2500 lb C7 Corvette possible?
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
Member Since: Feb 2011
Location: Katy TX
Posts: 358
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Houston Events Coordinator
2500 lb C7 Corvette possible?
A 2500 pound weight Corvette will go a long way to giving the C7 a phenomenal new lease on life. Many benefits will accrue to a high-powered sports car with weight near that number. Decreasing Lbs per HP is probably the cleanest path to improve overall performance. Side benefits are improved gas consumption improved tire wear, even smaller tires will yield slot-car like traction on curves. And with less weight there may be considerably less stress on most stressed components.
What kind of weight target has been mentioned for the C7. Or do we have to wait for the C8 to get real on weight?
I know there have been thousands of legislated federal rules over the last 40 years which impact weight in all cars, but I can't seem to forget how phenomenally a 1969 Lotus Elan I once owned handled, and that car weighed around 1,750 lbs (less after I removed the seat belts lol). In my mind this would be a goal worthy of our best engineers' best efforts.
What kind of weight target has been mentioned for the C7. Or do we have to wait for the C8 to get real on weight?
I know there have been thousands of legislated federal rules over the last 40 years which impact weight in all cars, but I can't seem to forget how phenomenally a 1969 Lotus Elan I once owned handled, and that car weighed around 1,750 lbs (less after I removed the seat belts lol). In my mind this would be a goal worthy of our best engineers' best efforts.
#3
The Miata is a unibody car. It's not a car with lightweight technology but just a small car with traditional construction.
The Lotus Elise is about the same size as the Miata and it comes in at about 2000 pounds. It has an aluminum frame in tall cross sections and a fiberglass bodywork.
The Corvette has a hydroformed steel girder frame (in tall cross section) and a fiberglass bodywork.
The Z06 Corvette has a hydroformed aluminum girder frame (in tall cross section) and a fiberglass bodywork.
And so the Corvette will pretty much be okay if it doesn't change its current construction type.
However the Corvette could improve fuel mileage, while keeping the V8, but going to the Northstar engine.
The Lotus Elise is about the same size as the Miata and it comes in at about 2000 pounds. It has an aluminum frame in tall cross sections and a fiberglass bodywork.
The Corvette has a hydroformed steel girder frame (in tall cross section) and a fiberglass bodywork.
The Z06 Corvette has a hydroformed aluminum girder frame (in tall cross section) and a fiberglass bodywork.
And so the Corvette will pretty much be okay if it doesn't change its current construction type.
However the Corvette could improve fuel mileage, while keeping the V8, but going to the Northstar engine.
Last edited by B Stead; 07-01-2012 at 10:12 PM.
#4
Le Mans Master
The Lotus Elise also had under 200hp, cost as much as a Corvette, was unrealistic as a daily driver for most people, and IIRC only came to the US with special exemption from 2.5mph bumper standards.
#5
The Consigliere
Member Since: May 2006
Location: 2023 Z06 & 2010 ZR1
Posts: 22,243
Received 5,423 Likes
on
2,268 Posts
I don't see the Northstar engine coming back.
And C7 will be doing quite well to hit the ground around 3,100 at its debut.
Perhaps if carbon fiber production techniques continue to push the time and cost of that product down, we'll be able to see more use of it in the Vette down the road, which would help.
And C7 will be doing quite well to hit the ground around 3,100 at its debut.
Perhaps if carbon fiber production techniques continue to push the time and cost of that product down, we'll be able to see more use of it in the Vette down the road, which would help.
#6
But the only smaller engines with good balance are the inline-six and the boxer-six.
Well, the Lincoln LS had a 32-valve V8 at 3.9L size. The 32-valve Northstar sitting in my garage with 185,000 miles on it is 4.6L size.
Considering the Corvette's very good construction type, one way to lower weight would be the 98" wheelbase that I suggested in another subject.
But Bowling Green is doing a $131 million dollar refitting and we don't yet know what that means for the Corvette.
Last edited by B Stead; 07-01-2012 at 10:10 PM.
#7
But the Corvette does have a better power-to-weight ratio than the Elise. However, the Elise can do quarter mile times in the 13's.
A relative of the Elise, the 2-Eleven, makes 1477 pounds weight in road trim. So the Elise is not really that sparten even though it weighs 500 pounds less than a MX-5.
#8
Le Mans Master
The OP has too much time on his hands and is just stirring the pot. He knows, as we all do, that anything even at 3,000 pounds is unrealistic or unlikely, let alone 2,500 pounds.
#9
Le Mans Master
After you live with one in daily use for a while, come on back and tell us all about it.
#10
I want a 3000 pound Corvette with 98" wheelbase and a 32-valve Northstar engine. Also, a 47.7" roof height.
Last edited by B Stead; 07-01-2012 at 10:18 PM.
#11
Le Mans Master
As to your latter point; don't hold your breath.
#12
Ladies and Gentlemen....announcing the new 700 hp 572 ci COMPLETELY CARBON FIBER MOTOR in the new C7 Corvette!!! Weighing in at a measly 150 lbs, this new motor is showcased in Jay Leno's new C7 AWD, 4 seater, weighing in at a total 2743 lbs! MSRP $498,000
#13
Le Mans Master
Thanks for that.
#14
Racer
Thread Starter
Member Since: Feb 2011
Location: Katy TX
Posts: 358
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Houston Events Coordinator
That's rich! literally at $498K....
#15
Burning Brakes
Member Since: Jun 2008
Location: Salem Ohio
Posts: 827
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The interesting thing I think is that the new Cadillac ATS comes in at 3200 pounds. That is pretty stinken light for a sedan. However, this has nothing to do with a corvette.
#16
Yeah, and a few years from now the GM small block V8 will produce over 800 hp and weight 110 lbs. A few years from now people will also still barf at the idea of a V6 in a Corvette.
#17
Le Mans Master
If the Corvette weighed less then it could have a smaller engine and transmission while keeping its power-to-weight ratio.
But the only smaller engines with good balance are the inline-six and the boxer-six.
Well, the Lincoln LS had a 32-valve V8 at 3.9L size. The 32-valve Northstar sitting in my garage with 185,000 miles on it is 4.6L size.
Considering the Corvette's very good construction type, one way to lower weight would be the 98" wheelbase that I suggested in another subject.
But Bowling Green is doing a $131 million dollar refitting and we don't yet know what that means for the Corvette.
But the only smaller engines with good balance are the inline-six and the boxer-six.
Well, the Lincoln LS had a 32-valve V8 at 3.9L size. The 32-valve Northstar sitting in my garage with 185,000 miles on it is 4.6L size.
Considering the Corvette's very good construction type, one way to lower weight would be the 98" wheelbase that I suggested in another subject.
But Bowling Green is doing a $131 million dollar refitting and we don't yet know what that means for the Corvette.
z51vett
#18
Le Mans Master
z51vett
#19
Racer
Thread Starter
Member Since: Feb 2011
Location: Katy TX
Posts: 358
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Houston Events Coordinator
The new C7 (ok not really): 2,300 lbs and a V-12...sure it's a one-off probably built by a rich man and the design is well.... special, I guess Chevy can't beat this and meet government regs at the same time is what I hear people saying. If you give this thing one more foot in length you can probably have almost as much storage space as in the Vert's trunk (note the space behind the seats in one of the photos).
As to can't live with them and they're "uncivilized" I guess that's up to you. I lived with my Elan for 2 years, drove it all over, made interstate trips and never felt I was lacking space....... maybe because that's what sports cars were back then. I finally let it go when I bashed it into an unmovable object...
http://www.moal.com/04_gallery/11gatto/index.php
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/12/m...powered-gatto/
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/26/au...pagewanted=all
And Shank has a good point there, I'm anticipating that the ATS will break some old preconceptions about what America can build..... but we'll see. I hope Chevy engineers are as innovative on the C7 as the Caddy ones appear to be.
As to can't live with them and they're "uncivilized" I guess that's up to you. I lived with my Elan for 2 years, drove it all over, made interstate trips and never felt I was lacking space....... maybe because that's what sports cars were back then. I finally let it go when I bashed it into an unmovable object...
http://www.moal.com/04_gallery/11gatto/index.php
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/12/m...powered-gatto/
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/26/au...pagewanted=all
And Shank has a good point there, I'm anticipating that the ATS will break some old preconceptions about what America can build..... but we'll see. I hope Chevy engineers are as innovative on the C7 as the Caddy ones appear to be.
#20
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Jul 2000
Location: North Dallas 40 TX
Posts: 6,449
Received 4,373 Likes
on
2,065 Posts
Perhaps my ownership of the Elise allows me to be a lot more appreciative of the posh current Corvette interior.