Will the C7 really be new?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,194
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From: Monroe Twp, NJ
Will the C7 really be new?
Looking at GM financial situation one has to wonder, will Chevrolet really after seven short years build a new Corvette or will be be a rebadged C6 ? I have my doubts. Look what they did with the XLR. It was a Corvette with a different engine and plastic body. Underneath is was a Corvette. I expect this new Corvette will be more about upper looks than about performance. I even hear of turbo V6 engines giving it its muscle. I thought we let Germany play with that stuff which was big in the 80s. Last road test I saw on the super Porsche the testers has to take it out at night because the warn weather killed the turbo effect.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 216
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From: Waterford MI
Looking at GM financial situation one has to wonder, will Chevrolet really after seven short years build a new Corvette or will be be a rebadged C6 ? I have my doubts. Look what they did with the XLR. It was a Corvette with a different engine and plastic body. Underneath is was a Corvette. I expect this new Corvette will be more about upper looks than about performance. I even hear of turbo V6 engines giving it its muscle. I thought we let Germany play with that stuff which was big in the 80s. Last road test I saw on the super Porsche the testers has to take it out at night because the warn weather killed the turbo effect.
The XLR I would say was even better built. They are not even built on the same line, the XLRs are basically hand built right next to the Corvette lineup. They share a lot of technologies but the XLR is a space ship in terms of technologies it has to offer.
As for the question of GM reusing the C6 basically, I believe this is totally possible and IN MY OPINION ONLY that it's going to be the C7. I believe we're going to see a more refined engine, more power, more refined interior, and more refined construction with a total redo of interior and exterior redesign. Look a the current C7 mules on the test tracks... they are C6's. I do not believe that GM will redo the entire platform, this would be a surprise to me... I think Corvette got it as good as it gets without going AWD, Mid engine, etc. I do think that some technologies would change like the leafsprings (but who knows). I also believe the stingray which is a running concept on Transformers is going to be it but more calmed down. GM has a much better interior design team so I have high hopes for an amazing interior like the CTS-V's.
- The last paragraph is my speculation and my two cents.
Last edited by ockie; Sep 15, 2011 at 08:37 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2011
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St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Those were the days! 
Many great cars disappeared altogether, but GM kept the Corvette alive, albeit in an anemic form. Some power started to return in the early 80s, so the C4 was more powerful, but not because GM got smarter; just the pendulum started to swing back from the 70s.
Regards.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2011
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St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Oh heck, no argument there. But for all the turmoil outlined in my prior post, manufacturers were folding their hands 100% on performance. 
The 'vette could have actually died during that 16 year run, but I sure give GM credit for keeping it alive.
The 'vette could have actually died during that 16 year run, but I sure give GM credit for keeping it alive.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Midwest
I'm really just hoping the C7 is not the new C4. That is my only fear. I don't think it will be, though. GM knows they need a home run to keep the faithful, and get some new blood in.
If it was just a C6.5, they would stop offering these little tide-over packages on the C6 and be out with it already.
I forgot who said, it, but someone at GM said "Rush a car to market that is a disappointment, and the people will never forget. Delay a car a year or two to make it everything they hoped for and more, and they will quickly forgive the wait." That is paraphrased big time, but VERY! true, and a great mentality.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 906
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I dont think the C7 will be a C6.5, just like the C6 wasn't a C5.5 Like I first predicted in 2003 when the first spy photos appeared. Sure the c6 & c5 are the closest brothers in the corvette family but they are different cars.
I hope the c7 will be a totally new car but still look 100% like a corvette.
In my book the top 5 things it should have (as far as design goes):
1- a longish hood like the BMW Z4 and Merc SLS. (But again look 100% like a corvette)
2- Slightly lower and narrower.
3- LCD speedometer Like the modern supercars.
4- have a clamshell hood.
5- small hidden headlights and LED lights.
I hope the c7 will be a totally new car but still look 100% like a corvette.
In my book the top 5 things it should have (as far as design goes):
1- a longish hood like the BMW Z4 and Merc SLS. (But again look 100% like a corvette)
2- Slightly lower and narrower.
3- LCD speedometer Like the modern supercars.
4- have a clamshell hood.
5- small hidden headlights and LED lights.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,709
Likes: 6
From: Midwest
I dont think the C7 will be a C6.5, just like the C6 wasn't a C5.5 Like I first predicted in 2003 when the first spy photos appeared. Sure the c6 & c5 are the closest brothers in the corvette family but they are different cars.
I hope the c7 will be a totally new car but still look 100% like a corvette.
In my book the top 5 things it should have (as far as design goes):
1- a longish hood like the BMW Z4 and Merc SLS. (But again look 100% like a corvette)
2- Slightly lower and narrower.
3- LCD speedometer Like the modern supercars.
4- have a clamshell hood.
5- small hidden headlights and LED lights.
I hope the c7 will be a totally new car but still look 100% like a corvette.
In my book the top 5 things it should have (as far as design goes):
1- a longish hood like the BMW Z4 and Merc SLS. (But again look 100% like a corvette)
2- Slightly lower and narrower.
3- LCD speedometer Like the modern supercars.
4- have a clamshell hood.
5- small hidden headlights and LED lights.
I dunno about the LCD speedometer, though. Those numbers would just be all blurry and you wouldn't get the sense of acceleration rate that you do with analog type needle systems.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 216
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From: Waterford MI
Wow. The first concept picture I have seen that doesn't have me screaming and running to buy something from another company. NICE!
I dunno about the LCD speedometer, though. Those numbers would just be all blurry and you wouldn't get the sense of acceleration rate that you do with analog type needle systems.
I dunno about the LCD speedometer, though. Those numbers would just be all blurry and you wouldn't get the sense of acceleration rate that you do with analog type needle systems.
I'd much rather prefer to see a digital dash too. I like the CTS-V cluster in that you get to pick from either. Would be really cool for a digital race dash but I do not think that is ever going to happen since they want to market this car to a wide audience.
Last edited by ockie; Sep 16, 2011 at 11:01 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 906
Likes: 26
Ferrari Lamborghini mclaren lexus LFA and other just released super cars all have an LCD screen with round needle type speedometers
lambo
LFA
mp4-12c
ferrari
lambo
LFA
mp4-12c
ferrari
Last edited by C6-Stingray; Sep 16, 2011 at 05:24 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 15,304
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From: NorCal
J/K -= I know it's just an artist's concept rendering or a photo chop - the windshield couldn't be that dark a tint either!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2011
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St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
I never took to the C4 either, but the advances made in that model compared to the C3 were like night and day. Greatly improved handling, improved clearance, lower CG, improved weight distribution, improved brakes, the start of higher powered engines, etc. It had its share of oddities (electronic dash , for one), but it was the beginning of some really great cars to come out of the GM facilities over the following 25 years.
, for one), but it was the beginning of some really great cars to come out of the GM facilities over the following 25 years.
