8 Things We Love About the New Corvette
8 Things We Love About the New Corvette
The C7 ‘Vette is the newest iteration of America’s sports car icon. Here at Corvette Forum, we thought it prudent to highlight a few things that make the C7 so great. From big improvements over the C6, to world-leading technologies, there is a lot to be proud of.
1. The Engine
When the “base” engine makes 460hp and 465 ft/lb of torque, you know you’re in for a good time, and that’s exactly what the new Generation 5 small-block Chevy motor, dubbed LT1, is. The Corvette team focused on making the powerband as wide as possible, so that this direct-fuel injected engine can make massive torque, even under 2,000rpm. If that’s not enough for you, the Z06 bolts on a supercharger, gaining the LT4 designation, and 650hp as well as 650 ft/lb of the good stuff. If you are clinically insane and have an extra $110,000 burning a hole in your pocket, the ZR1 is coming, promising ever more firepower.
2. The Interior
The common complaint for Corvettes of yore: The interior has been heavily reworked for C7. The C6 famously had the same steering wheel as a Cobalt, while the C7’s is bespoke. Both the C5 and C6 have had flimsy, flat seats, C7 offers “competition” buckets, with provisions for harnesses. The cheap dash plastics of before have been replaced with soft touch plastics, leather lined dash pieces, microfiber/suede seat inserts and the use of carbon fiber that no longer looks like an afterthought, hallelujah! The dash has smooth, digital displays and offers a plethora of useful information like oil temperature, oil pressure, coolant temperature and many more, all perfect for keeping things in check when you’re on track.
3. The Tail Lights
When the C7 debuted in 2012, as a 2013 model, Corvette “purists” were livid that the Corvette had moved away from the four round tail lights that had been used stylistically since the second generation Corvette. We applaud Chevrolet for modernizing the look of the C7 and adding more aggression through the tail lights of all places. C7 rear lights, at night, give the impression of a shark hunting for prey in the dark ocean. The neighbor’s Mustang sleeps in its garage, with the door closed, nightlight bright and one headlight on at all times.
4. The Performance Traction Management
Performance Traction Management, or PTM for short, is Corvette’s adjustable stability and traction control and driver training tool. This technology has been in use with the Corvette for generations, with different modes and calibrations being continually tweaked for better performance. Novice drivers can set the PTM to “Tour,” which keeps the traction control engaged and the throttle response smooth, among other things, while safely learning to navigate the race track. Hardcore track junkies spin the dial to “Track,” which eases the traction and stability control, and tries to optimize putting the power down through corners, allowing them to chase fast lap times.
5. The Performance Data Recorder
Used in tandem with the PTM is the optional Performance Data Recorder (PDR), which records on-track video, audio and telemetry, from things like corner speed and G-force. After each session on track, you can come into the pits and review the analytics provided to see where lap times can be improved. For a street car to have this level of factory support for motorsport and performance driving is a glorious thing indeed.
6. The Options
Chevrolet has always been awesome about building a la carte sports cars. Want the sweet interior: 3LT package? Want some more performance: Z51 package? Do you want to incinerate tires: Z06? Want the looks of the Z06, but don’t want the tire bills every 5,000 miles: Gran Sport? Did we mention that with any of those cars, you can order a manual transmission, or an automatic, and have the option of a drop top? It seems like no two Corvettes out there are going to be the same, which is pretty cool when you sit back and think about it.
7. The C7R
As has been the case for several generations now, Chevrolet has teamed up with the racing gurus of Pratt & Miller to a grand tourer race car, with the goal of dominating in endurance racing. Featuring even wider, flared bodywork and a smoothed out shape to improve aerodynamics, it’s one striking ride. Featuring a built-to-spec 5.5L LS-based V8, designated LS5R, it kicks out just under 500hp and is mated to a sequential “crashbox” transmission. This 2,700lb chassis is an absolute rocket, and has done well to bring home the trophies for Corvette and P&M. Since it debuted in 2014, it has taken home a number of gold medals, podiums, and indeed an in-class victory at Le Mans in 2015.
8. The Community
Alright, this one isn’t C7-specific, but instead is part of the greater Corvette culture as a whole. Between small gestures like the “Corvette Wave” to enormous meet and greets like “Corvettes at Carlisle,” owning a Corvette involves taking in some aspects of the lifestyle, as it were. Corvette spirit, and pride for the marque, is real and infectious, which is something great that can bring owners, from all walks of life, together and make for a sense of community.
That community definitely extends online, and can be found in spades on the infinitely amusing CorvetteForum.com, so feel free to check out and get involved in the madness. To join the conversation on the C7 Corvette, click right here.
For information on maintenance and repairs, check out our do-it-yourself technical articles at CorvetteForum.com/how-tos/.