:confused:

The LS2 is about 20 lbs lighter, the car is 5 inches shorter and 1 inch narrower. Magnesium is now used in the dash. All of these things save weight!

To be honest, I was disappointed that the C6 weighs the same as the C5. Then I see that Autoweek says the "car is engineered to fit within the EPA weight class".

What EPA weight class? What is this? Is the Z06 in a different class? Does the C6 have hidden weight added just for the EPA? Can this weight be found and removed by garage mechanics?



[Modified by Pipes, 9:30 AM 1/3/2004]

 

I think the boys got their reasoning backward. No one would ever add weight to reach a higher weight class. Hill et al would have worhed very hard to keep the weight as low as possible.

However, like you, I too as curious as to where the extra weight has been added. :cool:

 

I can only think of small stuff like:

Thicker Leather
Aluminum Accents
Larger Wheels (but I bet they weigh about the same with the new tires)
Bigger Rear Glass (but with less rake, the windshield might be lighter)

However, wouldn't a shorter frame, lighter exhaust, lighter engine, and smaller body size more than make up for the added weight of these items?



[Modified by Pipes, 9:50 AM 1/3/2004]

 

Hib Halverson is suggesting the base C6 weighs 3179 pounds. Not great
but not as dreadful as 3245. You get the impression that the weight is
still in a bit of flux.
http://corvetteactioncenter.com/specs/2005/intro4.html


[Modified by Runge_Kutta, 11:48 AM 1/3/2004]

 

From everything I've read about the engineering of the C5, my guess is that with all the weight reduction they are doing is to make up for the government safety standards, you know, the door braces and other hidden stuff we don't know about.

 

:iagree: There's alot of new electronics in the new C6 as well for things such as the side impact air bags, heated seats, etc. which add weight here and there which adds up.

 

FWIW, according to the specs posted at the Corvette Museum site, the C6 is also over one inch taller.

 

Dry weight?

 

Great article Runge, thanks for the link!
:cheers:

 

Keith,

You guys are shaking my faith in Autoweek! :eek:


[Modified by Pipes, 10:13 AM 1/3/2004]

 

What are the EPA weight classes??????? :confused:

 

EPA weight classes are used to determine the load during emission and fuel consumption certification. They are divided into 125 pound increments - curb weight of the car plus two standard weight people.

The lower the EPA weight class, the better the measured fuel economy and emissions, all other things being equal.

C5 was already weight optimized - aluminum and magnesium dash and windshield structure is not new technology - C5 was the same. My estimate was that GM might be able to reduce the C6 coupe and convert. one EPA weight class, which would be up to 125 pounds, but that apparently didn't happen. (Previous speculation on several hundred pound weight reduction was just pure speculation based on nothing but wishful thinking.)

If you're five pounds over the limit of a class break, it's not that hard to take five pounds out. If you have 120 pounds to get to the next lower class, you've got a tough row to hoe.

Since C5 was probably near the bottom of it's weight class, C6 would have to shed nearly 125 pounds to get to the next lower class. That's quite a bit, and it could be it turned out not to be cost effective. Saving weight can be very expensive.

It's EPA weight class that drives GM's engineering objective, not guys on the internet throwing tantums over 20 pounds.

C5 Z06 saved weight in the body structure, tires, seats and small reductions in some other areas, and I believe it did come in one weight class lower than coupe and convert.

Duke





[Modified by SWCDuke, 12:43 PM 1/3/2004]

 

Impossible to say if these are "final" or not, but the C6 preview site on http://www.chevrolet.com has these weights listed now (with no "Estimated" tag anymore):

2005 Coupe = 3179
2004 Coupe = 3246

That seems to be matching what Hib was saying.

< 3200 lbs = :thumbs: