We all know the Corvette as North America's supercar, but international trendsetter?
11-14-2014, 10:11 AM
#1
Supporting Tuner
Thread Starter
We all know the Corvette as North America's supercar, but international trendsetter?
To save weight (approximately 1.1 pounds) and reduce complexity, the new Corvette uses a smart material wire to operate a cabin vent in the cargo area that required a motorized actuator on previous models. Triggered by the opening of the hatch, heat generated by an electrical current similar to that of a interior courtesy lamp is used to contract a wire, thereby moving a lever that opens the vent, letting air escape to reduce cabin pressure and make shutting the lid easier. Once the hatch is closed, the current cuts off, the wire returns to its original shape, and a return spring closes the vent to maintain cabin temperature.
GM has earned 247 patents for smart materials such as this over five years of research and development, and it figures there are approximately 200 motorized systems in the typical vehicle that could be replaced with smart materials. Typically made of copper-aluminum-nickel or nickel-titanium, smart materials can change their shape, strength, and/or stiffness when acted upon by heat, stress, a magnetic field, or voltage, and return to their original shape when the trigger is deactivated.
11-14-2014, 10:28 AM
#2
Safety Car
Member Since: Oct 2012
Location: Austin Texas
Posts: 4,794
Received 676 Likes
on
480 Posts
St. Jude Donor '15
If it is so smart why do you have to slam the deck lid?
The C6 had a nice closing system, and at about 1 pound it is 16 ounces that should have worked its way onto the new platform. Save weight some where else, lighter material for the exhaust system maybe. Or just a louder stock exhaust, no NPP.
The C6 had a nice closing system, and at about 1 pound it is 16 ounces that should have worked its way onto the new platform. Save weight some where else, lighter material for the exhaust system maybe. Or just a louder stock exhaust, no NPP.
11-14-2014, 10:32 AM
#3
Supporting Tuner
Thread Starter
If it is so smart why do you have to slam the deck lid?
The C6 had a nice closing system, and at about 1 pound it is 16 ounces that should have worked its way onto the new platform. Save weight some where else, lighter material for the exhaust system maybe. Or just a louder stock exhaust, no NPP.
The C6 had a nice closing system, and at about 1 pound it is 16 ounces that should have worked its way onto the new platform. Save weight some where else, lighter material for the exhaust system maybe. Or just a louder stock exhaust, no NPP.
11-14-2014, 10:56 AM
#4
epic fail.....sounds hi tech....miserable failure imo
11-14-2014, 12:39 PM
#5
Safety Car
GM has had a lot of cool innovations over the years, Some successful, some not so much. This one unfortunately failed, it does not sufficiently relieve pressure to allow the hatch to close easily.
GM put out a lot of publicity last year about this innovative feature but quit talking about it after customer dissatisfaction surfaced. If they want to avoid the expense and complexity of a hatch pull down motor perhaps they should just program the windows to drop a couple inches when the hatch is open.
Since 1963 there have been a number of Corvette models with rear weight bias but GM has now chosen to advertise it. Their statement that the C7 is the first is inaccurate.
GM put out a lot of publicity last year about this innovative feature but quit talking about it after customer dissatisfaction surfaced. If they want to avoid the expense and complexity of a hatch pull down motor perhaps they should just program the windows to drop a couple inches when the hatch is open.
Since 1963 there have been a number of Corvette models with rear weight bias but GM has now chosen to advertise it. Their statement that the C7 is the first is inaccurate.
11-14-2014, 01:16 PM
#6
Supporting Tuner
Thread Starter
I can honestly say that the C7 is LIGHT YEARS better than the C6 IMO. The C7 reconfirmed my love of the crossed flags! 
You still can't fit anything back there...so why open it lol
You still can't fit anything back there...so why open it lol
Last edited by Livernois Motorsports; 11-14-2014 at 01:18 PM.
11-14-2014, 01:17 PM
#7
Supporting Tuner
Thread Starter
GM has had a lot of cool innovations over the years, Some successful, some not so much. This one unfortunately failed, it does not sufficiently relieve pressure to allow the hatch to close easily.
GM put out a lot of publicity last year about this innovative feature but quit talking about it after customer dissatisfaction surfaced. If they want to avoid the expense and complexity of a hatch pull down motor perhaps they should just program the windows to drop a couple inches when the hatch is open.
Since 1963 there have been a number of Corvette models with rear weight bias but GM has now chosen to advertise it. Their statement that the C7 is the first is inaccurate.
GM put out a lot of publicity last year about this innovative feature but quit talking about it after customer dissatisfaction surfaced. If they want to avoid the expense and complexity of a hatch pull down motor perhaps they should just program the windows to drop a couple inches when the hatch is open.
Since 1963 there have been a number of Corvette models with rear weight bias but GM has now chosen to advertise it. Their statement that the C7 is the first is inaccurate.
The C7 is just the second-ever production Corvette with a rear weight bias.
Although Chevrolet claims a straight-up 50/50 weight distribution, our scales demonstrated a rearward weight bias, with 49.4 percent sitting over the front axle and 50.6 to the rear. That makes it and the C2 the only Corvettes to tip the scales to the stern. (And, yes, we’re aware the C6.R competition Corvette also did so; we’re talking strictly production models.)
11-14-2014, 04:49 PM
#8
The C7 is just the second-ever production Corvette with a rear weight bias.
Although Chevrolet claims a straight-up 50/50 weight distribution, our scales demonstrated a rearward weight bias, with 49.4 percent sitting over the front axle and 50.6 to the rear. That makes it and the C2 the only Corvettes to tip the scales to the stern. (And, yes, we’re aware the C6.R competition Corvette also did so; we’re talking strictly production models.)
Although Chevrolet claims a straight-up 50/50 weight distribution, our scales demonstrated a rearward weight bias, with 49.4 percent sitting over the front axle and 50.6 to the rear. That makes it and the C2 the only Corvettes to tip the scales to the stern. (And, yes, we’re aware the C6.R competition Corvette also did so; we’re talking strictly production models.)
they went to heroic length to center
the mass in the wheelbase.
I sing their praise for it...
11-14-2014, 06:30 PM
#11
Pro
To save weight (approximately 1.1 pounds) and reduce complexity, the new Corvette uses a smart material wire to operate a cabin vent in the cargo area that required a motorized actuator on previous models. Triggered by the opening of the hatch, heat generated by an electrical current similar to that of a interior courtesy lamp is used to contract a wire, thereby moving a lever that opens the vent, letting air escape to reduce cabin pressure and make shutting the lid easier. Once the hatch is closed, the current cuts off, the wire returns to its original shape, and a return spring closes the vent to maintain cabin temperature.
GM has earned 247 patents for smart materials such as this over five years of research and development, and it figures there are approximately 200 motorized systems in the typical vehicle that could be replaced with smart materials. Typically made of copper-aluminum-nickel or nickel-titanium, smart materials can change their shape, strength, and/or stiffness when acted upon by heat, stress, a magnetic field, or voltage, and return to their original shape when the trigger is deactivated.
11-14-2014, 06:57 PM
#12
Team Owner
As you know the later C6 Z06's gained weight but most of it was at the rear of the car. The beefed up TR6060 in my 09 Z06 weighs more than the 06's T56, the beefed up differential, and axles weigh more than those in the 06 and the added sound deadening was in the rear of my Z06. That means my 09 would have even greater rear bias than the 06's 49.3/50.7. Even the later Z06's had an optional CF hood and CF roof panel that shifted the weight of the car rearward, beating the C7's weight distribution even more.
Do you have any proof that the C7 beats those numbers? All I can find is that the base C7 is 50.5/49.5, the Z51 is 51/49 and the C7 Z06 is 51.5/48.5.
Oh, in addition to the C2, the 1968 C3 with a 327/350HP had a weight distribution of 49/51 with the driver on board according to a R&T road test back then.
I have no problem carrying everything I need to fit back there, including a short step stool and a bucket full of car cleaning supplies with a bunch of old towels, a fairly large cooler, a duffle bag full of tools including a jack, and enough clothes for a 15 day 6414 mile road trip, without having to stop at a laundrymat to wash clothes. During the past three years I have driven in 32 states in my Z06 without having to ship clothes, etc. ahead of me to the various motels because of "limited" space in the rear of my car.
I have another car to use when I need to carry some 8' lumber home from Lowes.
Last edited by JoesC5; 11-14-2014 at 08:14 PM.
11-14-2014, 07:06 PM
#13
Drifting
11-14-2014, 07:07 PM
#14
Advanced
Member Since: Sep 2014
Location: Hershey PA - Pennsylvania
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
1 Post
If it is so smart why do you have to slam the deck lid?
The C6 had a nice closing system, and at about 1 pound it is 16 ounces that should have worked its way onto the new platform. Save weight some where else, lighter material for the exhaust system maybe. Or just a louder stock exhaust, no NPP.
The C6 had a nice closing system, and at about 1 pound it is 16 ounces that should have worked its way onto the new platform. Save weight some where else, lighter material for the exhaust system maybe. Or just a louder stock exhaust, no NPP.
11-14-2014, 10:01 PM
#15
Team Owner
I laugh when people bring up weight bias, what good is having 50/50 when the fuel tank is empty and there's no driver, change both those and you can kiss your 50/50 goodbye. 
11-15-2014, 09:48 AM
#16
Supporting Tuner
Thread Starter
I'm pretty sure my C6 Z06 has a rear weight bias and it utilizes a low tech vent that opens to relieve the air pressure when shutting the hatch. According to Dave Hill at the NCM Birthday bash April,2005, the 2006 Z06 has a 49.3/50.7 weight distribution with no driver. With a 180 pound driver aboard, it becomes 49.7/50.3.
As you know the later C6 Z06's gained weight but most of it was at the rear of the car. The beefed up TR6060 in my 09 Z06 weighs more than the 06's T56, the beefed up differential, and axles weigh more than those in the 06 and the added sound deadening was in the rear of my Z06. That means my 09 would have even greater rear bias than the 06's 49.3/50.7. Even the later Z06's had an optional CF hood and CF roof panel that shifted the weight of the car rearward, beating the C7's weight distribution even more.
Do you have any proof that the C7 beats those numbers? All I can find is that the base C7 is 50.5/49.5, the Z51 is 51/49 and the C7 Z06 is 51.5/48.5.
Oh, in addition to the C2, the 1968 C3 with a 327/350HP had a weight distribution of 49/51 with the driver on board according to a R&T road test back then.
I have no problem carrying everything I need to fit back there, including a short step stool and a bucket full of car cleaning supplies with a bunch of old towels, a fairly large cooler, a duffle bag full of tools including a jack, and enough clothes for a 15 day 6414 mile road trip, without having to stop at a laundrymat to wash clothes. During the past three years I have driven in 32 states in my Z06 without having to ship clothes, etc. ahead of me to the various motels because of "limited" space in the rear of my car.
I have another car to use when I need to carry some 8' lumber home from Lowes.
As you know the later C6 Z06's gained weight but most of it was at the rear of the car. The beefed up TR6060 in my 09 Z06 weighs more than the 06's T56, the beefed up differential, and axles weigh more than those in the 06 and the added sound deadening was in the rear of my Z06. That means my 09 would have even greater rear bias than the 06's 49.3/50.7. Even the later Z06's had an optional CF hood and CF roof panel that shifted the weight of the car rearward, beating the C7's weight distribution even more.
Do you have any proof that the C7 beats those numbers? All I can find is that the base C7 is 50.5/49.5, the Z51 is 51/49 and the C7 Z06 is 51.5/48.5.
Oh, in addition to the C2, the 1968 C3 with a 327/350HP had a weight distribution of 49/51 with the driver on board according to a R&T road test back then.
I have no problem carrying everything I need to fit back there, including a short step stool and a bucket full of car cleaning supplies with a bunch of old towels, a fairly large cooler, a duffle bag full of tools including a jack, and enough clothes for a 15 day 6414 mile road trip, without having to stop at a laundrymat to wash clothes. During the past three years I have driven in 32 states in my Z06 without having to ship clothes, etc. ahead of me to the various motels because of "limited" space in the rear of my car.
I have another car to use when I need to carry some 8' lumber home from Lowes.
11-15-2014, 09:50 AM
#17
Supporting Tuner
Thread Starter
11-15-2014, 10:01 AM
#18
Supporting Tuner
Thread Starter
The sound of pure power is crazy...ours is a head, cam, header, tune, intake and exhaust car. And when you really put your foot into it you feel like you're coming out of the hairpin at Laguna Seca racing towards the finish line!
11-15-2014, 10:13 AM
#19
Supporting Tuner
Thread Starter