2015 Corvette Z06 numbers are in...

[Zivic]

I test drove a C7 equipped with paddle shifters. I was looking for a manual (stick), but figured I give it a shot. Well, automatic sucked. The salesman said the auto shifted quickly but I sure didn't find that to be the case. It was just sluggish. I then switched it to manual engaging the paddles. MUCH better. So much so that if I'm thinking about getting a Vette in auto. Much more enjoyable to drive in traffic than a stick, and the performance when you want it. And from my understanding, the Z06 will have an even better transmission (faster shifting auto), so there may just be no other excuse to hold on to the manual...well, unless you just like to use a clutch pedal and stick to do your shifting.

I would argue if you are buying a car like this and sitting in traffic, you are doing it wrong. In a fun car, I think I would always opt for the manual spec car if it were available. Now on an everyday type driver, I would probably opt for the auto. There are positives for both, but in a fun car, I can't see how the auto, even in 'manual mode' would be as engaging and/or involving

 

[The Boston Dangler]

Congrats...you just said what has always been said by someone of every new car design.

-KeithP

i doubt that. are you using exaggeration and generalization to devalue my opinion because you disagree with it? someone is always doing that to every forum post.

 

[JackBurton]

I would argue if you are buying a car like this and sitting in traffic, you are doing it wrong. In a fun car, I think I would always opt for the manual spec car if it were available. Now on an everyday type driver, I would probably opt for the auto. There are positives for both, but in a fun car, I can't see how the auto, even in 'manual mode' would be as engaging and/or involving

You could argue, but you'd be wrong. California has some gorgeous roads to drive through, unfortunately parking lots seems to pop up out of nowhere. Extremely annoying. Hyper cars are also moving exclusively to paddle shifting and I will tell you, I'd still find driving an Aventador "engaging." A 1500hp AMS GT-R would also be very engaging to drive.

I used to be of the same mindset, manual or nothing, but the paddle shifting in the C7 had me rethinking that.

 

[ponyo]

I just can't get used to C7 looks. I thought I would get used to it by now, but I still find it ugly.

 

[reallyscrued]

I totally understand what you are saying, but I think we have become too focused on the HP number. Hey, I think a lot of HP is awesome, but through personal experience, there is much more than HP to consider.

The vette makes more power than a lot of cars, but I'd rather own/drive some of the lesser powered competitors. Porsche 911/Cayman for example. Cars like the BRZ/FRS and miata have had great success with no more than 200.... granted now you are factoring in price.

I'd rather get more HP for the money than less if I had the choice. For me personally, it's going to take more than a 650 HP rating to get me to want a vette.

I agree with the Cayman, but we'll see how much you like the FRS after being passed by Camrys and Accords on the roads.

300 hp/250 torque is about the minimum for a fun car. It's 15 years into the new millennium.

I seriously thought about getting a BRZ but I'd have no more fun in that car than in my E36 328, but you can be damn sure when they throw a turbo on that thing I'll throw down a payment for it.

And really...if these numbers don't make you want a Vette, there's a good chance there's really nothing short of dropping it's price that would make you consider one.


Kudos for Chevy for pushing the envelope, maybe mid-range sports cars will actually be faster than V6 japanese econoboxes once again like in the 90s.

 

[SSSnail]

I find what's nuts is that 457 torque at IDLE... think about that for a second.

 

[Fenixgoon]

I find what's nuts is that 457 torque at IDLE... think about that for a second.

srsly. thats more than a lot of cars' peak torque values :awe::awe:

 

[jaha2000]

We are actually machining the SC cover at our shop (it will end up on a few other cars as well). Its a pretty trick part!

 

[dawheat]

I find what's nuts is that 457 torque at IDLE... think about that for a second.

So does that mean you can just let off the clutch in 1st without your foot on the gas pedal and the car will just take off?

 

[Jimzz]

So does that mean you can just let off the clutch in 1st without your foot on the gas pedal and the car will just take off?

You could do that with the C5's, so unless they have changed the gearing yea you can still take off with no throttle in first. It will not be fast but will still move without stalling.

 

[Squeetard]

You can do that with my 2012 Camaro. (Supercharged, 630hp weeeee)They are fly by wire and the computer won't let the engine stall unless you really dump the clutch fast.

 

[z1ggy]

I love everything about the new corvette except the rear end. God does it look gawdy and just.. over done. It's like the designers said, "we have to make it look different...just... well because" for the sake of change.

If it ain't broke.. don't fix it.

 

[Elganja]

great looking car and great power... I'll most likely get one, during the 2nd/3rd run (keeping the GTR)

 

[Ferzerp]

So does that mean you can just let off the clutch in 1st without your foot on the gas pedal and the car will just take off?

You recognize that dyno values are at WOT and not with idle levels of throttle so this is kind of a meaningless question? Besides, few are the cars that can't get moving with proper clutch control with no throttle input.

 

[reallyscrued]

So does that mean you can just let off the clutch in 1st without your foot on the gas pedal and the car will just take off?

You could do that with most cars, 1st is a very very short gear.

But what it really means is you can do this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ko9kzyqW-l8#t=01m30s

 

[reallyscrued]

I find what's nuts is that 457 torque at IDLE... think about that for a second.

And yeah, that is kind of nuts.

Car engines are being engineered to deliver lots of torque way down low now, for example, the new 335i reaches peak torque (295 ft-lb) at only 1400 RPM.

This absolutely changes the way we will manual cars; no longer do you have to rev up to 3-4k on the tach and dump the clutch. So much power being available right off the line allows a much more refined manual driving experience (I'd imagine).

Having so much torque all across the whole rev band also makes it so that automatic transmission (run of the mill ones, not the crazy supercar ones) can actually perform 0-60 times better than any human shifter of the same car. Almost sad now.

 

[Phanuel]

You can do that with my 2012 Camaro. (Supercharged, 630hp weeeee)They are fly by wire and the computer won't let the engine stall unless you really dump the clutch fast.

Do wheelies count as flying? :awe:

Isn't it technically drive by wire otherwise?

 

[Squeetard]

Technically drive by wire. Seems the aircraft term has caught on for Autos as that is how I most hear it described. Computer controlled throttle position.

 

[dlock13]

Anyone else see it in black and immediately think....... Batmobile!

 

[GoodRevrnd]

I love everything about the new corvette except the rear end. God does it look gawdy and just.. over done. It's like the designers said, "we have to make it look different...just... well because" for the sake of change.

If it ain't broke.. don't fix it.

Ya it's just terrible. I like the overall shape of the car, but too many harsh angular lines and the back end takes it to extreme terribleness. The car looks like it was specifically designed to headline a transformers movie and sell toys to 6 year olds.

 

[dawheat]

You could do that with most cars, 1st is a very very short gear.

But what it really means is you can do this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ko9kzyqW-l8#t=01m30s

Haha my first manual car was a 2000 Civic followed by a RSX and S2000. So I'm used to cars that are easy to get moving, but you still need some gas.

I definitely need to get some driving time in the current gen Vette.

 

[KentState]

Already have the green light to replace the CTS-V with one in a few years. Probably will wait for production to level off and the bugs to be worked out.

 

[Midwayman]

Just wish GM could figure out how to put a descent interior in the vettes. They're great deals on performance be still feel pretty econo-car inside.

 

[KentState]

Just wish GM could figure out how to put a descent interior in the vettes. They're great deals on performance be still feel pretty econo-car inside.

Have you been in or around a C7?

 

[Midwayman]

Have you been in or around a C7?

At the auto show. Haven't driven one.