tws

I agree! I would buy a c7 z06 convertible pewter with black top or machine silver with black top!

Gadfly

First I want to say that so far, I am extremely impressed with both the C7 Stingray, and now this Z06 looks simply fantastic; I am very glad I delayed my stingray purchase long enough to see what the Z06 had in store, and GM certainly has delivered, and delivered in a BIG way.

That said.. while I agree that an automated paddle shifted transmission is a good thing, and what I want, the fact that it is still a traditional automatic with a torque converter is really less than ideal...and I certainly have some concerns that need to be cleared up before I will choose which transmission to order, or maybe if to order the car.

GM may say that it "upshifts faster than pdk at WOT" What does that mean? how was that timed? From time the paddle is depressed? Honestly.. I doubt it. Most likely GM is timing it from the time the mechanical gear change starts until it completes, Not from the time the paddle is depressed. Even in the XF, which arguably has the best performance automatic on the market today, there is a noticeable delays and can get pretty lazy on the downshifts compared to a good DCT or semi-automatic manual.

In my opinion that is really the biggest factor, and is what will determine how good, or how bad this transmission is. How it drives. If it is better than the ZF, quick and responsive giving instant up and down shifts in all situations on demand like a good DCT; I am in. If it does not, well.. that makes it tough.. I would like the performance benefits of a paddle shifted car, but I would have go for the manual. A lazy automatic, even one as good as the ZF would make me absolutely insane. Or I could wait for a better transmission option, or purchase something different.

There are some smaller concerns.. Such as the parasitic losses compared to a true manual. DCT's and especially semi-automatic manuals don't really produce any additional parasitic losses over their manual counterparts; A claim which this automatic is not likely to share due to the dumbell torque converter... so we will have to wait for someone to do a back to back dyno and performance testing to compare the two.

Finally the question of heat generation and cooling capacity during long track sessions will be a concern, though honestly a small one. It appears a great deal of thought and engineering has gone into cooling, and I suspect that GM has this pretty well covered.

Given all of the patents GM has filed for their in development DCT's, I am personally of the opinion that the only reason there is a torque converter in the Z06 (and possibly even the Stingray) is same reason the 2014 stingray has the carry over C6 Auto: Because the DCT is simply not ready yet. We know it is in development, we just don't know when they will be done with it... MY2016?19?18? Who knows...

I think in a few years when the DCT is complete and GM starts stuffing them in Corvettes they will be sure to hold a flashy release, point out how great it is compared to this 8 spd auto; and drop short unspecific marketing claims like "It up-shifts faster than a PDK at WOT". They will tell us all of the advantages it carries and sell it to us... Just like they are doing with this soon-to-be-shared with the Silverado automatic. It is a sales pitch. I will take the spin with a grain (or a small rock) of salt until at least some real details are released, it can be independently tested and I can drive one, until then I remain skeptical, yet open minded.

glass slipper

How do you think DCTs or automated manuals shift??? Magical pixie dust? It takes energy provided by the engine to make those shifts. In spite of your inability to think of how they accomplish their shifts, there are additional parasitic losses over their manual counterparts. A DCT has multi-plate wet clutches hydraulically applied/released just like an automatic therefore it has a hydraulic pump just like an automatic.

Once again, this is a modern day automatic with many electronic controls and that applies to the pump too. The 8L90 has a vane pump with volume and pressure controls. When the computer senses low demand for fluid, the cam ring for the pump is shifted by a small piston which reduces the volume. When the computer senses a low demand for pressure, there is a computer controlled solenoid valve which reduces the pressure. In the world of hydraulics, the HP required to drive a pump is given by the general equation HP=PSI*GPM*.0007...reduce PSI and GPM and you reduce the parasitic losses. Once again, this is not an automatic from the '60s, this is a very modern computer controlled transmission...welcome to the 21st Century. The parasitic losses will be very close to a DCT if not better.

In spite of your claim otherwise, you are still very close minded. I will say I see the door creaking open...open it all the way, get some very technical books, and read about modern day automatics.

JerriVette

Not concerned about peoples. Hate .....when the new A8 outperforms the manual transmission on the road course it's all over.

I've been driving manual cars for over 30 years....my present corvette is a manual. I love driving it.....but push comes to shove if the A8 version of the z06 Is just as fast as the manual on the road course it's all over.

Mr Ruess said the automatic A8 version was a no compromise alternative to the manual transmission version...then that's where I'll be heading for my next corvette...

The lift off roof also helps seal the deal.

Gm is smart giving the customer what he or she wants and still offering ultimate performance...

The manual transmission I am sure is awesome with rev match and if the automatic A8 doesn't live up to the hype...the m7 version will be in my garage instead

vettesweetnos

All the arguing and bickering about manual vs auto for no reason. It is great to have the choice because now I will be purchasing this Z. And for a reason that no one ever seems to think of. At 6'6" 260 lbs. broad shoulders and big legs and feet I can finally drive a Z06. I fit comfortably in the c6 Z but did not have the foot room to shift proper with size 16 shoes. Now I do not have to worry about that. Thank you GM.

Rkreigh

the auto looks like a very strong gear box and will work great with the supercharged engine. should be faster and help the driveline survive the big torque

real test will be to see if it can lap faster on the road course,and my bet is that it will be very competative with the stick and crush it at the drag strip

when you are up on the boost, why take your foot off the throttle?

while many have perfected the fine art of power shifting, it's certainly NICE to have the option for an auto.

my hope is that the "automatic operation" shifting is not too brutal. the programing on the 6spd was not "right" until the later years and then IMHO it's actually really good.

last paddle shifted car I rode in was a lightly modified Grand sport and it certainly shifted very well with the paddles. I was impressed.

tws

This is why I will probably get the auto as well. I hope there is a 1lt type as the base car. I don't need the hud memory and power seats. Data recorder and upgraded Bose stereo.

mcandrew67

I am very happy to see the 8 spd auto going into the new Z. I think I just may be getting one in White
I know it is not a DCT, but if the shift timing is there, it is there. I tracked my A6, C6, I added a transmission cooler and I never had a problem with it overheating on a road coarse. So I don't expect the Z to have an issue with over heating either.
The guys who say it isn't a "real" sports car with an auto, are probably the same guys who still have a rotary dial phone at home.
I can drive a manual, and have owned plenty, personally I prefer paddle shifting.

jimmyb

That's it buster. Can you quit with the FACTS already. You're going on "Ignore".

I couldn't agree with you more. Mention "torque converter" and all these "engineers" start talking "transmission 101" from the 1960's (or earlier). I guess the fuel injection on a C7 is the same as on a "fuelie"

Jimmy

QUAKEJAKE

Have you sat in a C7. To me its as tight as a C4. That's not a bad thing.

LFZ

I sense this new 8L90E will be a thing of beauty...hard and fast shifts, no drop in RPMs, and no lag. I just hope its not like the paddle shifting experience in the C6, because that was rather lethargic and boring.

Dkarr

As a young guy (early 30s) I think that the auto is an awesome move and one that I've been waiting on for a while. I've driven several Porsches with the PDK and WOW, they are fantastic. The best of both worlds and when it comes to track times there is no equal. I don't really care that this auto is a "traditional" one with a torque converter, I'm sure the Vette team has engineered it to compete with the worlds best or it wouldn't be in the car. Bravo Chevy for joining the 21st century with the other world leaders.

Honestly, the one thing I was a little disappointed about was the fact this car is supercharged instead of having a high revving naturally aspirated power plant (which is more synonymous with what I consider "track cars"). But hey, as long as it performs as they say then I don't really care.

I think the car is wonderful. Congrats Chevy for getting it right!

Bigsquat

I have never owned a Z because I refuse to ever purchase another car with a manual transmission. My choice. I didn't cry about it and bought what was available to me though I admit to being a little jealous of the Z car owners I would meet. Now GM has made it possible for me and I expect a lot of other like me to purchase and enjoy their halo car. The morons can call me all the names they want but I am pretty sure proving ones manliness has nothing to do with shifting a transmission. As for fun, driving fast while drinking my tea and eating a sandwhich is a lot more fun and incidentally takes a lot more skill than pushing in a pedal and moving a lever around. I'll be driving through the twisties with 625+ hp and greasy fingers. God Bless America and good Italian deli's everywhere.

mte.smiles

Well put Sir. Total agreement.

sam90lx

I'm just glad the Z06 has an Auto finally!

PeterM

My 2009 ZO6 was one of my favorite all time cars. I got screwed by the valve issue and wasn't happy by the way I was treated by the dealer, so I'd decided to move on.

I'm currently driving a 2013 Carrera S with the last of the manual transmissions. I love the car. I chose the manual over the PDK simply because I enjoy rowing the gears around town.

I probably will get a new ZO6 down the road (I feel it's wise to wait at least one year after any new model is released).

Chevrolet does need to offer an automatic transmission in order to compete with its competition, both on the track and at the dealership. The newer generations of drivers tend to gravitate toward the automatic and they are, after all, the potential buyers that GM is trying to entice.

And there's no denying it, a properly working automatic is the way to go for consistent performance on the strip or the street. back in 1970, I had an LS7 Chevelle with a fully worked Fairbanks automatic and I made tons of money racing on the street. I didn't really enjoy cruising around town with the car, but I did enjoy baiting someone at a red light. LOL

They're also constantly arguing about which transmission is best over at the Porsche forum. I think it's really silly, as a person should drive whatever makes him or her happy. Period.

I also found the ZO6 forum to be the best place to talk about cars and racing. I hope to be back here soon, as I miss the camaraderie.

Vetteman Jack

I for one like the fact that Chevy will be offering an automatic tranny and targa top in the Z06. I think it will open up the market for a lot of new buyers provided the price point is reasonable.

gtrguy

glad have auto option (even happier they still have stick option) because choice is always better. however, a8 will not be ideal for road course. ive drive modern autos like jag and they still lag on the downshifts. ok for drag strip though. should have been a dct, but gm cheaped out on this one

GMuffley

Choice is GOOD.

Blancpain

Great writeup! Also...love your show! You've had some very cool cars on there...my favorite was that Badass C2!