2012 Corvette C7

[Enzo z4]

So yes, as the world of cars just starts to relax from it's giant orgasm caused by the C6, the boys at GM are at it for the next gen. The C6 sent European car makers into fits of hysteria thinking...performance?..at a good price?

How American. Yes, indeed...how VERY American.

Although this concept isn't official, it's very close. You see, there are 3 routes GM is pondering to take for the C7:

1. Weight; Switching out current base-model steel frames to Carbon fiber, Kevlar, or a Mix.

2. Chasing Ferrari; Mid-Engined? That's what GM Vice Bob Lutz is pushing for. Mid-engined, pricier, but won't make it faster.

3. Sorry to say, they are actually thinking of basing the C7 off of the new version of the Pontiac Solstice/Saturn Sky Kappa architecture. Corvette by name only.

New Ideas:

Making Corvette a prestige brand, to offer more room and diversity. For example, taking the Porsche 911 route.

Base Corvette: Fixed-top coupe (better rigidity with no lift-off panel) and a convertible with a N/A 400-440 hp small block using latest tech..direct injection, cylinder deactivation, and variable valve timing and hybrid-assist transmission. Convertible optional. Like the Carrera coupe and cabrio.

Z06: Similar to current concept, with 500 hp from an n/a V8, manual only trans, aluminum frame, and carbon fiber fenders. Performance package suspension, tires, brakes etc. Offer a stripped-down track-spec Z06 (Le Mans anyone?) with carbon fiber hood and roof, ceramic brakes, and all those light-weight goodies. Would act like a GT3, GT3 RS, and GT2

Z07:The Uber-Vette. All-around GT with a top end of say...210?..to enable it to run with a 599GTB, but for WAY less money, of course. Big balls via 650 bhp supercharged V8 and DSG tranny, with taught handling...and a loaded leather interior. = 911 Turbo.

Some great stuff here. And along with a new C7, that means a new Caddy XLR.

-Paraphrased Article from Motor Trend's November 2007 Issue.

And here you go:

[Ravant]

If they're going mid-engine for the 'vette, as indications keep throwing at, it won't be a Kappa platform. Not with the torque of the LS3 or LS9(or whatever the supercharged LS3 will be called.) sitting in the back of that car. They'd have to longitudinally mount the motor, first of all, as to not grenade transmissions repeatedly. Then the Kappa platform would have to be extended in wheelbase and width pretty far to be able to support the Corvette's handling potential for the so-called "Z07." (Which I still say will end up with the ZR-1 nameplate.)

[NerdCore]

worst photoshop ever....The LED's are form an S6, The head lights look sooooooo TVR. The gills look like they are from a Tiburon all from a yellow Z06 starting immage...looks like shit any way you slice it

[deltaolds]

2012??? too optimistic.

[rice400]

i read that issue of motor trend today at the schools media center...

[cycocase]

The C6 sent European car makers into fits of hysteria thinking...performance?..at a good price?

Amen to that brother. Amen.

[Sphinx]

That concept just looks like a giant rip-off. Those lights are still screaming ferrari except 612 this time and now it has audi's led's in the mix as well.

[Ravant]

It's more than likely not even the real concept, it looks photoshopped.

[Penguin-Police]

Those are Carrera GT lights.

[triple-x08]

i honestly dont see it going mid engine, and i will tell you now, they will not produce anything that they have to completely revamp the entire platform. the Y body is a good sound chassis, the powerplant will be the same as now, LS3 for base models, and probably something like he said for a super vette, SS ZR-1 or Z07 whatever they call it.
the problem they will have is producing something reliable, that being a 650 hp ish engine that can run for 100k, and not be a warranty whore.

they hopefully will fix the trans issue, that being with the bearings, i see Z06's in everyday getting a trans overhaul. i dont work on the vettes, i wouldnt want to either.

i would assume that they will have a new trans setup, with the clutch and whatnot, ive seen on the future plans from the UAW on the projected plans paper work that the corvette will get a new clutch setup, whether it be dual clutch or whatever.

what you will see is something of the C6 but more refined. they already have an all aluminum unibody so they cant go any deeper with that, unless they incorporate carbon fiber into it.