Month: June 2011

When GM’s North American President Mark Reuss visitied Bowling Green in May to announce the $131 million in upgrades to the Corvette Assembly Plant, he said in his speech that the C7 Corvette with be “completely different”. That statement has set off a number of speculative reports about the C7, from Autocar still talking about a mid-engine design while the Detroit Bureau breathlessly opined about GM developing a 3.0-litre turbocharged V8. Motor Trend has offered their take on the C7 in the August 2011 issue as well as debunking some of the irrational speculation surrounding the next generation Corvette.

Let’s step back for a second to roll through what we do know about the C7 Corvette. We know that it will arrive as a 2014 model and should be available in the later half of 2013. GM VP of Global Design Ed Welburn says the new Corvette will have a split rear window inspired by the 1963 Corvette Sting Ray Coupe. We also know that one of the major design parameters is about shaving weight from the car to help increase fuel economy. Finally, we know that GM is developing a new generation of V8s which should be be ready by the time 2013 rolls around. Everything else we’ve heard is speculation.

In its latest report on the C7, Motor Trend dispenses with the three major rumors surrounding the new Corvette. Motor Trend’s Mike Conners says the new Corvette will not feature a mid-engine design, will not have a base V6 engine that supercharged or turbocharged, and will not feature a wankel rotary-powered engine (that rumor was new to me).

Motor Trend says GM is very happy with the current C6 Corvette as its already one of the best handling sports cars on the market. The new platform is being tweaked to improve the drivers feel and feedback from the chassis, the goal being to allow even novices to get more out of their Corvettes at track events.

The C6 is slightly shorter than the Porsche 911 and those dimensions are expected to change substantially. As engineers and designers for the Corvette look to shed pounds, expect a greater use of lightweight metals and composite materials throughout.

Motor Trend says the most visible change will be to the interior, as Corvette has long suffered a reputation for Colbalt-cheap interiors at Cadillac prices. The goal for the C7 Corvette will be an interior design, materials, and fit and finish that is worthy of a $100K sticker in a $70K sports car.

Finally, Motor Trend alludes to a special 60th anniversary model that will be the C6’s swan song. We’ve heard rumors of a white and red special edition and the magazine says “Don’t be surprised to see Polo White convertibles with red interiors, but forget about a six-cylinder with Powerglide.”

Follow all of our C7 Corvette coverage.

Source:
Motor Trend

Related:
[RUMORS] C7 Corvettes to Offer a Small-Displacement Turbo V8?
Motor Trend: The C7 Corvette Body is Done!
Motor Trend: C7 Corvette to Debut with New 5.5L 440 hp V8 Powerplant
GM’s Welburn: Split-Window to Return on C7 Corvette

 

It seems like every month new revelations concerning the next-generation ‘C7’ Chevrolet Corvette surface, mostly conjecture generated by fans on forums or other random sources but sometimes official spiel from within GM.

Currently, Nissan GT-R has been bragging about their newly improved record time on the Nurburgring: 7 minutes 24.22 seconds.  That is mighty fast, and good for them!  That was even a better time than the 2009 Corvette ZR1 back in 2008.

In this new video,  Corvette’s chief engineer, Tadge Juechter, describes various aspects of the 2012 Corvette ZR1, contrasted to that 2009 model tested previously at the Nurburgring. Included are the new sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires, which were revealed to us at the National Corvette Museum C5/C6 Bash, at the end of April.  In addtion,new chassis and aero improvements, made over the course of the last four years, have also contributed to sharply improved lap times.

According to the telemetry provided in the video, the driver, Jim Mero, hit a top speed of 183 mph and lateral Gs went as high as 1.8, as he looped the famous course.

The new time of 7:19.63 beats the previous 2009 Corvette ZR1‘s run of 7:26.4 by over 6 seconds. Not only does the new time put the 2012 Corvette ZR1 ahead of the Nissan, but also Dodge Viper ACR (7:22.1) and Porsche 911 GTS RS (7:24).

Read the press release after the jump.

DETROIT – Corvette returned to the world’s most-demanding testing ground – Germany’s famed Nurburgring – and recorded lap times that rank among the fastest recorded for a production car.

As detailed on video, the 2012 Corvette ZR1 recorded a lap time of 7:19.63, more than six seconds faster than the previous Corvette-best recorded in 2008. A lap video featuring the Corvette Z06 will be released soon.

”Testing at the Nurburgring is one of the important methods we have to validate our car in the toughest track conditions.” says Tadge Juechter, Corvette vehicle line director and chief engineer.

Measuring 12.9 miles (20.8 km) and including some 154 turns, the Nurburgring’s Nordschleife (“north loop”) is widely considered the world’s most-demanding course. As was the case at Corvette’s last test in 2008, the car was driven by Corvette engineer Jim Mero and was a full production model with no performance modifications. This test was to validate the car’s added performance technology coming to production later this summer for the 2012 model year.

Corvette’s improved performance for 2012 begins with the new, optional Michelin® Pilot® Sport Cup Zero Pressure tires, which are available on the two highest-performing models, the lightweight, 505-hp (377 kW) Z06 and the maximum-performance, 638-hp (476 kW) supercharged ZR1. They are competition-oriented tires, optimized for warm, dry conditions to increase cornering and handling capability.

When combined with the Corvette’s exclusive Performance Traction Management (PTM) technology – which manages torque delivery for maximum performance – the tires set new benchmarks for Corvette performance. Engineers estimate an 8-percent gain in maximum lateral acceleration, to more than 1.1g, and improved braking distance.

 

How do you make a Magnetic Red Metallic C5 even more attention-getting? In Reginald Baker’s case, it meant adding artwork that pays homage to the United States Marine Corps, for what it did for him, during and after his eight years on active duty.

The American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila PatrA3n returns from its summer vacation at Lime Rock Park with the American Le Mans Northeast Grand Prix.

The annual VetteFest, produced on the grounds of Olde World Canterbury Village in Lake Orion, Michigan, arrives in just two days!  Every year, the sponsoring Corvette club, GMC Corvette Set, presents a fine selection of Corvettes for the viewing public in June.

There is no cost to spectators for the show, but all funds raised from registration for competition and other sources go to Leaders Dogs for the Blind.  If you can stop by, you will be treated to a nice selection of Corvettes, a gracious amount of shade, a quaint Olde English Shoppe environment, a variety of food and Corvette equipment vendors, and an opportunity to support a very worthy charity.

We have blogged on this event in the past, and CorvetteBlog will return this year to cover the event again.  See you there!

Article contributed by Steve Burns

Mecum Auctions stops in at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in St. Paul, MN this weekend for a 2 day sale that will feature about 400 cars and around a dozen Corvettes. The auction starts and 11am both Friday June 17th and Saturday June 18th. Second through fifth generation Corvettes will be offered this weekend and they breakdown as follows: 1 C2, 2 C3’s, 4 C4’s, and 1 C5. Click past the jump to check out some of our favorites being offered for sale Friday and Saturday St. Paul.

The Corvettes being offered this weekend all appear to be good driver quality cars which should elicit some completive prices and intense bidding. Below are the ones we’ll be keeping an eye on.

Lot #S93 1966 Corvette Convertible:
This nicely restored silver on black roadster has had just 2 owners since new. Power is provided by a 425hp 427CI motor mated to a four speed. The auction listing doesn’t mention if the drivetrain is matching numbers or not, but we’d sure like to know. Other features on the car include: Teak steering wheel, disc brakes, power antenna, AM/FM stereo radio, both tops, and knock-offs. The odometer shows just 32,425 miles which are believed to be actual. Documentation comes courtesy of the Protect-O-Plate. This car has lots to like: big block, convertible, 4 speed, and 2 tops. This very well could be the highest priced Corvette sold this weekend in St. Paul.

Lot #S54 1978 Silver Anniversary Coupe:
Looking to try your hand at Bloomington Benchmark or NCRS Star / Bowtie judging? Then this 2,700 mile 1978 might be just the car for you. The seller states it’s “100% original except tires…” Motivation comes from the optional L82 motor which is hooked to an automatic transmission. The oyster exterior is flanked by the standard issue 2-tone 25th anniversary paint. Some of the paperwork included with the car includes: application for title, mileage statement, inspection/delivery reports, wheel instructions, tire warranty, consumer information booklet, and the warranty card. We love unrestored cars here at CorvetteBlogger, and this appears to be a very well kept example. We’re sure others who share our opinion will have their hands in the air when this one crosses the block on Saturday.

Lot #S115 and Lot #S60 2002 Lingenfelter Z06 and 1987 Callaway Convertible.
Remember that famous scene from the movie Spinal Tap in which the band is talking about turning the amplifier up to 11 to make their music even louder? That’s basically what’s happening here with Lots S115 and S60. The base Corvettes just weren’t enough so the owners turned it up to 11 with some help from tuners Ligenfelter and Callaway. Lot S115 is a 2002 Z06 that has been massaged by the folks at Lingenfelter performance. The 1 owner, 11,000 mile car features custom paint, custom audio system, and a custom blue and black 2-tone interior. Sinister black paint finishes off the exterior. Lot S60, the 1987 Callaway is finished in Dark Red Metallic paint with Saddle Leather interior. Just 184 Callaways were built in 1987 and the owner states that this is 1 of 65 convertibles. The auction listing says the 2 owner car has never been driven in rain, has been stored in the winters, and that the top’s only been down 3 times. We’d love to have seen a manual transmission in this car, but we’re pretty sure we could live with that auto if we had to. As the aftermarket industry continues to grow, more and more cars like these will turn up for sale. Surely the respected names of Callaway and Ligenfelter will help both cars generated lots of bids when they each hit Mecum’s red carpet on Saturday.

Checkout Mecum’s website for more information on these cars and all of the other great rides for sale this weekend in St. Paul.

Source:
Mecum Collector Car Auctions

Related:
Mecum to Offer Over 180 Corvettes at Annual Indy Event
Barrett-Jackson’s Corvette Sales Total $2.47 Million at 2011 Palm Beach Auction
Mecum Sells $1.2 Million in Corvettes at Kansas City Auction

 

Speed demons: After cruising through Chambersburg, the Great Race rally teams wrapped up Tuesday evening with a stop in Hershey.

The Cosworth Vega is probably the most interesting story out of Chevrolet in the mid-’70s. Performance was at its nadir.

Tell me, is there anything more satisfying than the sound you hear when opening up your dual NPP exhaust valves under full acceleration? This custom Corvette ZR1 was surprising docile sounding under normal throttle, but once the traffic cleared in front of him, his foot hit the floor and we heard the monstrous LS9 open up in all it’s glory. The Corvette was so loud, it shocked those around it including the guy who was filming.

This video is just over a year old and with over 120K views, you can bet its already made the rounds on the forums. But that won’t stop us from sharing it with you.

The description on the youtube page says the Corvette is a ZR1 with Bassani exhaust and Kooks headers. We’re not sure how he knows that, but here is how the original poster describes the scene:

I was driving behind this Corvette Zr1, with Bassani and kooks headers, through my city in Michigan. After a couple miles, the driver must have noticed us filming his car because, he then floors the loud peddle and launches, full throttle down a hill, moving at some incredible speeds. This is the most amazing noise I have ever heard, the loudest Corvette I have ever heard, and also one of the most amazing/ beautiful cars I have ever seen. And yes, I scream out of shock when the car accelerates, its kind of funny but its pretty much a fail!

OMG indeed!

Source:
Youtube.com

Related:
Corvette Central Launches Performance Products Website
[VIDEO] Southern Car Parts Becomes an Akrapovic Exhaust Dealer
[VIDEO] Twin-Turbo 2005 Corvette on the Dyno