Can I ask a silly question ?
Ok, can I ask a second one ?

Dang, this could never end......

Anyway, each generation of Corvettes up until the C5 always improved and changed during their generations. The C1 went from six banger to V8 coupe with fuel injection. The C2's got big blocks and better toys. The C3's, well they started good, got bad and then got better. They went from carbs to injection, better transmissions and rides and better interiors. The bodies changed every few years for looks or improvements. Same with the C1-C2.
C4's improved almost every year and the body and interiors also changed.

Then the C5 comes along - best Vette ever (speaking not of taste and preference but of comfort, performance and reliability).
But they never changed it.
Sure they added the Z06, but big deal. NO body changes, NO major suspension changes (until the mag. shocks on the 2003 Anniv.), no MAJOR engine changes, NO interior changes. But even so, it's an awesome platform.

What is wrong with the C5 that is so bad that they have to change the platform?

Can't they do body / interior / engine mods on the C5 chassis for another 10 years ? It worked for the C3 and C4.

What's the deal ???

This came up after reading http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=645078 and before I noticed http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=550864

 

Why change the platform? Because the XLR can't share the C5 platform.

EDIT: That, and they couldn't do the variable-thickness hyrdo-formed frame with the current platform.


[Modified by GDP, 4:49 PM 9/7/2003]

 

There were a whole number of accumulated requirements and needs that neccessitated a major change. HID lights, significantly upgraded interior (although that "could" have been done on the C5 I suppose), new levels of horsepower, increased refinement (needed for the Caddy), a desire to push the envelope on styling, and the sharing of certain platform elements with the Caddy as mentioned.

-Jim

 

By golly I think your right, however my question is why the XLR when they have the Vette ?


[Modified by ghostRder, 6:57 PM 9/7/2003]

 

Demographics.

 

No changes?
Z06 "big deal?"

Put down the bong and step away slowly.

The Z06 isn't quite as significant as the ZR1, but it's at least as significant as big blocks or disc brakes.

No body changes? The hardtop.
No interior changes? The anniversary edition.
No suspension changes? Z06, magnetic shocks.

Maybe you're not impressed at the magnitude of the changes, but that's your problem.

.Jinx

 

You're sort of mixing things up a bit here. You're saying "There have been no changes" along with "why is there going to be a big (platform) change?" Here's the deal... C3 and C4 got strung along for a long time. C4 almost saw the end of the vette altogether. Since there definitely wasn't money for a whole new platform, they were forced to resort to facelifts, and upgrades in order to stay competetive. I think ideally many changes would be incorporated into one major platform change, rather than trying to retrofit all sorts of new hardware onto an old platform. It's more cost effective, and they can design all the parts to work well together, rather than trying to make the new parts work around the limitations and shortcommings on the old parts. Since the C5 makes plenty of profit there's enough money for a new platform. If they really want to make changes to the car, the platform change is the best way and best time to do it. Doesn't it make sense?

Scott

 

I'm told that there will be more of a difference in the C6 Zo6 and regular Corvette, than just a visual emblem or licence plate bracket. My source says that the average 'joe public' will be able to tell right away.
P.S. We are all on the same team here.

 

Just my humble opinion...

Product development times in the auto industry have accelerated considerably compared to past decades. I'm suprised the C5 has lasted this long (~8 model years?) without significant updates - although I do think that this is a testament to how wonderful the original design was.

I also think that one of the reasons the Camaro/Firebird died was that GM failed to reinvest in these brands (1993 to what, 2002? 10 model years on the same platform is far too long) - also the same thing that happened to Saturn.

Competition is fierce these days. The environment where the C3 could last for 15 years and the C4 for 13 years is gone. But in the end, we are rewarded with better products - I love my C5 and am looking forward to the C6 being even better. Better reliability, superior quality, more refinement, more power...well, I'm hopeful...

:cheers:


[Modified by Hurricane, 9:57 PM 9/7/2003]

 

When the production run, with just about every hour the UAW will allow, sells out, there's not a big need to make changes.

The C-5 was originally programmed for some styling changes with updated body panels, but strong sales and the decision to build the XLR wiped out the body change and allowed what is essentially a complete redesign.

No other Corvette generation has been such a strong and consistent seller. C1 nearly died, but Zora saved it. C2 was a strong seller and so was C3 until the later years. C4 started out strong then fell back to about C2 levels. C5 has been the most successful Corvette ever, both from a profit standpoint and customer acceptance and satisfaction.

Duke

Duke

 

I just go into the C6 forum to see new spy shots. :confused:

 

I love the C5 design. :thumbs:

I could live with a "C5.5". Just an updated high quality interior and a bump in power and I'd be set. :)

 

IMHO:
Please keep in mind the evolution of the american car industry. Until, relatively, recently each new year meant the requirment of a new design for each car. Look at the top chevys and fords each year until the late 70's and 80's when emissions, economy and safety regs sucked up engineering $$. Very significant design changes in each of those older years, while the successful little VW was infiltrating the youth and showing that yearly mechanical refinements were better for the product, than changing the grill and fenders.

Though a low volume car, the vette like everyone else in "Detroit", had to have grills, and or gills changed yearly for many years. These engineering $$ rarely benefitted the performance of the car. In the latter years of the C4, changes were made to try to keep the very old platform a bit fresher.

During the C5 development it was noticed that its market target cars don't change design frequently. Then almost all of the Japanese competion (Supra, 3000 GT / Stealth, RX7, 300ZX) left the marketplace. It was, no doubt, decided that since a New Design would be required by 2003 (making the C5 only a 6 year design), no mid-stream design changes would be required. For various reasons (maybe 9-1-1 was part of it), the C5 has turned into an 8 year design and here we are.

Bottom line: the world and its economy is very different than in previous Corvette generations and we should be glad to still have a world class vette around and attainable to many of us.


[Modified by LongTimer, 5:46 PM 9/8/2003]

 

Giving the devil his due, please note that the "F" body's surviving rival today sits on a much older platform (20 years total? - not a Mustang expert sorry). IMO the design of the last Camaro was that of a heavy four seat sports car. Very sleek outside. Very uncomfortable and impracticle inside (compare to the older-based 'Stang). Very heavy for what it is.

 

Good point. :cheers:

(I owned a '94 Z-28 before I bought my current Vette - you are absolutely on the mark. Of course, they still could have updated the F-body, LOL.)


[Modified by Hurricane, 2:45 PM 9/8/2003]

 

I owned a '71 Camaro SS prior to my first ('76) new vette. It is a natural progression that, now, GM has sadly eliminated. In doing so they had flagrantly discarded 35 years of honorable performance and marketing along with the Camaro name ... as they handed their sword to Ford.


[Modified by LongTimer, 10:21 PM 9/8/2003]