C8 interior
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Racer
Joined: Mar 2012
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C8 interior
saw the C8 up close in person and looks great. i know every one has issues with the rear end which is understandable. However my problem is with the interior design ( not the quality which is great). previous generation vettes felt claustrophobic due to the torque tube running in the middle of the car. given the ME architecture of c8 there should not be any mechanical constraints preventing the center console to go all the way to the floor. Maclarens feel much roomier on the inside because of that. does anyone know what resides below the center console that requires it to be at this specific height?
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May 14, 2020, 08:14 PM
Instructor
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Le Mans Master
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2020 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Torque tube? The engine is in the back. There is nothing in there but air. The FWD version will have electric motors in the front. Its a completely hollow space. Most likely that's also where the batteries will end up going on the hybrid.
If you want to blame something its the targa roof. Its there to strengthen the chassis from flexing
McLaren's tubs are Carbon fibre which is much stronger and stiffer. And most are coupes. If you've tried to sit in a McLaren they are difficult to get in and out of because they have a tall wall at the door that is difficult get over.
Life is a bunch of compormises. You want more strength and less chassis flex but you also want easy entry and you also want low cost. SOLUTION: A large aluminum structural piece between the two seats.
If you want to blame something its the targa roof. Its there to strengthen the chassis from flexing
McLaren's tubs are Carbon fibre which is much stronger and stiffer. And most are coupes. If you've tried to sit in a McLaren they are difficult to get in and out of because they have a tall wall at the door that is difficult get over.
Life is a bunch of compormises. You want more strength and less chassis flex but you also want easy entry and you also want low cost. SOLUTION: A large aluminum structural piece between the two seats.
Last edited by Sin City; May 14, 2020 at 07:44 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2010
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Torque tube? The engine is in the back. There is nothing in there but air. The FWD version will have electric motors in the front. Its a completely hollow space. Most likely that's also where the batteries will end up going on the hybrid.
If you want to blame something its the targa roof. Its there to strengthen the chassis from flexing
McLaren's tubs are Carbon fibre which is much stronger and stiffer. And most are coupes. If you've tried to sit in a McLaren they are difficult to get in and out of because they have a tall wall at the door that is difficult get over.
Life is a bunch of compormises. You want more strength and less chassis flex but you also want easy entry and you also want low cost. SOLUTION: A large aluminum structural piece between the two seats.
If you want to blame something its the targa roof. Its there to strengthen the chassis from flexing
McLaren's tubs are Carbon fibre which is much stronger and stiffer. And most are coupes. If you've tried to sit in a McLaren they are difficult to get in and out of because they have a tall wall at the door that is difficult get over.
Life is a bunch of compormises. You want more strength and less chassis flex but you also want easy entry and you also want low cost. SOLUTION: A large aluminum structural piece between the two seats.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,416
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From: Argyle, Texas
saw the C8 up close in person and looks great. i know every one has issues with the rear end which is understandable. However my problem is with the interior design ( not the quality which is great). previous generation vettes felt claustrophobic due to the torque tube running in the middle of the car. given the ME architecture of c8 there should not be any mechanical constraints preventing the center console to go all the way to the floor. Maclarens feel much roomier on the inside because of that. does anyone know what resides below the center console that requires it to be at this specific height?
Torque tube? The engine is in the back. There is nothing in there but air. The FWD version will have electric motors in the front. Its a completely hollow space. Most likely that's also where the batteries will end up going on the hybrid.
If you want to blame something its the targa roof. Its there to strengthen the chassis from flexing
McLaren's tubs are Carbon fibre which is much stronger and stiffer. And most are coupes. If you've tried to sit in a McLaren they are difficult to get in and out of because they have a tall wall at the door that is difficult get over.
Life is a bunch of compormises. You want more strength and less chassis flex but you also want easy entry and you also want low cost. SOLUTION: A large aluminum structural piece between the two seats.
If you want to blame something its the targa roof. Its there to strengthen the chassis from flexing
McLaren's tubs are Carbon fibre which is much stronger and stiffer. And most are coupes. If you've tried to sit in a McLaren they are difficult to get in and out of because they have a tall wall at the door that is difficult get over.
Life is a bunch of compormises. You want more strength and less chassis flex but you also want easy entry and you also want low cost. SOLUTION: A large aluminum structural piece between the two seats.
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saw the C8 up close in person and looks great. i know every one has issues with the rear end which is understandable. However my problem is with the interior design ( not the quality which is great). previous generation vettes felt claustrophobic due to the torque tube running in the middle of the car. given the ME architecture of c8 there should not be any mechanical constraints preventing the center console to go all the way to the floor. Maclarens feel much roomier on the inside because of that. does anyone know what resides below the center console that requires it to be at this specific height?
Already been said - the center tunnel is for future battery placement.
Instructor
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Safety Car
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Le Mans Master
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2020 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Not sure why that's the issue. The issue is its an aluminum tub for cost with an open roof which people want so you need extra strength.
Comparing it to a $250K McLaren Carbon Fibre tub makes no sense at all.
Ferrari and Macs don't make "targas". They make coupes. Coupes are lighter than the convertible versions. Chevy likes targas so they have to have the penalty to everyone for added weight and more internal bracing.
Its the compromise you have to accept unless you go more expensive to Carbon Fibre. And even Ferrari hasn't gone that route yet for their basic line. Its expensive and makes it hard to get in and out of for the extra wall by the door to meet the side crash standards.
Comparing it to a $250K McLaren Carbon Fibre tub makes no sense at all.
Ferrari and Macs don't make "targas". They make coupes. Coupes are lighter than the convertible versions. Chevy likes targas so they have to have the penalty to everyone for added weight and more internal bracing.
Its the compromise you have to accept unless you go more expensive to Carbon Fibre. And even Ferrari hasn't gone that route yet for their basic line. Its expensive and makes it hard to get in and out of for the extra wall by the door to meet the side crash standards.
Last edited by Sin City; May 14, 2020 at 09:05 PM.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 19
Likes: 32
From: Houston, Texas
Were you able to drive one? I think the interior feel just right. Feels much less closed in than my 911 and the large center console with decent cup holders and center storage feels great once you get settled in.
Last edited by marsh1; May 14, 2020 at 11:47 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2012
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Frame
It makes sense now thanks. Seems like the frame support was moved to the center of the car as opposed to the sides which makes getting in and out easier. This seems to be a more novel solution I wonder what the pros and cons comparison looks like between the two designs
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2020
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From: Midwest
The huge center tunnel is there for only one reason to house the batteries and mechanical s for the electric front drive train. I agree it is massive and robs lots of cabin room. It is also the reason for that nutty HVAC button array its there to hide the bulk and trick the eye away from that giant battery housing.
Last edited by MagicGlass; May 15, 2020 at 02:09 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2019
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The huge center tunnel is there for only one reason to house the batteries and mechanical s for the electric front drive train. I agree it is massive and robs lots of cabin room. It is also the reason for that nutty HVAC button array its there to hide the bulk and trick the eye away from that giant battery housing.
Additionally there is a large strong panel on the bottom of the tunnel that uses many bolts to keep the bottom edges locked into a solid position.
I don't think you are wrong about the hybrid part either tho, I think it was a smart design serving a dual purpose.
"Someone who uses a tool for its intended purpose is a good mechanic, Someone who can use a tool for two purposes is a great mechanic, Someone who can use a tool for 3 purposes is the person I want to hire."
Last edited by theblackangus; May 15, 2020 at 07:43 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
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From: Thomas Texas
After 3000 miles, I've decided the HVAC “wall of buttons” and the height of the center console is a poor design.
First, the C7 HVAC controls took up less real estate and were easier to see and closer to the driver.
Second, The C8 HVAC controls are actually closer to the passenger than the driver. The script is small and the tiny LED lights are difficult to see during day light. Most are the same size.
Third, other that the temp controls, it almost impossible to memorize their location by feel only. I find I have to turn my head and look down to find the right button. Takes my eyes too far off the road. Less room for the passenger’s elbow on the console.
Fourth, the cover for the mode selector not necessary and is irritating. On the C7, it didn’t have a cover and was much easier to use. Now, you have to reach around the cover. I don’t see why they did that.
However, the transmission controls are nearly perfect.
First, the C7 HVAC controls took up less real estate and were easier to see and closer to the driver.
Second, The C8 HVAC controls are actually closer to the passenger than the driver. The script is small and the tiny LED lights are difficult to see during day light. Most are the same size.
Third, other that the temp controls, it almost impossible to memorize their location by feel only. I find I have to turn my head and look down to find the right button. Takes my eyes too far off the road. Less room for the passenger’s elbow on the console.
Fourth, the cover for the mode selector not necessary and is irritating. On the C7, it didn’t have a cover and was much easier to use. Now, you have to reach around the cover. I don’t see why they did that.
However, the transmission controls are nearly perfect.
Last edited by RussM05; May 15, 2020 at 05:12 PM.
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
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From: NE South Carolina
saw the C8 up close in person and looks great. i know every one has issues with the rear end which is understandable. However my problem is with the interior design ( not the quality which is great). previous generation vettes felt claustrophobic due to the torque tube running in the middle of the car. given the ME architecture of c8 there should not be any mechanical constraints preventing the center console to go all the way to the floor. Maclarens feel much roomier on the inside because of that. does anyone know what resides below the center console that requires it to be at this specific height?
You can read through the Thread and see my posts as it was my first realization of the "real reason," IMO for no standard shift. Made it clear the foolish sounding "no pedal room, can't cut into the center support," were just Marketing Speak. When the C8 was to be released some C8 Hybrids would soon be needed to meet the then planned Law requiring about ~23 mpg at a 2020 launch and ~40 mpg in 2025!
NOTE: The Article Defined the Battery as a Relatively Small 1.92 kWh Capacity. Probably <75lbs.
Last edited by JerryU; May 15, 2020 at 08:57 AM.
