C6 Requirements...

[Zektor]

Ok Guys, everybody has an idea of what they would like to see in the next generation Corvette. But let's get some idea of what you guys - the Corvette buying public want to see.

Let's face it, 99.9% of us on this forum already own Corvette's and 99.9% of us will probably buy a newer one at some point in our lives. So, really, GM need to satisfy the majority of people who post on this forum... agreed?

So, if you just had 5 important points that you would like to see in the new Corvette. Then post to this topic and give your 5 points that give an idea of what you like, hopefully someone that is a member of the Corvette Team at GM will take note of some of the responses and give us, the Corvette buying public the car "we" really want...


Even, if some of your points match mine... just post 'em!!! We are looking for a common requirement here!!!

Ok then, here's my top 5 points...

1. Performance to match or exceed the new Viper - After all, compared to the Corvette, the Viper has only been around for 5 minutes, should it really steal the thunder of "America's Favourite Sports Car"???

2. Aggressive Styling - And I MEAN AGGRESSIVE. The car has to look angry and menacing, in a similar vein as the third generation Corvette.

3. Striking Interior - The Interior needs to be a total departure from current Corvette Interiors. Whilst the C5 Interior looks great... have you seen inside a TVR Tuscan S? (British Sports Car).

4. Pop-up lights or not? - I don't care really, as long as whatever GM decides to do with the lights, they do it damn right. No cute looking lights please, the more menacing the better!!!

5. Wider wheels with lower profile rubber all round - The back wheels need to be supercar wide. Have you seen the width of the rubber on the back of a Lambo?

Cheers
Dazza

 

[Rob]

Good thread starter.

Here are mine in order as they come to mind:

1. Aggressive Styling - bordering on exotic. Although I love the C5, the main problem I had with it when it first came out was that the front end resembled that of the now defunct - Mazda RX7. The side gills also resembled the RX7. I'd like to see a sleek, muscular, looks-like-it's-racing-while-sitting-still design that is both sexy, visually enticing and equally functional.

2. More Power/Braking - an obvious given. However, I'm not as interested in top speed as I am in off the line acceleration. When, I bring those RPMs up and dump the clutch, I want my eye-balls sucked back into my sockets faster than I can say "WHOA". And when I step on the brake - repeatedly, I want that feeling like I just landed my F16 on an air craft carrier.

3. Nimble Handling - I have never driven a C5 so I can only speak upon experience at driving my C4 and what I've heard from C5 owners. The C4 handles well....but at times, it feels like a big hunk of mass hurdling into a tight corner. I'd like more of a Go-Kart feeling.

4. Smaller Size / Reduced Weight - I can't stress this one enough. As I've said before, I'm not a golfer and I could care less about how many sets of golf clubs I can fit in the back of a Corvette. Give me a purpose-built sports car designed and engineered to absolutely knock my socks off and bring my sense of driving pleasure to a level never before experienced. If I want something to haul groceries and golf clubs, I'll buy something else in addition to my Vette.

5. Uniqueness - I say this in the sense that at one time, the Y-car platform did not share many visual parts with other GM platforms. That changed with the introduction of the C5. (example - if I remember correctly, the door handles were taken out of the Oldsmobile parts bin). I realize more and more manufacturers are sharing parts across multiple platforms in order to cutdown on manufacturing costs. Although financially, it's a prudent decision, from a consumer point of view, I consider it to be unfortunate. When I look at my Corvette....I want to see something unique....something that is not seen on any other car on the road.

That's all for now.

 

[JBsC5]

For me to sell my present Corvette..which I think is a great ride..

I'd like to see the C6 high performance version have

Dual clutch Sequential shift technology

At least 450hp.

A curb weight of under 3000 lbs.

That and a look that is appealing.

thats all I require (just 4 things ) but I do require each and everyone of them.

 

[Edmond]

You guys bringing up the weight issue caused me to remember a conversation I had with a guy a few weeks ago. We both agreed that cars back in the day weighed less than 3000 and were more in the 2700-2800 pound area, even big Corvette's.

With today's technology of lightweight aluminum and plastic in the C5's, why on earth does a C5 still weigh 3200 pounds? The safety equipment can't possibly weigh that much.

Here are my 5:

Less weight. If you were to keep the same motor power numbers that the LS1 were to put out, it would be faster with less weight to push.

More power. Who doesn't want to see this? Or at least offer an extremely high performance model; an even bigger difference between a C5 and a Z06. And offer the performance model in convertible form. There are people out there who want performance and the open sun.

Smaller vehicle. Why GM needed to fit golf bags into the trunk of a sports car is a mystery to me. It's a sports car for Gods sake! I'm not saying I want the vehicle Japanese compact small, but the rear of the C5's don't look very good. I love the front of the C5's though, very sleek looking.

Better GM sponsored performance support. Look at how the SVT line has rejuvenated some of Fords models. They're putting blowers into almost everything. And Dodge is coming out with the supercharged Neon, the turbo PT Cruiser is already out. I always thought that one of the reasons for the demise of the F-body was GM's inability to come out with performance parts from the factory.

Clutchless manual transmission. I know that this was brought up before and there was great debate over it. But this is the new technology and if you don't embrace the new technology, you get left behind. It's like, who uses typewriters anymore? It can be statistically proven that paddle type shifters shift faster than the standard clutch shifters.

 

[Rob]

You guys bringing up the weight issue caused me to remember a conversation I had with a guy a few weeks ago. We both agreed that cars back in the day weighed less than 3000 and were more in the 2700-2800 pound area, even big Corvette's.

With today's technology of lightweight aluminum and plastic in the C5's, why on earth does a C5 still weigh 3200 pounds? The safety equipment can't possibly weigh that much.

I'm kind of confused by what you say "Cars back in the day weighed less than 3000 and were more in the 2700-2800 pound area, even big Corvettes."

Actually, if I'm not mistaken, production based Corvettes never dippped below the 3,000 pound mark. In fact, older Corvettes (1963-1982) were all considered to be big and heavy in relation to some of the European sports cars like the Jaguar XKE and Austin Healey.

As for weight and safety equipment, you'd be surprised how much weight that safety equipment can add as well as creature comforts - power seats, power windows - power this and that.

I recall a conversation I had a number of years ago with GM Powertrain's, Jim Ingle (Jingles) who worked in Corvette Development testing Corvettes since the mid-1970s. We were talking about the weight of the 1989 prototype ZR-1s vs. the production based 1990+ ZR-1s. I believe the weights are listed in our Model Center somewhere, but if I recall correctly, they had to add something called a "center pole catcher" (? or something like that) under the production car which is safety related and added a good chunk of weight that the prototypes didn't have.

I have the explanation of this in an email and now my curiosity is peaked....I need to go verify the details of this, but in any case, you get my point.

 

[Tom73]

The 53 weighed in at 2,886. That increased to 2,926 for the '58. The '63 was 3,015 and by '67 that was up to 3,155. The C3 started out at 3,210 for '68 and got up to 3,572 by '78. But did come back down to 3,307 for '81.

tom...

 

[Rob]

Ok, cool. I stand corrected. Thanks Tom.

 

[Tom73]

Rob,
My comments were not meant as correction but to confirm your statement. The Vette has never been a light weight. Those weights given were for base cars. For the C1 there were no luxury options. But if you were to factor those in I am sure the weight would have been well over 3000 lbs. For the C2/C3 add in the weight of A/C, ps, pb, and wp and the weight would jump another 500 or so pounds. They were not lightweight cars!

tom...

 

[Rob]

Well, yes, but you did correct my statement that no production based Corvette dipped below the 3,000 lb mark. I should have looked at our Model Center first but I'm guilty of being too lazy to click the tab above. :L

 

[Ctfoodguy2000]

Back on track.....

5 Requirements -
1) More power at low end. Don't really care as much at top end. As Rob stated, "I want my eye-balls sucked back into my sockets faster than I can say "WHOA"."

2) Do something major to run flats. I know that I have read about improvements, however the original equipped tires on my '02 are verrryyyyy loud! Concept is fine, just improve tires.

3) Vette can be smaller. This is a sports car, not a recreation vehicle. Perhaps the style could be more agressive if storage capicity was not an issue.

4) Classier interior, not plastic.

5) All of the above & keep the price close to the C5!

 

[Lil' Red]

New Requirements

I would have to agree with that interior comment at 45 to 60 thousand they could spruce it up a bit. I've seen a few with wood grain and I'm diggin' that. I'm a C/5 owner and the seats could be of better quality also. Now they want to sell aftermarket seat covers in unique colors and styles but still going have hearted on the materials. This could be an option from the start. A better stereo would be in order too. I find nothing wrong with the space in the coupe I do need room for me and the wife's what-nots when we venture down the coast. Aggressive looking, Viper killing, classy feeling(interior), head turning sex machine is what we want all in the name of AMERICA'S BEST (and Oldest) SPORTS CAR!!!!

 

[twiget]

Ok, my five

• Make the C6 lighter and smaller on the outside. I'm not willing to sacrifice too much room in the passenger area though. At 6 ft 4 in tall, I just barely fit in my GS. I dont really care if there is enough storage area for a golf bag though. So long as I have enough room for two overnight bags, I'm good.
  
• Give it a kick ass suspension, one that will pull well over 1.00g on a skid pad. And along with the suspension, give it some massive, low profile tires, that are stuck as far out in the corners as possible.
  
• Make it look mean and distinctive (I've been known to wave at 4th gen Firebirds cause they look so much like a C5 at a distance). Bulging fenders, sharp angles. Low to the ground, and wide (but not a shark). Stationary headlights are ok, if done well. Most of the ones I've seen for the C4's and C5's are horrible. If GM builds the lights into the front of the car, instead of adding them as an afterthought, it should all be good.
  
• A bigger motor. A small block 427 baised on the C5R's current powerplant would be awesome. At a conservitive 1hp/cid, in a sub 3000lb car, it would probably smoke the Viper. I'm more than willing to sacrifice some hp for a smaller, lighter car.
  
• A support/hot rod program simillar to Ford's SVT, with go fast parts that will not void the warranty.
  

Zektor,

I agree TVR does make some awesome cars. Their interiors are kind of sparse, from what I've see. And I have one serious dislike of the interior of TVR's. The steering wheel is on the wrong side of the car!!! How's a guy supposed to dirve when he's sitting in the passenger seat?:Silly

Jason

 

[JBsC5]

Add one more item to my list..

Seats with better side bolsters that hold you better in the turns..

At the very least just the drivers seat..

Thats something the Vette definitely needs..

 

[Zektor]

Just a small point...

It seems that quite a lot of people are looking for a smaller car in the new Corvette?

...I think that part of the aggressiveness of the Corvette is in it's size... Big and Wide like a Lambo = Supercar look!!!

Does anyone else agree?

Cheers
Dazza

 

[Edmond]

Oops, sorry that I was wrong about the weight. I must've read something wrong. That's what happens when you stay up late at night reading.

I don't think people would necessarily care if the car was the same size, as long as it weighs less. GM has the money and resources to put light weight materials in the Corvette and they should. The Corvette is the flagship brand for GM and it should get the best technology that's reasonably affordable.

A subject that wasn't seriously touched on was the price. Will this cost in excess of $55,000? I'm sure that when it first comes out, it will sell well above MSRP.

I think that coming out with coupe/convertible to launch while waiting for the higher performing model would be a bad thing for GM. Third party manufacturers would be scrambling to come out with mod parts and they would probably rape consumers wallets. That will definitely leave a bad taste in consumers mouths, especially since the Z06 has raised the bar higher and people who want performance want it now and not 3-4 years later for the C6.

 

[twiget]

Re: Just a small point...

It seems that quite a lot of people are looking for a smaller car in the new Corvette?

...I think that part of the aggressiveness of the Corvette is in it's size... Big and Wide like a Lambo = Supercar look!!!

Does anyone else agree?

Cheers
Dazza

When I say I want a smaller 'Vette, I dont mean MR-2/Miata small. Just reduce the front and rear overhangs. That'll put the wheels even farther out in the corners, where they belong. Also lowering the weight of the car will improve the braking and handling, not to mention the acceleration and top speed. Like I said earlier, I'm willing to sacrifice hp for a lighter car.

As for the look, the Lamborgini, Ferrari, and TVR's are all very exotic, and decidedly European. The Vette needs to be American. Larger than life, in your face, huge whells, a massive rearend (complete with 12-13" rubber), low slung and an exhaust that tells everyone it eats 4-bangers as an appitizer before moving on to Rustangs and the like for the main course.

Jason

 

[LMN8R]

My Five

1. I'd like another ZR-1-like exclusive model or trim level. A true snake-skinner. I think it' great for the Corvette to be available to the masses, but I'm not looking for a daily driver. I dunno, make something with a limited edition engine, suspension, etc, and make about 1000 of them yearly.

Otherwise,:
2. Lighter weight- carbon fiber or aluminum body panels, leave the climate control, CD changers and all that other stuff in the factory

3. Put hot engines in all body styles

4. Put the new GM/Ford 6 speed auto in it for the automatic cars.

5. Better interior

 

[Rob]

Re: My Five

1. I'd like another ZR-1-like exclusive model or trim level. A true snake-skinner. I think it' great for the Corvette to be available to the masses, but I'm not looking for a daily driver. I dunno, make something with a limited edition engine, suspension, etc, and make about 1000 of them yearly.

YES!!!!!! It's funny you mention this. This afternoon, I was sitting at a set of lights getting ready to turn into a parking lot and I happend to look out my rearview mirror at the oncoming traffic in the other lanes which were flying past me. In the distance, I saw something red and sleek coming my way. As it approached, I instantly recognized it as a Ferrari F355. I watched as it blew by and then off into the distance. Seeing those lines in motion were exciting.

I would love to see Corvette build a higher performance, limited edition model such as what was mentioned in a few articles that were published a while back regarding rumors of the potential of such a future Vette.

The ZR-1 was a step in this direction. The problem is that not enough money was spent to make it more visually exclusive. That in my opinion, along with several other factors, killed the car. Who wants to spend $70,000 for a limited edition Corvette with marginally better performance that looks like the same Corvette for $40,000?

The Z06 is also a step in this direction. Performance is a little better than the standard C5 for a price that isn't that much higher than a fully optioned, standard C5. It is also it's own model since it's the FRC body style.

Here is the direction I'd like to see the C6 move in:

1. Continue with the standard coupe and convertible body styles.

2. Continue with the 3rd body style (ala Z06) but make that body style even more unique. Looking at the front end of a Z06 and a standard coupe, you cannot tell much of a difference between the two other than the mesh screens on the front of the Z06. Other than that, they look the same. It's not until you start to walk around the side of the Z06 that you notice the rear brake ducts and the coupe's rear hatch glass is missing.

3. Include more exotic materials in that 3rd body style - carbon-kevlar composites etc....materials that help take performance above and beyond the standard coupe and convertible. In the past, the Corvette has been the showcase or "test-bed" for advanced technologies that have eventually trickled down to other GM platforms. Use this high performance model the same way. Use it as a testbed to explore the feasibility of implementing these more exotic materials into other platforms that could benefit from their use.

4. Offer this model between $80,000-$100,000. Tie in the higher performance, UNIQUE DESIGN, and incorporation of exotic materials to justify the higher price.

In a nutshell, build a super Corvette that will take on Ford's new GT.

Admittedly, I'm drooling over Ford's GT. I've always loved the look and legend of the GT40. Give Corvette enthusiasts something to yearn for...something to drool over...something to aspire to.....something that captures your eye in your rear view mirror while sitting at a set of lights...and as you sit there watching it approach, roaring past you and into the distance, your breath is taken away for a slight minute, and the only thing you can mutter is..."WOW".

The allure of the Corvette has always been it's ability to match the performance of more expensive, European sportscars for much less money. Bang for the buck so to speak. This is something that should never change for Corvette.

However, with that said, it's almost a catch 22. I've been hearing more and more from people that "Corvettes are all over the place...almost like Camaros and Firebirds". In some areas of the country, such as here in the Washington, DC Metro area, that is very much the case.

I still love seeing each and every C5 on the road here, but it's not everyday that you see something like a Ferrari, a Viper or even a Lamborghini drive by.

The money to own such high dollar cars is out there. This area is one of those PRIME areas for these types of cars which is probably the reason why Ferrari of Washington is practically stationed in my back yard.

I don't have statistics in front of me, but it would be interesting to see how much market share companies like Ferrari and Porsche, have gained here in the U.S. over recent years. They've done a good job by spreading out their platforms to meet the needs of people in different financial brackets.

No, I DO NOT want to see a Corvette SUV! However, I think that if the base Corvette coupe and convertible can continue to stay (gradually increase) in it's current market, and introduce a higher end model that would take a bite out of Porsche's (and possibly Ferrari's ) increasing marketshare, while providing those of us that would like greater exclusivity and uniqueness in a high performance car (and can afford it), the Corvette would gain an even stronger foothold in both U.S. and European sales.

Just for the record, I'm not speaking from a position that I could afford such a super-Corvette. At least not at this point in time. Hell, I can't even afford a new C5 right now, but that doesn't mean I haven't set my sight on getting one down the road.

 

[LMN8R]

The Corvette "Supercar"

The thing that gives me some hope that they'll do something like that is something that I read in the automotive press a while back talking about making a no-holds-barred "supercar" to go out there and get'em. I wish I could remember where I saw this.

In the same article, there was the talk that comes up every once in a while about making Corvette its own brand. That's an entirely different thread, but it seems like it would definitely help with some of the exclusivity, styling and power issues that we always talk about. It would be much easier to have several models/trim levels of Corvettes, and not muddy the waters too much at Chevrolet.

On the other hand, Chevy isn't going to lay down and give up their crown jewel, so I guess we'll just have to see what they give us.

Greg

 

[jak112460]

I know everyone is doing retro what with the new Mustang and T Bird looking like the cars of past. I really would like to see styling cues from the '63-'67 Vettes. I think that generation exuded muscle and smootheness in one package. I would like to see a 427cid version of the LS6 available. There are tuners right now getting those cubes out of the LS6. The casting process would be easy. This would also harken back to the days when Corvettes ruled the road as far as performance. Even Cobras got beat by the 427 Vettes. A 427 LS6 would be as light as the LS6 of today yet produce alot of power and if you can keep the car as light as todays ZO6 then it would have a performance advantage over the Viper. I really think GM should look to the days when the Vette really was menacing and build a high tech hot rod. Frankly I think a '66 Vette looks as good today as it ever did.