Hate to Whip a Dead Horse but read the new Automobile Mag.

[CFour]

They have the same old C6 pics with a twist. They have "pop ups" highlighting certain styling cues and changes from C5. Every other word is as follows... The C6 will have CADILLACS door handles The C6 will ride on the CADILLACS 105 inch wheel base, The C6 will have CADILLACS heated/cooled seats. etc etc etc. I TOLD YOU SO!!!! Corvette is now just a Chevy engined Cadillac, or so the general public will think after reading stuff like this.

 

[LMN8R]

Damn shame. Hope Chevrolet, GM and the automotive press have enough sense and respect to make it right.

Greg

 

[Dragonslayer]

People PLEASE!!!!!! We are getting a little carried away with the connection between the Cadillac XLR nad the new C6 corvette. Yes, they are made in the smae plant, but that is just because Caddilac needs to share some of the facility to keep the price down on this hand made car. It's like everyone of us have the smae ske;eton and the same bsic insides. BUT! We are all totally different and individual. Each of our brains function as a unique entitiy in the smae way that the XLR and the C6 will be totally unique and individual from each other. Yes GM is out to save money, but they will not loose the Corvette market by sacrificing the blood and soul that make up the Corvette heritage. When we finally see the finshed product, all of our fears and doubts will be washed away and in their place a grin form ear to ear for the celebration of a new era. It's not going to be a cadvette of a cordillac. It will be as it always has been the only true american sportscar proud to wear the name CORVETTE.

:dance

 

[LMN8R]

We are totally on the same page, no kidding. The point, however, is perception. If the design originally was for a Corvette (it was and is), then that is what these magazines, TV shows, etc should say. If not for perception, then simply for getting it right.

Really, to me, the inaccuracy of the statements in the referenced article is what gets to me.

Greg

 

[LongTimer]

It IS irritating that, because the XLR hits the show room prior to the C6, even the rag is crediting the changes to the Cad. I completely understand your point Cfour.

Looks like, for the first time in Corvette history, we will find ourselves explaining to laymen that the other car is based on the Vette, not the other way around. However, I still see this as an ego thing that disappears as the performance features that are unique to the Corvette gain big headlines following the release - and even less important when the LS7 surfaces.

The two cars are NOT competitors - look at the XLR performance stats, a camaro can out perform it. Hopefully the relationship can be symbiotic.

 

[Tuna]

Maybe GM wants to move the Corvette under the Caddilac marque and this is just the initial move in that direction?!

It's only natural that auto writers would compare the 2 cars after all this is the first time that the Corvette platform has been shared with any other car.

Now if GM starts putting out press releases that relate the 2 cars together, they'll really have a problem. New Caddy buyers don't want to know they they are really getting a Chevy under the sheet metal any more that Vette buyers want a Caddy under the fiberglass. It's all preception. We'll just have to see how it falls out.

 

[IWonAVette]

The XLR comes in around $75,000 MSRP. The C6 will be around $50,000 MSRP. Different motor, different transmission, different rear, and different suspension. Not to mention the C6 will weigh 500+ lbs less and be way better looking than the Caddy. If you don't believe me. Wait and push the C6's "go" pedal. There will be a big, big difference. Trust me.

 

[CFour]

Same suspension. The optional ride control system on 03 C5s is a Cadillac developed feature and the C5 is "Testing" it for the XLR this year.

 

[corvettecrazy]

Maybe GM wants to move the Corvette under the Caddilac marque and this is just the initial move in that direction?!

i think Corvette should be its own devision of GM. then it would definately live forever

 

[Tom73]

i think Corvette should be its own devision of GM. then it would definately live forever

Yea? Better ask Oldsmobile

 

[hawaii-5-lo]

i guess im leaning the other way,i would love to have an XLR along with my c5,i wont buy another vette until it looks alot different,to me the c6 is like when the c4 had front and rear bumper changes,a little side grill change,and an LT1,they didnt call that the c5,im not down on the c6,its just not that drastic of a change.buy the time they hit the streets my c5 will have 450hp and a nice convertor.as a matter of fact this might be the last corvette i own,because by the time the c7 comes out,g.m. will be really close to the electric car deadline,2015 or something like that,so you see the direction were all headed.the vette is in for changes anyway you look at it.just sit back and go with the flow,nothing you can do about it anyway.
later,Todd.

 

[IWonAVette]

The optional ride control ststem on 03 C5s is a Cadillac developed feature and the C5 is "Testing" it for the XLR this year. [/B]

True, I stand corrected re: the suspension. But, you get the point.


Save the WAVE!!

 

[Senna1994]

I guess the Corvette is the same as a Chevy Silverado as they use the same 350 LS1 and the same 4 spd Auto. Who cares if the structure is used for both cars, look at what VW/Audi Group and MB have been able to do with the same platforms. I'd rather it share a platform with a more expensive car versus the other way around. The economies of scale will see that the C6 is a superior vehicle. I understand Ross is upset by the issue as I was let down by the 50th Anniversary and the supposed Collectors Edition C5's (2004 MY), but I have faith in GM to right that with the C6. Just my 2 cents.

 

[ROCKETBLOCK]

I have to think that GM is making another of their classic screw up moves by releasing the Caddy before the Vette. I think it is a kick in the gut for a potentially world class sports car. This was not done because some car guy wanted it that way! IMHO

 

[Dragonslayer]

I still think that we are missing the point. Who cares if the XLR comes out before the C6 does. It's a Cadillac disigned and built for the people who want to buy a Lux sports car to compete with MB and others. The C6 is being built for the true sports car driver. I think that corvette ovners are the only ones who are becoming irrational, and are too concerned about this issue. Who cares what the media has to say or what the advertisments have to display. The CORVETTE is the CORVETTE. Always was and always will be. It will be praised or criticzed on its own merits or faults and not based on if the door handle is the smae on both cars. If you want a corvette, you will buy a corvette no matter what other people say. Do you always listen to the movie critics when they review a movie, or do you go out and find out for yourself. The smae goes for the XLR. If you wnat an XLR, you will buy an XLR no matter what the press says. And if the XLR doesn't sell that has nothing to do with the success of the C6 or visa versa. Let's just forget about the XLR and concentrate on the C6. That is OUR car. Forgive me I rant.

 

[CFour]

It is you that is missing the point my dear. For the last 50 years Corvette has been one of the only single GM platforms that were exclusive. For the most part except for engine sharing with Camaro and Firebird over the past 35 years and starting with C5 using Oldsmobile door handles you NEVER "saw" a Corvette part shared with ANY OTHER GM car. This is what gave Corvette its allure its "American exotic" nature. In order for a car to be exotic it must need to be somewhat exclusive. Now that the Cadillac and Corvette become "parts pals" the confusion begins. Corvette exaust ports adorn the XLR. Very unique to XLR door hardware pop up on Corvette etc. These are facts that "give away" the cars are no longer unique and special designs. Just starting to become run of the mill GM platform production cars with "styling" thats supposed to "fool" you into thinking its unique and exotic. Well as the saying goes you can fool some people some of the time but long time Corvetters are really going to be turned off by seeing a soon to be parade of cars sharing the Corvette or is it the XLR.. Hmmm now im confused platform. Yes there will be more GM cars to come sharing Corvettes heritage and platform in the future. Future C6 owners will be seeing themselves coming and going all over the place now, and still paying the high price for the exclusive privlage of owning an exclusive car, but now just driving a commoner in a prom dress. Now if GM lowered the price of C6 say 10 grand and shared there platform sharing profits with its buyers I might change my mind. Its all about GM making more money and not caring at all what it does to Corvette Heritage or its owners concerns.

 

[Vettelt193]

Corvette's have really not ever been considered exotic... They have always been an "obtainable exotic" Just about anyone can save their money and buy a Corvette if they so choose (I am talking new and used here) where as a true exotic is a far stretch for just about everyone.

I used to have a problem with the Y-car being split into two cars, instead of just the Corvette. However, now I am looking at the big picture. I have thought of the Corvette, expecially in recent years (C4 and C5) as a car of compromise. You don't get the porsche interior or build quality, but you can out-run one for far less money. This was always because most of the money spent on a Corvette engineering went into the drivetrain/suspension etc. Now that the Caddie is linked up, we will get a high quality build/good fit and finish AND keep our performance.... all for the bargain price of a Corvette. I am betting Porsche, Ferrari, etc. are not too happy about GM's move on this one..... The biggest part of their market share comes from people that want cars that have better fit and finish than the Corvette....

 

[Senna1994]

;stupid I agree completely.

 

[CFour]

GM dealers alone have had a 7 grand profit in the Corvettes Sticker. If GM wanted to they could have easly put better content in Corvette without going broke. They just want to keep the money for GM instead of giving you better appointments,quality,leather etc. Its that simple. 60 grand is not a bargain price HELLO?. A car with more value added features has nothing to do with platform sharing it has to do with GM making maybe $700.00 less profit per car. thats the bottom line here folks.

 

[LMN8R]

Nitpicking reply

Cfour-

Clearly, we're on the same page. I small thing, though. I thought the the original C1 vettes shared a platform with the other Chevy cars back in th 50's. Of course the frame was chopped and bent a little bit, but it was shared with the bigger Chevys.

At any rate, I do hope that the press is able to keep the story straight on who got parts from where. As we've talked about before, the Corvette has shared engines and smaller features with other cars before, and historically that hasn't bothered me much. I'm a little bit concerned about sharing the entire platform and several parts with another car, but at least it's a Cadillac.

It is simply a trend that we have to accept. Even Mercedes is putting their chassis up for grabs, with the Crossfire being on a SLK platform. More are on the way from them. Porsche is sharing the SUV platform with VW. !!!VW!!! Audis and VW's have several common platforms. The new Range Rover has several BMW parts from their old alliance. Jaguar X-types are on the freaking Ford Contour's chassis. Let that scare you people.

My point is that the trend is beginning for Corvette now, as it is for several other premium brands. The thing that inflames my a$$ is the press's misinformation on design and who came first. This is fickle, I know. I just can't help it.

Greg