kratedisease

So, apparently the C8 high performance models will go hybrid. I am all for better gas mileage, lower emissions, and other advantages, including powering the front wheels without a driveshaft, torque vectoring, etc. Too many goodies to list actually.

And I am fully aware of Porsche and Ferrari high end models are hybrid and the NSX went hybrid, and the great performance associated with hybrid.

I am NOT against any of that. I think the tech is cool.

BUT, I just cannot put my finger on why I do not think I would be interested in a high performance hybrid. I just cannot pick apart my own brain as to why it does not appeal to me.

I think I have a mental block of some sort, knowing/thinking that the repair and maintenance costs skyrocket on hybrids. That, and also knowing that the battery has a set life span.

for some reason I have a mental block about this hybrid C8. I think I would rather just have a high output mid engine, which I assume might be the Z06.

I surely do not want to be an early adaptor. Not out of fear of the tech and not out of fear of reliability issues. I just see the electric hybrid as a step to full electric. and I rather just go full electric once the range of the batteries can be extended a bit more than todays range.

Any other opinions ?

msm859

I agree with you. You have a mental block. Take the C8 as is and add 2 separate 100 hp electric motors for each front wheel. Stuff the frunk with a 14kWh battery with a plug in and let it rip. It would take a single drive for you to realize how far superior this would be to the standard C8. Now it would add weight so you might want to spend some money trying to lose weight else where, but the performance would be amazing. Remember an electric motor has 100% torque at zero rpm. And yes you would also have far greater MPGe, lower emissions, AWD, etc. I am not opposed to this "step" before going full electric.

ZeeOSix

With the future mandated MPG targets, almost everything on the road will have to be hybrid.

B747VET

The C8 FP Z06 engine sounds totally exciting to me. Perhaps a near perfect sports car. But, the Zora will likely be almost 1,000 total HP and maybe $180k-ish or more which is all way, way beyond our needs and our wants. But, I don’t think the Zora will be a precursor of any all electric Corvette or of any “hybrid” Corvette. Those are both completely different technologies and still quite a ways off, maybe C9 or even C10.

Also, there was some discussion that the battery for the Zora FWD units might be in the center structural tube which might indicate that an MT is getting further and further away from becoming reality in any C8. Still a wild *** chance for an MT in the GS I suppose? Anyway, the Corvette future seems quite exciting to contemplate.

fpfaeth

Sure, why not? If you think about integrating an electric motor with an IC engine, such as McLaren did with the P1 and Ferrari with La Ferrari, you have a continuous surge of torque, though the IC engine still dominates. And if they put electric motors at each of the front wheels, the car would turn even faster and with more certainty. (Not going to mention the possibility of the car now being even capable in snow!)

Warp Factor

If you think of it as being like the power surge one gets from hitting a nitrous button, does that help?

Iker

Yes old men don’t like new technology

JoesC5

While I am an old man(77) and I am looking at a new Toyota Avalon Hybrid(43 mpg city/44 mpg highway) as a daily driver 4 door sedan, I'm not interested in a Hybrid Corvette as a toy.

68roadster

Not something I am looking for at this time. I like simplicity if possible (anybody heard of pushrod V8 engines). However, if it gets developed well, and does not cost too much I am OK with a hybrid that performs better than the current cars. I can just imagine all the future government intervention to bring it about. Hybrid would be better than all electric for giving what I like in a sports car with a gas powered engine. After we die off, then go ahead with the all electric or whatever sterile wonders.

Fredtoo

And what could possibly go wrong when the government controls everything?

JerryU

That is the key! It’s NOT what you want it’s GM must meet corporate mpg goals or pay a prohibitive fine.

Could even be worse! Could be political pressure to go away from fossil fuels very fast. Easy to do depending who is in office. Just charge ~$10.00 gallon for gas like they do in Europe (mostly tax) and tell all the young folks it’s to “Save The World.” It won’t help as China and India get the majority of their power from coal. CO2 levels will be the same and as usual Washington will spend the money on useless “feel good” programs!

kratedisease

Thats it exactly.

I would never add nitrous to a Corvette. It seems too temporary as a power boost.

And I feel like electric is similar. Would there be enough electric power available for a cross country high speed run ?

would there be enough electric power for an entire day at the track ?

I was so excited about the Harley Livewire motorcycle UNTIL I saw the horrible range. I easily do 150 miles per day on a nice ride. Then I kept thinking about how the electric is actually holding the bike back.

bhvrdr

100% agree. A hybrid system on a Corvette is not intentionally a fuel economy booster... its primary purpose is a performance booster.

We're going to need awd to get to that 2.0 second 0-60mph mark that hyper car exotics are currently chasing down.

Mike

tslick98

I have read a couple of articles in the last few weeks saying GM and VW are killing off their Hybrid models. For them, it's either conventional or electric. No middle ground.

jefnvk

Well the convenient thing is that Corvette is never an early adaptor. Hybrid sports cars are going on a decade or so old at this point.

I'd have zero issue with one, and I fully expect one this generation. Quick and dirty way to add both HP and AWD. Whether the cost will be worth the performance is the real question.

Phanni

If "old men" don't like new technology, why are so many of us here?
You sir, are a dumbass.

kratedisease

I love technology. IF its tech that will be around for a while. I just do not see hybrid as a tech that will be long term.

Sin City

Does nothing for me.

AT T 2D

I never thought I would enjoy a hybrid until I purchased an Acura RLX Sport Hybrid sedan last year. The only reason we purchased the Sport Hybrid is because certain features such as the surround view cameras and heads up display are only available on that model. It is similar to the drive train in the NSX, but naturally aspirated. A 3.5 liter transverse V6 up front with a 7 speed dual clutch transmission. There is one electric motor where the torque converter would normally be plus an additional one on each rear wheel. It is a fairly large sedan that my wife uses for her daily driver. She gets 30 MPG on both the highway and in the city. It seamlessly moves between V6 only, electric motors supplementing the V6, and electric motors only. The motors can both provide power and recover energy. In addition the one in the torque converter location seamlessly restarts the V6 when needed. Considering this isn't a serious sports sedan, the immediate torque to supplement the V6 is a blast, as is the torque vectoring from the rear wheels when cornering.

kratedisease

Ok, OK, I think I can better quantify why I do not care for hybrid.

and I know I will get beat up on this explanation since it will offend some owners here.

I see hybrid as the C7 ZR1.

We knew the C8 was arriving soon. So my in my mind (ONLY in MY mind), why bother with the ZR1 when the mid engine C8 is only a few months away.

I see the C7 ZR1 as the temporary solution until the C8 arrives.

Thats how I see high end sports car hybrids, wether its Acura NSX, or the La Ferrari or even the new Ferrari V8 hybrid SF90.

seems like a temporary solution.