blackcorvette06

Im a new member here and just wanted to hear ppls opinion about the wight of the c7. Im really hoping the c7 is a little lighter than the c6.

PeteZ06

How many supercars do you see weighing under 3000 lbs?

blackcorvette06

thats true..i just hope they all come with an aluminum frame like the z06..

Jinx

The Z06 is over 3100 lbs; the base C6 is almost 3300 lbs.
C7 will be based on C6 architecture, not significantly smaller.
Recently we've heard that the new motor will still have 4.4-inch bore centers.

So even if the base C7 gets an aluminum frame, I don't see how they can get below 3000 lbs.

I think we'll be damn lucky to see the base C7 hit the 3100 pound mark, and more likely hit 3200 pounds.

.Jinx

DREAMERAK

well, maybe it will be lighter than we think? http://www.teijin.co.jp/english/news...ebd111209.html

Jinx

The Z06 fenders save 12.1 pounds. If you replaced all the other body panels, you might save, what, 50 pounds? 60 pounds?

capevettes

Interestingly the Corvette weighed under 3,000 pounds right up until 1960. Despite advances in technology and use of carbon fiber and aluminum frames the cars are heavier now. The 06 Z06 was under 3100 pounds. It has increased weight ever since. Customers insist on loads of creature comforts which add alot of weight. The engineers know how to reduce the weight. The problem is keeping costs down. Carbon fiber isn't cheap. Hopefully this new partnership will help.

Jinx

Cars were death traps back then too. And they didn't do the air any favors either. And chassis were pretty flexible. Creature comforts aren't the only source of weight gain.

PUNISHERC6

It's amazing how many heavy parts have to be added to a vehicle just to counter the other heavy parts needed in a vehicle. For instance, Corvettes have large heavy brakes and stock wheels that weigh around 27-30 lbs, why? to counter the heavier suspension parts that let us rail around those curves right? but the heavier suspension parts are there to handle the heavy motors in the heavy seats that, until 2012, barely held us in place! It's there to counter the 10 lb navigation unit that looks like it came out of a hyundai...no, wait, Hyundai's have really nice navigation systems these days so...you get my point if you own a C6! I'm just saying, if Chevy could, or would bring a few parts from GM's other brands and use just a little bit of ingenuity towards it, and stop adding heavier and heavier parts to counter the old outdated tech it keeps putting into the Corvette since we haven't actually had a "new" Corvette since the begining of the C5? I say, do the aluminum frame across the board but a new design from say this year, not almost 10 years ago!! do you know the leaps and bounds in aluminum construction in that time span!!! The next Vette is supposed to get a decrease in displacement but a bump in performance and better emissions so the motor should be lighter, considering smaller, lighter reciprocating parts right? then their should be a drop in the weight of the ancilary parts as well in the engine bay, which would change the cars 50/50 balance right, so some weight will have to be shaved from the other end, lets target that suspension!! can we get a lightweight version of the meteoralogical shock set up that can be used on all the versions so it can bring the cost down? I know I'm rambling on but if we're already paying high 5 figure prices and we keep coming back, most of my Corvette buddies are 3 and 4 time owners, can Chevy try to not make us feel like we've settled for just what's next in the showroom and make us feel like we really have something special.

WestPalmCorvette

No way

Boo383

I hope so. I hope the car is somewhat smaller and weighs less. Reducing weight is the best way to improve ALL aspects of performance. Who knows if they can pull it off, but it would be amazing if they did!

vant

Not to be nit-picky, but the 06 Z06's curb weight is actually just over (not under) 3,100 lbs @ 3,130 lbs.

But yeah, I agree with your point. For instance, the C5 Z06 weighs 3,118 lbs and is [slightly] lighter than the C6Z, despite its use of a steel frame, as opposed to the aluminum frame found on the C6Z.

In my opinion, there's only 3 ways that they're going to achieve a sub-3,000 lb curb weight in the C7.

1) Strip it...all non-essential elements (such as carpet, radio, speakers, etc) have to go. There's no way that GM will do this to the base model, or any model for that matter.
2) Build the car much smaller than the C6. Unfortunately, judging by some of the spy photos (see below), it appears that the C7 will NOT be smaller than the C6.
3) Use very light-weight materials everywhere possible. Of course, this could potentially increase cost. However, it's just a matter of time before carbon fiber is cheap and easy to mass-produce. Perhaps the C7's body will be made entirely from CF (and still be affordable)? Who knows.

But anyway, I seriously doubt that the C7 will weight under 3,000 lbs. I think we'll be lucky if the car weighs less than 3,200 lbs.

PeteZ06

99-00 FRC -- 3170 lbs
2006 Z06 --- 3130 lbs
2001 Z06 --- 3115 lbs

Racer X

Yes they could do it easily, if not cheaply.

Drop the dry sump system. That added significant weight.

There one-piece Carbon Fiber wheels that weigh less than 14 pounds in large sizes. That would drop 60 pounds.

If they used the Katech CF rear hatch and Lexan window that would save 33 pounds.

Replacing the seats with something lighter and got rid of the side airbag in the seats. It would save a lot of weaight.

reducing he size would reduce the weight.

Switch back to an 18 inch wheel tire combo.

yeas they could get less than 3000 pounds in curb weight.

capevettes

Yes that's what the books say. Some of us, including myself, have weighed their 06 Z06 on digital scales (almost empty of gas). 3087 lbs

vant

The numbers that PeteZ06 quoted are the vehicle's "curb weight". Curb weight includes the weight of a full tank of fuel. Since gasoline weights a little over 6 lbs per gallon, and a Corvette has an 18 gallon capacity, you should add about 100 lbs to the digital scale reading (since your tank was almost empty).

In other words, the curb weight of your particular car (according to that digital scale at least) is probably closer to 3,180 lbs.

jackhall99

Glad someone else knows how things work! Nice post.

PeteZ06

I understand that.. just like us C5 Z06 guys come in at barely over 3000 with less gas.. most are around 3030

gregm999

It's definitely a good goal to aim for. Lighter = better. With the increased emphasis some people are placing on luxury items and interior quality, you kind of wonder if it would be possible. Which makes me think that a new option for a Vette should be kind of a "bare bones" model, with few luxury options, but extremely low weight and built for racing. That's what GM was going for with the C5 FRC. Would not be a bad idea for the Corvette team to reconsider something like that. Perhaps the Z06 could fit that description, and save the luxury items for the ZR1.

Kingsize