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first C7 test mule

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Old Aug 4, 2011 | 11:57 AM
  #41  
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Originally Posted by ohmy
conclusion? yah, that would be outrageous... speculation? ummm, seems ok to me. The timing is right, there is def something being developed/tested, seems reasonable that a C7 mule would ride on a C6 setup...

an old NPP exhaust? lol... why? well, if the wheels weren't offset I'd say could be, but with the whole picture being what it is, I wouldn't say it's not that outrageuos to "speculate" that this could be a C7 mule...
I agree with you. Speculation is always fun.

However, the title of this article is:

"Spy shots confirm Chevrolet C7 Corvette to retain front-engine layout [Spied]" ...Really?
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Old Aug 4, 2011 | 12:00 PM
  #42  
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Originally Posted by talon90
I agree with you. Speculation is always fun.

However, the title of this article is:

"Spy shots confirm Chevrolet C7 Corvette to retain front-engine layout [Spied]" ...Really?
with Paul, that's a GS and is very far away from a "mule." It's a test car, but not a C7 mule.
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Old Aug 4, 2011 | 12:10 PM
  #43  
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Originally Posted by ohmy
why? just for the "fit and finish"? I don't think that is important on a test mule... I would think a wider GS would provide extra clearance to test out the new suspension geometry...
Bingo! Generally speaking sports cars are low & wide, and the lower & wider the better. The GS bodystyle is wider, which gives more room to play with suspension, wheels, brakes, etc. Why limit yourself by using the smaller body car to test potential new parts.
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Old Aug 4, 2011 | 12:11 PM
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Originally Posted by talon90
I agree with you. Speculation is always fun.

However, the title of this article is:

"Spy shots confirm Chevrolet C7 Corvette to retain front-engine layout [Spied]" ...Really?
yes, I see your point... the title does seem too conclusive...
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Old Aug 4, 2011 | 12:14 PM
  #45  
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Originally Posted by ohmy
yes, I see your point... the title does seem too conclusive...
While it most likely is, I just couldn't get there from the "evidence" they presented.
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Old Aug 4, 2011 | 01:27 PM
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Did anyone notice the cable hanging under the back? A GM rep reported some time ago, that there were two C7's built for testing, with the new body. I have a hard bound copy of a Corvette book that shows the C6 body on a car 3 years before it hit the showrooms. With all the cell phones with cameras, why can't some one take a good picture and sneak it out?
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Old Aug 4, 2011 | 01:51 PM
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Anything else you want to tell else.. sounds like you know something secret
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Old Aug 4, 2011 | 02:13 PM
  #48  
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Originally Posted by blackmagicZ
Did anyone notice the cable hanging under the back? A GM rep reported some time ago, that there were two C7's built for testing, with the new body. I have a hard bound copy of a Corvette book that shows the C6 body on a car 3 years before it hit the showrooms. With all the cell phones with cameras, why can't some one take a good picture and sneak it out?
You can't be serious. That 15 minutes of fame is not worth loosing their jobs over. If it is a full body mock-up or buck it is in a secured room that only a handfull of people ever have access to. These are core Corvette team members or design studio personnel.
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Old Aug 4, 2011 | 03:16 PM
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Originally Posted by LS3 MN6
The room Talon90 talks about I've been in.

I can't talk about specifics, jut generics on GM processes.
Well then, can you tell us if UFO's are real?
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Old Aug 4, 2011 | 03:21 PM
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Originally Posted by LS3 MN6
You do understand that tests cars that don't look like the intended vehicle are exactly what GM calls "Mules"

The first thing that looks like anything like the intended car is an IVER (or Integration Vehicle).

Basically, Mule = Test Car; it's semantics.
Not really. When I read mule I expect a C6 body on a C7 frame, just like was done for the past 20+ years, and they never look right. This looks like a mostly stock GS that is a test car for sub-systems. It could have the LS4 in it for example.
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Old Aug 4, 2011 | 04:16 PM
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Originally Posted by LS3 MN6
The room Talon90 talks about I've been in.

I can't talk about specifics, jut generics on GM processes.
not even for a large Frosty? come on, everyone has their price, name yours please
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Old Aug 4, 2011 | 04:45 PM
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did anyone notice the sensor/antenna or ? on the roof?
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Old Aug 4, 2011 | 04:57 PM
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Originally Posted by talon90
You can't be serious. That 15 minutes of fame is not worth loosing their jobs over. If it is a full body mock-up or buck it is in a secured room that only a handfull of people ever have access to. These are core Corvette team members or design studio personnel.
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Old Aug 4, 2011 | 05:09 PM
  #54  
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Originally Posted by LTC Z06
Not really. When I read mule I expect a C6 body on a C7 frame, just like was done for the past 20+ years, and they never look right. This looks like a mostly stock GS that is a test car for sub-systems. It could have the LS4 in it for example.
How do you know that the C7 won't be basically the same as the C6 regarding wheelbase/frame dimensions? By using basically the same chassis, as the C6, they minimize cost to convert Bowling Green.

Maybe the C7 is going to have the present day Z06/ZR1 aluminum frame with some modifications to work with the targa/vert body, as standard equipment. Or they could be testing the new engine, maybe a transmission change, or new electronics. Possible they were doing brake evaluations or maybe a new tire or some changes in the suspension.


I seriously doubt if the C7 will be a clean sheet of paper like the C5 was. More like a new driveline that fits the C6 chassis and new body panels.

Are you aware that the "new" 1968 Corvette rode on the "old" 1967 frame and suspension. Only the body was changed. In fact, the frame and suspension, introduced for the 1963 Sting Ray, lasted for 20 years, with very few changes during that time.
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Old Aug 4, 2011 | 05:18 PM
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Originally Posted by steve miller
Test mules with c6 bodies. There's nothing unusual about that
there are C7 test mules already built and being tested.
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Old Aug 4, 2011 | 05:21 PM
  #56  
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Originally Posted by Turbooo2u
there are C7 test mules already built and being tested.
Invasion of C6 body snatchers
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Old Aug 4, 2011 | 06:17 PM
  #57  
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Originally Posted by SEVINN
What's the tape hiding on the passenger rocker panel?
I guessing they are testing a transmission or brake change. The tape is holding wires from the transmission/brakes to test/recording equipment that is inside the car. Instead of drilling holes through the floor boards, they just run the wires under the door(the weatherstripping is pliable enough to allow that) and tape them to the rocker panel to keep them from flapping around and dragging the ground.

Last edited by JoesC5; Aug 4, 2011 at 06:19 PM.
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Old Aug 4, 2011 | 06:35 PM
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Originally Posted by steve miller
Test mules with c6 bodies. There's nothing unusual about that


If you look close that the rear cradle, it would appear that the sway bar and also lower control arm attachment points have changed so it does not appear to be a C6 under there....but again all you can do is go off the pictures.
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Old Aug 4, 2011 | 06:38 PM
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Originally Posted by SEVINN
What's the tape hiding on the passenger rocker panel?
they cracked the rocker panel on the lift
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Old Aug 4, 2011 | 06:45 PM
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Weak!

Looks like a GS with CCW wheels and a modded exhaust, not much else.
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