Pictures of C6; Problem??

[Chris Kennedy]

I don't know what others think, but I find it very odd that with only about a year to go before the C6 comes out we have not seen any reliable "spy" or similar photos of the car. Generally, at this stage with other cars we have seen reliable info./pictures, but all we seem to be getting on the C6 is re-hashed old Motor Trend articles and sketches. I was reading in an auto magazine that there was a rumor that when Bob Lutz came on board he was lead into a room and told "this is the new COrvette"...his reply was said to be "no it's not", and he ordered changes to the styling. Anyway, I have been wondering whether there has been a stylistic controversy over the C6, and hence the delay.

--Chris Kennedy

 

[Rob]

Yep, I had mentioned a while ago in another thread that I thought it was kind of odd as well. However, my bet is that since the design of the C6 is probably going to be much closer to the current C5 with subtle design cues from previous generations, most of the more revolutionary stuff such as chassis and powertrain components can easily be hidden under the skin of a C5 and tested within the public view without the public even realizing that everything under that C5 skin is C6 componentry.

They probably don't need to add a ton of camouflage like they did with the C5 prototypes.

Again - just an assumption on my part and I could be totally wrong.

 

[Chris Kennedy]

Thanks---I appreciate the reply.

--Chris Kennedy

 

[Senna1994]

Also with the XLR being a C6 underskin I believe they have already done a lot of the testing. Dave Hill remarked recently that the Beta Cars had been produced although he had not driven one. I have a feeling we should start seeing something by early summer.

 

[Chris Kennedy]

Thanks, again. I certainly hope we will be seeing something soon. I realize that people have different opinions on styling, but I desperately want to say "oh, wow" like I did when the '63 stingray and '68 shark models came out. The worst thing is when you have to convince yourself that you like the way something looks.

--Chris Kennedy

 

[Senna1994]

Chris,

I agree 100%, I want styling that is thrilling and daring like the 63 and 68 were. Dave Hill is an excellent Engineer, however, I think his attitude is more Engineering driven than Stylistic. In the Book "ACAR" he and Cafaro argued over this very issue on the C5. Unfortunately I think the C6 will be very handsome (better than the magazine illustrations) but not on the same league as the Corvettes of the 60's.

 

[Black Ice]

C6 has a totally different body then C5. The C6 mules are wearing C5 body panels because the cars dimensions are almost the same it was not hard for them to slightly modify C5/XLR panels to fit. C6s are all over the place I assure you. This is not an uncommon practice for GM. When C5 was in developement GM had them skinned with Camaro panels hence called Cormaros.

 

[Senna1994]

BI, will there still be 3 body styles? Or is hardtop going to disappear and the next performance version (i.e. ZR1 or Z06) going to appear in a Coupe Body?

 

[Black Ice]

It will be a fixed roof coupe. I have not seen it but I think it means the targa coupe with a bonded in panel thats not removable. So in a sense 2 styles. The Z06 type will have "other" outward differences however to set it apart from the regular coupe. There may also be a fixed glass version.

 

[Senna1994]

I always personally thought that the Coupe with a fixed roof would have looked better than the current Z06 style (ala Convertible with hardtop look). Intriguing, so you personally like the way it looks. Do you think we will see one in a spy mag soon?

 

[hawaii-5-lo]

the c6 will have to be a far superior car for me to make a move, the c5 responds so well to mods and the body style is just awesome,the creature comforts are good.the c6 will probably end up with 450hp at most,and there will be more of these goofy selective ride,shock or whatever.i like to slam my cars,thats when they can really handle.its hard to lower those option suspension cars, you have to delete stuff from the computer.but thats just one opinion,later,Todd.

 

[Black Ice]

Well you also have to figure its going to take a few years for the aftermarket to catch up with C6.

 

[LongTimer]

B.I.,

First, thank you for sharing all of the information you've posted about the C6. You have totally convinced me that you know where of you speak.

How much weight do you think would be saved by "fixing" the targa top and rear window?

There have been several posts about mis-information from GM concerning the possible DOD engine and the Alluminum Hydroformed frame. Do you think we will see either or both in the C6?

I noticed that the ad for the XLR in my new Car & Driver emphasises the "strong, light weight structure". I'd love to try to slip a magnet onto the frame of a production XLR just to see if it would fall off.

 

[Black Ice]

The Alloy frame will appear but not in the first model year. DOD I think will happen but also not till its ready,ready so it might not appear right away either. The fixed roof weight saving might be like 30lbs is all. The real reason for fixing the roof is flex. The C6 is said to be even stiffer then C5 so body flex may become a non issue by 2007 when the Z06 type is due out. The XLR for now is a steel frame but will change to alloy in time with C6 maybe 2007. (hint hint)

 

[LongTimer]

B.I.,

Thanks for your views. I hope you're wrong, but I bet your not.

Those two engineering features, to me, have the opportunity to take the vette up another notch in performance and respect in the sports car community - not that we're doing so badly now. The sooner they are part of the corvette's makeup, the bigger our lead on the competition.

 

[Black Ice]

I also think it might be that GM wants to introduce these features a little at a time to keep the C6 fresh with new features. They want you to to trade in your old nasty steel framed 2005 C6 for the new one with the newer lighter better frame!! Sounds like GM No??