BADBOYVETTES.COM - Retro Or Future?

Do you really think Porsche is going to give up the rear-engined flat-six or Ferrari with the mid-mounted V-12?

Front-engine V8 with RWD, baby. Quite simple: the longest enduring and highest selling motor in history got there for a reason. Its pushrod V8 is defying trends while still kicking ass and taking names all over the place.

--- SYF from Las Vegas, NV on 09.24.09 at 6:06am

I hope they stay a pushrod V8, has a manual trans option, or at least sequential like the C6.R, front engine, and cost is less than $70k for the base model

--- Joe from Bolingbrook on 09.24.09 at 7:07am

They should really keep the traditional Corvette style... before long thats all there is going to be is hybrids. There needs to be some type of original muscle left in America!

--- Cody Osborn from College Station, TX on 09.24.09 at 10:39am

I am all for the new technology. Lets face it every new generation incorporates some sort of new technology. I also think that to be a true Corvette it needs to follow it's past. It must be V8 powered rear wheel drive with the manual transmission. I have read that the C7 maybe a split window, Zora would not be happy.
One fimal thought, it needs to have Jake on it somewhere.

--- TR6speed from Palm Harbor, Florida on 09.24.09 at 11:58am

Corvette needs to develop three different cars, the current model, a mid-engine full on supercar/halo model, and finally an advance tech model to compete with Fisker and Tesla and Audi.

Corvette hardtop and convert- Can’t argue with success, make a few changes, lose the lift out top; if you want a convert get one. Lose the leaf, fully adjustable coilovers with easy access to adjust. Recaro seat option, Pilot Cup tire option (supplied for magazine comparos and Porsche smackdowns), and steering wheel only used by the Corvette lineup, no fake carbon fiber crap, use real aluminum for trim and decent plastics, alcantara and leather. All cars have aluminum chassis and dry sump oil system, carbon fiber body panels as budget allows. Quaife ATB Diff and DSG trans, six speed manual for those not able to adjust and want a slower car. Direct injected V8; why mess with perfection, factory longtubes and ceramic brake option, dual plate clutch standard for the shiftys.

Halo/Supervette- Let Pratt & Miller build their mid-engine wet dream Lemans racer, then make a streetable version to humiliate Ferrari and Lambo, charge a lot, make a few.

Corvette.E- An electric Vette that makes Fisker’s Karma look like a stone wheel by comparison, probably not practical in the short term, but no reason to not look into this now. Intel is working on the next gen lithium-air batteries that have the power density of gasoline; they figure this out and game on. Corvette needs a model to smack around that red electric bar of soap Audi is so proud of (if it is to ever see the light of day).

--- JackFlash from Pensacola, FL on 09.24.09 at 12:28am

i would like to see the car stay in a front engine layout with any type of small or big block V8. the rest of the car can keep on the edge of street/racing tech line with good prices. the idea of a vette electric car would also be good to compete in the future as well, just as jackflash mentioned. i think with any of these the cars will will always be awsome and sell in any market. even now i see more corvettes than i see camaro's. they seem almost as frequent as mustangs. its a good sight to see.(im back in the states right now in san diego, woot woot)

--- taco from naha, japan on 09.24.09 at 1:06am

The people at GM have set themselves up for attacking the car market with three different versions of the vette; the C-class, ZO6 class, and the ZR-1 class. The C's should still be a V8, small block with some racing performance technology put into it, not a whole lot but keep it basic, and able to outperform any in its class and still be cheap. The Z06 should incorporate more racing technology and more lighter weight materials to give it a better hp/weight ratio, still have a small block V8 and still outperform any other car in its class while still being cheaper than the others. Lastly but sure as hell not the least the big-daddy; ZR-1 this little devil should be the closest to a race car as we can get (a la C6RS) with the most cutting-edge racing technology their is and have the whole car be made of lightweight material, and still be hovering around the $100k mark and still kick everybodys ass! Use whatever style V8 they want; Electric/Ethanol pure Ethanol, or dare I say diesel?
All of these cars should stay true to the old corvettes in two respects;
1) incorporate some of the old and very much loved curves of the old 'vette's into the new ones while still making the cars as aerodynamic as possible
2) Keep the checkers and la fluer flags the way they are! Dont change the emblem and go back to the old, muscle car based steering wheels!
And for God's sake throw Jake onto the B-pillar or something where he's plainly visible!!!!!

--- Justin from Livermore, CA on 09.24.09 at 5:08pm

The vette is a nich vehicle so we hope main stream GM cars (and trucks) become more fuel efficient to cover corporate average fuel economy. Elsewise a C-base vette will be stuck as a gas sipping geo metro...

--- Zonker from Montreal on 09.24.09 at 9:03pm

The C7 should follow the current path of being the best performance value. It should incorporate lightweight technologies to improve on the weight to horsepower ratio. Lighter weight helps improve economy, handling and braking. The pushrod v-8 is lighter, more efficent, less complicated and easier to modify than overhead cam engines. The current layout of the engine behind the front axle and the tranny in the rear helps weight distribution. Why mess with success? The design should incorporate some features of past Corvettes without being too retro. If GM design works with Corvette Racing look at what we get...technology transfer, whining from the competition (i.e. direct injection, air restrictors) and a sports car that kicks ass!

--- Bonz from Mason City, IA on 09.24.09 at 10:18pm

If it were possible I would keep the line-up the way it is, but change the way it is arranged:
1. C7 - The intro Corvette, the basic model for those who can't afford the higher up models. Pretty much for those who have always wanted a Corvette, yet want something affordable. Same basic options as what we currently have.

2. C7/GS - Bring the Grand Sport name over to the next generation. The track car, for those who hit the track every once in while. Still very streetable, yet rides on rails when put on a course.

3. C7 ZR1 - For those that want the ultimate in street supremacy.

4. C7 Z06 - This is my biggest change. Rather than the Z06 be the middle between the GS and the ZR1, make the Z06 the track oriented car. Big power from a massive 7.0L, tuneable suspension, lightweight wheels, roll bar, track seats, etc. Pretty much have the Z06 be what the GT3 RS is for Porsche.

Of course as everyone has said keep the front engine/RWD platform with a V8. Sure everything now is about MPG, but my dads '07 C6 with the A6 gets pretty awesome mileage. That considering its a car you can cruise in an still have sweet power under the hood.

--- JOEL from MIAMI, FLORIDA on 09.25.09 at 11:48am

I'm all for going after the newest technologies to make the C7 one of the best performance cars in the world. And if they manage to keep the C7 less expencive then the competition, they should have no problem with sales.

I have thought about power plants for the C7 or future Corvettes (many wont agree with me) but I think if the loss of the V8 was ever necessary to keep the corvette alive, then a good substitute would be an advanced inline 6, taking the corvette back to its original roots. Don't get me wrong though, I would rather see a V8 in future corvettes, but I always thought it would be cool for chevy to have a hott inline 6, rear drive car...

--- ride250s from Iowa on 09.26.09 at 9:58am

I think, we should combine what Corvette stands for today, performance wise, with what the future can bring in technology for the C7, so we can prove that Americans CAN and WILL make the world's best supercar, so we can finally teach Germany and Italy a lesson and put all their performance cars to Shame!

--- BBVFan from Denmark on 09.28.09 at 12:19am

Why do they have to mutually exclusive? Why not utilize all the technology available in materials, engine, drivetrain etc.. yet style it on the Split window? An all aluminum dohc V-8 in an aluminum and carbon fiber split window stylized chassis with all the bells and whistles!!

L.P. 8)

--- HORNDAWG from State of Jefferson on 09.30.09 at 1:35pm

One new super model; The Corvette ZX: A mid engine, titanium chassis with twin turbos on a cold-air inducted 7.0 litre, 120-dregree, 8 cylinder diesel. From there keep the ZR1, Z06, Z51 and standard Corvettes as traditional front engine'd RWD chassis'. Lower the rear decklid two inches and increase the width by two inches. Shift the entire drive train rearward by 3-4 inches and and a modest boat-tail styling to the rear, ala 1961-62 C1s and the Sting Ray. Deepen the roof dimple slightly and introduce scissor style doors for all of the models.

--- m.tyler from San Jose, CA on 10.04.09 at 7:35am

Lets have the vette retro styled with some of the past and some of the future. Split window, small twin turbo v8 in the std vette with LS engines optioned. I would like to see the base vette priced $50k and with optons priced to $65k. I can live in this price segment.

--- Doug S from Delmont Pa on 07.05.11 at 2:54pm