If the C7 is 10% lighter than the C6...
 

and 4-5% more powerful, do you think it will have similar 0-60, 1/4 mile and top speed as the C6 Z06? I'm thinking yes.

Yes, and current Z06 owners will rage and post how pissed they are on the internet

No way its 10% lighter. That's 300 lbs which would bring you in around 2800. If its more than 100lbs lighter, i'd be surprised. 5% lighter would be awesome.

I like 2800, remember the old days 66 chevy II

I still remember out running a street hemi with that car! Top end!

I think we may see a car the will have numbers somewhere inbetween the current base and Z06 with a bump in 2 or 3 years to out perform the Z06 at that point.

I agree that 10% less than a base C6 is a stretch, but I think 3,000 pounds is approachable.
A base 2013 C6 coupe weighs 3,225 pounds according to Chevrolet's website. Assuming Car and Driver is correct and the C7 does have an aluminum frame, this is a major weight saving. In the case of the steel verses aluminum frames on C6's, the aluminum frame weighs 136 pounds less than the steel frame. So, for the purpose of the discussion, a base C6 would weigh 3,089 pounds if it had the Z06/ZR1 frame. Now, the 3,000 weight on the C7 that we're hoping for doesn't seem so far out of reach.

Jimmy

When the C6 came out - didn't the base C6 essentially meet the C5 Z06 performance numbers - I could swear it did...

No. Some people here swear it did, but it did not. Similar horsepower does not mean equal performance. Not even with the Z51 package. The LS3 helped narrow the gap though.

The C6 Grand Sport is probably the closest non-Z C6 competitor for the C5 Z06. Their performance numbers are about equal. The C5 Z is very impressive for a 10 year old car.

My theory.... They will leave a hp bump in the car for a few years down the road to trigger new buyers when sales decline as they inevitably will. I never posted on the hp thread but I'm thinking 460ish at the opening gun. The weight is a tougher question but I'm doubting its going to be much less leaving a substantial hp difference. From there 0-60 is basically a launch test and the Z will have more grip unless there is going to be a larger tire option that has yet to be announced.

I'm sure the base C7 is going to murder the C6Z06 in the 1/4 mile, on road courses and definitely in the looks department..I almost forgot the interior will also be superior..C6Z06 days are numbered...lmmfao

I can't describe how bad I want a 2xxx curb weight.

Kinda like when the Grand Sport came out :rofl:

The C6Z is already a good bit lighter than the base C6. No way the C7 is going to be significantly lighter than a C6Z.

The C7 is already down 35 HP to a C6Z, old school racing nuts will tell you it's going to need to be 350 pounds lighter to keep up.

More like 6.5% lighter. And it won't be faster then a speeding bullet(AKA Z06).

i say we shut the forums down until Sunday night ladies.. we will find out soon enough

Actually, there's not much difference in weight. These numbers are straight from Chevrolet's website:
2013 Corvette Coupe 1LT weighs 3,225 pounds
2013 Corvette Z06 1LZ weights 3,175 pounds

So, assuming Car and Driver is correct on the C7 specs (all Carbon Fiber body panels, Aluminum frame, Carbon Fiber floorboards), it is very possible the base C7 will be a good deal lighter than a Z06.

Jimmy

Yeah, the c7 is going 2 be faster. Especially , on the straight.It's not only about the weight, its about the new transmission, new traction system and the things like that...
So, yeah, feel sorry for the guys that are planning 2 keep their c6s...

Dave Hill said the c6 Z51 would be 75% of the performer the C5Z was. He was right for sure. It's probably more like 90%, unless you are specifically talking about on track performance only.

I think the bar they set is have it come as close to the previous generation Z06 as possible. Just like in this case, the previous gen Z06 would be better on track....because it's a Z06.

Raising the bar baby.

I think we'll see the C6Z outperform the C7 slowly but steadily in a straight line, similar to the LS2 C6 being outperformed by the C5Z despite very close power.

The Z is a very aggressive overall package. Monster tires for traction, lighter than the base car, geared aggressively, and a mountain of torque and power under the curve. Guess we'll see what we get with the C7, but I'd bet the farm on significantly narrower tires than the Z has. Maybe since they won't be Crapyears.... err I mean Goodyears they'll even out some of the size difference though...

I'm hoping the C7 comes close, but assuming the best it can reach is 3000 lbs even, it will need around 480hp to compete with the Z06 on power to weight. Torque, and total power range are harder to compare. The C6Z is a monster...

I don't think we'll see quite enough HP, quite enough torque, quite enough traction, in a light enough car for the C7 to beat the C6Z in a straight line....

I'm excited to see though.