Transmission thoughts....
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 47
Likes: 13
From: Toronto
Transmission thoughts....
With 23% of Corvettes being manual transmissions I can only think the lack of info on a manual option is just them being coy. Even if at launch it’s not available, I suspect there will be one. I know a dct suits a mid engine but there have been tons of mid engines with manuals. Anyways, I’m excited about this car either way but I don’t think we should worry.
Cheers
Cheers
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Alexandria VA
The problem with the true rear engine w/ a manual is that it has to be cable driven; people will inevitably complain about the lack of feel in the shifter. So while it would be a nice option to have, I wouldn't hold my breath.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 41,732
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From: Springfield MO
I wonder what percentage of that 23% wanted a C7 with an auto but selected a manual transmission because they didn't want to end up with a troublesome A8 on a car they planned to keep after the warranty expired. They just selected the lessor of the two evils.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2015
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From: St Louis Area IL
My mid engine Toyota MR2 Spyder's stick shift felt fine even though it was through a cable. It was perfect after I installed a short shifter kit.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2018
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From: Toronto
That’s a really good point, had the A8 been solid I’m sure it’d taken more sales away from the M7. Turned into the safe choice for track driving. Even with that I still think there’s room for a manual. As long as it makes business sense it’ll happen.
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From: Alexandria VA
Race Director
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From: Middletown, DE
With 23% of Corvettes being manual transmissions I can only think the lack of info on a manual option is just them being coy. Even if at launch it’s not available, I suspect there will be one. I know a dct suits a mid engine but there have been tons of mid engines with manuals. Anyways, I’m excited about this car either way but I don’t think we should worry.
Cheers
Cheers
(1) Those current C7 buyers who like manuals, hate slushboxes, but would have opted for a DCT if it were available (and thus would not be "lost" customers in a "no-manual-Vette world.")
(2) Those who like DCTs but not slushboxes, who might have been poached away from DCT-equipped competitors such as Cayman/Boxster and lower-end 911 variants.
My bet is the real number of lost "die-hard" manual customers would be in the 10% range, and that, in addition, some competitive sports/sporty car buyers would be poached from DCT-offering competitors. But, that is just my guess at an over/under if forced to set such odds. You have to believe GM knows way more about these numbers than we do. That is not to say their analysis of the data will be correct or foolproof.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 47
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From: Toronto
Good call Fred, I totally agree that a good dct will swing that number even lower. GM will make the call if it makes sense. If the true number is that low it may be gone. This really is exciting, going to be an interesting few months!
Cheers
Cheers
Racer
Joined: Feb 2017
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Likes: 347
Yeah for sure GM will do the market research to try to determine what fraction of the 23% they will lose if they don't offer a manual. They won't lose all of these 23% for the reasons Atomic Fred listed above. On the other hand, they may lose a few people who are scared of GM building a car with a DCT. Yes, a 3rd party is building it (Tremic) but GM has to get the calibration right. It's not unreasonable to be wary of them doing this right the first time and going with a manual for safety.
If you are in the "I still want a manual" camp our best hope lies in the the fact that Porsche is offering a manual on the next gen 911 and their NA lead called the manual demand in the U.S. "significant". I don't know what that means in terms of numbers but it was high enough that Porsche is sticking with a manual option in the 911. If that is what Porsche's market research showed then GM would have found the same thing. I would think Porsche would drop the manual before GM but I have zero inside knowledge.
If you are in the "I still want a manual" camp our best hope lies in the the fact that Porsche is offering a manual on the next gen 911 and their NA lead called the manual demand in the U.S. "significant". I don't know what that means in terms of numbers but it was high enough that Porsche is sticking with a manual option in the 911. If that is what Porsche's market research showed then GM would have found the same thing. I would think Porsche would drop the manual before GM but I have zero inside knowledge.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Austin Texas
Fiat x1/8, Lotus Europa, and Ferrari 308, 328, 355 (but not 348) use a rod that goes back and forth and rotates side to side to effect gear changes.
I am sure others do, too.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2012
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From: Keller Texas
So what are the 3 pedal; guys going to buy if all new Corvettes are DCT's???? Besides the advanced technology and performance of the DCT's, I'm pretty sure that the manuals disappeared because lack of interest.... ie: more specifically, lack of orders.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Bergen county NJ
Porsche offers a manual transmission standard on its sports cars and then offers a dct as an option at extra cost.
gm will do the same with the upcoming C8 for the exact same reason.
gm will do the same with the upcoming C8 for the exact same reason.
Last edited by JerriVette; Sep 17, 2018 at 10:35 PM.
4th Gear
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Instructor
Joined: Jan 2018
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No Manual, not worth buying a C8. I would move to the Porsche. What you guys fail to understand is that the Manual is for the feel of driving the car. Any monkey can push a gas pedal. Might as well buy an electric Corvette then.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: CA
GM will be making a big mistake if they think every buyer is a track rat who is trying shave tenths of second off his/her "non-timed" HPDE laps with faster shifts. Corvette buyers are not just enthusiasts of the car, but they are enthusiasts of driving. A manual transmission is a key component of that experience for many people.
Porsche may see their sales go up if the C8 doesn't offer a manual.
Last edited by Michael A; Sep 18, 2018 at 01:25 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2017
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Yes, and any monkey can push a clutch pedal. Anyone who has driven a manual for a length of time shifts by reflex. The thinking involved in shifting is knowing when to downshift (up shift) and what gear to shift to. This is still necessary with a DCT in manual mode.