Corvette C7

[DustDriver]

Well, too darn bad! I mean, who cares? Here, a list of lap times for the Virginia International Raceway I've come across:

I have a hard time believing that x-bow time, must have been a really good driver compared to the other cars.

 

[MCNAGTROC]

that lap of the C7 @ VIR ( as well as the ZL1 time) is horribly skewed its done by GM's factory driver and its on a list against times put up by car and driver magazine.. you need to add a good 5 secs to those times.

 

[Adam41]

I have a hard time believing that x-bow time, must have been a really good driver compared to the other cars.

I was thinking the same...

 

[homeforsummer]

Have to say, from that list there's not a car I'd really prefer to the Corvette. Even taking performance/$ out of the equation. Maybe the Ferrari 458, but if you gave me that sort of money I'd be looking at classic Ferraris rather than new ones anyway...

 

[Joey D]

That will buff out, right, please say yes...??? I'll keep lying to myself in the meantime.

Looking at it, I think the 'Vette just needs a new door depending on damage to pillars.

It'll actually probably get crushed since it's an M plated car, and almost all M plated vehicles can't be resold to the public.

 

[Joel]

Personally the only car I'd rather have on that list is the LF-A but I'm a bit of a Toyota fanboy and I love the V10. Even then it would be hard to justify the $400k Lexus when the Corvette spanks it any day of the week for a quarter of the price.

 

[Luminis]

I have a hard time believing that x-bow time, must have been a really good driver compared to the other cars.

I can't vouch for the credibility of the lap times at hand, I'll freely admit that much. I'd think that the point is valid regardless, though.

that lap of the C7 @ VIR ( as well as the ZL1 time) is horribly skewed its done by GM's factory driver and its on a list against times put up by car and driver magazine.. you need to add a good 5 secs to those times.

Five seconds on that short a track seems like a bit much. Especially since C&D's drivers probably aren't utter amateurs. However, even if you were to move the C7 down a few notches - would that really change a thing?

Have to say, from that list there's not a car I'd really prefer to the Corvette. Even taking performance/$ out of the equation. Maybe the Ferrari 458, but if you gave me that sort of money I'd be looking at classic Ferraris rather than new ones anyway...

Money being no object, I'd be intrigued by the 997 GT3 RS - but, then again, the 'Vette should be a better daily driver than Porsche's RS model... Lots of nice cars, though, so it'd be a tough choice. A Porsche fanboy like myself picking the 'Vette, that's gotta tell you something. 👍

 

[ND4SPD]

3444lbs? Isn't that heavier than the C6?

The C7 is looking to be a truly great car. I still hate the black roof option though.

That doesn't sound right at all. I get 3,298 as the weight from a couple of sources. Which would make it a 90lbs more than a base C6 did.

 

[sumbrownkid]

Personally the only car I'd rather have on that list is the LF-A but I'm a bit of a Toyota fanboy and I love the V10. Even then it would be hard to justify the $400k Lexus when the Corvette spanks it any day of the week for a quarter of the price.

I think that V10 is justification enough.

It just sounds...right.

 

[20832]

Again, an impressive time and performance. Crazy to think that it's basically is a stock Corvette with a few bits and pieces here and there, like you would get from a S - Line or M Performance package.

Considering that this time was done by a works driver, I don't take much of this time really. You can easily add another 2 seconds to it, but as you said still impressive. Very curious to see the time of the current GT3 and new GT-R on it.

 

[ND4SPD]

Considering that this time was done by a works driver, I don't take much of this time really. You can easily add another 2 seconds to it, but as you said still impressive. Very curious to see the time of the current GT3 and new GT-R on it.

At which point you start to realize that this is just a base model Corvette. Can't imagine what they've got in mind for the Z06/ZR1 models!

 

[20832]

At which point you start to realize that this is just a base model Corvette. Can't imagine what they've got in mind for the Z06/ZR1 models!

Stock model? Well, if you consider bigger brakes, different shockes, different diff and different gearing ratios stock, then sure. Oh, and not to mention Ultra High Performance tyres in the form of Michellin Super Sports.

This car is nowhere near "stock", it's pretty much compareable to a Porsche GT3. The Z06 would be the GT3 RS and the ZR1 would the be GT2 (RS)

 

[Luminis]

At which point you start to realize that this is just a base model Corvette. Can't imagine what they've got in mind for the Z06/ZR1 models!

Precisely. The car we're talking about starts at, what, $ 54,000? The new non-RS Porsche 991 GT3 is almost three times as expensive... And I wouldn't be too surprised if either the Z06 or at least the ZR1 would be able to put down better lap times.

Jeez, it's hard to not sound like a Chevy fanboy when discussing the Corvette's performance, relative to its price.

Stock model? Well, if you consider bigger brakes, different shockes, different diff and different gearing ratios stock, then sure. Oh, and not to mention Ultra High Performance tyres in the form of Michellin Super Sports.

This car is nowhere near "stock", it's pretty much compareable to a Porsche GT3. The Z06 would be the GT3 RS and the ZR1 would the be GT2 (RS)

The important point is that it's not even the 'Vette's final form. Not whether it has some options ticked or not.

 

[20832]

The important point is that it's not even the 'Vette's final form. Not whether it has some options ticked or not.

Not going to bash the Corvette here, as I said that I am very surprised (in a positive way) in how the Corvette performs, especially the benefits from that Z51 seem to be insane, and yes I too am very curious on how this car is going to perform in it's evolution stages (Z06/ZR1)

But at the same time, I'm asking myself, how americans (in general) can keep the low price. Not having sit in a C7 Corvetta cabin, but it looks fairly decent and high end, so I don't know how they're doing it.

 

[ND4SPD]

Stock model? Well, if you consider bigger brakes, different shockes, different diff and different gearing ratios stock, then sure. Oh, and not to mention Ultra High Performance tyres in the form of Michellin Super Sports.

This car is nowhere near "stock", it's pretty much compareable to a Porsche GT3. The Z06 would be the GT3 RS and the ZR1 would the be GT2 (RS)

I know what you mean but this is what I'm trying to say here.

The important point is that it's not even the 'Vette's final form. Not whether it has some options ticked or not.

 

[Luminis]

But at the same time, I'm asking myself, how americans (in general) can keep the low price. Not having sit in a C7 Corvetta cabin, but it looks fairly decent and high end, so I don't know how they're doing it.

Most likely by selling a high Volume of Corvettes with a relatively small revenue per car and by not going over the top with the R'n'D. Would be my guess. I mean, you could get yourself some rather fancy saloon cars, like the Audi A4, Merc E-Class or BMW 3 and 5 series for that money - not with a performance to match, but with nice interiors and good build quality. I'd imagine that you could very well offer that and the Vette's performance by being clever about it.

Sure, that might not be supercar-quality you're getting on the interior or anything, but still quite nice.

 

[McLaren]

But at the same time, I'm asking myself, how americans (in general) can keep the low price. Not having sit in a C7 Corvetta cabin, but it looks fairly decent and high end, so I don't know how they're doing it.

I can't speak for the C7, but it may surprise you at the quality of the materials they used, say, in the interior.

I had some time behind a ZR1 today & the one thing that stands out in the interior is the material of the dash and the seats. It's not bad like they ripped it right out of the Cobalt, don't get me wrong, but when you dump $100,000 on a car, the quality of the seats isn't going to be exactly what you might be expecting; it surprises me a bit how nicer the GT-R's quality is really.

The seats still do their job & hug you quite well, but they definitely don't feel like something that will hold up well over time to bigger owners.

 

[Beeblebrox237]

The C7 feels like a quality product inside.

 

[YSSMAN]

But at the same time, I'm asking myself, how americans (in general) can keep the low price. Not having sit in a C7 Corvetta cabin, but it looks fairly decent and high end, so I don't know how they're doing it.

Previously, it had been the fact that it shared so many parts with other vehicles in the GM catalog. With the new car, well, it's difficult to tell what is there and what is not, although I would expect some of the pieces to eventually proliferate to other vehicles in their next-generation models.

The C7, as it stands today, still offers a similar "tiered" level of interior trim like the C6 that can save a potential buyer tons of money. The standard trimmed model as a composite "leather" trimmed interior that isn't unlike what is currently used in the Impala, ATS, and other vehicles. You can opt up for the $8,000 "real leather" interior, but from what I can gather, not everyone will notice the difference.

 

[ND4SPD]

Previously, it had been the fact that it shared so many parts with other vehicles in the GM catalog. With the new car, well, it's difficult to tell what is there and what is not, although I would expect some of the pieces to eventually proliferate to other vehicles in their next-generation models.

The C7, as it stands today, still offers a similar "tiered" level of interior trim like the C6 that can save a potential buyer tons of money. The standard trimmed model as a composite "leather" trimmed interior that isn't unlike what is currently used in the Impala, ATS, and other vehicles. You can opt up for the $8,000 "real leather" interior, but from what I can gather, not everyone will notice the difference.

At the time the C6 came out it was one of the better interiors coming from GM. It was also a huge step up from the C5's interior. I don't mind the interior in my base model C6 but they can sure make it look great when you compare the interior of a base C6 to the leather clad everything in the ZR1.

I only noticed this the other day, but the sunvisors obviously came from another GM car as mine tell me to put children in the back seats.

 

[20832]

The C7 feels like a quality product inside.

The C7, as it stands today, still offers a similar "tiered" level of interior trim like the C6 that can save a potential buyer tons of money. The standard trimmed model as a composite "leather" trimmed interior that isn't unlike what is currently used in the Impala, ATS, and other vehicles. You can opt up for the $8,000 "real leather" interior, but from what I can gather, not everyone will notice the difference.

Okay, but what are you comparing it to? Other american cars, japanese cars? I still can't imagine it to be "quality", I might get bashed for this, but US Cars are usually known for using (a lot) of hard plastic, is it qualitywise good for US standards or in general (german) terms.

Previously, it had been the fact that it shared so many parts with other vehicles in the GM catalog. With the new car, well, it's difficult to tell what is there and what is not, although I would expect some of the pieces to eventually proliferate to other vehicles in their next-generation models.

That could and probably does explain a lot, doesn't the ZL1 Camaro use a detuned version of Z06 Engine, same the CTS - V?

 

[Kent]

Okay, but what are you comparing it to? Other american cars, japanese cars? I still can't imagine it to be "quality", I might get bashed for this, but US Cars are usually known for using (a lot) of hard plastic, is it qualitywise good for US standards or in general (german) terms.




That could and probably does explain a lot, doesn't the ZL1 Camaro use a detuned version of Z06 Engine, same the CTS - V?

Obviously you haven't been in a LTZ Cruze.
Genuinely impressive leather work and interior quality, especially for a car of that price.

Just as well, Im still not sure why hard plastic is such a dirty word in the car industry. I certainly don't spend my time rubbing down my dash board and while it might not look as nice as leather, it serves a good purpose; it's light weight, durable, and easy to clean.

 

[Luminis]

Okay, but what are you comparing it to? Other american cars, japanese cars? I still can't imagine it to be "quality", I might get bashed for this, but US Cars are usually known for using (a lot) of hard plastic, is it qualitywise good for US standards or in general (german) terms.

This is just hearsay, but from what I've heard, it would seem like the difference between "American standards" and "German standards" in terms of build quality and interiors are getting smaller and smaller by the year. There's certainly a difference still, but as it stands, it seems like the Corvette isn't vastly inferior in terms of its interior, compared to a $ 60,000 executive saloon.

 

[20832]

Obviously you haven't been in a LTZ Cruze.
Genuinely impressive leather work and interior quality, especially for a car of that price.

Just looked at the pictures, yes it looks good. Although I don't think that this is real leather, but rather some sort of vinyl. Still looks very good.

Just as well, Im still not sure why hard plastic is such a dirty word in the car industry. I certainly don't spend my time rubbing down my dash board and while it might not look as nice as leather, it serves a good purpose; it's light weight, durable, and easy to clean.

And there is where the different standards in terms of quality come into play. Yes, we're not really rubbing down the dashboards either, but we still want it. I don't know if that makes any sense, and I'm also sure that some will disagree with me (as always), but that's just how I feel about it. My Opel Corsa uses hard plastic even on parts that you often touch such as the gear knob and such, and the car (with decent equipment) isn't much more cheaper than a Fiesta or a Polo and they offer better quality overall. And yes, I would even go as far and pay the extra to have soft touch materials than hard plastics, because I feel a little bit more comfy inside a higher quality cabin.

This is just hearsay, but from what I've heard, it would seem like the difference between "American standards" and "German standards" in terms of build quality and interiors are getting smaller and smaller by the year. There's certainly a difference still, but as it stands, it seems like the Corvette isn't vastly inferior in terms of its interior, compared to a $ 60,000 executive saloon.

Well, they certainly have to become better in terms of quality and craftsmanship. The USA isn't the only market where GM sells cars, and europeans have higher standards, and Ford has been dominating here for a long time, so to have any chance with Opel and also Chevrolet, they have to step their game up. This Cruze LTZ seems to be a good step forward, and so was the Captiva!
But the biggest threat to GM now isn't Ford anymore, or any other european or japanese makes, but rather the korean makes in form of Kia and Hyundai. The i30 is geniuenly a great car and the quality (soft touch materials !!!) is on european standards and better than most Opel cabins. It just needs a little more refinement and it's on VW standards.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

That could and probably does explain a lot, doesn't the ZL1 Camaro use a detuned version of Z06 Engine, same the CTS - V?

Where did you get that from the LSA engine they run is comparable to the LS9 and could be said to be the same. The engine you just suggested is the LS7 which is a 7L small block...

The LSA runs a 1.9L supercharger instead of the LS9's 2.3L, pistons are different, main bearing is different, not the same exhaust manifold, the intercooler set up between the two is very different. The internal plumping on both Eaton systems isn't the same really, and the only shared reality is the block and the heads are the same. In other words you have same CI, Bore/Stroke, and compression ratio. The tune is less "aggressive" on the CTS-V and ZL1, but with some tuning and parts updates you could easily have the power of the LS9...

Oh and the LS9 = ZR1, LS7 = Z06.

 

[20832]

Where did you get that from the LSA engine they run is comparable to the LS9 and could be said to be the same. The engine you just suggested is the LS7 which is a 7L big block...

I hope, you've noticed the question mark behind it, indicating that I wasn't sure?

 

[Beeblebrox237]

Okay, but what are you comparing it to? Other american cars, japanese cars? I still can't imagine it to be "quality", I might get bashed for this, but US Cars are usually known for using (a lot) of hard plastic, is it qualitywise good for US standards or in general (german) terms?

I sat in a C7 a few weeks ago, and the interior is now on par with a German car. It's as good as the new Porsche Boxster, inside.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

I hope, you've noticed the question mark behind it, indicating that I wasn't sure?

I did, but it doesn't stop me from asking you why you thought it was the Z06 instead the ZR1. Especially when the numbers coming out of the Z06 are much lower than the numbers coming out of the CTS-V and ZL1 to be called "de-tuned" .

 

[ShobThaBob]

Just popping in here to say that the 7.0 in the z06 is still a small block. It isnt a big block.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

Just popping in here to say that the 7.0 in the z06 is still a small block. It isnt a big block.

True, I probably mixed it up with the 454 since they are both given the LS7 code. Anyways it's fixed.