I'm with you, manufacturer incentives are driven by statistics like 0-60, cost of development, and intended market. The truth is, folks that can afford to drop 80k+ on a two seater are probably not the best drivers. GM will do what it takes to make buyers look poised and confident while driving, for the lowest development cost possible.

There are few manufacturers that don't think like that, for example Lotus. Look at how well the market treated them.

Will GM keep the manual for the C8 if 90% of the drivers buy the 8-speed auto in the C7 Z06? I think not. Even if it will, it won't divert resources to improve manual gearboxes. It will all go to autos and an older manual will be fitted. Isn't that what happened to the last manual BMW M5?

I am not under any illusion that the manual will be saved on the supply side. It can only be saved from the demand side.

I've been giving this a lot of thought.

When I get my less than manly Z07 with the A8 I'm installing a third pedal connected to a Pez candy dispenser.

Every time I perfectly time the pedal with an A8 shift it will give me a Pez. And 2 Pez for a perfectly timed double clutch.

This way I become more connected with my car and get a sense of satisfaction having executed a perfect shift!

Who says an old geezer poser can't be taught new tricks? :D

The very definition of hyperbole.

Lets keep the Corvette true to it's roots. I want one that is like my 56 that rolled out of St Louis in 1956 with a powerglide and a power operated soft top and a removable hard top and power windows and windshield washer options. Oh, and don't forget the 6.70X15 wide whites.

Lets also skip the ball joint front suspension, power steering and power brakes as they were not available on the 1956 Corvette.

http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/...psff66cb63.jpg

How do you like your pushrod engine?

All the vetts I have owned, I would never buy the 4 or 5,6 speed!
All of my vetts have been auto's.
My race car also had an auto turbo th 400 because it can be made bullet proof. I think most drivers have never had a 700 to 1000 hp car and the auto makes a big diff when it comes to races ,I have taken more trophies than the vetts in my area with a 4,5 or 6 speed manuel,and even the pro stock shifting trans still is not a full manuel trans,check out the stats.
An auto Z06 or Z7 I would buy one!!:rock:

It will do in a pinch, but not near as high tech as the OHC engine in the 1946 Crosley I had while in college.

Kudos to Tadge and crew. GM has finally come up with the ultimate street supercar. My 2016 Z06 will have the A8 and see thru removable roof to replace my 2010 LPE supercharged 6spd manual coupe and 2012 Caddy CTS-V A6 sedan. For those who want the 7 spd manual, like my brother is getting in his 2015 Z06, there is that option. Something for everybody to enjoy this out of the park grand slam home run.

I'm sure you can swap one of those beauties into a C6 and have money left over after you make the cutout in the hood.

Looks great:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...bra_engine.JPG

Wiki says it used to rust and longevity was measured in hours. :rock:

See Joe's post. ^

I am taking a wait and see approach on the auto. If GM can overcome the dependability, shift timing and down shift rev matching issues it may be a winner. I have been a fan of DCTs for several years now and auto has a lot to do if it wants to match the performance of a DCT. I consider DCTs to be just another version of a manual transmission with some differences and some clear advantages. From a driver standpoint the clutch is gone so the left foot can be used for other activities required to get the car around a track faster, the shift lever moved from the console back to the steering column/wheel (the differences between paddle shift controls and the stick coming out of the floor are the size and shape) the function is exactly the same (driver control of the gear change). The advantages of the DCT over the manual are the quickness of the shifts, almost perfect downshift rev matching, quicker initiation of the shifts since you only flick a paddle Vs move a lever and the ability to be run in automated manual mode which makes it nice in traffic.

Bill














for more important

A Z06 that can be driven in bumper to bumper traffic with the roof off!

Awesome!!

But if I was buying it as a track only toy car, I still would go stick for the fun factor

Serious question: such as?

If you've driven the PDK equipped 911 then you know that its an amazing transmission. An auto no matter how quick or smooth the shifts will match that feel and directness. Its just a fact...

Sadly some Z06 Auto buyers just want to have a Z06. That's nice however the auto/lift off top merely serves to change the core of what the car is. That being said I will reserve final say until a GT3 vs Z06 Auto test is done. That will tell the tale

I could understand all the complaining if GM did not offer the car with a manual transmission for those who want it but it makes absolutely no sense that anyone would care if GM offers an option you don't like/want. Just don't opt for it, that's why they call it an "option".

I would not opt for a yellow car with red interior but it does not upset me that GM offers the option for those who want it.

Considering every supercar manufacturer but the Corvette and Viper ditched the traditional manual, aren't they in the same boat? Don't those "buyers just want to have...?" At least the Z06 still offers a manual and everyone else has open air open air options too so I don't understand that logic.

No to mention, the actual action of the driver performing shifts with a DCT and the 8L90 are exactly the same; pull the right paddle to up shift and pull the left paddle to down shift. Both are paddle shifted and both allow for full auto mode. How many Porsche drivers actually pull the paddles every time they are in the car? I don't think we need a study to know that most people probably go full auto and let the transmission shift for them. In that sense, there is no difference in transmissions. How are you able to justify everyone else but not the Corvette? Plus, you can get the manual if you prefer that, so it's basically a moot point.

It should be noted that the Z06 is not positioned like a GT3 or Z/28. It is not a stripped down club racer. It is a street car first and foremost with track capabilities, not the other way around. Thus, street car features are expected. Every super car is track capable but the street is where they spend 99% of their time. The "core" of the Z06 stands for exhilarating performance and that's what we'll get. Options like paddles and open air are expected in the supercar world, not shunned. The Z06 is merely catching up to supercar expectations.

:iagree:

Left foot breaking.

Like SBC mentioned, left-foot braking. Left foot braking enables smoothness, since you don't have to drop-throttle when you hit the brakes. Lifting your right foot off of the throttle to brake generates a heavy engine braking torque on the rear wheels, which can disrupt the chassis and create snap oversteer.

You can also modulate the brake pedal with the left foot, and at the same time keep a variable amount of throttle engaged. This modulation varies the effective braking torque split between the front and rear wheels (since the throttle acts against the rear brakes only), and can move a vehicle from slight oversteer on corner entry , to neutral, to slight understeer.

Very few people are good at heel-toeing a manual car. Even fewer are good at left-foot braking, but the benefits are tremendous.

You can still left-foot brake a manual tranny, but usually only consistently well on corners which do not require a downshift.




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