Corvette Could Lose Power and Weight in a Greener Tomorrow
Chevrolet doesn’t doubt that its iconic Corvette will live on despite new mandated fuel economy rules, but it does expect it to be a substantially different car when it’s redesigned than it is today.
As Corvette executive Tom Wallace put it, “I don't think we're going to design a 700-hp Corvette.
Comments
Rudy
I'm all for it as long as the drive wheels stay where they were meant to be.
02chuck
Lighter weight, smaller engine, probably smaller total car, with equal performance = more fun to drive. Would be pretty neat!
Reilly
I'm all for this provided they don't do it in CF. The Corvette needs to remain inexpensive and they better find ways to do it other than body panels and an aluminum chassis.
Steve
Absolutely. I'm all for it. I also wholeheartedely agree with Rudy and 02chuck... This is a good thing.
Mena
A return to lightweight cars?!!!!!! I can't wait!!! This is definitely a good thing.
Clint
Does this mean that Corvette drivers will also have to lose weight and get smaller?
Tony
I would love to see a 2500 lb Vette! Drivers forget what wonderful thing lightweight add to the driving experience. I'll take more lightness please.
mo
as long as the performance, price and general trends of the vette remains the same ...... who give a damn
Ducati Minor
This isn't a different direction for Chevrolet. When you look at the Corvette's lowest point in the middle 1970s, it weighed around 3,600 lbs. with an emissions-strangled V-8 not even coughing up 180 hp. From then on, Chevrolet worked to reduce drag, increase engine output, and cut weight. The C6 is both shorter and narrower than the C5. The coupe weighs under 3,300 lbs. The dimensions and weight are less than a Porsche 997, while being faster and less expensive.
Colin Chapman was advocating this for decades. Gordon Murray brought that philosophy to worldwide acclaim with the McLaren F1. Even if this makes for a more expensive Chevy, I don't see that as a bad thing. Baby boomers who have thrived off seeing the 'Vette be an affordable exotic be damned. Let the 'Vette sell in lower volumes and be a better car. Seeing a middle-aged woman cruise off the lot in a black ragtop was the worst sight yet. (The aging blond in the Boxster was a little better.)
I digress. Chevrolet's sports car, if anything, has embarked on a better direction than Ferrari, Porsche, or Lamborghini in my opinion. Those marques continue to see their vehicles get bigger, heavier, and more complicated. A 3,500 lb. Porsche? A two-ton Ferrari berlinetta? When a company considers a 3,200 lb. limited edition vehicle as a lightweight, you know something is wrong.
Jonathan Fung
Yeah. Weight reduction with expensive materials will drive up the price of the vette. Even if GM's forecast about carbon fiber prices going down as supply increases (which it will...just draw a supply and demand graph,) to shed that much weight without throwing out luxuries is going to cost lots of money in materials per car. I have faith in GM's engineers though. I'm sure they'll work something out.
Goose
As long as it's a front-engined, rear-wheel-drive V8 . . . the debate will be open; Price, look 'n feel will tell.
In the mean time, score a Z06 'fore Congress comes gunning for (again)! Better safe then sorry . . .
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