Does Corvette Need to Continue to HP War?

[Phantom01]

Originally Posted by Longtimer

Certainly the world is changing drastically - economically, legislatively, and perhaps culturally too.

The Corvette is first and foremost a Halo Sports Car for The NEW GM. Its mission statement is to over excel within its niche while projecting an image of quality, dependability and reasonable cost of ownership. It must also make a profit without overly, negatively impacting The NEW GM efficiency (re: MPG & Emissions) image or CAFE.

Therefore the performance numbers for the vette CANNOT drop without the perception of failure – no mater how many other aspects of the car improve.

How do you offer a better 638HP Corvette? Make it 640, 650, 700? I don't think so - unless you own a tire store. Make it better by doing more with what you have.

A lower HP Porsche out accelerates a 436HP vette to 60 MPH because it has all that weight out back to assist traction. Only so much can be done (Launch Control and tires) to hook up HP/Tq with the current chassis. In the end Physics will rule.

Today's 436HP provides outstanding performance numbers, especially in the GS model. However, improvements in power to weight ratios and front back weight distribution could make that same HP perform even better - while improving the efficiency of the car.

Certainly powertrain development must continue. But, IMO, refinement and chassis development have greater potential performance contributions for Corvette.

I don't think a Rear Mid engine is the only answer, but it is the most obvious. Should the engine re-join the tranny out back and risk loosing all utility of our icon? I don't think a Lamborghini layout would be acceptable to Vette-dom. Nor would a hidden-never-seen-engine-boxster arrangement work for us. Don't even mention the absurdity of 911 packaging (said with grudging amazement and a nod to Porsche engineers).

The C7 has major challenges. It must satisfy its mission statement from GM, entice a new generation of Euro/Asia lovers, improve efficiency and performance and do all of this without loosing its heritage or alienating perhaps the largest auto "fan" base in the world.

It's no wonder that the C7 has been on again off again. Much is at risk - besides the jobs of its consumers.

I honestly couldn't say it any better.

[ozarkyankee]

I refuse to read previous posts and say even when they put me in the rest home, I will be taking the governor off of the wheelchair.

[dilljoe]

There may be enough horsepower in the current engine to really satisfy most people but if the other manufacturers are going to continue the horsepower war then Corvette will have to play too in order to stay competitive. I wouldn't mind a little more refinement all the way around but not at a much higher cost. I sure can't afford a 100k or plus car as is the case with most of my corvette buddies. The one thing I would like to see is less weight but that gets expensive too as well as the fact that the government safety stuff all adds weight, then they want better milage. Just my 2 cents.

[Jasek1969]

I understand what your saying about refinement while keeping cost down. Obviously over the years, the sales price will continue to climb, as the cost to produce goes up. But it seems to me to be climbing faster than it used to. (maybe I'm way off on that point, not sure. ) What was cool about the Corvette was even if you weren't a doctor, rich business owner, etc. you could still buy a used one eventually if you saved your money. I've got to be honest, a new Z06 cost almost as much as I paid for my house when I bought it, and a ZR1...? I make enough money I can afford anything up to maybe a 2007 C6, a first year Z06 C6 is pushing it but possible. While I love the ZR1, I intentionally try not to pay any attention to it because I don't ever see it coming down in price low enough that I could ever afford one. Unless you guys know of one that's been wrecked with 300,000 miles on it. (I could probably afford that!)
Okay I"m drifting off point sorry. Heh. Long story short, a rolling schedule of improvement I don't think is such a bad idea. As long as the Corvette always has more horse power than the mustang!

[Livingwater]

436HP, no gas guzzler tax for under 45K is amazing

[JBsZ0666]

Originally Posted by Livingwater

436HP, no gas guzzler tax for under 45K is amazing

I believe my 1999 C5 Z51 A4 was exactly 10% less than my 2008 Z51 C6, M6 with NPP.

If you take into account for the NPP exhaust vs the aftermarket corsa I installed after purchase and the fact the M6 on 1999 C5 was probably a one thousand dollar option..

the difference over a decade of time was less than 5%.

Certainly the performance of the c6 is superior to the c5 and of course the dollar has not really appreciated but rather devalued. I'd say the c6 is a smoking deal...even more so than my 1999 c5 (which I really enjoyed)