"So I thought I'd start a new thread for those who consider the trans to be a key element in the car-driver interface and who want or NEED to know when the C6 will be getting a 6-speed auto."

I consider the transmission to be a very important element in the car-driver interface. That's why I drive a six speed manual.

 

The C6 is being marketed as a world class automobile for the North American and European markets.

Even the rear license plate area is designed to accomodate European plates.

With the state of technology of European and Japanese automobiles available in the European market, what degree of enthusiasm would a 4 speed auto be met with?

Considering the combination of CAFE requirements and the target consumer, the introduction of an A6 ASAP is a given.

The rate-limiting steps are equipment or QC issues, but I'd bet it will be intro'd sometime in the 2006 MY.

 

That "somebody" would be me. (It's OK: I can take it.) Fichtner did a no-no and got his knuckles rapped: no big deal. My point was more about GM's motives than Fichtner's. THEY DON'T WANT BUYERS TO WAIT TILL MY06 FOR THE A6. So IF the A6 is set to debut with MY06, it's not unexpected that GM would go into a denial mode, in order to ensure good sales through MY05... get it?

It's reasonable, or at least not silly, to assume: (a) that Fichtner got the list from somewhere/someone in GM, and therefore, (b) that the list had it right re: the 6-spd auto trans.

Yeah, I know the list was "preliminary," but the preliminary status probably applied to options other than the A6. GM surely knows at this time if the A6 will be ready in time for the MY06 debut.

So a reasonable conclusion would be that the A6 will indeed debut in September. It's an hypothesis to be confirmed or disconfirmed. But IF that's true--and here's where I'm puzzled--surely someone (outside of GM) knows where those trans would (have to) be manufactured, if that plant is up and running, etc., etc. How can this still not be known? Calling for help from all Runge_Kutta types out there.

 

From what I've seen, Ken seems like a stand-up guy, true Corvette enthusiast, and ethical salesman.

I don't think it ever crossed his mind to release A6 info to be the BMOF (Big Man On Forum). He released the information to provide the membership with the latest info as is his practice.

GM, the dealership manager, or whomever the powers that be, for reasons discussed ad nauseum, most likely gave him a friendly sit-down and suggested he curb the enthusiasm of those individuals who would hold off on a 2005 purchase in favor of a 2006 A6 offering.

We can speculate, ruminate, and flagellate this topic 'til we're blue in the face. Logic says the A6 will show up sometime in 2006. The accuracy of that guess will be demonstrated sooner or later.

 

I AGREE. In fact, Ken was not the first to release this info. It was not intentional; the information released was the description of 2006 options which was almost identical to 2005. But, it inadvertantly confirmed that MX0=Six Speed Auto. It'll be there in September; hard to argue otherwise IMHO.

 

I hope they delay the introduction long enough to get it right for once - and I'll leave ir at that. Also remember that this this is going in other brands too. It ain't a Vette only issue.

 

I am betting posting the info was a no-no because a 6-spd auto is enough to make potential 2005 buyers wait for the 06 thus reducing the sales potential of the 05's. Mine is a manual so i don't really care but how many threads did you see where someone was contemplating waiting for the 06 for the sake of the 6-spd auto.

 

LS1LT1 -- "spike in demand" due to the new transmission isn't going to add a lot to GM's balance sheet. They can only build so many cars in a single shift. The spike in demand just pushes the line between auto and manual, and makes the lines at the dealership longer. Sure, it'll keep street prices from falling, but (1) unless GM raises the COST they won't see another dime, it's just the dealers that'll make more or less; (2) if overall demand for Corvette needed any help in the new generation's second model year, and its first with the halo power of the killer Z06, we should fear for the car's future.

Frank -- Delayed start from May to August for Z06 production could just as easily be driven by development or supplier issues with the Z06. Say, for example, it's going to take Dana a few more months to produce acceptable levels of quality or output on the new frame.

For the sake of my "shiftless" brothers I remain hopeful that the six-speed auto will arrive for the 2006 model year... but I've also seen how this "analysis" of layered conjecture has twisted people into angry vendor-blasting GM-cursing nasties. Conjecture is fine, but too many people forget the salt.

.Jinx

 

Wise words, Professor. Yup, we'll know sooner or later. Why didn't I think of that?!

But consider this: some people want to know sooner. And some people need to know, because they're approaching decision (deposit) time. Consider this, too: a forum is for discussing topics such as these... oops, excuse me, I meant: for "speculating" on them, "ruminating" on them, "flagellating" them ''til we're blue in the face."

Do you remember when speculation was running rampant about the shape of the C6? Every little bump in every grainy spy photo was analyzed and dissected; the slightest clue was grist for the conjecture mill. All in good fun, of course, among people who were interested and who wanted to know... and who wanted to know SOONER rather than LATER.

Too bad you weren't around then to dampen their childish enthusiasm by pointing out that they would know sooner or later.

 

Many try this with the stock market as well....Same results. You will know later, rather than sooner, what the introduction time of the A6 is.

Todd

 

Dbl tap

 

Unlike the intro date of the A6, the answer to that question is crystal clear.

 

Don't remember the Corvettes of the 70s, do you? Government mandates can and do override enthusiast desires.

 

Some of those government hobbled Vettes had a hard time breaking 9 second 0-60. Leave it up to congress to screw things up. To protect the image that they actually do something they tried to get Mark Mcgwire to confess he was juiced. I guess that is far more important than getting the hell out of Iraq and doing something about gas prices.I have a feeling Mr. Waxman and some others would love to rain on our parade . Remember Darryl Hannah drives powered by french fry grease and the ''stars'' show up in hybrids.

Another horrible thought is once the shysters finish with the tobacco industry, the gun industry, and the fast food industry what is to stop them from going after manufacturer's who make automobiles that can hit Nascar speeds?

No apologies will be forthcoming to any lawyers either--so don't ask.I recently sold a property at the Jersey shore and a lawyer who is also a family friend offered to drop off some paperwork at the title company---as he was going down to his place there anyway. He billed me $120 3 months later for his services---and he was a friend--former friend.

So I do apologize for getting political but not for any opinions on the bottom feeders --most politicians were first lawyers--they make laws that require the use of lawyers for virtually everything we do. And neither group commands as much respect at least for me as my plumber.

Whether it be an a4, a6, or mn6---enjoy it while you can.

SORRY FOR GOING OFF TOPIC.

 

But remember this is not the 70's - YET! They are coming soon so we all better enjoy our Vettes of the early early 21st Century.

Can't imagine it won't be long that the "Government Mandates" (our government would do that?) , will start. Ken told me a diesel hybrid Corvette is being looked at that will get 66 miles per gallon. 0 to 60 is 17 seconds. Sorry Ken I know you need a laugh after this continuing fiasco......

Competition will make our C6 faster or we really will become the joke of the world's car enthuaists. It's time for all of us to go to some of the other car company lots and see what's going on. Closing our eyes doesn't make our Corvette better. Demanding more does!

Some of those 5, 6, and 7 speed autos out there are pretty slick technical marvels. I know first hand. And they are not multiplying just to achieve CAFE goals only. Heck , my sisters continuously variable transmission is no slouch for a heavy SUV with low horsepower. I wonder where those transmissions are headed for in the future. U floor it, the engine revs up to the sweet spot and u just keep going and going. They are a real trip. Never shift. I don't think they even have gears. Much better than my old Buick Dynaflow turbine drive.

Long may our Corvette prosper against the barbarians at the gates!

 

Ah, but that was the Jimmy Carter era (those vettes were seriously lame performance wise!). Long gas lines and no relief in sight. Gas prices are up now but we can pull in and out of a gas station in minutes. No, GM surely knows better than to give us an A6 with less performance. Don't they?

As for waiting for the MY06, my guess is that most perople who are waiting are doing so just because they don't want the first year of a new GM (or other American made auto) model; having an A6 is just extra icing on the cake!

 

Sign me up! :bb

 

With GM's recent financial woes it is pretty well certain that most car lines will be carryover for 2006. That means no A6 in the Corvette. Corvettes are selling well and the investment at this time cannot be warranted no matter how much we complain. You read it here first. I cannot divulge my sources so don't bother asking.

 

If I really cared, I would find out if there will be a 6-speed auto, but I'm not interested enough to bother.

 

NOT just American made models pal, if I were to ever intentionally avoid a first year vehicle (not necessarily saying that I would or would not) I would avoid them from ALL manufacturers, not just American ones...NO carmaker is perfect.

Man I hope some of you don't use these same biases and prejudices on your own kids that you do with your own nation's creations ("well my first born isn't quite as good as my later born kids" or how about: "my neighbor's kids get slightly better grades than mine so I've decided to embrace them instead").

<--- me