C5 VS C6 in simple terms

[Black Ice]

Well You know GM/Chevrolet would not have gone this far in restyling C5 if it wasn't for the Cadillac not being able to get there goofy North Star motor and 5 speed tranny in the C5 configuration. Chevrolet was ordered to change C5 more or less by GM via a request from Cadillac wanting a 2 seat Vert. Cadillac PAID for most of the Corvettes changes because they really wanted a 2 seat vert again and they could not go it alone with still another "all new" single division car so Corvette had to change if they were to get there halo car. Things like the Mag ride control are Cadillac's creation for XLR and not really for Corvette. Corvette will benifit from Cadillacs "high end" engineering and right now Corvette owners are "Testing" Mag ride for the upcoming Caddie owners. I expect the C6 to have a VERY HIGH level of quality because CADILLAC is demanding it for XLR not Chevrolet. Corvette will get many Trickle down improvements that Chevrolet would have never dreamed of for Corvette. So don't look at the exterior as a measure for C6 but the HIGH QUALITY CADILLAC that hides under the Cormaro body panels they designed for her.

 

[Brett]

That is excellent to hear. Good points BI. Corvette also has the C5R race program going for it, which will supposedly have trickle down technology to the stock car also. This is all great news for the future of Corvette.



Brett

 

[Black Ice]

You know for once it will be a real 50K car, not just a fast 50K car with Malibu appointments. Im going to go out on a limb on this one but I think its even possible for Corvette to get the XLRs roof some day. Im not sure if the XLR is planned to have more then a 5 year life cycle like the T-Bird. So the roof could be "given" to Corvette at some point but thats only a guess on my part.
(Me would likie that)

 

[blocker44]

Well You know GM/Chevrolet would not have gone this far in restyling C5 if it wasn't for the Cadillac not being able to get there goofy North Star motor and 5 speed tranny in the C5 configuration. Chevrolet was ordered to change C5 more or less by GM via a request from Cadillac wanting a 2 seat Vert. Cadillac PAID for most of the Corvettes changes because they really wanted a 2 seat vert again and they could not go it alone with still another "all new" single division car so Corvette had to change if they were to get there halo car. Things like the Mag ride control are Cadillac's creation for XLR and not really for Corvette. Corvette will benifit from Cadillacs "high end" engineering and right now Corvette owners are "Testing" Mag ride for the upcoming Caddie owners.

BI. These are the kind of comments that upset everyone on the CF and got you bounced 3 times. I think it makes a lot of sense.

 

[Black Ice]

Oh my I have given up on those creatures over there at C/F they all have one track minds im sorry to say. I try to speak the truth as I know it but it seems some in the Corvette world just don't want to hear it they seem to want to be lied to. I might have been kicked off of C/F more times then that. hehehehe

 

[Brett]

I like to think it there is a good reason GM feels they need to release the C6 so relatively early (only an 8 year run for the C5). The C5 is selling very well, and it is a successful car. I'm not sure, but it has to be the one of, if not the, best selling Corvettes yet. I see them everywhere. I see C5's far more often than C4's. Does anyone know the real numbers? So, I think it is safe to conclude they could have milked it for several more years if they just wanted to make money. It's cheaper to use the same parts longer than to have to design new ones.



Brett

 

[Bigdaddy]

Oh my I have given up on those creatures over there at C/F they all have one track minds im sorry to say. I try to speak the truth as I know it but it seems some in the Corvette world just don't want to hear it they seem to want to be lied to. I might have been kicked off of C/F more times then that. hehehehe

I DON'T Black Ice.

Bigdaddy

 

[Black Ice]

I think C5 is the only Corvette to date that has sold around 30K cars every single model year (except 97 it was a short year) C4 sold like 40K units in 84 and 85 then Plunged to around 20K units there after. I think it even sank to like 12-15K units there for a while thats why GM considered killing Corvette and C5 in the early 90s. C5 with out a doubt was/is a home run for GM. So thats why GM is being so so so careful not to upset the apple cart when it comes to C6.

 

[Rob]

Oh my I have given up on those creatures over there at C/F they all have one track minds im sorry to say. I try to speak the truth as I know it but it seems some in the Corvette world just don't want to hear it they seem to want to be lied to. I might have been kicked off of C/F more times then that. hehehehe

BE NICE!

 

[Black Ice]

Oh for me sweetheart thats as nice as its ever going to get when it comes to C/F.

 

[Black Ice]

Poor Dave Hill is going to get even grayer. Some of the Boys at C/F (the GM focus group) are in such denial they are saying its not really a C6 but a C6 chassis wearing C5 body panels (see what I mean about denial). I must say they are a lively bunch over there. There is an interesting pic there of the two rear ends C5vsC6 and I never really noticed just how much of the rear has been lifted off behind the rear wheels. One funny comment in there C6 pic thread was that the Zo6 and Vert are so long looking in the rear they look like they have truck beds.

 

[LongTimer]

BI,

Your analysis is extremely logical. Although the C5 was due, maybe overdue, for a reskin, there was no reason for the vette boys to require the significant mods to the chassis (They might have spent those $$ on the aluminum HF rails). The interior could have been upgraded, nose and tail refeshed and the new engines installed without touching the WB.

However, those are the exact changes that the C4 went through during its too-long life span that resulted in loss of market share and briefly threatened Corvettes existance.

So, whether by plan, or the good fortune of Cadillac's needs, we will get a C6 - NOT a C5.5 - and I have no doubts that it will be lauded as the best Corvette ever produced, that is at least until the new Z06(7?) is released.

 

[Black Ice]

All I know about a High HP model is there will be one planned. My guess is 07 sounds about right. I think its just now in the early planning stage.

 

[Remo]

Terrific Discussion

If GM ever gets the Z06 and convertible match done I will purchase a new one in an "heartbeat". Perhaps the C6 will be able to deliver the goods.

Remo
:cool

 

[LongTimer]

I would be very surprised if the Z06 is ever offered as a vert. The Z06 is all about extreme performance. The vette boys want to protect us from ourselves by offering the highest performance vette in a package that appeals less to the mainstream buyer to avoid consumer complaints. Remember when the C4 Z-51 suspension was first offered? Everyone ordered it because it was "High Perfornmance". Then everyone complained (not completely unjustified) about how stiff the ride was. This hurt the vette's reputation for many years.

My bet is the C6 Z06 will be offered in a Coupe with the targa "welded" shut. Some one has suggested that the Hatch might be "welded" shut too (and thinner glass). All this to further stiffen the structure and peel away another couple of pounds. after all, weight is the enemy of extreme performance.

 

[ROCKETBLOCK]

So, whether by plan, or the good fortune of Cadillac's needs, we will get a C6 - NOT a C5.5 - and I have no doubts that it will be lauded as the best Corvette ever produced, that is at least until the new Z06(7?) is released.

I think it was mostly instigated by the Cadillac need/want for a 2 seater and logic to build it in Bowling Green. The Corvette had to be changed some to homogenize the two lines and voila a C6. I also agree that it will be the best Corvette ever.

 

[Tuna]

Comment on Z06 - hardtop configuration:
GM bought a lot of hardtops (or at least contracted with the supplier for them) but they didn't go over very well. Just 4000 in 99 and 2000 in 2000. Enter the Z06 and make it available only in the hardtop model - instant demand for a model that few people really wanted.

I'm hoping that the 'Z06' version of the C6 will be a fixed roof version of the targa/T-top coupe.

 

[Remo]

The Real Story

Tuna,

I was glad to read your comments regarding the "real story" behind the Z06/hardtop scam. This has been an issue with me since the introduction of the C5 Z06's. GM now has themselves in a box relative to offering a Z06 convertible. If they offered it they would have to admit that the C5 Z06 offer was a marketing scheme to unload the "not so popular" hardtops.

Let's face it Corvette convertibles have been offered with 400+HP for years. I bought a brand new 396/425HP convertible in 1965. Followed by a 427/425HP convertible in 1967. "What a scam".

Remo
:cool

 

[95ZR1#418]

Where's the mid-engine?

 

[LongTimer]

Where's the mid-engine?

I'm sure you know that your ZR-1 was developed by Dave McClelland's engineering team. In his book "Corvette from the inside: The 50 Year Development History as Told by Dave McLellan, Corvette's Chief Engineer, 1975-1992", Mr. McClelland will answer your question regarding a midengine Corvette with more detail than you want to know. I highly recommend the read. I was fortunate enough to have him autograph my copy at Laguna Seca last year at the Monterey Historic Automobile Races - Honoring 50 years of Corvettes. A fanatastic four days.