TXshaggy

Surprised that no one has mentioned how much smaller the C6 was than either the C5/7...

Patman

Perfect example, just look at the small BMWs these days, you'd think a 2 series BMW would be super light given it's small size but an M2 still weighs 3500 pounds! The old BMW 2002s of the late 60s/early 70s were lightweights, in the 2000-2200 pound range! Both cars are roughly the same size, but there is just so much technology added these days. Even the 5.0 Mustangs have gotten portly, my 87 Mustang GT weighed around 3100 pounds but the latest ones are around 3700. At least we can be thankful the Corvette isn't that heavy!

Roadrogue

ESE cf wheels with lighter tires is 56 pounds of rotational mass! $8k from Ben at WeaponX. Seems like a good deal to me, but my wife might feel otherwise. I'm surprised more of the rich guys here haven't done this but it seems more power is more popular.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...on-wheels.html

Steve_R

The vast majority of C7 buyers - which is GM's target market - don't know or care what it weighs. That's the simple truth.

JoesC5

CF wheels cost a bunch. How many are willing to pay the additional MSRP of the car(plus possibly have to replace one that is curbed and not covered by warranty)?

In 1997+, the C5 had an optional Magnesium wheel that was lighter than the base aluminum wheel. $3,000 option and not that many takers, A couple of years later, GM dropped the price to $2,000, but still very few wanted that more expensive option.

GM is better off offering the Corvette with a cheaper aluminum wheel as base(with a lower MSRP) and let the ballers pay for carbon fiber wheels from the aftermarket.

Absolutely no point in running up the cost for ALL buyers just because a few want to save a little weight.

I said the same thing when this forum was discussing adding "racing" seats as standard equipment, to the C7, across the board. I said to keep a cheaper standard seat and offer a more expensive "racing" seat for the few that wanted it. My point was that there was no need to saddle the higher cost of a "racing" seat to those that don't want it, by making it standard across the board.

And that is exactly what GM did.

Suns_PSD

GM should make a real Z06 with an NA DI 7.0 engine, manual seats with heaters only.

Very light 18" wheels all around with proper non RF tires.
2 piece iron rotors stock.
No AFM, CF torque tube.
A Transmission and rear gears that is geared to top out at about 180 mph, there will be a fuel surcharge on this car. It will be much faster however with proper gearing.
No auto trans.
A track car that can still be driven on the street but that is not so luxurious.
A fixed wing in the back.

iclick

The electric window mechanism may weight less than a manual setup, although manual seats would likely not. Decades ago some with racing aspirations would order a car with electric windows as a weight-saving measure, but I don't know how that would translate on a current model.

juanvaldez

I wonder how much AC adds?

jimmyb

Exactly. The C6 forum was LITTERED, FOR YEARS, about the crappy quality of the materials (especially those ridiculous seats, with the flop forward backs). The C7 addressed what we OWNERS complained about, there was no doubt (in my mind) the car was going to be heavier than the C6.

I love these guys begging for a lightweight "option delete" car. Literally NO ONE buys these cars (look how long it took to sell all the Z/28's and how heavily they were discounted). Now, if GM wants to make a GT3RS type C7 and do it like Porsche does, i.e.: Announce the quantity to be produced on the front end and pre-sell it, then that makes sense. Then the REAL track guys could get the car they want.

Jimmy

Kent1999

I hear you, but there's no market for that, at least none anywhere near the size needed to cover the costs and bad PR.

GM learned its lesson with the C6 Z06/ZR1 -- remember the constant b*tching and whining from people (including many on this forum) that the Z06/ZR1 was NOT available with a removable targa roof, or a convertible, and automatic trans? "If I want it, why can't GM build it?!?!? Waaaaaa!"

Majority want the 'raciest' model for the bragging rights, but insist on every comfort and convenience option known to man included as well, extra weight be damned. "Its a track special, so it's de-contented to make it lighter" falls on deaf ears of the masses. "I can't believe my Z06 Club Sport cost me $90,000 yet doesn't have better cup holders, a better sound system, or finer leather on the seats!!! GM is cheap crap!!" will be the whine. GM doesn't need to spend extra time and money just to see that garbage on its enthusiast webs.

If you want to blame someone for a lack of a 'track special', look no further than here.

raff

Not quite -- with the aerodynamics of a brick, your Birkin's top speed might be 120 - 130 mph ??

juanvaldez

Yep, it does have the aerodynamic of a brick, tops out around 140.

Kent1999

Building a car that is faster than a C7 Z06 in 0-60 and 1/4 mile is the easiest thing in the world.

Take any old crappy 1960's era car, gut it, remove doors/trunk/hood/fenders/glass, throw in a blown big block and slicks on the back and you are there, for many many thousands less. It's ugly as home made sin, will get single digit MPG, won't last anywhere near 100,000 miles, will be scared of any corner and won't be fun to drive, but it *will* be fast in a straight line if that is the end-all be-all for you and nothing else matters.

However, building a complete car that has a near 200MPH top speed, low AND high speed handling, comfort, decent mileage, and modern safety features, and you're not going to get anywhere near the C7's level of sophistication for less cost.

If power-to-weight and absolutely no comfort features is your thing, you might consider buying any new japanese liter-class sportbike. 500lbs/150hp = 3.3, all for less than $20,000 including a 1 year warranty.

Not saying the Birkin won't be fun (I don't care for the L7's looks, but they *are* fun), but to make a blanket statement that it will 'scorch the Corvette' is kind of overstating it, wouldn't you agree?

chas70

Keep in mind that the extra weight keeps it glued to the road better

TGO

Thank you captain obvious. We covered that already.

chas70

now do you feel better? Jeez

DickieDoo

Exactly what i said... i would estimate a savings in total of about 125-150 lbs and most of that is off of rotating mass. SO the wheels and tires are the best place to begin and then to the torque tub and AFM. And it can actually be done.

449er

The car that you describe above would NOT be street legal in Pa; no windshield & no wipers = no inspection sticker

DickieDoo

It's called "road hugging weight" as Pontiac used to call it as i recall !

DickieDoo

I think they call it an Ariel Atom these days...