PoorCollegeKid

Look at it this way: the C5 Z06 has been one of the most dominant cars in its respective SCCA autocross class and can also hang with the best of them around a track (see the recent Top Gear lap times and note that this is of the base model Corvette, albeit with an optional suspension package [IIRC]. The performance model of the Vette will be even better than this one). Why would Chevy junk a race proven suspension for something that people may believe to be better, but may or may not be in real life? Sometimes people get too caught up in terms and ideas and end up losing sight of what really matters: the end result in the real world. We've all heard a deluded Honda fanboy say something to the effect of VTEC > * at some point; saying double wishbone > * is no better than this. If Chevy's engineers feel that they can get better results with the current setup than with a new double wishbone setup, then who are we to argue? The new C6, with its 51/49 f/r weight distribution, smaller size, and lesser weight than the old C5 may very well be the best handling Corvette yet and will outhandle 99% of the other cars on the road, regardless of their suspension type. That, to me, says more than articles and arguments about the supposed superiority of the double wishbone style of suspension can ever hope to.

The Corvette's engine is already about as small and light as it can be while still producing that amount of power at the price that Chevy has set for the Corvette. In its basic form, the engine has a power:weight ratio of .899 (claimed 400hp:445lbs), which is even better than Honda's F20C (240hp:326lbs, needs 293hp to equal the LS2's power:weight), Toyota's 2ZZGE (190hp:253lbs, needs 227hp to equal LS2's p:w) or the Renesis (claimed 238hp:303lbs, needs 272 hp to equal the LS2's p:w). The small block is also compact enough that it is placed entirely behind the front axle of the Corvette, as can be seen here. The LS2's compact size, great power:weight ratio, good low end torque (important for gas mileage as it allows longer gearing and lower average revs), and high absolute output make it the engine best matched to the Corvette's balance between straightline speed, agile handling, and economy out of any engine that I've seen or read about. Barring a completely redesigned small block that is even more compact and lighter than the current one while at least maintaining its power output, the Corvette's engine will not (and should no, IMO) be changed soon.

The CAGS system sounds like a major PITA, but it can be bypassed with a simple $0.10 resistor (or can be made selectable with a more expensive kit). I, along with many others, would like to see the interior materials of the Corvette improve some, but I'd rather see the Corvette remain accessible to the average person than see it move upscale and price itself out of the means of most.

playdoh43

yeah!!! what he said...
btw poorcollegekid, what kinda car do you drive? Ive seen you on a lot of car forums. you certainly knows a lot , all of your posts have been quite entertaining and insightful

shelleys_man_06

PCK, haven't seen you around for awhile. Welcome back . Did you just call me a Honda fanboy ?

Well, you may be on to something. There is no point for GM to waste millions of dollars in R&D to redesign a new suspension for the Corvette. The transverse leaf spring front suspension is tried and true. The Corvette is by no means a car to be tampered with, suspension-wise. I have yet to see a basic lowering kit like on conventional cars. Fact is, I don't think you even need one. The Corvette's ride height is low enough already. In all necessity, all you pretty much need for performance is a stiffer spring/shock combination.

As for the new LS2, I hope GM's use of the OHV never dies. The only time they used a DOHC engine was in the ZR-1, and look how long the LT-5 lasted. I'm hard pressed to find any decent performance parts for that engine. Since it's a V8, even purchasing new camshafts is a hassle; you need four! Some may say the Gen-III or the new Gen-IV engines are archaic in design. They couldn't be more wrong. These engines may not have the benefit of variable valve timing, or multiple camshafts, but it does have one ability that supercedes all of that: raw, unmitigated power, using simple valvetrain components. I believe the OHV engine has far less moving parts than any OHC engine. There's less maintenance, and it is a hell of a lot easier to modify .

babylou

You got the first one backwards. The C6 actually weighs ~50 lbs less than the C5.

babylou

GM must have already grown a pair because the Vette suspension is already a double wishbone design. The leaf srping in the Vette has nothing in common with a truck type setup in that the Vette sping is not a structural member and it is also transversely mounted. An advantage for this transverse composite leaf spring arrangement is it is lighter. However, it is more expensive and has some hysterisis issues. Overall I think it is a design that well suited for the Vette.

BTW: The LS2 engine is externally the same size as the old LS1/LS6 engines. Also, it has been reported that thankfully the shifter feel has been significantly improved for the C6. Reports have also said the steering feel is not so good. Maybe the production versions will be an improvement. I remember the same steering issue with the RX-8 and it was solved by production time.

babylou

I do not understand the complaints about the CAGS system. It seems many people just want to bitch about GM. As far as I'm concerned all of the other manufacturers of high power cars are at fault for not having their own CAGS system. Without CAGS you would be forced to pay a ~$1,700 gas guzzler tax to buy the Vette. The Vette is the only 400+ hp car that does not have a gas guzzler tax.

GM purposely designed the CAGS system to be easily and cheaply defeated. A CAGS eliminator can be purchased for $18 and installed in 5 minutes. You simply unplug a wire harness by the tranny and plug the CAGS eliminator in between the harness and its mate.

PoorCollegeKid

I have a somewhat busy rLife, which puts a real damper on my eLife. I still know better than to think that you're a fanboy of any type

Babylou is right, the Corvette does have a double wishbone suspension. It looks like the MT article that I have forgot the short/long arm double wishbone part of the suspension when they were typing up the article. Looks like we both owe ourselves a smack in the head.

Lowering kits for the Corvette are few and far between because of the transverse leaf spring setup. This spring plays a large part in determining ride height, so it must be replaced or tampered with to lower the car any more than it already is. This is a complicated and expensive procedure, which is why the Corvette does not have a selection of lowering kits like many conventional cars do.

shelleys_man_06

Crap .

AbusiveWombat

That was a GREAT post. No car has ever impressed me more than the C5 Z06 and now the C6 nearly matches it. People definitely need to step back an look at the entire car as a whole. It's amazing how marketing can brainwash a consumer. Here's a car with leaf springs and push rods that embarasses cars that are 2-4 times more expensive....and it will get twice the gas mileage!

shigginsrx8

That was a good read. I wouldn't really say that it embarasses cars 2-4 times its price, it may keep up or surpass some of them in performance, but it sorely lacks in most every other department.

I dont find anything appealing about the corvette. I dont look at it and think about how beautiful it is, it doesnt inspire any passion within me. I have driven a Z06, and while the performance was great it just didnt have that little extra that makes me fall in love. I want my cars to have a soul, to have some character. The corvette does not, IMO, have that.

Although, I wouldnt buy a C6, i certainly respect it for what it is, cheap and very fast.

foxman

From a distance and from the front, it could be mistaken for another car that is near and dear to us. Saw the first 2005 one in a commercial tonight during the Olympics, kids mistook it for an 8 at first.

Speed-ER doc

It is, for a reason. It's not practical enough to be the primary car of a family man, so if you have kids, you have to wait until they're out of the house. And it's not cheap enough to be a second car for most of us (unlike the Miata, for example).

Therefore, many buyers are at midlife by the time it is a reasonable purchase. The only crisis is waiting until its time to get one.

titaniumgrey

nope ... dude ... acura NSX is the one your talking about .... RSX is the coupe ....


Anyways, I was about to wait for this car and buy this instead of my second rx-8 ... but just couldn't wait .... Also saw one at a autoshow. AMAZING car , I think I am going to buy one .... pretty sure ....


Oh ya .. I'm only 18 .... and I'm gonna get one ... do I have a midlife crisis ? ... I can afford one right now ...