$169,900, final price confirmed
11-01-2018, 01:28 PM
#302
Pro
11-01-2018, 01:30 PM
#303
Pro
11-01-2018, 01:45 PM
#304
I stand corrected. It was Skank that predicted that the ME C8 would be shown in Monterey. Nevertheless, as I stated earlier, I am happy to wager any amount that the 2020 ME C8 Corvette will have a base MSRP closer to 69K as opposed to 169K. If Chevy continues to produce a front engine car at the same time that the ME is produced, that will last 1-2 model years tops. The front engine car will eventually be phased out. In fact, I will not be at all surprised if the front engine Vette is discontinued sometime next year as the ME Vette begins production. Either way, Chevy will not introduce a ME Corvette base priced at over 70K. You can take that to the bank.
11-01-2018, 01:47 PM
#305
Drifting
First, remember, the C7 only shared 1 part with the C6 (the trunk actuator IIRC); they championed how it was completely new.
After you remember this, everyone really needs to step back and ask themselves:
What are the cost drivers on building a car with the engine behind the driver vs in front?
About the only thing that I can think of, are coolant tubes. . .
However, no more need for torque tube, long exhaust pieces, and I’m sure some other aspects that reduce cost.
I don’t view the DCT as a cost driver; remember, the automatic in the C7 was a GM effort so going to a DCT that they could use on their other cars (Camaro, Cadillac) wouldn’t be far fetched.
It’s not rocket surgery. Pontiac was able to build the Fiero GT for about a third of what the corvette of the same year (’88) cost. Hell, they were planning on putting a DOHC in the thing that would have made 30 less HP than the base Corvette (210 vs 240 respectively) for about half the cost.
So to me, I simply don’t buy into this fact that ME defacto denotes higher price. The reason people may believe this is that generally, mid engine sports cars are generally expensive. However, the difference in reasoning for this is two fold:
-Quality: While Chevy does great for the price point, go sit in a 488 or Huracan or 911. There is simply no error in those cars. You can get to a point on the curve before the cost for quality heads near vertical.
-Quantity: Chevy’s business model is simply different than the aforementioned companies.
My 2.323 cents.
After you remember this, everyone really needs to step back and ask themselves:
What are the cost drivers on building a car with the engine behind the driver vs in front?
About the only thing that I can think of, are coolant tubes. . .
However, no more need for torque tube, long exhaust pieces, and I’m sure some other aspects that reduce cost.
I don’t view the DCT as a cost driver; remember, the automatic in the C7 was a GM effort so going to a DCT that they could use on their other cars (Camaro, Cadillac) wouldn’t be far fetched.
It’s not rocket surgery. Pontiac was able to build the Fiero GT for about a third of what the corvette of the same year (’88) cost. Hell, they were planning on putting a DOHC in the thing that would have made 30 less HP than the base Corvette (210 vs 240 respectively) for about half the cost.
So to me, I simply don’t buy into this fact that ME defacto denotes higher price. The reason people may believe this is that generally, mid engine sports cars are generally expensive. However, the difference in reasoning for this is two fold:
-Quality: While Chevy does great for the price point, go sit in a 488 or Huracan or 911. There is simply no error in those cars. You can get to a point on the curve before the cost for quality heads near vertical.
-Quantity: Chevy’s business model is simply different than the aforementioned companies.
My 2.323 cents.
As I understand it, the tranny is the primary extra cost of a midship engine. Like you said there's also the extra cost for a cooling system, both material and R&D cost.
11-01-2018, 01:55 PM
#306
Team Owner
Carbon ceramic rotors are available as an $9,900/$10,600 option and they are 15" front and 14.2" rear.
So, I guess huge rotors are not needed on a $170,000 mid engine sports car. The NSX has a top speed of 191 MPH and weighs 3800 pounds and it's brakes apparently are plenty adequate to stop it.
Last edited by JoesC5; 11-01-2018 at 02:17 PM.
11-01-2018, 02:01 PM
#307
Le Mans Master
This kind of volume enables that manufacture to reduce the costs it sells that transaxle to GM way below the cost it can sell to Porsche or Ferrari.
11-01-2018, 02:12 PM
#308
Absolutely right. GM can sell a 2-seat, high-performance, sports car cheaper than anyone else because they produce and sell them in much greater volume than any other 2-seat high performance car on the market. Volume discounts on parts and manufacturing costs are substantial.
11-01-2018, 02:22 PM
#309
Race Director
I've never understood this handwringing about the age demographics of Corvette. Corvette buyers have ALWAYS been older, I am the perfect example: I bought my first Corvette in 1998 when I was 41. I bought my second in 2001 (44), my third in 2005 (48), my fourth in 2008 (51) and my current car in 2014 (57). So, when I get my C8 in late 2019 or early 2020, I'll be 63. Should I buy something else so as to not screw up the demo numbers? Will Chevrolet STILL take my money even though I'm old?
Porsche 911 average owner age these days is 56 years old. I don't hear anyone worrying about THAT.....
It seems that the ONLY people who make a big deal out of age demographics is the people NOT in the age demographic in question.
Porsche 911 average owner age these days is 56 years old. I don't hear anyone worrying about THAT.....
It seems that the ONLY people who make a big deal out of age demographics is the people NOT in the age demographic in question.
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ArmchairArchitect (11-01-2018)
11-01-2018, 02:22 PM
#310
Drifting
I think the new ME is going to be affordably priced ($65K-75K) and here's why. IMO, GM and Chevrolet want to prove to the world that it's entirely possible to build a sophisticated, world beating ME sports car that is reasonable priced for the masses (25-30K volume). They've used that business model over multiple generations with previous versions and this is just the latest one for Corvette. I think they realize this could be what is referred to in the computer industry as a "killer app". It'll have just the right amount of tech savvy and modern design/styling to attract not only a younger audience but also buyers from other brands (Porsche, MB, Audi, BMW, etc) that have models in that price range. It'll be a runaway success and BGA will have to work overtime just to keep up with the initial demand.. GM wouldn't even attempt anything like this if they hadn't done their homework. They know a lot is on the line but also realize that this is a unique opportunity to capture the imagination of customers around the world who have been waiting for a sports car like this. GM would be effectively thumbing its nose at MEs from other manufacturers costing 3 to 5 times that amount.
I'm also guessing the new C8 ME will have performance on par or better then the Ford GT so GM could take immense pleasure in one-upping Ford (their chief rival) who garnered sooo much media attention with their GT. I first thought the new ME would be a halo vehicle and cost in the $150K-$175K range. But the more I think about it, that really wouldn't buy GM the attention they could get compared to a next gen revolutionary Corvette designed to replace the FE C7. GM and the Corvette team have waited a looong time for this moment in its history and I think when it's finally revealed, the ME is going to literally blow away the competition. They wouldn't have spent the money on upgrading the BGA if there wasn't something significant going to happen.
Again that's just my opinion ... YMMV.
I'm also guessing the new C8 ME will have performance on par or better then the Ford GT so GM could take immense pleasure in one-upping Ford (their chief rival) who garnered sooo much media attention with their GT. I first thought the new ME would be a halo vehicle and cost in the $150K-$175K range. But the more I think about it, that really wouldn't buy GM the attention they could get compared to a next gen revolutionary Corvette designed to replace the FE C7. GM and the Corvette team have waited a looong time for this moment in its history and I think when it's finally revealed, the ME is going to literally blow away the competition. They wouldn't have spent the money on upgrading the BGA if there wasn't something significant going to happen.
Again that's just my opinion ... YMMV.
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ArmchairArchitect (11-01-2018)
11-01-2018, 02:26 PM
#311
Race Director
^^^^
Porsche and Alfa Romeo have already proven that it's possible to build a really good ME car for under $70K.
If Porsche and Alfa can do it, there is ZERO reason why GM can't do it.
Porsche and Alfa Romeo have already proven that it's possible to build a really good ME car for under $70K.
If Porsche and Alfa can do it, there is ZERO reason why GM can't do it.
11-01-2018, 02:29 PM
#312
11-01-2018, 02:36 PM
#313
Maybe because that is all that is required. The $160,000 mid engine NSX has 14.5" front iron brakes and 14.3" rear iron brakes along with 245mm wide front tires and 305mm wide rear tires.
Carbon ceramic rotors are available as an $9,900/$10,600 option and they are 15" front and 14.2" rear.
So, I guess huge rotors are not needed on a $170,000 mid engine sports car. The NSX has a top speed of 191 MPH and weighs 3800 pounds and it's brakes apparently are plenty adequate to stop it.
Carbon ceramic rotors are available as an $9,900/$10,600 option and they are 15" front and 14.2" rear.
So, I guess huge rotors are not needed on a $170,000 mid engine sports car. The NSX has a top speed of 191 MPH and weighs 3800 pounds and it's brakes apparently are plenty adequate to stop it.
I think 170k is probably accurate for a 2024 C8ZR1. But the car we have seen is a 60K base model, I am quite sure.
11-01-2018, 02:44 PM
#314
Melting Slicks
Zerv02 provided a photo of the Zora being tested against a Porsche Turbo S which is $190K.
If the Zora is actually under $100K, it would be tested against a Cayman.
Do any of you doubters have a photo of Zora with a Cayman?
If the Zora is actually under $100K, it would be tested against a Cayman.
Do any of you doubters have a photo of Zora with a Cayman?
11-01-2018, 02:44 PM
#315
Melting Slicks
As I mentioned in my quoted post, "it depends on what they were testing". It could have been a hundred different things that have nothing to do with brakes and tires. They weren't out there running against the clock, so no need to show what you have planned. Hell, it could have all been just a marketing jaunt to light the internet up with buzz about the car (which is exactly what happened).
11-01-2018, 02:49 PM
#316
Of what relevance is the price when engineers are testing the car? Ideally you'd test against a car with similar performance, not similar price. The C7Z already competes with the 911 Turbo, at half the price. The C8 will do the same.
11-01-2018, 02:59 PM
#317
Race Director
So, you think because there's a 911 Turbo running around with the C8 that the C8 price MUST be up there with the Turbo?
Got it....
11-01-2018, 03:12 PM
#319
Drifting
On the other hand, GM has negotiated a certain volume of those transaxles--a volume maybe 5X that of their current production.
This kind of volume enables that manufacture to reduce the costs it sells that transaxle to GM way below the cost it can sell to Porsche or Ferrari.
This kind of volume enables that manufacture to reduce the costs it sells that transaxle to GM way below the cost it can sell to Porsche or Ferrari.
11-01-2018, 03:24 PM
#320
Drifting
The ME camouflaged mule test cars aren't even confirmed to be the next generation Corvette and y'all are flippin out over prices? Calm down... We'll all find out OFFICIALLY what it is, when they will be released, and what they will cost soon enough.
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vndkshn (11-02-2018)