Some of the Specs are Still Fuzzy

[Longtimer]

It was only a few weeks ago that I was getting flamed for suggesting that it would be difficult to get the C7 below 3100 lbs. Several here insisted that I was being unreasonable and that the C7 could come in at 3000 lbs.

I am not shocked at all that 3k was not attained, but what the hell happened??

OO, OO, I just figured it out. The problem with 0-60 is traction right!!? The entire rear fascia is cement! The weight went up but it's all behind the rear wheels! ... And all those folds and bends and extra lines are to keep it from cracking!!

[PNHNDLE96CE]

I think GMs inability to manage weight in vehicles has finally trickle down to the Corvette. The Camaro, CTS, SRX to name a few all weigh more than their competitors. I think Corvette had to us the CF and Aluminum just to keep it close to 3300 lbs. Gizmos and bling cost money and weight. The price will be up along with the curb weight. Hope I am wrong on both accounts but I doubt it.

[spd98]

Originally Posted by Longtimer

I understand your logic, but again, the Al HF rails are at least 130 lbs lighter - possibly as much as 150 lbs lighter. They said the CF body panels dropped 35 Lbs. So there is a minimum of 165 Lbs off of a 3208 LB C6. If it's heavier. Where were the adds that exceed the 165 lbs??

Add back in 67 lbs or so for the motor.

and I think they could get a ZR1 lighter but to get the base a lot lighter would be expensive. I suspect we're looking at about a 2-4k increase as it is.

[c5inBrussels]

Saving weight:
1.aluminium space frame: -99lbs
2.hollow control arms: -9lbs
3.carbon fiber hood: -10lbs
4.carbon fiber roof: -5lbs est.
5.electric steering: -8lbs est.
6.hollow front cradle: -5lbs est. ??
7.magnesium seat frame: -8lbs est. ??

est. weight saving +-144lbs

Adding weight:
1. wider and 2inch increase in lenght: +15lbs ??
2. 7-gearbox: +7lbs ??
3. stiffer door construction: +7lbs??
4.torque tube in steel instead of aluminium because of 4-cylinder mode: +25lbs ??
5.LT1-engine: +25lbs
6.BOSE audio on base C7 with 9speakers: +3lbs ?
7.computers, wiring, tunnel insulation,...: +20lbs ?

est. weight adding +-102 lbs

Base C6 coupe 3208lbs -42lbs = 3166lbs ?? a guess

[spd98]

LT1 weighs 465
LS3 Is around 418ish

[Roadkillz]

Originally Posted by c5inBrussels

Saving weight:
1.aluminium space frame: -99lbs
2.hollow control arms: -9lbs
3.carbon fiber hood: -10lbs
4.carbon fiber roof: -5lbs est.
5.electric steering: -8lbs est.
6.hollow front cradle: -5lbs est. ??
7.magnesium seat frame: -8lbs est. ??

est. weight saving +-144lbs

Adding weight:
1. wider and 2inch increase in lenght: +15lbs ??
2. 7-gearbox: +7lbs ??
3. stiffer door construction: +7lbs??
4.torque tube in steel instead of aluminium because of 4-cylinder mode: +25lbs ??
5.LT1-engine: +25lbs
6.BOSE audio on base C7 with 9speakers: +3lbs ?
7.computers, wiring, tunnel insulation,...: +20lbs ?

est. weight adding +-102 lbs

Base C6 coupe 3208lbs -42lbs = 3166lbs ?? a guess

The list of weight reduction is actually much bigger then that, the head lights are lighter. The suspension cradle was stated to be significantly lighter then the one on the C6. Pretty much every single part on the C7 is lighter then the ones on the C6.

Something seriously isn't adding up, considering that they stated that the C7 would be significantly lighter then the C6.

Also as far as GM keeping weight under control, the Cadillac ATS 2.5 is the lightest car in its class at 3,315 pounds and the 2.0T manual has a base weight of 3,373 pounds.

This is going to be interesting how things will all turn out, also which video did they state that the C7 was going to be heavier then the C6? I have seen a few videos and never heard that comment.

[Roadkillz]

Originally Posted by spd98

LT1 weighs 465
LS3 Is around 418ish

The LS3 was qouted as being about 450 pounds by GM, LT1 engine was stated as being 15 pounds heavier then the LS3.

Reason for weight gain, VVT, direct injection (beefy pump and injectors, and AFM.

[hms1977]

I have bought "Auto Bild" today.
There are photos and specs of the new C7.
They say that the weight is under 3100 lbs.
I hope that is true.

I think this vette has a lot of chance in Europe.
I love this car (you have to see it often) then you like all.
I will buy the C7 convertible next year. Can´t wait for the big vette!

Greetings from Austria
Horst

[Longtimer]

Originally Posted by hms1977

I have bought "Auto Bild" today.
There are photos and specs of the new C7.
They say that the weight is under 3100 lbs.

Thanks Horst.

This weight makes a hell of a lot more sense.

The wheel base has been extended an inch and weight removed from the front. These changes should shift the weight distribution rearward and help improve the physics of the traction. At 3100lbs, add some better programming for a Launch control plus the LT1 [14 HP (450-436) + new Tq curve], the claimed 0-60 time is believable.

At 3200-3300 lbs, the under 4 second claim is very unlikely with the LT1 as it has been presented to us.

[PNHNDLE96CE]

The Edmunds review states that GM would not offer specifics on Curb Weight other than stating that the new car will weigh more. Take that for what it is worth but not one car rag is estimating a lower weight. I am sticking with at least 3300lbs.

[Longtimer]

Originally Posted by Roadkillz

The list of weight reduction is actually much bigger then that, the head lights are lighter. The suspension cradle was stated to be significantly lighter then the one on the C6. Pretty much every single part on the C7 is lighter then the ones on the C6.

Something seriously isn't adding up, considering that they stated that the C7 would be significantly lighter then the C6.

Seems to boil down to someone's brain cramp. Either Tadge had a brain cramp on that vid we saw several weeks ago, or who ever it was that dissiminated the weight information at NAIAS had a brain cramp. My bet it was the PR department at NAIAS and the stupid car rags didn't know enough about the C7 to say, "WHAT!? Check that again please!"

[PNHNDLE96CE]

GM does not have a good track record when it comes to keeping vehicle weight down. The exception has been corvette where the weight has remained pretty consistent, ie the C6 is roughly the same weight as my C4. I hope I am wrong but I truly think that if the weight was reduced Tadge and his dream team of designers would be harping on that. JMHO

[Roadkillz]

Originally Posted by PNHNDLE96CE

GM does not have a good track record when it comes to keeping vehicle weight down. The exception has been corvette where the weight has remained pretty consistent, ie the C6 is roughly the same weight as my C4. I hope I am wrong but I truly think that if the weight was reduced Tadge and his dream team of designers would be harping on that. JMHO

GM had a huge issue with weight, however this has been changing with the big change for the Cadillac ATS. Its development weight at one point got up to 3,800 pounds before they forced the engineers to put it on a diet. The result, the ATS 2.5 with 202BHP has a base weight of 3,315 pounds. For comparison the Lexus IS250 with 3,435 pounds, this was the first time in a long time where the GM vehicle was the feather weight.

Also every car mag says that the ATS is the best driving sports sedan on the market (beating out the BMW 3 series and Mercedes C class though has yet to be compared with the Audi A4).

I am not closing my mind to 3,300 pounds, sure its possible it is just that we were told this car was going to be lighter and all that they have talked about was weight loss. Less then 3,100 pounds makes sense to me considering this, if not where did the weight come from?. If its a safety thing then most of that weight would be in the chassis but we know for a fact that the chassis is 99 pounds lighter then the out going model.

The only part on the C7 that we know for a fact that is heavier then the C6 is the engine (465 LT1 vs 450 LS3).

It is just that at this moment at least until we get more info 3,300 pounds simply does not make sense.

[Longtimer]

Originally Posted by Roadkillz

It is just that at this moment at least until we get more info 3,300 pounds simply does not make sense.

Absolutely

[bkuper]

If these numbers are accurate, the footprint didn't ready get any smaller:

C6
Wheelbase ...........105.7 inches
Overall length .......174.6 inches
Overall width ..........72.6 inches
Overall height .........49.1 inches

C7
Wheelbase............106.7 inches
Overall length..........177 inches
Overall width..........73.9 inches
Overall height.........48.6 inches