Autoblog

Submit your questions for Autoblog Podcast #266 LIVE

Dan Roth — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:45:00 EST

Filed under: Auctions, Etc., Chevrolet, Ford, GM, Earnings/Financials

We record Episode #266 of the Autoblog Podcast tonight, and you can drop us your questions via our Q&A module below. Check out our discussion topics or chime in to help determine what else the crew chats about this evening. Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes if you haven't already done so, and if you want to take it all in live, tune in to our UStream (audio only) channel at 10:00 PM Eastern tonight.

Discussion Topics for Autoblog Podcast Episode #266

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Submit your questions for Autoblog Podcast #266 LIVE originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevy Corvette C7 prototype spied testing!

John Neff — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 08:10:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet

The Corvette is the very definition of a halo car, and the fact that 2013 marks its sixtieth year in production is nothing short of a miracle. The seventh-generation Corvette is still a model year away, during which time Chevy plans to send off the C6 with a special edition 60th Anniversary 427 Convertible.

Development of the C7, however, continues at full speed, and we have the very first shots of a prototype being tested in cold weather to prove it. The car in question is wrapped in vinyl covering, underneath which hides the familiar black-and-white swirl paint job we see so often on prototypes. Even still, we can identify some aspects of the evolution that will take place between the C6 and C7.

For one, comparing profile shots of this prototype with the C6, it's apparent that the front wheels have moved farther forward, increasing the dash-to-axle ratio and likely the wheelbase. The rear end also appears to be larger, with a higher deck lid and slightly longer overhang. We also noticed that this prototype's side mirrors are a different shape than the C6's, and its dual tailpipes are positioned closer together to form a perfectly spaced line of four pipes.

There's no evidence of a split rear window and a mid-engine layout is clearly not in the cards. These photos should put those wild rumors to rest, but what's under the hood and how the interior has been improved are still unknowns.

Chevy Corvette C7 prototype spied testing! originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 08:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New details suggest evolutionary C7 Corvette, no split window

Chris Shunk — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Chevrolet, GM

We're as excited as anyone to see the next-generation Corvette, even if it is still a few years off. But while the C7 'Vette isn't slated to arrive until 2013 as a 2014 model, it hasn't stopped the rumormill from pumping out wild speculation. We've heard everything from a split rear window design to a turbocharged V8 engine, but according to GMInsideNews, it's all a bunch of baloney.

GMI reports that the design of the next Corvette will be more evolutionary than revolutionary. This means that the new car won't feature a standard split window, and the publication's inside sources won't confirm an optional split-window, either. GMI also reports that the rumored 5.5-liter V8 likely won't happen. Instead, word around the Interwebs is that the Corvette's base engine will still be the tried-and-true 6.2-liter V8. To no one's surprise, the mid-engine layout rumor - something that has never been corroborated to begin with - has also been debunked.

But enough of what won't happen: GMI sources do reveal that the design of the C7 'Vette will be European in nature, and the interior will receive a major - and much needed - overhaul. Materials are said to receive a bigtime update, and the Corvette's infotainment system will include a large LCD display in the gauge cluster. Several sources have also claimed that the 2014 Corvette will feature a seven-speed manual transmission for improved fuel economy.

New details suggest evolutionary C7 Corvette, no split window originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Nov 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Next Chevy Corvette to offer small-displacement turbo V8

Steven J. Ewing — Wed, 25 May 2011 17:01:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Technology, Chevrolet, GM

2012 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 - Click above for high-res image gallery

According to TheDetroitBureau.com, General Motors is planning to alter its strategy with the next-generation Corvette to appeal to a wider range of customers. Traditionally, the Corvette has always been offered with high-displacement eight-cylinder powertrains, but according to sources within GM, the C7 Corvette may also offer a small, turbocharged V8.

Just how small, exactly? TDB reports that the next Corvette's European-style V8 could measure in at just over 3.0 liters, using an overhead-cam setup and dry sump oil system. With the aid of turbocharging, unnamed GM sources expect that this engine will deliver "in excess of 400 horsepower," or about 125 hp per liter. What's more, the smaller V8 could be of the extremely high-revving nature, with TDB citing that engine revs could handle up to 10,000 RPM.

GM's North American president, Mark Reuss, previously told The Bureau that the C7 Corvette will "target a very different sort of buyer."

However, traditional V8 enthusiasts need not worry, as the story states that a full range of engines will be available, including the classic larger displacement units that have traditionally found a home in the Corvette.

Of course, the rumormill about exactly what's in store for the C7 Corvette continues to swirl. We've heard everything from a mid-engine layout to a split rear window design that pays tribute to the 1963 'Vette. Whatever the case, GM just invested $131 million in the Bowling Green, Kentucky plant that builds the Corvette and the all-new model is expected to arrive within the next two to three years.

Next Chevy Corvette to offer small-displacement turbo V8 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 May 2011 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mid-engine Corvette C7 reports surface yet again

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 11 May 2011 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet, GM, Rumormill, Design/Style

Chevrolet 50th Anniversary Corvette Stingray Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Rumors of a mid-engine C7 Corvette simply refuse to die, despite a long string of denials that such a project is in the works from a number of General Motors executives. The latest such story comes all the way from the UK, as Autocar reports that statements from GM North America president Mark Reuss hint that the next 'Vette may abandon its front engine for 2013.

As we've heard before, General Motors is also thought to be downsizing the engines used in the Corvette - possibly even switching from a V8 to a V6 - though tricks like turbocharging and direct injection would likely keep horsepower at supercar levels.

As far as styling goes, we have no idea what shape the 2013 Corvette may take. Autocar indicates the classic split-window design from the 1963 Corvette may make a comeback, and the interior, the design of which is being led by global design chief Ed Welburn himself, will be fully modern and "absolutely world class."

In any case, we're expecting big things for the Corvette C7, and we're sure the 'Vette's German and Italian rivals are just as eager to find out the details as we are.

Mid-engine Corvette C7 reports surface yet again originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 May 2011 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kentucky reportedly approves incentives for next Chevrolet Corvette - but will GM bite?

Chris Shunk — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 10:28:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Plants/Manufacturing, Chevrolet

Chevrolet Corvette Convertible Grand Sport - Click above for high-res image gallery

Last summer, there was some wild speculation that the next-generation Chevrolet Corvette could be produced at a plant other than the legendary Bowling Green, Kentucky facility that has built the iconic sports car since 1981. Not true, a General Motors spokesperson told us at the time, but a report from a Lexington, KY NBC affiliate may suggest otherwise.

The site reports that the bluegrass state has approved $7.5 million in tax incentives for a future $131 million expansion of the plant, presumably to accommodate the next-generation Corvette. That's just an offer, though, as local GM spokeswoman Andrea Hales told the affiliate that The General is considering other sites for the investment, and that the automaker has nothing to announce at this time.

Is GM giving us a hint that the C7 Corvette could be built elsewhere, or is the automaker simply holding out for more incentives from the state of Kentucky? We have no idea, but we wouldn't be surprised to learn that GM is doing its due diligence and shopping around. Corvette sales have been anemic the past couple of years, and it may not make sense to keep Bowling Green open if it's only building a vehicle that struggles to hit 1,000 sales in a given month. Top tip, Taylor!

Gallery: Review: 2010 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Convertible

Photos copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid / AOL

[Source: Lexington 18]

Kentucky reportedly approves incentives for next Chevrolet Corvette - but will GM bite? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM quells Corvette rumors: No mid-engine, maybe a hybrid [w/poll]

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, Chevrolet, Rumormill

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Concept - Click above for a new high-res image gallery

Karl Stracke, General Motors VP of global engineering, has unequivocally denied the recent rumors about a mid-engine version of the next-generation Corvette with a wet-dual-clutch transmission. Stracke spoke with editors at Automotive News and Autoweek and addressed the latest batch of rumors. For decades, speculation about what will be done with a next-generation Corvette invariably pops up almost immediately after a new model is introduced.

For example, a mid-engined Corvette has reportedly been on the cards since at least the mid-60s, thanks in part to a string of concept and experimental models of that configuration. The last Corvette-badged mid-engine concept was the 1990 CERV-III, but that hasn't stopped the speculation - especially in recent years as the Corvette has gained increased respect among the ranks of high-end sports cars. According to Stracke, "There is no mid-engine in the plans."

The same goes for a the story revealed by a Saab engineer about development of a wet DCT. Automakers are increasingly moving away from wet-clutch gearboxes to dry-clutch units because they are less expensive and more efficient. While Stracke shoots down the wet DCT, no mention is made of a dry-clutch unit... if Chevrolet follows Ferrari and Porsche down the dual-clutch path, that is almost certainly the type we will see.

Stracke also put the kibosh on a V6 Corvette. GM has already announced a direct injected small-block V8 is coming soon for its full-size pickup trucks and the Corvette will no doubt follow. Stracke did acknowledge that a hybrid is a possibility for the sports car and since competitors are going that way it wouldn't be out of place.

That said, we want to know what you think - What should power the next Corvette? Click past the break to vote in our informal poll.

Gallery: Chevrolet 50th Anniversary Corvette Stingray Concept revealed again

[Source: AutoWeek]

Continue reading GM quells Corvette rumors: No mid-engine, maybe a hybrid [w/poll]

GM quells Corvette rumors: No mid-engine, maybe a hybrid [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Aug 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Chevrolet considering twin-turbo V6 for next Corvette

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet, GM, Rumormill

Chevrolet 50th Anniversary Corvette Stingray Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Fans of classic Americana, here's yet another anniversary to keep in the back of your mind: 2013 marks the 60th anniversary of the Chevrolet Corvette. And, while we don't have to tell true Corvette aficionados this, here's another interesting little nugget of knowledge: the original version of Chevy's iconic sportscar came equipped with a six cylinder engine.

Where are we going with all of this? According to Autoweek, there is a distinct possibility that a downsized six cylinder engine will be offered in the next generation (C7, for those keeping track) of the Chevrolet Corvette, and there's an apparent push to try and get the car out the door in time to celebrate the car's 60th anniversary.

Yes, we know a downsized engine for the Corvette isn't exactly the newest rumor 'round the block - we've been hearing whisperings about the C7 'Vette since before the C6 model went public - but with the recent revelation that Saab had been working on a transmission for a twin-turbo V6-powered Corvette, it's worth sharing once again.

Gallery: Chevrolet 50th Anniversary Corvette Stingray Concept revealed again

[Source: Autoweek]

Report: Chevrolet considering twin-turbo V6 for next Corvette originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Aug 2010 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mid-engined Corvette development confirmed... by Saab engineers?!

Zach Bowman — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 15:31:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Technology, Chevrolet, Rumormill

1990 General Motors CERV III concept

Before things went all tipsy in the auto market, the engineers at General Motors were apparently hard at work on some pretty interesting projects. How interesting? How about an actual mid-engine Corvette? Autocar says that an unnamed Saab engineer confirmed that the Swedish automaker had actually been charged with developing a transmission for such a beast when the company was still under The General's wing. Evidently, the cog box used a wet clutch setup and was built to handle up to 590 lb-ft of torque. If you're keeping score at home, you'll likely note that those twist figures are just south of what the ZR1 puts to the pavement right now.

How about them apples.

As Autocar points out, that project was canned when credit went tighter than a fat man's socks, but there may be a ray of light in this whole tale. The UK publication claims that GM has fired up the burners under the C7 project one more time, and that a mid-engine chassis will indeed be part of the recipe. If you're buying what Autocar is selling - and we're not necessarily in that group - a turbo V6 will supply the car's grunt, too.

[Source: Autocar]

Mid-engined Corvette development confirmed... by Saab engineers?! originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Aug 2010 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Juechter disses car mags, claims next Corvette won't be "watered down" *UPDATED

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 10 May 2010 10:31:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Chevrolet

Corvette Chief Engineer Tadge Juechter on the next Chevrolet Corvette - Click above to watch the video

At the annual C5/C6 Bash at the Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky, Corvette chief engineer Tadge Juechter took the mic to dispel a few myths about the next-generation C7 Corvette. The first myths he addressed were those he said could be found in Automobile Magazine, and his manner of dispelling them was to give Automobile and the entire automotive print journalism industry a beatdown worthy of an MMA pay-per-view bout.

Then, having saved a few backhands and knees-to-the-gut for the Environmental Protection Agency, he preemptively addressed any erroneous ideas that CAFE requirements will emasculate the next-gen Corvette, which is still a few years away. There isn't much hard content, but it's good enough to hear him make sure everyone knows that the next Corvette will still be a suitable mascot for hairy chests. Follow the jump to watch the vid.

UPDATE: Automobile Magazine has published a response to Tadge Juechter's criticisms.

[Source: YouTube via Corvette Blogger]

Continue reading Video: Juechter disses car mags, claims next Corvette won't be "watered down" *UPDATED

Video: Juechter disses car mags, claims next Corvette won't be "watered down" *UPDATED originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 May 2010 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Next Chevrolet Corvette to resurrect iconic split-window

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:28:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet, Design/Style

It worked for the Chevrolet Camaro, so why not the Corvette? General Motors' head of global design, Ed Welburn, has reportedly told Inside Line that the C7 'Vette is going to lift the most notorious design cue from the entire line: the split rear window from the 1963 coupe. It will not, however, be the car from Transformers 2, and it will not be mid-engined.

Unlike the Camaro, the C7 doesn't need to make a splash or a styling statement beyond being the new Corvette. On one hand, we can understand that GM wants to make a statement - but why go back to the Sixties to get it? Although we dig it in the 1963 car, the split-window was a gimmick then and it would be a gimmick now, which makes it a bit of an odd move for us. America's sports car already has its adherents, and the C5 and C6 have done well for themselves with original (if evolutionary) designs. On the other hand, if Chevy can make the car hot enough - and a rear-camera helps alleviate visibility concerns) - probably we won't care what kind of glass it has. If a funky rear window treatment can work for Lamborghini's Reventón, there's no reason it can't work for the C7... right?

Gallery: Chicago 2009: Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Concept

[Source: Inside Line | Image: mashleymorgan via CC 2.0]

REPORT: Next Chevrolet Corvette to resurrect iconic split-window originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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No future for the mid-engine Corvette

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:28:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Supercars, Chevrolet, GM, Rumormill

With GM facing well-publicized challenges -- along with just about everyone else who needs a little thing called money -- certain high-profile and expensive programs are crowding up on the back burner. Even America's sports car, the Corvette, is not exempt, with CAFE regulations clouding the view inside the 'Vette Nation's crystal ball.

Motor Trend, commenting on the C7 Corvette's delayed arrival, has said that the new coupe won't appear until the 2014 model year at the earliest. The mid-engined route has also been scrapped, since it would simply cost too much to re-engineer the entire car for the purpose of easier integration of fuel saving tech like cylinder deactivation.

That means a six-cylinder is still being talked about -- by GM outsiders only, at this point -- as an option for the C7. If we take the Camaro as an example, that 2014 introduction date could mean late 2012, but that still only gives you four years to mentally prepare for a budget- and economy-minded V6 Corvette. Get cracking.

[Source: Motor Trend]

No future for the mid-engine Corvette originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Corvette C7 in holding pattern due to CAFE regs

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 12:29:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Performance, Government/Legal, Chevrolet, GM

The Impala isn't the only RWD car stuck in limbo while GM waits for the fog of new CAFE standards to lift: Motor Trend reports that now the C7 Corvette program has been put on hold, as well. We reported yesterday that the next generation C7 Corvette will bow out of the horsepower brinkmanship game and instead shed weight, engine displacement and ponies. The interim issue is that GM doesn't know what its EPA gas mileage targets are during the run-up to the 35 mpg fleet average in 2020, and those won't be sorted out until 2009. Until they are, GM is content to wait to sort out the next 'Vette, including whether or not it will retain its traditional layout, switch to a mid-engine layout or be offered as both. As a Vette owner and fan, this blogger is not against high-horse performance, but the idea of a light(er) C7 that focuses on power-to-weight and is "more fuel efficient [and] even nimbler than it was before" is an exceedingly tasty proposition.

[Source: Motor Trend]

Corvette C7 in holding pattern due to CAFE regs originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Jan 2008 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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