Corvette C7
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RocZX
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I'm surprised they are even making a low cost version. Was under the impression the base model was essentially the low cost option, but I guess the Stingray nameplate sort've negates any "low cost" appeal.
Keef
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I think this is a stupid idea. Corvettes are already like buttholes - everybody has one - and they shouldn't be making so many versions of it. Going downmarket is a ridiculous idea. It'll sell and make money, sure, but it won't advance the Corvette brand at all. I think it cheapens the brand and that's the type of image Chevy needs to get away from.
They'll be saving money on the unit cost of the engine. Assuming they don't change much of the truck's engine, the number produced will be way higher and therefore the cost to produce each one will be considerably lower. They won't necessarily make money off the cheaper Corvette; more like maximizing profitability of existing production capacity.
Keef
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The 5.3 engine will probably sell higher across the lineup than the 6.2 as it has in the past. Plus, some external parts and many innards of the 6.2 are very different for the Corvette. I know that because my company built some assembly line machines that were Corvette-specific. Both engines might be 6.2 but they're completely different machines.
If GM were to really profit off a 5.3 Corvette it wouldn't be by lowering the Vette's production cost directly, it would be by maximizing the 5.3's profitability via fuller production capacity and lower unit cost. The 5.3 already has a higher sales rate in trucks, both in consumer and especially fleet vehicles.
If GM were to really profit off a 5.3 Corvette it wouldn't be by lowering the Vette's production cost directly, it would be by maximizing the 5.3's profitability via fuller production capacity and lower unit cost. The 5.3 already has a higher sales rate in trucks, both in consumer and especially fleet vehicles.
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I'd assume the 5.3 in the Corvette would be just as different from the 5.3 in trucks that the 6.2 in the Corvette vs. the 6.2 in the trucks would be. The next Suburban isn't going to come with a 450 hp engine as standard. These are both mass produced engine designs that are found in many other GM vehicles in those two displacements; so GM won't be able to slash thousands of dollars off the costs just because the unit costs of one are slightly lower.
They are going to chop standard interior equipment and probably convert some of the drivetrain/body to less exotic materials to recoup the price differences; mark my words.
They are going to chop standard interior equipment and probably convert some of the drivetrain/body to less exotic materials to recoup the price differences; mark my words.
Keef
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Exotic materials I can understand. Interior quality and equipment is a bad idea in my mind. I mentioned earlier that I think making a cheap Corvette cheapens the brand name as a whole and is a poor decision.
The main reason manufacturers charge so much for upmarket models with additional equipment is because the equipment is super cheap but they can charge an assload for it. Doing the opposite is dumb - start with a model with everything standard, then remove all the equipment that cost a whole $500 to put in there in the first place. If that strategy worked, Hyundai and Kia would offer stripped-down models...but they don't because it's a waste of effort. Their base models already have everything because the equipment is peanuts.
However, taking a bog-standard 5.3 off the truck line that cost a fraction the price of a Corvette-specific 6.2 and bolting it into the Vette and selling it for $10,000 less to old guys who can't quite afford the Stingray is a good way to help maximize your efficiency.
In reality, it'll probably be a combination of various things. Either that or a complete lie.
The main reason manufacturers charge so much for upmarket models with additional equipment is because the equipment is super cheap but they can charge an assload for it. Doing the opposite is dumb - start with a model with everything standard, then remove all the equipment that cost a whole $500 to put in there in the first place. If that strategy worked, Hyundai and Kia would offer stripped-down models...but they don't because it's a waste of effort. Their base models already have everything because the equipment is peanuts.
However, taking a bog-standard 5.3 off the truck line that cost a fraction the price of a Corvette-specific 6.2 and bolting it into the Vette and selling it for $10,000 less to old guys who can't quite afford the Stingray is a good way to help maximize your efficiency.
In reality, it'll probably be a combination of various things. Either that or a complete lie.
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Personally, I don't find this to be a terrible way of doing things. Moving the Corvette too far upmarket is going to be a drag on sales, and as much as it may "dilute the brand," this isn't anything out of the ordinary. Multiple engine, transmission and trim options have been a part of the Corvette since the later C1 models.
Even in it's current form, I've been saying for quite some time that the Vortec 5300 deserves to be in more vehicles. Although the LS4 was a high-performance variation of the engine, sticking it in front-drive W-Bodies wasn't exactly a formula for success. With a solid powerband that's torque rich and will rev north of 6,000 RPM, it's a pretty distinctive V8 in a way that isn't unlike the old-school small-blocks of the 1960s.
The more modern version should be more refined, more fuel friendly (the old unit regularly achieves 23 MPG in our Avalanche on trips), and produce a hell of a lot of power. More than adequate for a lower-end Corvette. In fact, it should be reasonably fun, but it will likely be made more for cruising and less for bruising. And that fits the Corvette nature just fine.
I'd bet on the following things:
Overall, I wouldn't expect the sticker price to exceed $50k to start. Give or take, it should be exactly the same as the current base coupe, which is $49,600.
Even in it's current form, I've been saying for quite some time that the Vortec 5300 deserves to be in more vehicles. Although the LS4 was a high-performance variation of the engine, sticking it in front-drive W-Bodies wasn't exactly a formula for success. With a solid powerband that's torque rich and will rev north of 6,000 RPM, it's a pretty distinctive V8 in a way that isn't unlike the old-school small-blocks of the 1960s.
The more modern version should be more refined, more fuel friendly (the old unit regularly achieves 23 MPG in our Avalanche on trips), and produce a hell of a lot of power. More than adequate for a lower-end Corvette. In fact, it should be reasonably fun, but it will likely be made more for cruising and less for bruising. And that fits the Corvette nature just fine.
I'd bet on the following things:
- The 5.3L making at least 400 BHP
- Transmissions will likely be carry-over units from the current vehicle (read: six cogs only)
- Expect a fixie suspension setup, and probably carry-over Goodyear Eagles
- The digital dash will be replaced by one that is all analog, will likey use carry-over MyLink systems
- The body will be traditional fiberglass, I wouldn't expect the chassis itself to change much from the Stingray
- A "cheaper interior" seems likely, but I wouldn't expect it to dip below the quality of a 2014 Impala or updated Malibu
Overall, I wouldn't expect the sticker price to exceed $50k to start. Give or take, it should be exactly the same as the current base coupe, which is $49,600.
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I don't think a less expensive model will hurt them at all. The Corvette is not an "upscale" car to begin with, nor is Chevy as a brand. Not by a friggin long shot.
Make them more obtainable to the huge following to middle class and below faithful, while still having a more powerful top end model? Sounds like a smart business move on their end, to me.
Make them more obtainable to the huge following to middle class and below faithful, while still having a more powerful top end model? Sounds like a smart business move on their end, to me.
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Am I the only one who is getting really tired of bare carbon fiber being an interior styling accent in cars?
On aero parts on your lightweight Viper ACR, go for it, but when we're putting carbon fiber panels into the leather-lined interiors of BMW's and Corvettes it starts being poser-ish.
On aero parts on your lightweight Viper ACR, go for it, but when we're putting carbon fiber panels into the leather-lined interiors of BMW's and Corvettes it starts being poser-ish.
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I'm okay with it, but I much prefer wood or leather.
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They should take the V6 out of Camaro and give it a power hike, then put it in C7 if they truly want to make everymans vette.. After all, vette started with 6-cyl, did it not?
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The 6cyl almost killed it off in 1954-55. Then they got smart and put the V8 in to compete with Ford's V8 only T-Bird, which was killing it in the showroom and on the street.
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The first Vette was marketed and sold as a sports car, as has every Vette since. It is not a Grand Touring Coupe nor is it a Muscle Car as some have been claiming recently. It has been since the start, is currently and should always be an American sports car. And it has indeed raced against British sports cars all over the world.
