The Process Begins: News on the Corvette C7

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YSSMAN

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My early morning ritual usually involves reading the The Autoextremist Blog every Wednesday, and to my surprise a few tidbits on the Corvette C7 showed up. Now I can't post the actual story itself, however LLN.com had a good overview (after I sent them the tip)...

LLN.com
A debate is raging within General Motors over the engine layout of next-generation C7 Corvette, according to AutoExtremist. On one side are engineers and product planners who think it's time for the 'Vette to move to a mid-engine layout. In the opposite camp are those who believe tradition and cost considerations are enough to keep the engine up front.

A mid-engine Corvette would most likely cost more than the existing model. What's more, some purists would almost certainly decry such a major change, considering its impact on handling and exterior styling.

Columnist Peter DeLorenzo speculates GM might opt to keep the C7 front-engined, and perhaps build a more expensive and extremely limited production mid-engine model. Such a technological showcase would be a "statement" car from GM, DeLorenzo says.
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I'm with DeLorenzo on this one. GM by way of Chevrolet wouldn't completely alter the Corvette just for the sake of doing so. Anyone with a knowledge of Corvette history would know that this isn't the first time GM has tinkered with the idea of a mid-engined Corvette, as many of those ideas date back 30+ years, and even included a Wankel-powered 'Vette in the late '70s and early '80s.

What LLN forgot to mention was the fact that the Corvette, based on early discussions, will come standard with a smaller displacement V8 that does not share a design with the current Generation IV small-blocks. That isn't to say that GM is giving up on small-block technology, that is what made the car famous and will arguably continue to power Corvettes for the foreseeable future, but GM is developing a new V8 program across the board from Cadillac down to Chevrolet. My guess is that we're talking about a 4.8-5.3L design, probably DOHC, and obviously all-aluminum.

We'll find out more later I assume, but these are indeed the early shots fired in the C7 production cycle that probably won't come to fruition until the first few years of the next decade, maybe 2012 or so.
 
woah...and the C6 has been out, How long, three years?

Heh...I think there's gonna be MR rumors as long as G.M. keeps updating the Corvette. But I think the 'vette's current FR layout will stay with this car 'till the Lord comes back. (not to make a religious statement)
 
Theres nothing wrong with front engined supercars, do it right and they're just as competetive as mid engined supercars. Though technically cars like the Speed 12 and Lister Storm already are mid-engined, possibly the Corvette already is I don't know if the engine is completely behind the front axel or over it. If Cheverolet want to build a proper mid-engined car theres nothing to stop them, but there's absolutely no need for them to call it a Corvette. I can see them getting away with calling it a corvette if they have a regular front engined model as DeLorenzo said and then a sort of halo model which is mid-engined, they could name it after one of the mid-engined Corvette concepts GM has made over thhe years.
 
Do they not realize that a mid-engine Corvette will only do the same effect front-engine "NSX Successor" has?


People love cars that have had a long tradition of certain things. A Corvette being front-engine rear-wheel drive is most certainly one.
 
As long as the car is cheaper than the Viper GM can do whatever they want to it. I do prefer the noise of that pushrod V8 over the possibility of the DOHC incarnation. Sometimes a high revving V8 can sound awsome (F430) but I think I prefer the lower grunt of the current 6.0-7.0L.
 
Apparently the mid-engine configuration is no longer under consideration. I do think, however, that GM would do well to build a mid engine car, and maybe make it more premium like a ferrari or something like that.
 
JCE3000GT
As long as the car is cheaper than the Viper GM can do whatever they want to it. I do prefer the noise of that pushrod V8 over the possibility of the DOHC incarnation. Sometimes a high revving V8 can sound awsome (F430) but I think I prefer the lower grunt of the current 6.0-7.0L.
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I'm going to agree with you there. I applaud GM for working on the small-displacement V8 by meeting the criticisms of their European and Japanese competition, but by no means does that mean they should give up on the small-block program. And lets be honest here, I doubt they would. The Gen IV engines are amazing, and I'm sure the Gen V follow-ups will be even better.

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On the subject of mid-engined Corvettes:

L4S brings up an interesting point. I believe the current setup in the Corvette has the respective LS2 and LS7 power-plants positioned far enough back to be considered an "FM" design, but I'm not completely sure.

...On the whole, the idea of a mid-engined GM model is a good one, but it is something that shouldn't wear a Chevrolet or a Corvette badge. Simply put, this is something that could work much better for Cadillac (Cien? Cien? Anyone? Cien?). Maybe it is the replacement for the XLR in the works?
 
From a styling standpoint, I would like to see a MR Opel/Saturn or a Holden. The only brand in my opinion capable of producing a supercar and have the name to do it would be cadillac, but they might butcher the design. I'm having mixed feelings of possibly calling the MR a corvette. It would do good for the car, but not for the name/current car.

So, are they looking for a smaller block with the same power? That would be cool, especially because the car could be lighter. Just don't screw it up GM.
 
*McLaren*
Do they not realize that a mid-engine Corvette will only do the same effect front-engine "NSX Successor" has?


People love cars that have had a long tradition of certain things. A Corvette being front-engine rear-wheel drive is most certainly one.
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👍 Of course, if Honda were to make that NSX successor FWD... :lol:

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RE: a mid-engined GM? What brand will they put it under? Why not just resurrect the stillborn Caddy supercar? Or, hopefully, a less stylistically obsessive version of one?
 
niky
👍 Of course, if Honda were to make that NSX successor FWD... :lol:
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People were saying exactly that when the Lotus Elan M100 was being created. In the end, it was the best it could be, but if it were RWD, who knows how epic it could've been. I mean, the original Elan pretty much created a sports car segment.

And guess who was in charge at Lotus when they decided to make the M100 FWD? Yep, GM.
 
A new Corvette so soon? :odd: Haven't most previous iterations lasted more like 10 years each? Why is GM feeling the urge to advance things already?

If they're really going to use a smaller-displacement V8, what if they created a super-lightweight Corvette, with more advanced materials, suspension tech, engine tech...maybe becoming that "technological showcase" that they purport it to be. Something like a V8 Solstice, only better. A lot better.


Or they could go upmarket, but that would push the slow-selling XLR right out of the way.


*McLaren*
Do they not realize that a mid-engine Corvette will only do the same effect front-engine "NSX Successor" has?


People love cars that have had a long tradition of certain things. A Corvette being front-engine rear-wheel drive is most certainly one.
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I'm not sure I could agree more with this. 👍 A mid-engined Corvette is a cool idea, but it wouldn't really be a Corvette anymore. It's right up there with a certain possible Mustang replacement.


YSSMAN
Cien? Cien? Anyone? Cien?
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You and me both, YSSMAN. You and me both. :indiff:
 
harrytuttle
A new Corvette so soon? :odd: Haven't most previous iterations lasted more like 10 years each? Why is GM feeling the urge to advance things already?

If they're really going to use a smaller-displacement V8, what if they created a super-lightweight Corvette, with more advanced materials, suspension tech, engine tech...maybe becoming that "technological showcase" that they purport it to be. Something like a V8 Solstice, only better. A lot better.
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Well, as the competition seems to be refreshing on a five to six year basis, GM is feeling the pressure to keep-up with Corvette design as well. The longest-lasting Corvette was the C3 which went from 1968 to 1982, but chances are that most of the development cycles are going to mirror that of the change between the C5 and C6, or about eight years. What it comes down to is that GM is "working on it" as of now, deciding where they want to start, etc.

It is really hard to talk about everything if you haven't read the short blurb on the website. Due to copyright laws, etc, I can't post them directly on here, but the summation of ideas are as follows:

- Team Corvette is split between people who believe the Corvette can and should be MR, and strict traditionalists are maintaining that it should remain FR (I'm in that camp as well).
- The C7 will be lighter than the current C6, probably due to the use of more aluminum, fiberglass, carbon-fiber, etc.
- There will be two engine options on the "regular" Corvette. An all-new smaller displacement V8 and another continuation of the current small-block, probably dubbed "Gen V."
- DeLorenzo hears that GM wants to make a spin-off of the Corvette "brand" with a 500-unit Corvette in the six-figure area. (My guess it comes in the form of a Cadillac).

They still want the Corvette to be cheap, easy to drive, and faster than hell. Expect an evolution of the current car, but no radical changes.

I like the idea of a smaller-displacement V8, and although I'm assuming it will have DOHCs and VVT, I really can't be sure. I can see GM re-doing a "true" 327 ala the 1960s that included variations that were more powerful than some of the in-house RAT engines of the era. So, my guess is a 5.3L engine probably putting out about the 400 BHP we see now with the 6.0L LS2, will probably use cylinder-deactivation, and maybe even run on E85 or bio-fuel... A "green" Corvette if you will...

Otherwise it will probably be a spin-off of Cadillac's "Ultra" V8 program being sorted out right now to replace the Northstar design. We'll find out as details begin to trickle out of Detroit, but we aren't likely to know anything about the next Corvette until 2010 at the absolute earliest.
 
Developing a car is an ongoing process. You can't build a car from the ground up in a couple of years. It makes perfect sense to atart now, they have to design, engineer and preview the new car. The engine will probably take a while too.

I'm pretty sure GM wasn't thinking mid-engine corvette when they built the Cien. I'm sure they just wanted a radical car to preview their new styling direction. We could very well see another caddy supercar on the stand, though, with this whole mid-engine business.

So, if a smaller engine equals same power, will a same size engine mean more power? That would be pretty sweet in the Z06.
 
...My guess is yes. I'd figure the new engine to put out between 380-400 BHP, the next-gen small-block to push 450-500 BHP, and the top-line model to probably go north of 600 BHP. Of course it is all pure speculation, and it all depends on what the competition does, and what exactly GM does to compensate in the process.
 
The standard corvette now has 400 hp. I'm thinking GM will try to maintain that figure, if not raise it some. I would say the small engine probably is capable of a little over 400, in corvette tune. I could be wrong, though. Unless the corvette gets lighter, i would expect the mod-range to be a little higher than your predictions, YSS. Unless they keep a 7.0L, but in the form of this new engine. Really big power would be available. Top of the line? It's off to the races (literally) with the power figures. 600+? No problem.
 
'84-'96: thirteen years.
'97-'04: eight years.
'05-present: three years.

Way too soon, folks. Discussing this now would be like moving Nissan to rural Tennessee.
 
05-present is 3 years sure, but do you think the C7 Corvette is coming out tomorrow? It'll be a few years off a least if it's only just kicking off the concept stage.
 
M5Power
'84-'96: thirteen years.
'97-'04: eight years.
'05-present: three years.

Way too soon, folks. Discussing this now would be like moving Nissan to rural Tennessee.
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As I stated earlier, there shouldn't be anything on the table until calendar year 2010 at the absolute earliest. I wouldn't expect a production model to hit the streets until 2012 at the earliest.

...We could see an "extensive" update of the Corvette in the near-future in terms of mechanicals and maybe a light update on the exterior (think early C4 versus late C4), but even then it wouldn't be required right away. An eight year (or so) run will probably become standard with the Corvette. That doesn't mean that GM can't start working on the new car, as it takes years and years of testing and re-testing to get everything right.
 
Wow, we haven't talked about this car for 2 years?:crazy:

Well, I did my duty and used search: Might this be the new C7?

corvettec7.jpg


Corvette C7 Coming in 2012 as a 2013 model

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/12/report-corvette-c7-coming-in-2012-as-a-2013-model/
 
Depends. According to Jalopnik, it was more or less an exercise in design and engineering than anything else. Apparently the Stingray concept car was designed roughly the same time that the finishing touches were being put on the production Camaro, and both were meant to come out at the same time as promotional pieces for the brand. There, apparently, will be "elements" from the car that will make it into the eventual design of the C7, but given the overall shape, it is far too fantastic for production at this point.

I'd expect the Corvette to shrink in size just a little bit, seeing the weight go down as well, along with a modest cut in engine displacement. Make it green, make it fast, and keep it affordable. That's all GM needs to do to keep the Corvette going as their most-successful product.
 
I actually like the side profile, and the general sharp agressive theme its got going on, perhaps some work to the front grill, vents and those headlights are lame.

You can't say this is ugly
2009-Chevrolet-Corvette-Stingray-Sideswipe-Concept-Reflection-1280x960.jpg
 
You're right; I like this too.

Maybe not too original (One-77? GTbyCitroen?), but I like the design nonetheless; kinda like a high end Corvette. I like the mix of classic/modern.
 
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I like the side profile of the Stingray Concept too, I'd like to see them do this, a sort of more chiselled agressive look as the F458 did from F430, but that front and rear would need some major beautification. Great to hear there are plans for a C7 at all though. (Hope they stop putting polished chrome rims on production cars though :yuck:)
 
Hey Paulie, whats wrong with polished chome rims? I think they look better then the average non-polished aluminium.
 
Looks like they took a bit too much from that Bertone concept. There's also Far too much pininfarina in the nose.

IN fact....I think it IS that Bertone car, and NOT the C7. Someone photochopped it. There's no way GM would eschew the quad rear taillights.
 

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