Your thoughts on future corvette design:

[C-10 simplex]

So, there are those who feel that the corvette "must" continue to have fiberglass body, v-8 and front engine etc.

What are you feelings of possible design change such as, but not limited to:

----carbon fiber body
---- mid-engine
---- less than 8 cyls
----all wheel drive


1) keep in mind the corvette had 6 cyls until 55, did not get the 4 round tailights until 62 (i think?) and did not get concealed headlights until 63(?) but lost the concealed headlights around 06 (?).

My feelings are that it should evolve
Your thoughts?

[Billett]

1: Sure, that's just keeping with the times. Better technology is discovered for a reason
2: Not as big of a fan of this one. I think it would call for a lot of changes that coincide with that one change. At the same time, it would probably improve the handling a lot.
3: only if they use a turbo/super on a 6 cylinder. 4 is not enough for a vette, and 6 is pushing it IMO
4: Same as number 2.

I like the corvette the way it is. Is it the best sports car in the world? No. Is it close? No. It IS the best bang for your buck excitement car that money can buy. RWD and a V8 are a big reason for that. No it doesn't handle as well as other supercars, but it more than makes up for it in sheer fun factor. I would accept the AWD and 6 cyl changes as long as the price point stayed the same. It's not like you can fit 4 people in there now anyway. However, I worry that the AWD would tame the vette too much.

All that said, I have two words: natural progression. It has to change. How it changes is a different story.

[Indian113]

There's enough fat old men going through Mid Life Crisis that the Vette has to keep it's style and Vroom. Personally I think whatever they do they will be overrated.

[Billett]

I almost wonder if it would be better to do a mid engined v8 in order to keep the iconic sound and feel of power. A v10 or v6 would feel too much like a European supercar. It's just not our style. And how many foreigners are going to buy a corvette compared to Americans?

I also think it should be AWD or mid engined, but not both. One step at a time.

[C-10 simplex]

i think carbon fiber would obviously be better, but would it raise the price AND is the advantage enough over fiberglass to overcome the possible disappointment with purists and thus possibly negatively affect sales?


i think the corvette must go mid engined, but it already handles very good. Will this move be justified enough for the possibly little improvment it would bring---would cost alot to do. Or would there be a large improvment?


i'm thinking that with the new tech and cylinder deactivation, less than 8 cyls is now unnecessary. With that in mind, what are the advantages/disadvatages of an 8 cly vs. a turbo 6 or 4? Keep in mind these eights, i think, can generally match a 6 or 4's mpg.

Will awd add alot of weight and/or affect handling performance vs. rwd?

[Billett]

carbon fiber will most definitely raise the price at the moment, but it will eventually become cheaper. The question is when, and as you said, if it's worth it.

Mid engined I'm less inclined to agree with. I think that front mounted and awd would be a better combo for the corvette. It does handle well compared to normal cars, but compared to other supercars it is too unstable. Granted, those cars are much more expensive, but that is the cost of producing a legend. And I agree with the definite increase in price if you made it mid-engined.

MPG's are definitely a concern these days, but I imagine less so if you're going to buy a corvette. I'm also not sold on the DoD stuff yet. I think in the near future it will work brilliantly, but with the people I often discuss this sort of topic with, it just seems to cause a lot of problems at the moment, and a lot of hassle to fix. That said, the concept is fantastic and would be well suited for this style vehicle; affordable performance. I imagine the tuning of a DoD v8 for a vette would be significantly more challenging than for a normal car though.

AWD is definitely more weight, but I think it would be worth it performance-wise. On the other hand, I think it would take away a big chunk of the fun factor that a vette has.

[MadManAndrew]

If they could keep the price the same I would like to see a mid-engined Corvette. As for styling, I'm not really very conservative when comes to styling changes so I'd like to seen an all new 'Vette. They completely changed everything else, I don't see why not.
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[special-K]

Mid-engine design was in use when the first Vette was built. The Vette has been in the forefront of front engine sports car design for that long. People have bought Vettes and Vettes have kicked but staying the way it is. I say,if they want to make that many changes they need a new car and leave the Vette what it is and keep doing moderate changes,which has worked since Vettes were first built. People will keep buying them. If change is what's called for then change to a truly new super car. That's what competition in that market does.

[vectorit]

Personally... Leave the AWD, and 4,6 turbo stuff to the imports.
Sure those are fast and cool, but when I hear someone talk about stuff like that all I can see in my head is a tuner import.

I would like to see the vette keep going in the direction of the C6R, and continue to make it as a ferocious as possible road race car. Stop with the straight line race mindset, and kill the road race scene with a top line traditional Corvette. GM is getting there, but still needs more refinement.

[67ChevyRedneck]

From what i've seen the c7 is another evolution of the c6, not revolution. Should be front engine v8... but there still seems to be talk of a turbo six base car....
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[C-10 simplex]

To those opposed to to engines smaller than 8 cyls and possibly turbocharged, please list reasons of disapproval.

[C-10 simplex]

i get the impression that alot of people are comfortable with the corvettes design and thus feel there's no need to change something that works?

When i said AWD i meant more in a Lamborghini Diablo sort of way where the rear wheels are still doing most of the powering and the fronts come in supplimentally when needed. Or in a porche type way. Not necessarily like subaru.

Also i feel mid engine would be more exotic. Will this greatly improve handling over the current layout? i have no idea as i can't (apparently?) drive.

[Stocker]

Some basics on the upcoming C7, from the January Car & Driver. Front engine 6.2L V8, RWD, 7-speed (for now) transaxle, transverse composite springs. All models will have an aluminum hydroformed frame. Probable use of carbon fiber on all exterior body panels. More on the engines: direct injection, variable valve timing, cylinder shutdown capability, and a minimum 450 HP. Upgraded interior with better seats. And sadly, a rear end reminiscent of the current Camaro....

[oldtek]

The direct injection and variable valve timing is a massive leap forward. (how long has BMW been doing this?).

What are your opinions on DOHC?

[Gumby]

They need a retro yr n stamp out some new 68's

[1990SSchevy65]

Well since I have been a fan of corvettes since I was 5, that was back in 1985 btw. Thank you Dad for that, and he still has it too(1969 L46 coupe). The corvette should always be front engine rear drive. I do agree with Gumby, and that it would be cool to do a retro version, but look at the new camaro. I personally would rather have the original over retro.

There is a steel bodied corvette, the cadillac xlr. They share the same underpinnings just the body is the main difference. I do not think that a full carbon fiber corvette would be a bad idea, but I am thinking of how fun the body work would be when someone has an accident.

As far as the purist thing goes, some people think the C5 is not a corvette since they changed the way the wipers wipe, among other changes, like the z06 has an aluminum frame.

Same with the C1 having a v6, but changed to a v8 to stay competitive in the marketplace. 1958 was the first year for quad headlights. The C2 also started the flip up headlights. The C1 and C2 had an option for fuel injection. I believe the years were 1961 and 1963 without looking them up. Let's not forget the 1963 split window coupe that customers were having the t bar section removed so that they could see out the back window and now it is a huge collector's dream to get that car.

The C3's became smog equipped with big engines and low horsepower. The C4 really only had one engine option until the ZR1 came out in 1990. Well I could go on and on, but I can imagine that most of the members here know all about corvettes too.

As far as the turbo comment goes, it belongs with the buick grand national, turbo t, diesel trucks.

I will end with this. Most people who buy a new corvette do not care about its history or heritage. Just look on the corvette forum and guys talking about save the wave.

In summary, keep the corvette front engine and rear drive.

Sorry for such a long post.

[TheManInBlack]

Originally Posted by C-10 simplex

To those opposed to to engines smaller than 8 cyls and possibly turbocharged, please list reasons of disapproval.

Not trying to be mean but please list the issues present with the current motor. They're plenty potent and get good fuel mileage (if anyone that drives a vette even cares). Plus they sound wicked.

Carbon Fiber body is a non issue, I don't think even the C5s had fiberglass, they are all ABS aren't they? Plus the C6s already have carbon body components so who cares.

I could concede that AWD would be sweet, and to whoever said it would take the fun away I'm sure they would have a way to disable it just like the traction control.

With regards to mid engine, they're weight bias is already like 51%/49% front to back so how much are you really going to gain? Plus then the styling will take a huge hit (the short nose on the Lambos and Ferraris looks funny to me).

My request is to make one model with the same powertrain but put rubber floor mats, cloth seats, roll up windows, AM/FM radio with Aux input, manual locks, and cruise control. Sell it for 25-30k and people will line up to buy them, then you can continue to make the fancy ones for the old men.

[1990SSchevy65]

My request is to make one model with the same powertrain but put rubber floor mats, cloth seats, roll up windows, AM/FM radio with Aux input, manual locks, and cruise control. Sell it for 25-30k and people will line up to buy them, then you can continue to make the fancy ones for the old men. [/QUOTE]

They tried this back in 1999. It was the poor man's corvette. The first FRC. They did not sell very well if I remember right. That is why the Z06 is a FRC, they had to use the lightweight body design somewhere. I think the FRC was made in 1999-2000 and stopped production from there. I believe they made just over 6k of them in the two years made. The first true FRC since the C2.

I want one, but I figure that I might just go ahead and buy a Z06 instead.

[Gumby]

Originally Posted by TheManInBlack

My request is to make one model with the same powertrain but put rubber floor mats, cloth seats, roll up windows, AM/FM radio with Aux input, manual locks, and cruise control. Sell it for 25-30k and people will line up to buy them, then you can continue to make the fancy ones for the old men.

Sort of the poit for a Retro version like the Camaro, people would come out of the wood work to buy one and bring the Vette back into reach of the common mans club.

They can still build a new model super car for 70K, but stamp me out something with curves and shapes from the past.

[63 & 64 Bowties]

Originally Posted by C-10 simplex

To those opposed to to engines smaller than 8 cyls and possibly turbocharged, please list reasons of disapproval.

see quote below....

Originally Posted by TheManInBlack

they sound wicked.

A Corvette needs to sound like a Corvette, not like a Honda on steroids.

[C-10 simplex]

Originally Posted by oldtek

The direct injection and variable valve timing is a massive leap forward. (how long has BMW been doing this?).

What are your opinions on DOHC?

My opinion on dohc in general is i think it's too unnecessarily complicated and i like things to be simple. So one cam for me.

To answer in the context of corvette/wonderfulness factor/razzle-dazzle/hi-tech factor, i think they should go for it. Didn't the ZR-1 have 4 cams? Apparently, this new v-8 does not need multi-cams to be hot.

What i would really be into would be like the cam, located in the conventional position, would actually be another crankshaft and rods and such, not pushrods, would activate the valves---they would open AND CLOSE them. i don't like the idea of spring pressure holding them closed. i also don't like the idea of a metal lifter sliding across the cam "egg." Yes, i know all new engines have roller lifters.

[TheManInBlack]

They tried this back in 1999. It was the poor man's corvette. The first FRC. They did not sell very well if I remember right. That is why the Z06 is a FRC, they had to use the lightweight body design somewhere. I think the FRC was made in 1999-2000 and stopped production from there. I believe they made just over 6k of them in the two years made. The first true FRC since the C2.

I want one, but I figure that I might just go ahead and buy a Z06 instead.

Yeah, I loved those hard top cars without the big back window. But they weren't really a poor mans vette. They were virtually the same price as the coupe and convert but a couple hundred lbs less.

I figure they make work trucks, why not make a bare bones corvette? I also think it'd be cool if they did this with Camaros as well.

[Z16]

I've been sad since they made an automatic available as an option.



As for carbon fiber, I'm OK with that other then the cost.
A Corvette needs to have V8 sound. Yes, it was originally an inline 6, but it's been V8 so long, don't change it.
Mid engine, no way. As someone said it's 49/51. Don't change that
All wheel drive. No thank you. Nothing like hanging out the back end going around a corner

Unfortunately with the new rules for fuel mileage, there may be a necessity for these changes. Carbon fiber will make things lighter, a blown V6 might make better mileage. And as for AWD, I think there are too many old men who make their million, and suddenly become "car guys" who have never driven anything other then an SUV in there life, go buy a Corvette for their mid life crisis. They have no idea how to drive anything with power, and go out and smash their "Vette" in the first hour of ownership. AWD makes it more stable, and I don't think most drivers will even go over the speed that AWD gets them into trouble. I'm lucky enough to never have to worry about making that first million, so I won't have to buy that Corvette.

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by C-10 simplex

My opinion on dohc in general is i think it's too unnecessarily complicated and i like things to be simple. So one cam for me.



What i would really be into would be like the cam, located in the conventional position, would actually be another crankshaft and rods and such, not pushrods, would activate the valves---they would open AND CLOSE them. i don't like the idea of spring pressure holding them closed.

Seems you have contradicted yourself -- keeping it simple and having extra cranks & rods don't exactly go hand in hand. Gotta give you credit for having creativity, but you made it way more complicated than Ducati did.

http://www.ducatidesmo.com/valves.htm


On topic, I hope the Corvette retains it basic layout for many years, because it works so well and it defines what a Corvette is.

[C-10 simplex]

i meant cam-wise. Since the topic of multi-cams was brought up i felt the need to express my feelings regarding conventional pushrod/rocker/valvespring tech and my thinking that a different valvetrain would be better---i don't think the rod/rocker/valve is necessarily more complex than the conventional way.