C8?

[Steven B.]

General Motors is mulling a radical re-engineering for the Chevrolet Corvette, centered on a more fuel-efficient, mid-engined V6 powertrain, a lightweight alloy body and a more compact footprint.
The idea is to re-energize GM's ambition for the Corvette, with fundamental changes that will make it into a contemporary global supercar. The changes are penciled into GM's product plan for the next major model change, the C8, with an on-sale date around 2016. Both coupe and convertible models are planned.
The C7 had been the focus of plans for a mid-engined model capable of matching Europe's most exotic supercars. The mid-engined C7 got as far as engineering development but was canceled when the global credit crunch hit and GM faced financial woes that eventually led to the company's trip through bankruptcy court.
As a result, GM recast its Corvette plans around a more modest revamp of today's C6 into the C7 version, essentially a stopgap until the world-beating C8 arrives.
"That [the C7] will be the last of the traditional, old-style Corvettes," a senior GM insider told AutoWeek.


Read more: http://www.autoweek.com/article/20100317/CARNEWS/100319875#ixzz0iqKYtiD0

[Clem Z.]

Re: C8?

General Motors is mulling a radical re-engineering for the Chevrolet Corvette, centered on a more fuel-efficient, mid-engined V6 powertrain, a lightweight alloy body and a more compact footprint.

The idea is to re-energize GM's ambition for the Corvette, with fundamental changes that will make it into a contemporary global supercar. The changes are penciled into GM's product plan for the next major model change, the C8, with an on-sale date around 2016. Both coupe and convertible models are planned.
The C7 had been the focus of plans for a mid-engined model capable of matching Europe's most exotic supercars. The mid-engined C7 got as far as engineering development but was canceled when the global credit crunch hit and GM faced financial woes that eventually led to the company's trip through bankruptcy court.
As a result, GM recast its Corvette plans around a more modest revamp of today's C6 into the C7 version, essentially a stopgap until the world-beating C8 arrives.
"That [the C7] will be the last of the traditional, old-style Corvettes," a senior GM insider told AutoWeek.

Read more: http://www.autoweek.com/article/20100317/CARNEWS/100319875#ixzz0iqKYtiD0

the economy had better be a lot better by then because GM can't sell corvettes now at $50/60K and i bet the mid engine corvette would be a lot more. GM can't give the new ZR1 away right now. there are still 2009 in stock. the corvette is popular because of the bang for the buck and if that goes away there also goes corvettes sales. CAFE does not mean much to GM with corvette sales because of the small number of sales

[Duke W.]

Re: C8?

I'm not so sure if mid-engine is the way to go. They tend to be too heavy and have packaging problems. Look at the Ford GT. It has NO luggage compartment - hardy very practical for a weekend trip or even daily driving.

Mid-engine car handling can be magic, but it's tough to get right, however, modern traction control/ABS can make up for fundamental flaws in balance or messed up tire load capacity/roll stiffness distribution.

The most practical mid engine designs have transverse engines, which seem to provide for a decent cockpit and a modest "trunk" without the whole package being too long or too heavy, but servicing can be a nightmare.

Also, now that GM is 60 percent owned by the government, I'm not sure if the bureaucrats pulling the strings would authorize the several hundred million to few billion that it would take to tool up a completely new Corvette.

I think the C5 was about $500 million, which is a modest sum for a whole new car that had some new technology, but a lot of the powertrain development costs were shared with the truck products, and that may have also applied to the hydroforming process for the frame rails.

And if the next Corvette ends up looking like something out of the Cadilllac studio, it's over for me.

Duke

[Clem Z.]

Re: C8?

any new corvette that cost more than $50/$60K is out of my price range but i guess i have had my share so i will let someone else carry the flag.

[George C.]

Re: C8?

1968 Astro II-XP-880
Though not called Corvette, the curvy one-off Astro II of 1968 fueled rumors that a mid-engine Chevy sports car was near. Developed as GM project XP-880, it was a follow-up to the previous year's Corvair-based Astro I, but carried a Corvette V-8 and conventional doors. The entire rear half of the body was hinged to tilt up for engine access.

[George C.]

Re: C8?

1970 Corvette XP-882
Shot in the GM Design Staff viewing court just before its public debut in early 1970, the experimental XP-882 looked production-ready, thus fueling hopes that the next new Corvette would have a similar mid-engine design. It definitely looked like a Corvette, with overtones of the 1968-vintage "Shark" model in its low vee'd nose and four-lamp tail treatment. The car would have stayed under wraps, but was shown to counter Ford's announced sale of Italian-built DeTomaso Panteras. GM built two XP-882 chassis for evaluation, but only the first one had the bodywork shown

[George C.]

Re: C8?

This mid engine talk & planning didn't work back in the 60's and it for sure won't fly now or ever. I hope the C8 or C9 can stick to front wheel V8 muscle power, but with Corvette sales so down, Duntov is not around to save the Corvette if GM pulls the plug. I hope things get better. My .02.

The big problem is buyers. When most of us were in our late teens and early 20's we had to have a Corvette. Show me a person in his or her late teens or early 20's that "has to" have a Vette. Let alone afford one. Sad day for GM and Chevrolet. Mid engine V6's are not going to save this car.

[Vinnie P.]

Re: C8?

While at the board meeting this weekend, John Pirkle, the outgoing Museum Reresentative, reported that Corvette recalled all the furloughed workers and went from a 4 day 10 hr work week to a 5 day 10 hr work week and also added what I think was two Saturdays a month. They have advanced orders in house to justify the recalls and upgraded production.

[Clem Z.]

Re: C8?

While at the board meeting this weekend, John Pirkle, the outgoing Museum Reresentative, reported that Corvette recalled all the furloughed workers and went from a 4 day 10 hr work week to a 5 day 10 hr work week and also added what I think was two Saturdays a month. They have advanced orders in house to justify the recalls and upgraded production.

a lot of dealers were not stocking corvettes during the winter big snow months this year so i would guess they are ordering for stock. also GM is going to reopen some of the dealerships they closed so they will need some inventory

[Rob M.]

Re: C8?

Also a new European Corvette headoffice is due to open. Lets hope these little signs are representative for light at the end of the tunnel...

regards,
Rob.

[Jim W.]

Re: C8?

I'd like to be optimistic, but I have recently read of the massive exodus in 2007-8-9 of just about anyone and everyone who had even the slightest of participation in the creation of the C5, C6 Corvette. This has left a void of the braintrust of anyone who knew of how the engineering involved of the late model Corvettes. There are many, many C6 Corvette owners who Cannot find a dealership or a techician who can make toast, much less that has the first hand intelligence to repair problem that are currently happening to late model owners. I have to drive 45 miles to a single dealership who has a old scholled GM Master technician who I trust to work on my C5.

I have to wonder what the owners of the 'Blue Devil' ZR1 can do to find suitable service today. I have heard too many horror stories of dealership service experiences. And that doesn't begin to question if the inventory of avalible parts will be accessible. From what I have understood, there is no 'law' or rule to how long manufactures have to keep stockpiles or replacement parts for GM vehicles. I've owned five Corvettes, but my heart isn't interested in a mid-engine, Pontiac Solitise based/sized C8 or Toyota MR2 wannabe.

I suppose I'm just tooo old to see a pint-sized powerpacked C8 !

[Clem Z.]

Re: C8?

I'd like to be optimistic, but I have recently read of the massive exodus in 2007-8-9 of just about anyone and everyone who had even the slightest of participation in the creation of the C5, C6 Corvette. This has left a void of the braintrust of anyone who knew of how the engineering involved of the late model Corvettes. There are many, many C6 Corvette owners who Cannot find a dealership or a techician who can make toast, that has the first hand intelligence to repair problem that are currently happening to late model owners. I have to drive 45 miles to a single dealership who has a old scholled GM Master technician who I trust to work on my C5.

I have to wonder what the owners of the 'Blue Devil' ZR1 can do to find suitable service today. I have heard too many horror stories of dealership service experiences. And that doesn't begin to question if the inventory of avalible parts will be accessible. From what I have understood, there is no 'law' or rule to how long manufactures have to keep stockpiles or replacement parts for GM vehicles. I've owned five Corvettes, but my heart isn't interested in a mid-engine, Pontiac Solitise based/sized C8 or Toyota MR2 wannabe.

I suppose I'm just tooo old to see a pint-sized powerpacked C8 !

mrs clem worked at the dealership and from what she told me that to sell corvettes you have to have a GM trained corvette mechanic there. maybe after that the mechanic leaves and they do not replace him.

[Terry M.]

Re: C8?

One of the problems dealers had was they would pay to train their technicians and then they (the techs) would move on. I suspect with the number of closed stores, that may no longer be as much of an issue as it used to be -- but then there are the 600 or so dealerships that are getting a reprieve. I guess it depends if their techs left or not.

[Michael J.]

Re: C8?

General Motors is mulling a radical re-engineering for the Chevrolet Corvette, centered on a more fuel-efficient, mid-engined V6 powertrain

This little six-banger better have 500+ HP and 550+lb.ft. or it will be DOA with veteran Vette drivers. Come on, my LS3 gets 27 mpg on the highway in 6th, why do they need better than that? I wonder if Obama and Waxman-Markey are designing the new Vettes? Give me a break. Buying a six-banger Vette is like buying a rice-rocket, may as well get a Honda.

[Jim W.]

Re: C8?

When I first bought my 2003 50th AE coupe I had a problem and took it to a local Chevy dealership here in Delaware county, the car was in for a two hour repair job, which turned into a two day job and upon getting the car back, The interior, well let me just say it took me four hours and three cans of foaming carpet cleaner to restore the shale colored carpet, and too boot , the problem was still there. So you learn by experience. I wouldn't take a lawn mower back to that dealership. But more over it's the dealerships who hire tech school grads and turn them loose on a 50K automobile. If they are strugling working on a Colbalt, I have dougts they have any better an idea how to fix a corvette.