2014 Chevrolet Corvette C7 reveal this Sunday (Jan 13)

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Skunkers said:
Agreed.

I'm going to spitball a thought though.

The more important question is going to be what kind of mid-model update will the C7 get when the new Mustang launches. I'm not a Ford fan, but objectively, Ford really took the gloves off with the 2011 update to the Mustang. The next-generation Mustang is rumored to get an IRS, a substantial reduction in curb weight (100+lb at least), and possibly a DI update to the Coyote. For the first time since pretty much ever, it looks like the next-gen GT might become a legitimate threat to the Corvette. That's speculation of course, and it probably won't actually beat the Corvette, but it could become close enough to make buyers question the price/performance difference between the two cars. And something like the Boss could actually step on toes.

The next-gen Alpha platform Camaro will see similar improvements, so I think the "pony" cars are going to be in a very interesting position vis-a-vis the Vette in a few years. The fact that both GM and Ford are considering optional twin-turbo V6's for the next Camaro/Mustang will make things even more interesting to the warranty-indifferent tuner market. Indeed, I think GM could be thrust into an uncomfortable place with the next Camaro. If Ford really delivers on the Mustang, the Camaro that can match it will be perilously close to cannibalizing Corvette marketshare; even to the point where differentiating the Camaro SS and base Corvette motor may become a necessity.

It's going to be interesting to watch, that's for sure.
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Oddly enough the Camaro market is radically younger than the Corvette market. I literally put some of that blame on the interiors and the rest on the marketing. The car itself has had broad appeal for an entire generation of cars.
 
Stinkles said:
Oddly enough the Camaro market is radically younger than the Corvette market. I literally put some of that blame on the interiors and the rest on the marketing. The car itself has had broad appeal for an entire generation of cars.
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Totally true, but the C7 is (even admitted by the designers) looking to garner interest from a younger market. GM recognized that the gold-chain-wearing Corvette market is aging to stagnation. The new more European styling, tech goodies, and even placement in GT5 are calculated moves to find younger buyers.
 
The only thing I can think of that I don't like about the car is the steering wheel.

Well, that and the non-round tail lights.
 
Angry Grimace said:
The only thing I can think of that I don't like about the car is the steering wheel.

Well, that and the non-round tail lights.
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Hardly a major achievement, but it's infinitely superior to the old Malibu hand-me-down.

I wasn't a fan at first, but I'm mostly over the taillights now. They integrate well with the rest of the design, and honestly, the circular exhaust pipes look more out of place amid the edges and creases in the back. I only wish they could have found a way to keep the glass hatch, but other than that, I've got no complaints.

GM seems to have made all the right moves with the new 'Vette; it comes across as a much more complete package. I won't be in the market for a second car for a couple of years, but when the need for a weekend/back-road toy comes up, the C7 could well be near the top of the list. Much as I respected them, I'd have never considered one of its predecessors.
 
I've had the pleasure of driving around a lot of Vettes in my day. Used to work at a Chevy dealership and anytime a tech needed the engine warmed up for an emission test I got to go out for about a 45 minute joy ride. Kind of miss those days.
 
Skunkers said:
the Camaro that can match it will be perilously close to cannibalizing Corvette marketshare; even to the point where differentiating the Camaro SS and base Corvette motor may become a necessity.
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GM would probably rather have that lost Corvette sale be a Camaro and not a Mustang, much like Apple would prefer that lost MacBook sale be an iPad and not an Acer. But I agree, it should be interesting.

It's upside-down day on the internet, I used a tech analogy for cars.
 
Skunkers said:
Agreed.

I'm going to spitball a thought though.

The more important question is going to be what kind of mid-model update will the C7 get when the new Mustang launches. I'm not a Ford fan, but objectively, Ford really took the gloves off with the 2011 update to the Mustang. The next-generation Mustang is rumored to get an IRS, a substantial reduction in curb weight (100+lb at least), and possibly a DI update to the Coyote. For the first time since pretty much ever, it looks like the next-gen GT might become a legitimate threat to the Corvette. That's speculation of course, and it probably won't actually beat the Corvette, but it could become close enough to make buyers question the price/performance difference between the two cars. And something like the Boss could actually step on toes.

The next-gen Alpha platform Camaro will see similar improvements, so I think the "pony" cars are going to be in a very interesting position vis-a-vis the Vette in a few years. The fact that both GM and Ford are considering optional twin-turbo V6's for the next Camaro/Mustang will make things even more interesting to the warranty-indifferent tuner market. Indeed, I think GM could be thrust into an uncomfortable place with the next Camaro. If Ford really delivers on the Mustang, the Camaro that can match it will be perilously close to cannibalizing Corvette marketshare; even to the point where differentiating the Camaro SS and base Corvette motor may become a necessity.

It's going to be interesting to watch, that's for sure.
Click to expand...

The 2013 Mustang has a steel frame and body and weighs 3,600lbs. That's all that really needs to be said. It's a muscle car, and so is the Camaro. Ford would need to completely redesign the car from the ground up to compete with the Corvette.
 
weekend_warrior said:
The 2013 Mustang has a steel frame and body and weighs 3,600lbs. That's all that really needs to be said. It's a muscle car, and so is the Camaro. Ford would need to completely redesign the car from the ground up to compete with the Corvette.
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There's a new Mustang inbound for 2015, which will be lighter, have an IRS, and more power, which is what my whole post was about...
 
Skunkers said:
There's a new Mustang inbound for 2015, which will be lighter, have an IRS, and more power, which is what my whole post was about...
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Yes, but what I'm saying is the Mustang needs far more then an IRS to be comparable to the Corvette. The 2015 is still going to be steel frame and body, it's still going to be heavy, and it's still going to be a muscle car, so unless Ford completely re-tools what it means to be a Mustang it won't be in the same league as a Corvette.
 
weekend_warrior said:
Yes, but what I'm saying is the Mustang needs far more then an IRS to be comparable to the Corvette. The 2015 is still going to be steel frame and body, it's still going to be heavy, and it's still going to be a muscle car, so unless Ford completely re-tools what it means to be a Mustang it won't be in the same league as a Corvette.
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Yeah. It'll still be designed to have a back seat (even if they do a Boss version without seats again).
 
dark10x said:
What do you mean? It looks fantastic and is a huge step up from anything they've done previously.
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I'm just saying that the interior looks cheap and tacky. Sure it's alot better than what's been offered in earlier revisions of Corvette, but that's not really saying much.

*Audiqualityspoilt*
 
GRIP said:
I've had the pleasure of driving around a lot of Vettes in my day. Used to work at a Chevy dealership and anytime a tech needed the engine warmed up for an emission test I got to go out for about a 45 minute joy ride. Kind of miss those days.
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Ridiculous. Nothing worse than dropping off my car and having some little shit joyride in it.
 
weekend_warrior said:
Yes, but what I'm saying is the Mustang needs far more then an IRS to be comparable to the Corvette. The 2015 is still going to be steel frame and body, it's still going to be heavy, and it's still going to be a muscle car, so unless Ford completely re-tools what it means to be a Mustang it won't be in the same league as a Corvette.
Click to expand...

Not really. And the question isn't so much the Mustang itself, but the Camaro competing with the Mustang nudging to close to the Corvette's performance. It depends how extensive the weight reduction is, but the C6 sits around ~3250-3350lbs. The C7 I understand will be about 100lbs less, so ~3150-3250-ish lb, roundabouts. For comparison, the ATS V6 which rides on the Alpha platform the next Camaro will be on is at 3460lb. That's the heaviest RWD version of the ATS. A Camaro on that platform should make that weight, especially assuming less heavy luxury equipment/sound deadening. And I'm guessing the LT1 is lighter than the DOHC V6 in the ATS as well. Even if we say GM fucks it up and adds 100lbs you're looking at a much smaller weight differential between the next C7/next Camaro than the C6/5th gen. Both the Camaro and 2011+ Mustang ride on serious performance suspensions and are extremely capable handlers at their current respective curb weights, they are not the muscle cars of yore... or even the muscle cars of 5 years ago.
 
I kinda want Chevy to make a hot hatch. I know there's a Sonic RS, but Ford has the Focus ST and Fiesta ST, Chrysler has the Fiat 500 Abarth, and there's the VW GTI and Mini Cooper S.
 
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