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

Choice is GOOD.

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

:iagree: and the Targa roof just added the "gravy" to keep those units moving. At least GM kept the 7M for those who want to "row their own," unlike Porsche eliminating it from their GT3, Turbo & Turbo S models.

I will be sure to let my wife know that the Automatic costs twice the price of the manual, because we'll need two.

Automatic
 

Love it. The only reason I got a C6 GS was because I couldn't get a Z06 with an automatic. They will definitely sell more Z06's and that is essential for GM to continue offering such a low volume car.

You get an "auto" and I'll get a manual.:thumbs: You'll be happy, I'll be happy, and GM will be happy.:D

:iagree:I don't know why people are knee jerk dismissing the new GM automatic, because it isn't a DCT. Let's wait and see what GM has come up with first. If they can pull off a transmission with the shift performance of a DCT on the track, while still retaining a torque converter for on the road day to day shifting refinement and longevity, their automatic will have risen to the top of all automatics, DCT or otherwise.

Michael

I don't think people here understand the concepts. It's really quite simple:

A manual transmission is great for rowing gears, and feeling "one with the road"

A automatic/semi automatic transmission (PDK, DCT, SMG, R-Tronic, etc) is proven to be the best for road courses and racing in general. And keeping with that thought, GM follows the lineage of the Z06 as a endurance racing car. Quicker shifts, faster lap times.

It's just a matter of what do YOU want to do with the car? Take it grocery shopping, and car shows? Sure get the 7M.

You want to run on the track? Get the A8 option.

:rofl: :rofl:

Driving high speeds with the top down (or I guess off will work in a pinch) is amazing. It's a completely different driving experience to have an amazing car and be able to experience the out doors at the same time. The 427 droptop was the closest thing I've seen GM come close to in terms of perfection (IMHO) in recent years.

Perhaps, the auto on this type of car isn't really true to its roots - but - in all fairness .. it gives my wife the ability to drive it. Something she could never do with my other one, we tried teaching her and it just didn't stick. Which I thought was sad, because it's such an awesome experience!

I had been holding off, waiting for the convertibles to come in more supply but since seeing this - I'll probably wait another year and after I test the 8-spd just to be sure - I'll be ordering it 3LT z06 z07 8-spd.

Cheers.

I can't agree with this, unless you are in head to head competition class. Almost no one takes a totally stock car to compete anyway. Manuals do fantastic on the track, with someone who knows how to drive one.

Michael

:iagree:

This is a good thing for GM. There are a lot of people that can't drive a stick or don't want to but do want a Z06. Choice is a good thing. If you don't want to drive an auto, then buy the manual. There was almost no chance I would buy a Z06 if my only choice was a stick, even less if it was a stick and no open air driving.

I want to replace my C5 and prior to this update, a new Z06 was not on my list. At best, I would've bought a used C6 427 convertible. Now, I will consider waiting a bit longer and going to Z06 route.

I would never buy an automatic in any vehicle unless I one day have some physical incapacity that leaves me unable to operate a manual. I do think it's good that it's offered though.

It seems that there are becoming fewer and fewer manual available as the years pass. I feel more connected to the vehicle and have more sensory experience than with an auto. To me, an auto is more like riding than driving. I'd rather ride shotgun with somebody driving a manual than to drive an auto, but that's just me.

I don't want those who prefer an automatic to be excluded from the joy of driving something such as the 2015 Z06, but the trend is by far, that manuals are the endangered species, not automatics. I so very, very much hope the day never comes when manuals are entirely a thing of the past, but I doubt that'll happen in my lifetime. Eventually, they probably will fade. Ever really look at and contemplate a steering wheel? It's really a primitive contraption considering the state of present day technology, not to mention what state-of-the-art tech will be in 20 years. Eventually there'll just be a joystick, all of us old farts will be dead, and both manual and steering wheels will only be in 'oldies' vehicles and the Smithsonian, just like those old air conditioning thingies from the 1940's that look like a big wind sock and people hung outside their window.

Today's 'commonplace' is the future's 'quaint'.

Ferrari and Lamborghini no longer even offer manuals in their cars.

The demand is just not there.

Like you, I love manuals. And I love my vettes. They have been my most beloved daily drivers.

And I think I'm going with the auto this time as I'm just driving my vette so much lately! I love it!

I loved my PDK on my Porsche so if this new trans by GM can shift faster than the PDK YAHOOOO!!! I will have one as soon as they become available. Way to go GM..

Being the current owner of a'11 C6 Grand Sport Vert. auto. 6spd paddle shift, a '13 427 60th Ann. Collector Ed. manual 6 sp. and a '13 Camaro ZL1 6L90E auto paddle shift, I am very satisfied to learn the h.p./tq. output estimates, the removable targa top and the 8 sp. auto trans. option. Option is the key here. For the so-called purists spewing their criticism regarding auto transmissions and the baseless nonsense about the automatic may shift up quick but it is "probably slow" on the downshift. I think the only thing slow is the critic who does not have the facts on their side, just deeply engrained bias. If they want a manual trans. buy one. Please do not bitch about something that many of us have wanted for years. Fact is many of us can't buy these more expensive, higher-performing Corvettes until we get older for one reason or another. After knee replacements and arthritic issues culminating a thirty-four year law enforcement career, I welcome the open top ZO6 with an auto option. I harken back to the days when I bought my first Corvette, a '69 L71 427, T22 4 sp. convertible for $3500. Every Corvette I own is a better performer than the previous. Who really knows why the haters enlighten us with their vitriol. Personally I think the haters all work at those trendy "mainstream" auto mags and they should stick to driving their Porsches, Ferraris etc. at least twice the price. Most all top manufacturers converted their performance models to auto trannys with steering wheel shifters too. Again, for two or three times the price. Even if the Corvette is a tenth, a hundredth or even a few seconds slower than one of the "Euro" or "Asian" supercars, I remain loyal to the "American" Bowtie technology. :beatdeadhorse::flag:

JoyStick?
 

Joystick vs. steering wheel, oh that would be fun hitting a big bump in a 1 G turn and having your arm bounces around while trying to control the car. At least with a wheel, tou gave something to hold on to.