find 5 years hard to believe. I suppose that CAFE regulations could play a role in the longevity or lack of with the C7 but I just find it really hard to believe that over the course of 5 years we will see the base C7 followed by the convertible and then the presumed Z06 or ZR1 variants followed by a C8. It seems like way to short a life cycle for a car that is so drastically different from its predecessor. Especially in the wake of the typical Corvette model life cycle. CAFE or no CAFE, I find it really hard to believe.

That said, it won't stop me and if anything, if it were to be the last V8 Corvette, it should hold its value better than any previous generation in the face of a model change.

I'm only 45, and bought my first vette when I was 39, but I guess I'm a bit more old school when it comes to my vettes. There's just a certain sound and feel that makes it complete.

So Ox, in answer to your question, I bet the C7 is the last Corvette I buy new given the direction of where automakers are being forced to go.

Sorry, but Peter DeLorenzo said that Mark Reuss promised him that the C7 would not last as long as the C6 run. Peter then added(his opinion) that he(Peter) believed the C7 would be a 5 year run.

He never said that Mark Reuss "promised him the C7 generation wouldn't last more then 5 years". As we know, the C6 lasted 9 years, so if the C7 lasts for 8 years....or if it lasts for 7 years....or if it lasts for 6 years...., then what Mark Ruess said was correct.

If I understand correctly, in 2019 (2014+5), the FE target for a vehicle with Corvette's footprint (~45 sq ft) is about 43 MPG. So, it seems to me that unless GM is selling a lot of Volt-equivalent vehicles AND Corvette has evolved as a cash cow, the new high-MPG C8 will need to be radically different than the C7 and predecessors.

Welcome to the new era.

Joe, I think the C6 lasted 9 model yrs (not 13)...

Some of us will look back on the C6 and C7 eras with fond memories down the road.

Even if it was a 100% certainty that the C8 would be out in 5 years, I would still buy the C7 now.

Yep, I corrected that. I was thinking 2005 through 2013, and typed in 13.

As I understand it, that doesn't mean the Corvette has to achieve that MPG. I think it has to do with the average MPG based on overall volume of GM of Chevrolet car sales. In comparison to other GM cars, the Corvette accounts for a very small percentage, therefor it's impact on GM with regards to CAFE are fairly minimal. It would likely mean excessive gas guzzler taxes for new Corvette buyers down the line. It would also mean that GM has to set its MPG targets higher overall for its lineup to offset the comparatively low impact the Corvette has on overall sales volume.

Just look at the Viper. Do you think the Viper would even come close to 2014 or 2015 CAFE regulations? Not even close. This does not mean the end of the V8 in a Corvette unless GM thinks it can achieve the same or better performance with a V6 while meeting or at least coming close to CAFE requirements moving forward. Heck, My C6Z06 still gets better highway milage then a 2013 4 cyliner BMW X3.

We are not done seeing MPG improvements on high output V8's. While anything is possible I just don't see it coming that soon. If a V6 does come for the Corvette and it can raise the performance level and increase the efficiency even more, than I am pretty damn sure I would give it serious consideration. Until that time comes and I see it with my own eyes, I just don't see a reason to put much credence into that thought process.

The Corvettes legacy has always been built around the V8 and there will continue to be V8's and even V10's produced for many years to come. I just don't see reason for GM to abandon that for a low volume nitch market car like the Corvette.

According to Tadge, Corvette is not being given a pass internally on the CAFE requirements.

So Slief, while I think there is merit in your comments in general, I don't believe such will be the circumstances under which our Corvette will live down the road.

It was not that long ago that we could not have even imagined a 400+ hp V8 Corvette getting the kind of mpg the C6 (and now C7) gets. Who knows what technological breakthroughs the future holds?

Perhaps, but the bar would certainly need to be raised unless GM is abandoning the American sports car industry as well as the success on the track. Both are areas in which GM has maintained a virtual lead in the American sports car market year after year. Unless of course Dodge abandons the Viper which is always possible.

Also, not meeting CAFE requirements would not mean giving the Corvette as pass IMO. As long as they strive for constant improvement in efficiency, then they are keeping up with the times. If the Corvette were to remain the most powerful and most efficient sports car generation after generation, they would continue to maintain the standard they have set for decades.

That said, I suppose at some point down the line, a wall will be hit in terms of performance vs MPG on the V8. I'm not sure how much more efficient they can get but I am sure there is still room for improvement. How much, one can only wonder.

...remember the days when we thought 15 mpg on a small-block V-8 was good ? :willy: