Winter Testing By Jake Holmes, source MotorTrend Magazine
We've been telling you about the coming C7 Chevy
Corvette for what seems like forever now. Will it be a mid engine
layout (no)? Or will the formula remain largely the same for GM's
performance icon (yes)? One thing's for sure, it is coming and soon, as
these first spy photos of two Chevrolet Corvette prototypes caught in
the wilds of northern Canada attest.
The all-new C7 Vette will reportedly hit the
streets as a 2014 model -- likely in the fall of next year. Chevrolet
recently launched special-edition anniversary packages and a 427
convertible model of the present C6 Corvette, making it clear that they
are the last in a line of updates for the outgoing car. In preparation
for the new C7, GM also announced that it's making a $131 million
investment in its plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky, to prepare for
assembly of the new Corvette. Almost every other detail on the new car,
however, has so far been somewhat of a mystery, as GM continues to play
its Vette cards close to the chest.
Two things are certain with the C7 Corvette. For
one, it won't resurrect the split rear window design cue of the 1963
Corvette, as had been suggested by concepts such as the recent Sting
Ray. The mule spotted here continues to use one solid rear window that
slopes sharply into the decklid.
Second, it looks as though we can put to rest
the rumors of mid-engine layout. From the spy shots, it seems clear that
Chevrolet will stick to a front-engine design for the C7. Multiple
executives have denied that the Corvette would reposition its engine,
and the proportions of this mule suggest the engine is going to stay up
front under the car's long hood.
In fact, unless GM is expertly hiding something,
it looks as though C7 Corvette won't look drastically different from
the current model. As on the current car, the new Corvette will feature a
wide rectangular grille opening, a long and low hood, center-mounted
quad exhaust tips, and generous rear haunches able to fit wide on the
drive axle. A traditional coupe will likely go on sale first, almost
certainly to be joined by a drop top version.
The new Corvette looks to be slightly longer in the wheelbase
department, a move that will likely improve the car's ride-and-handling
along the lines of the new, 991-generation Porsche 911, which also
received a longer wheelbase in an effort to improve comfort and
high-speed stability. In the Corvette, increasing the wheelbase might
also marginally improve interior and trunk room.
Reports suggest the Corvette may use an aluminum
spaceframe, with the body composed of a mix of carbon fiber and
fiberglass. That would be expensive, but it would cut weight -- possibly
below 3000 pounds in some models. Like all automakers, GM is looking to
cut weight from its new cars, in part to improve fuel economy, and
trimming mass will also no doubt improve the Corvette's dynamic
performance.
The Corvette will certainly retain its signature
V-8 engine, though it remains uncertain as to whether a V-6 engine also
will join the roster. The V-8 mill will be an evolution of GM's small
block design, with the fifth generation of the V-8 family adopting
direct fuel injection for the first time. GM has already promised that
the fifth-gen small block engines will produce more power and torque,
while using less fuel than current engines; the company has invested
about $1 billion in preparation for building the new V-8s.
The new Corvette V-8 will almost certainly
continue to be a pushrod-based design, and may feature some sort of
cylinder deactivation. There are indications it will be downsized to as
little as 5.5 liters, compared to the 6.2-liter LS3 in the current base
Corvette. Those moves would further cut fuel consumption, while
retaining the car's signature eight-cylinder heritage and torque-happy
nature.
Although many executives have denied it, there are hints that the C7
Corvette will also receive a single- or twin-turbocharged V-6 engine.
That might strike the Chevrolet faithful as heresy, but doing so would
help bump the Corvette's economy ratings so that GM could better meet
stricter CAFE and emissions regulations. If such an engine is offered,
it could be a version of GM's popular 3.6-liter direct-injected V-6. But
don't place bets on a Corvette V-6 just yet -- such a model would be a
hard sell to Corvette purists. Perhaps this engine will have to wait for
the C8.
As to transmission choices, we're told the
Corvette will score a new seven-speed manual transmission, again keeping
up with the 2012 Porsche 911, which offers a new seven-speed stick.
Despite rumors of an optional dual-clutch automated transmission, it
seems more likely Chevrolet will stick with a regular automatic for the
clutch pedal averse. GM is currently developing its next generation of
full-size trucks, so it's possible that automatic transmissions could be
shared between the pickups and the Corvette. Expect seven or eight
forward speeds, up from six in current Corvette automatics.
Few details on the C7's suspension setup have leaked so far, leading us
to believe there are no drastic changes. Chevrolet will probably
endeavor to make the new Corvette somewhat easier for novices to drive
quickly, while retaining the car's world-class grip and overall driving
dynamics. Reduced overall weight and the aforementioned wheelbase
stretch should help with this.
In the face of increasing oil prices and
tightening government regulations, it's no secret that Chevrolet must
make the C7 Corvette even more fuel efficient. At the same time,
executives have made clear that they don't want the car to neglect the
huge levels of performance and fun on which the Corvette has built its
name. When the 2014 Corvette goes on sale in fall 2013, we firmly
believe it will continue to be one of the best -- or perhaps the best --
best American-made sports cars available.
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