Posted on Wednesday 23 January 2008
There are all manner of rumors concerning the next-generation Corvette, with stories ranging from the possibility of a mid-engined platform to AWD powertrains and even the arrival of a dual-clutch version. Although there isn’t much substance to any of these rumors, one of them that’s starting to gain credence is the possibility the new car could be delayed due to the upcoming CAFE regulations. The new fuel economy law, which forces carmakers to lift their fleet average mileage figure to 35mpg by 2020, has already put several new cars and engine projects on hold.
We’ve already seen GM cancel its luxury V8 program and then we saw plans for a next-generation Holden Monaro/Pontiac GTO get the axe and now there’s talk even the new Corvette will be delayed. An inside source has confirmed to MotorTrend that the C7 Corvette program and RWD Imapala have been put on hold because of CAFE. The problem is that even though carmakers have until 2020 to meet the new targets, there’s no word on what interim targets they’ll have to meet in the meantime. These transitional fuel-consumption targets are not expected to be finalized until the end of next year at the earliest.
GM has several options it’s considering for the new Corvette. It can go down the regular path of a big RWD V8 sports car, switch to a new an all-new mid-engine design, or downsize to the lighter Kappa and make the Corvette a lithe roadster. There’s a strong faction who want to see the car become mid-engined. The design would allow engineers to give it better handling but primarily it would enable cylinder deactivation without the vibration issues caused by the front-engine car’s long prop-shaft connection to the rear-mounted transaxle transmission.
Hopefully the next version won’t have a Cavalier esque interior as well ! Go mid-engine Chevy ! redesign the whole car pls ! Give it non leaf spring suspension while your at it ! Use CF instead of FG !
GM is not stupid enough to change an American legacy. 80% of it’s buyers are Corvette loyalists who buy Corvettes again and again every 5 or 6 years. GM can’t afford to lose their customer trust or loyalty. They can do any or a few of these things to the next generation Corvette;
1. Variable Valve Timing
2. Variable Event Timing
3. Variable Intake
4. Variable Throttle Body
5. Tune the CPU to a more fuel efficient setting
6. Give it a 7 or 8 Speed Transmission
7. Use Balsa Wood under the cabin and Magnesium Engine Cradle-like they currently do in the Z06
8. Use more Carbon Fiber-Like they currently do on the ZR-1
9. Use less agressive gear ratios
10. Make the car more aerodynamic
As you can see, there are tons of simple ways to make the Vette far more fuel efficient. Now why would GM go and do any of the stupid, irresposible things these “rumors” falsely claim???????????????????????????????
By the way, I already get 32 mpg on the Highway and 18 in the city (NYC) with my stock 2006 Corvette (6 Speed Manual Transmission)