What direction to do you want to see Corvette take?

[Brett]

Are you a Corvette purist, or do you see performance as the bottom line and want them to bring on mid-rear V-12 egines, carbon fiber bodies, etc, etc?

Call me old fashioned, but I am definitely a purist. I don't want to see Corvette turn into a supercar. I love front-rear cars, and for me nothing sounds quite like a V8. I know there are better designs out there, from an engineering standpoint, but I like the organic feel of FR. And I enjoy finesse too. I don't want a computer taking care of me. I still think there is a ton of room for advancement in Corvette's current form.

I don't know, maybe I am just being stubborn.



Brett

 

[Interceptor430]

Old Fashioned B me.
Just always offer a stocker that stomps any stock Rustang(or repackaged Snake).
Ignore overpriced Viper and turbo'd Ricers and Euro's.
The American Legend is, and will always be the Corvette.

 

[Rob]

I'm a purist to a point. I would rather see Corvette move in a direction towards what Ferrari is - they have several different high performance models, but the nature of the brand has never changed. Porsche has done that (quite successfully) and now Lamborghini and Aston Martin are doing the same thing.

Using Ferrari as an example, Ferrari has always been about high/ultimate performance. With Ferrari, you have the option of purchasing the Modena, the Maranello or the ultra-high performance Enzo (well....not really since the Enzo is now sold out I believe)

With the exception of the very early years, the Corvette has always come with a V8 engine. Why limit yourself in the powertrain department only to try and keep with tradition?

The latest debut of the Cadillac V16 prototype indicates to me that GM is considering other engines with more cylinders above and beyond the V8. The Corvette has always been Chevrolet's signature car thus showcasing cutting-edge technology that trickles down into the other platforms. Why not test out a V10 or V12 engine (or exotic materials such as carbon fiber and ceramic composites) in a Corvette and make it an even higher performance Corvette than the Z06 and the ZR-1?

In my own humble opinion, I think the Z06 and the ZR-1 are steps into this direction. The ZR-1 more so than the Z06. The problem with the ZR-1 was that it was not marketed properly, not given enough of its own identity, and was introduced at a time when the market was going down the toilet.

We have seen much more marketing around the Z06 than we ever did with the ZR-1. After the first year or so, it seemed like GM just let the marketing of the ZR-1 go into the bushes.

Build an ultra-high performance Corvette and equip it with state of the art powertrain technology that, even though maybe costly from the onset, can prove to be financially beneficial once the technology trickles down into the other platforms. Ideally, this new ultra-Vette should still resemble a Corvette, but should be designed in such a way that it is easily recognizable as its own model.

ONLY stretching the door panels and rear end by 3 inches and giving it bigger wheels like they did with the ZR-1 is not enough. Consumers who pay big bucks for an exotic sports car, do not want it to look like the same thing that somebody else paid peanuts for.

Just my own humble two cents.

 

[sothpaw]

I agree with Rob for the most part.

Particularly with respect to styling/confort, I'd like a change away
from the C5. The back end needs to be smaller and flatter, like
Ferrari or Viper. The whole thing should be more muscular in
shape--I love C5's bulge in the roof.

Also, the interior needs less "caddy" and more Ferrari.

I doubt GM will go this way, because the cars are bought new
by an older generation than me, and they want their comfort
and plenty of room for golf clubs.

 

[Brett]

I still think there is a lot they can do with the V8 though. Isn't the V8 one of the most reliable, versatile platforms out there? NASCARs use V8's, dragsters use V8's. I'm not sure I agree that the V8 is holding Corvette back. I recall reading that they use V8's for racing because they are such a good plant. I don't recall specifics, and I am not an expert on the subject, so maybe someone else can add to this.

I don't think Corvette should stand still simply purists sake at all. I didn't mean to come across that way. I was just always under the impression that the V8 was an excellent plant.

Look at the Viper. It has a whole 2.3 liters more displacement, all for a measily 50 horsepower. That isn't very impressive to me at all. That's like adding on an entire large 4-cylinder engine.




Brett