2026 PDR debacle
2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Some updates on the current PDR state of affairs...
- Cosworth Pi Toolbox 14 "lite" (free) doesn't currently support importing PDR data.
- Pi Toolbox 14 Plus ($6.59/month but you can subscribe/cancel any time) does support 2026+ PDR files. This pre-built workspace is great to get started. Resources — HiPo Driver
- "Release 1.0 of the new AliveDrive Desktop application (for Windows initially) is due to be released early in the new year." Cosworth Support Forum
Pro
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 747
Likes: 93
From: Marietta, GA
Good news. Just FYI, I will paste some commination that I have had with the executive resolution team at GM. They have been the go-between for me to the PDR/Cosworth folks:
1) Will the new Cosworth Toolbox desktop application (eventually) replicate all of the same functionality from the prior PDR/Cosworth desktop versions? (Except Data Review initially)
Ultimately we are aiming for parity with Cosworth Toolbox. Yes, graphs and statistics will be added.
1a) What exactly is included in "Data Review" that will be missing at launch?
At the launch of the application, it will only have video overlays and the ability to export those data overlays to an MP4 file for sharing. Data review such as graphs (time/distance chart), corner analysis (map based) and statistics (pressure/temperature max/min values) will be available in future releases.
1b) Since Data Review isn't available initially, when will it be?
Below are the major releases and associated themes
V1.0 - Video playback with overlays and full lap export. Ready for customer testing, suggest customer release in Jan 2026.
V2.0 - Dual video playback (time based) and trackmap management and export a clip. End of March 2026
V3.0 - Dual Video (distance based) Graphs, stats, corner analysis. End of June 2026
2) I currently have Version 3.0 (build 406 - Update 1) of the desktop Cosworth Toolbox. Will the "new" application be a version update of that application or a totally different application?
It will be a completely new application.
3) Will it continue to be free to download and use ... as it always has been?
Yes
4) Does the timing of "very close" mean days away, weeks away, or even longer than that?
It will be released in early 2026.
1) Will the new Cosworth Toolbox desktop application (eventually) replicate all of the same functionality from the prior PDR/Cosworth desktop versions? (Except Data Review initially)
Ultimately we are aiming for parity with Cosworth Toolbox. Yes, graphs and statistics will be added.
1a) What exactly is included in "Data Review" that will be missing at launch?
At the launch of the application, it will only have video overlays and the ability to export those data overlays to an MP4 file for sharing. Data review such as graphs (time/distance chart), corner analysis (map based) and statistics (pressure/temperature max/min values) will be available in future releases.
1b) Since Data Review isn't available initially, when will it be?
Below are the major releases and associated themes
V1.0 - Video playback with overlays and full lap export. Ready for customer testing, suggest customer release in Jan 2026.
V2.0 - Dual video playback (time based) and trackmap management and export a clip. End of March 2026
V3.0 - Dual Video (distance based) Graphs, stats, corner analysis. End of June 2026
2) I currently have Version 3.0 (build 406 - Update 1) of the desktop Cosworth Toolbox. Will the "new" application be a version update of that application or a totally different application?
It will be a completely new application.
3) Will it continue to be free to download and use ... as it always has been?
Yes
4) Does the timing of "very close" mean days away, weeks away, or even longer than that?
It will be released in early 2026.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 747
Likes: 93
From: Marietta, GA
In addition, tonight I was able to download the all new AliveDrive desktop app for Windows. It works! I am greatly looking forward to the future releases that will get us all of the functionality, but at least the very basics are now available and working.
I was NOT told to NOT pass this along, so here is the link on their public website.
https://www.cosworth.com/motorsport/...edrive-desktop
I was NOT told to NOT pass this along, so here is the link on their public website.
https://www.cosworth.com/motorsport/...edrive-desktop
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 275
Likes: 169
From: Colorado
Cosworth site is broken due to expired SSL certificate.
Try the direct link...
https://download.cosworth.com/downlo...ktop_1.0.7.zip
Try the direct link...
https://download.cosworth.com/downlo...ktop_1.0.7.zip
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 275
Likes: 169
From: Colorado
I played around with the AliveDrive desktop this am. Works fine. It currently has no real features except the most important one: export.
You can easily select which overlay you want on the video and then export to a file that has the overlay embedded so it can be used on Insta, YouTube, etc.
Happy to see this issue getting some attention. I have been pleasantly surprised how quickly GM and Cosworth responded. Both companies direct communication (I received a follow up call from GM Executive Resolutions team at least once a week since November) has been much appreciated.
You can easily select which overlay you want on the video and then export to a file that has the overlay embedded so it can be used on Insta, YouTube, etc.
Happy to see this issue getting some attention. I have been pleasantly surprised how quickly GM and Cosworth responded. Both companies direct communication (I received a follow up call from GM Executive Resolutions team at least once a week since November) has been much appreciated.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 747
Likes: 93
From: Marietta, GA
Yeah ... I am happy that there are plans in place to continuously improve the desktop version of the new AliveDrive app and that the first iteration is out (and free). I'm not sure that any of our communications with GM or Cosworth actually made things happen any sooner than they would have, but it is nice to have some feedback to them and to know that things are in the works for improvements. Honestly it would have been way better for them to have had this ironed out prior to 2026 model year release, but here we are ...
I noticed the same thing on your video as on mine ... the video and sound are off fairly significantly. I have provided this feedback to them and hopefully they are looking in to this as well as the other items that are coming in future updates.
You can see/hear this video to sound lag distinctly in my track videos from VIR recorded last October.
VIR Full Course
I noticed the same thing on your video as on mine ... the video and sound are off fairly significantly. I have provided this feedback to them and hopefully they are looking in to this as well as the other items that are coming in future updates.
You can see/hear this video to sound lag distinctly in my track videos from VIR recorded last October.
VIR Full Course
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 275
Likes: 169
From: Colorado
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 362
Likes: 60
From: North NJ
I'll add to the disappointment about this new PDR setup on the 26 ZR1...I really had high hopes for it, but this is a terrible thing for 97% of C8 owners. It used to be sooooo simple...And now they are 'suffering from improvement'.
Anyway - I did some testing last night...The easiest way to get a quick video with on screen data (for me) - Take SD card reader plug into phone...Watch vid with data on the screen in the Cosworth app....Screen cap the video you want to save, and then just use your fav video editor (for me it's InShot on Android) to crop the video to one of the video boxes (Why are there two video boxes on the screen???? Wtf Chevy/Cosworth).
Resolution seems fine for just about everything except maybe watching it on a 120" screen, maybe...
What did they do this for? It's so silly.
I did try the export feature, my 9 minute video took almost 20 Minutes to "export" and when it was done.....I have no clue where it went!!! Can't find it on the phone. This is why I reverted to screen cap. 'Easier', simple, and takes 1 minute to render.
*Edit - I also notice the lag between Audio/Video. VERY annoying!! Fix this Chevy!!!!!*
Anyway - I did some testing last night...The easiest way to get a quick video with on screen data (for me) - Take SD card reader plug into phone...Watch vid with data on the screen in the Cosworth app....Screen cap the video you want to save, and then just use your fav video editor (for me it's InShot on Android) to crop the video to one of the video boxes (Why are there two video boxes on the screen???? Wtf Chevy/Cosworth).
Resolution seems fine for just about everything except maybe watching it on a 120" screen, maybe...
What did they do this for? It's so silly.
I did try the export feature, my 9 minute video took almost 20 Minutes to "export" and when it was done.....I have no clue where it went!!! Can't find it on the phone. This is why I reverted to screen cap. 'Easier', simple, and takes 1 minute to render.
*Edit - I also notice the lag between Audio/Video. VERY annoying!! Fix this Chevy!!!!!*
Racer
Joined: Jan 2026
Posts: 435
Likes: 318
Glad to have found this.... super disappointed. The in-car PDR functions are vastly improved, but the out of car really stinks vs. what I had with my '23 Z06.
At first I was scared I had messed up the data overlap as my video files from the SD card had nothing. Then I found AliveDrive Desktop and it's there, but slightly out of sync. There is no analysis or lap comparison stuff and I downloaded PI toolbox only to be told I have no license.
I was in a focus group w/ GM on future PDR stuff and they really do care and do some really cool stuff, but not having the ability to dig into the data will be a huge issue. The whole reason I waited to get a '26 Z07 was that this new PDR was supposed to alleviate the need to buy another analysis widget.
At first I was scared I had messed up the data overlap as my video files from the SD card had nothing. Then I found AliveDrive Desktop and it's there, but slightly out of sync. There is no analysis or lap comparison stuff and I downloaded PI toolbox only to be told I have no license.
I was in a focus group w/ GM on future PDR stuff and they really do care and do some really cool stuff, but not having the ability to dig into the data will be a huge issue. The whole reason I waited to get a '26 Z07 was that this new PDR was supposed to alleviate the need to buy another analysis widget.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 747
Likes: 93
From: Marietta, GA
I have an early MY26 Z06 ... VIN 043. I found out that there is a ":radio" software update for my VIN that SHOULD fix the issue of sound and video being out of sync when using the Cosworth AliveDrive desktop application. Service Information Bulletin 26-NA-059 is what I was told is the update, but Googling it finds nothing. I am on the way to a dealer tomorrow to get the update done. The PDR also needs to be updated so once they plug into the car system, I am told they might find other updates.
This upcoming weekend I am headed to Road Atlanta driving and instructing with Chin. So I will know if the update works after I get back.
Also, I have been told that continuous improvement updates will be coming for the AliveDrive Desktop Application all the way through June of this year. So full functionality like we used to have will not be available until after all of those updates are complete. In a perfect world, all of this would have been worked out before the model year 2026 Corvettes hit the street eight months ago. But here we are. At least there is a plan for making it all work correctly eventually.
This upcoming weekend I am headed to Road Atlanta driving and instructing with Chin. So I will know if the update works after I get back.
Also, I have been told that continuous improvement updates will be coming for the AliveDrive Desktop Application all the way through June of this year. So full functionality like we used to have will not be available until after all of those updates are complete. In a perfect world, all of this would have been worked out before the model year 2026 Corvettes hit the street eight months ago. But here we are. At least there is a plan for making it all work correctly eventually.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2026
Posts: 435
Likes: 318
I have an early MY26 Z06 ... VIN 043. I found out that there is a ":radio" software update for my VIN that SHOULD fix the issue of sound and video being out of sync when using the Cosworth AliveDrive desktop application. Service Information Bulletin 26-NA-059 is what I was told is the update, but Googling it finds nothing. I am on the way to a dealer tomorrow to get the update done. The PDR also needs to be updated so once they plug into the car system, I am told they might find other updates.
This upcoming weekend I am headed to Road Atlanta driving and instructing with Chin. So I will know if the update works after I get back.
Also, I have been told that continuous improvement updates will be coming for the AliveDrive Desktop Application all the way through June of this year. So full functionality like we used to have will not be available until after all of those updates are complete. In a perfect world, all of this would have been worked out before the model year 2026 Corvettes hit the street eight months ago. But here we are. At least there is a plan for making it all work correctly eventually.
This upcoming weekend I am headed to Road Atlanta driving and instructing with Chin. So I will know if the update works after I get back.
Also, I have been told that continuous improvement updates will be coming for the AliveDrive Desktop Application all the way through June of this year. So full functionality like we used to have will not be available until after all of those updates are complete. In a perfect world, all of this would have been worked out before the model year 2026 Corvettes hit the street eight months ago. But here we are. At least there is a plan for making it all work correctly eventually.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 747
Likes: 93
From: Marietta, GA
Yes they are ... but I was told that this particular one was not available over the air ... at least not right now. I have no idea if it will be later on. I just have been pushing for a solution since track season is staring now.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2026
Posts: 435
Likes: 318
My VIN ends 00716… does that mean 716th 2026. Any indication of when the update was done?
Last edited by Z OHHHH 6; Mar 16, 2026 at 10:08 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 179
Likes: 149
From: MI
Wow. I had no idea. And it's no where in the manual or anywhere on line. Seems like a massive oversight.
Thank you so much for sharing.
I am playing with the app now, but wanted to make sure I am understanding the process. I still have to remove the SD card from the car...import the videos to a laptop or desktop and then transfer them to my iPad and then import them into the app. After that, I can export them out of the app back to my laptop/desktop?
Any idea where the files go when you select 'export' on the iPad?
Thank you so much for sharing.
I am playing with the app now, but wanted to make sure I am understanding the process. I still have to remove the SD card from the car...import the videos to a laptop or desktop and then transfer them to my iPad and then import them into the app. After that, I can export them out of the app back to my laptop/desktop?
Any idea where the files go when you select 'export' on the iPad?
Pick up one of these and you can read the PDR card right on your phone.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2026
Posts: 435
Likes: 318
Pick up one of these and you can read the PDR card right on your phone.
https://www.amazon.com/Reader-Oyuias...1zcF9hdGY&th=1
https://www.amazon.com/Reader-Oyuias...1zcF9hdGY&th=1
Pro
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 747
Likes: 93
From: Marietta, GA
I got software updates done today at the dealer. But on the way home I did a couple small videos with up and down shifts and when I played them back the lag was still there. I called the service advisor and he told me that they had done all updates. Later, the service manager called me to apologize because the tech only did the "radio" updates and did not do the PDR update. Great. So I'm headed back on Thursday. Hopefully they will get it right and my PDR system will work correctly without any visual/sounds lag.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2026
Posts: 435
Likes: 318
Yes ... lag is both in-car and on the laptop via the AliveDrive app. its obvious.
I got software updates done today at the dealer. But on the way home I did a couple small videos with up and down shifts and when I played them back the lag was still there. I called the service advisor and he told me that they had done all updates. Later, the service manager called me to apologize because the tech only did the "radio" updates and did not do the PDR update. Great. So I'm headed back on Thursday. Hopefully they will get it right and my PDR system will work correctly without any visual/sounds lag.
I got software updates done today at the dealer. But on the way home I did a couple small videos with up and down shifts and when I played them back the lag was still there. I called the service advisor and he told me that they had done all updates. Later, the service manager called me to apologize because the tech only did the "radio" updates and did not do the PDR update. Great. So I'm headed back on Thursday. Hopefully they will get it right and my PDR system will work correctly without any visual/sounds lag.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,044
Likes: 1,072
From: Pasadena Texas
I was fortunate enough to buy a 2025 E Ray 1LZ with a PDR. The lack of a PDR was a deal breaker.
This being said, I love the PDR, however I don't trust the 0-60 or quarter mile timer any further than I can throw my E Ray.
This being said, I love the PDR, however I don't trust the 0-60 or quarter mile timer any further than I can throw my E Ray.