Corvette C7

[Zenith]

The Z06 in particular seems to be beating its chest while toting an American at the Europeans. I'm sure GM could've given this thing plenty of power without the supercharger and that would have kept the racers happy, but that wasn't the objective.

People have been commenting that the C7 with it's improved interior and untraditional styling is more appealing to the European market and I think that's what GM is aiming for. I'm talking wealthy people. The kind who would drive 458's and Lamborghinis.

Look! This Z06 is going to have gaudy winglets and scoops and hard style lines and we're going to supercharge the engine because that's how we do things in America. Yeah we're hardcore.

It's a parody of itself in order to appeal to the buyer's market but still fixes turn offs like the interior that previously held the C6 up in foreign markets. This buyer's group is of course ignorant of the fine tuning racers were doing with the C6 Z06, they stick to the supercharged 12 Gauge buckshot stereotype of American tuning.

Edit: I'm not saying this is bad. If GM had built the car the way I would have thought best with the nice interior, less aggressive styling, and a naturally aspirated motor, then the Z06 would still be seen by the supercar buyer's market as a cut rate Ferrari. They're pretty similar in terms of roles they fulfill. By giving the Z06 this distinct aggressiveness, they're targeting the most important want that the wealthy buyers have; owning something that other wealthy people don't have.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

Well we'll agree to disagree, if I were to own one (I hope I get the chance to) tracking would not be my concern. I just don't see the point of judging any car before it's been tested.

Tested by who? Magazines that only a handful left don't distort reality. Not to sound like a snob, but I will anyways you're hyping yourself up on mainstream info, when GM has divulged enough to draw a picture with. Will it be faster and quicker around a track than the old Z06? Obviously yes, would an N/A version with the same output do a better job than this supercharged Z06? Yes it would. It's science not a "well I'll have to agree to disagree", if this was me saying to you something of opinion stance I can understand. However, I'm not going "yeah, well Blackbird I think this car is just butt ugly (which I somewhat do until I saw it in silver) and you liking it is just wrong." That isn't where I'm coming from though and I feel that is more of what's driving your appeal rather than the reality of is this really a technological leap worth the money when you compare it to a ZR1 from the previous Gen? That is what you have to ask yourself and I've given my answer on that.

 

[Blackbird.]

I've given my answer as well...

So much speculation on what the car will be like when no one's even driven it yet...

You're asking me to compare a car that has just been unveiled versus a car that's been on sale for years. You're right, GM probably sensationalized the car. Kind of their job right? Therefore, in my opinion, I can't answer your question without all the facts regardless if you have a dislike for the supercharged engine. You simply do not, cannot know it will perform better then you anticipate. I will mention though an optioned out C7 Z06 will be sub 100k while the ZR1 was around 120k, amirite?

Beyond that, on a personal level, I really try not to get caught up in this kind of conversation. I know I don't have all the facts in my head and I particularly have no interest on how this car will perform on the track. Even though the original Z06 package was intended for exactly that. As of right now I'm in love with the exterior design coupled with the fact the interior is far better then the C6. I like the engine and transmissions they are going to offer and the power they claim. Would be an excellent street car me thinks...

 

[Organ-Donor]

Personally I like the extreme styling of the Z06. If you want a more subtle toned down look I believe the "stage 1" option wont have the extreme aero downforce bits, and the rear spoiler will be the Z51 spoiler.

About S/C vs N/A, yes I'd prefer N/A but with today's horsepower numbers cars are putting out I don't think it would be enough N/A, especially if the ZR1 is axed and the Z06 will be the Corvette halo car. 550ish hp isn't a lot in today's lineup of cars and especially when the Z06 will be put in performance categories with higher end exotics like Ferrari, Lambo, Viper, McLaren, SLS black series, and other future iterations of car models.

Thing is we had an option for the C6, a more track based car N/A with the Z06 and a HP bragging ZR1. With the C7 we don't know if we will have both options and the C7 Z06 is still a great track car (yes would be better N/A) with the extreme down force, and still has great hp and torque for "the street" or drag racers.

And there is still the option of taking a base Z51 Stingray, throw some bolt ons, headers, fatter tires, etc to make a fast track capable car that's N/A.

I'm not trying to change anyone's stance on the subject, just putting in my .02.

 

[hawkeye122]

Honestly, when the C7 was first announced and pictures circulated, I hated the body. Thought it was horrid to look at and a total waste of time.
I grew up looking at the C4 and C5 thinking "Wow, what a boring shape", in an age of the Countach, the Diablo, 355, Testarosa, F50, and later the Ford GT- the Corvette was bland and slow. And with more practical alternatives like the M5, RS6 Avant, and the AMG series, I wrote the corvette off as a silly toy for people who didn't know anything about cars.

The C6 was better, but the low-quality interior really turned me off. You go around to the back of the car and tap the rear panel, the whole thing would wiggle. What? If I'm going to drop a not inconsiderable amount of money on a car, I want the panels affixed properly. Additionally, this one couldn't really hold a candle to the "cool" factor a 997 or an R8 would have in a parking lot.

Finally, the C7 comes out, and I thought they'd overdone it. The first time I saw one in person was at Barrett-Jackson in Reno and I thought "Wow, what a car". It looked so cool. The lines just worked, both on the blue hardtop and the grey convertible on display. This Zo7 is even better, and I'd love to see it in person. I get it now. I think I may finally like Corvettes...

 

[Blackbird.]

I love the way the Velocity Yellow looks in their photos on Chevrolet's website. That's how I want my yellow to look, but in reality Velocity Yellow is a little too light. Back to the mystery grey one!

 

[Organ-Donor]

I love Velocity Yellow. But apparently in 2015 it will be replaced by a new yellow. The Z06 and C7.R in Detroit were still shown in Velocity yellow but the real C7.R's will debut at the 24h of Daytona in the new yellow. This is a pic from Oliver Gavin showing the real C7.R stripped down with the new yellow. It looks the same but lighting can change the appearance of the color so I'll have to see it in natural lighting.

 

[Blackbird.]

That yellow looks good too. But see how velocity yellow looks in my avatar. I love that but it's probably from a combination of lighting and photoshop.

 

[Organ-Donor]

More like this?

 

[Chikane_GTR]

More like this?View attachment 101491

As a Pure Viper fan and a hater of the Vette i must say this car is 🤬 Gorgeous

 

[Blackbird.]

More like this?View attachment 101491

Exactly like that.

 

[RocZX]

Edit: Nevermind

 

[Organ-Donor]

^ posted a few pages back. I'm digging that grey, it looks better in that vid than in pictures.

Exactly like that.

I know love that too, wish they offered both shades and axed the lime rock green. I've seen the green in person and don't care for it. Leave that shade to the classic 60's & 70's Vettes.

 

[Blackbird.]

I know love that too, wish they offered both shades and axed the lime rock green. I've seen it in person and don't care for it . Leave that shade to the classic 60's & 70's Vettes.

Yeah, kind of off-topic but my dad used to own a '72 Corvette in Sunflower Yellow or War Bonnet Yellow in the 70s and my uncle has owned it forever since he sold it to him. But he won't sell it to me. Kind of frustrates me, but the yellow is gorgeous on that year.

As for this Z06 the "new" yellow you posted on the C7R really doesn't seem that far of a departure from the Velocity Yellow. Then again it's under unnatural lighting and only one angle. But, I'm dead serious I want to own one but considering they're probably going to start in the $70-80k range and top out at mid-high $90k i'll have to wait a few years after they're introduced for a used example. I always kind of wanted a C5 or C6 Z06 but I wasn't that "wowed" by them. This however has me head over heels.

 

[Darla Starch]

I personally like the look of the new ZO6...though the fact that it can be ordered with an automatic transmission annoys me beyond all logic and reason.

 

[Blackbird.]

I personally like the look of the new ZO6...though the fact that it can be ordered with an automatic transmission annoys me beyond all logic and reason.

Why?

I could sympathize with your gripe if it were offered exclusively in auto with an unproven tranny. But with a manual being offered...?

 

[Vegard]

I personally like the look of the new ZO6...though the fact that it can be ordered with an automatic transmission annoys me beyond all logic and reason.

Options!
Manual/auto > DCT-only.

 

[Eunos_Cosmo]

Agreed. The Auto will [probably] be considerably quicker around a track. So that satisfies the marketing people and the people who care about those things. If it's not as quick as the GT3 or GTR, there are those who would consider it inferior. With the automatic, it should match the GT3 and GTR I would think. But, if you don't care about lap times (like most people shouldn't) the manual is there to enjoy. In a strange way, the automatic option allows the manual to be offered...

 

[Zenith]

I need everybody else to have the car the way I want to have mine. Choice is bad because then some people might choose something that I wouldn't.

 

[Joel]

I need everybody else to have the car the way I want to have mine. Choice is bad because then some people might choose something that I wouldn't.

If anything you'd think those people would be happy because you can feel superior because you bought a real Corvette.

Granted, the people complaining are Jalopnik commenters and teenagers on forums who aren't and won't be in the market for one for years.

 

[TheAdmiester]

I feel like I'm the only person who still thinks this car is ugly as sin.

 

[NoobMan DS]

It certainly looks bada**, but...

I'm not sure why - when I first saw the new Z06, in yellow, it felt much like Power Ranger material. Slightly tacky and cartoonish to my eyes at first sight. Not that I disliked it.

It looks more serious in gray though.


EDIT:

 

[Blackbird.]

Pretty glowing (albeit random) comparison for the Corvette:

 

[YSSMAN]

I think that's going to be the fairly consistent praise for the Corvette from the rest of the world.

Substantially better, adequate in terms of quality and performance. But the price...

 

[Blackbird.]

I think that's going to be the fairly consistent praise for the Corvette from the rest of the world.

Substantially better, adequate in terms of quality and performance. But the price...

Makes the anticipation for the Z06 that much more. But who knows, maybe more power will disrupt the balance.

 

[Azure Flare]

Still considerably cheaper than all the cars in that video, still the best bang-for-your-buck out there.

 

[NoobMan DS]

Yes, it is indeed the bargain two-door sports car in the US, more so than the GT-R, which now has a six-figure base price...

 

[Azure Flare]

I am amazed that the GT-R has swelled in price that much, but it has been getting faster over the years, so the price is almost justified.

 

[McLaren]

Pretty glowing (albeit random) comparison for the Corvette:

Random is correct.

The R8's competition has always been the 911, & is on its way out. The F-Type is probably the closest, but they don't seem to be after those same markets. Corvette owners will undeniably be looking at a raw, thrilling sports car ready for track days & the Jag doesn't come across as such a car, imo (bar perhaps the Coupe R). The 911, well, Chris Harris compared them & found them to be non-competitors as well when you figure in the pricing & overall setups of both cars.


This isn't a knock against the Corvette, I just don't think these are the cars (again, probably bar the Jag) are really on a competing level any more.

 

[Blackbird.]

Random is correct.

The R8's competition has always been the 911, & is on its way out. The F-Type is probably the closest, but they don't seem to be after those same markets. Corvette owners will undeniably be looking at a raw, thrilling sports car ready for track days & the Jag doesn't come across as such a car, imo (bar perhaps the Coupe R). The 911, well, Chris Harris compared them & found them to be non-competitors as well when you figure in the pricing & overall setups of both cars.


This isn't a knock against the Corvette, I just don't think these are the cars (again, probably bar the Jag) are really on a competing level any more.

I agree I watched that Chris Harris video before seeing the Autocar one. I'd take a Carrera S over the Corvette any day but if I really wanted a sports car and I couldn't afford the Carrera S (which can easily end up in the $140k+ range) the Corvette or Z06 would be a nice compromise.