[Kudos] Way To Go GM!!!!

[Rob]

Way To Go GM!!!!

FINALLY!!!!! Chevrolet is finally going to make use of Carbon Fiber on a production Corvette!! The new 2004 Commemorative Z06 will be sporting a carbon fiber hood which will take another 10.6 lbs. out of the car.

Thank you....thank you.....thank you....thank you! :BOW

http://corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=27432

 

[LMN8R]

I agree that GM should be lauded for their utilization of a carbon fiber hood, however, I think heads should roll on the issue of other upgrades. The farewell C5 should be more than a paint job, hood, and suspension tweaks. We were all demanding more power, or even a LS-6 in a vert, and the wizards at GM let us down again.

Greg

 

[Edmond]

I hope they do more than just a hood and suspension upgrade to justify the cost...

 

[msiska]

It's a nice looking vette. Especially since I like blue!! However, a carbon fiber hood, paint, striping, badges and suspension tweak doesn't excite me for 5 grand more!!

 

[SlowRide]

10.6 lbs lighter than a stock hood is quite a weight savings.

3,000-5,000 is also quite a jump in $$$.

Just a thought.....

How much weight savings would the entire body be?

Most importantly though, how much more cost?

Do you think the Corvette will ever make the jump from glass to fiber one day?

 

[Edmond]

10.6 lbs lighter than a stock hood is quite a weight savings.

3,000-5,000 is also quite a jump in $$$.

Just a thought.....

How much weight savings would the entire body be?

Most importantly though, how much more cost?

Do you think the Corvette will ever make the jump from glass to fiber one day?

I don't think they'll ever make the jump from glass to fiber.

I don't think a 11 lb. savings and a different paint scheme is worth $3-5K. Sure, they're doing some suspension as well, but do those justify the cost?

How much more performance could you get by saving 11 lbs.?

 

[kingman]

GM will shine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GM is not the same car company that it was 2 yrs ago and it will take another 3-4yrs for the results in your locl showroom.

The American car companies missed the mark by a large margin, and they are trying to recoupe by buying the the best of what Europe offers (car companies)

Now it's a gadget and horsepower race. Within 2 yrs the average daily driver will out perform all of the corvette's from the C1 thru C5. l'm not talking about the econoboxes, but the new breed of pocket rockets and sedans with a lot of horsepower. Keep in mind they weigh barely 2800-3000lbs.

That is why the C6 will not have pop-up headlights and will slowly lose weight and gain horsepower.

Alan

 

[Rob]

Re: GM will shine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GM is not the same car company that it was 2 yrs ago and it will take another 3-4yrs for the results in your locl showroom.

The American car companies missed the mark by a large margin, and they are trying to recoupe by buying the the best of what Europe offers (car companies)

Now it's a gadget and horsepower race. Within 2 yrs the average daily driver will out perform all of the corvette's from the C1 thru C5. l'm not talking about the econoboxes, but the new breed of pocket rockets and sedans with a lot of horsepower. Keep in mind they weigh barely 2800-3000lbs.

That is why the C6 will not have pop-up headlights and will slowly lose weight and gain horsepower.

Alan

Actually, in my own humble, unprofessional opinion, I think this prediction is pretty accurate. We are in the midst of a horsepower/technology war and everyday econoboxes, are seeing more and more performance and technology trickle down from some of the more expensive platforms that are ahead of them.

 

[Edmond]

Re: Re: GM will shine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Actually, in my own humble, unprofessional opinion, I think this prediction is pretty accurate. We are in the midst of a horsepower/technology war and everyday econoboxes, are seeing more and more performance and technology trickle down from some of the more expensive platforms that are ahead of them.

Definitely! Technology is getting to the point that engineers can get more power out of cars while still retaining everyday luxuries and low emissions. The C5 are classified as 50 state low emission cars! Remember the mid 70's to the mid 80's?

Look at the Caddy's and Euro luxury cars coming out these days. Those cars are pumping out some serious HP. I've always liked the look of the Acura Type S vehicles, look good and they have pretty good numbers. I've never had a chance to drive one though.

 

[Rob]

Here is the official press release from GM:

http://corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=27493

 

[msiska]

Re: Re: GM will shine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Actually, in my own humble, unprofessional opinion, I think this prediction is pretty accurate. We are in the midst of a horsepower/technology war and everyday econoboxes, are seeing more and more performance and technology trickle down from some of the more expensive platforms that are ahead of them.

Seems to me to be quite true! Take the Neon SRT/4...quite a pocket rocket for the bucks!!

 

[csbacchus]

I would agree also, Reaganomics works in the auto industry, however, is it really trickling down when the prices of vehicles are going up?

Econobox? What are those? Entry level performance, 200HP+ is still $25K! KIA or Hyundai are the only econoboxes I know and performance isn't an adjective I would use.

I took delivery of my 50th red coupe 2 days ago, but I had looked at several sports cars, sports sedans, and suvs (Infiniti FX45). I decided on the vette because everything was at least $35K and with 0% interest the monthly is about the same as these other vehicles with interest.

There will certainly be more competition in the years to come, but I don't think it will cost any less. We'll just get used to paying more.

It makes the payments just fade away!

 

[sothpaw]

disappointing

I had hoped they'd come out with a one time engine upgrade
like the LT4. The least GM could have done was but the LS6
into a coupe or vert as an option.

--New tech yes, but I doubt the sedans will go beyond 250 hp
ever. J Q Public can only handle so much before the extra hp
will get them in trouble. Not everybody knows how to handle
it.

And are you telling me these cars are going to be rear wheel drive? Because Front wheel has some real disadvantages when
it comes to sports cars....

 

[csbacchus]

My bad kingman, I missed the "I'm not talking econoboxes" comment. However, car prices are getting out of hand.

I think sothpaw is right though. Not everybody can handle the horsepower and handling will still be an issue as far as sedans are concerned.

I'm new to vette ownership, but the new MR suspension is simply amazing. I've never experienced no body roll and a compliant ride at the same time. This would really improve the suspension on any car, especially sports sedans. I think it will find its way onto many cars over the next 5 years.

I don't think the extra $5K is worth it for stripes and a 10lbs. weight saving, carbon hood. If they were charging more for the 50th, I would've made another choice, but I wanted it for the color.

 

[bbw]

No sedan over 250hp? Check this out: http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caranddriver/previews/2003/march/0303_preview_lancer.xml.

 

[DRTH VTR]

10.6 POUND SAVINGS

Wouldn't it be cheaper to eat fewer Whoppers with fries? I suspect that many of us could reduce the car's weight by reducing the weight of the driver!

 

[Rob]

Re: 10.6 POUND SAVINGS

Wouldn't it be cheaper to eat fewer Whoppers with fries? I suspect that many of us could reduce the car's weight by reducing the weight of the driver!

No comment. :L