Dubspeed Driven Road Test: '07 Corvette

[zerinVR6]

http://www.speedsportlife.com/photopost/data/1083/medium/75197.jpg (http://www.speedsportlife.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=20938&size=big&cat=1083)

(http://www.speedsportlife.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=20938&cat=1083)
Quote:
Story by Dubspeed Driven Associate Editor, Carl Modesette
Photos courtesy of General Motors

Arguably, no other car in American history has a legacy as rich as the Chevrolet Corvette. From humble beginnings in 1953 with a 150 horsepower inline-six engine, to today’s 505 horsepower world-assaulting Z06, the Corvette has run the full spectrum of sports car ideology. However, recent years have seen the demise of many storied nameplates, while others have been resurrected. Looking forward, can the Corvette continue to capture enthusiasts’ hearts in a performance-rich, horsepower warmonger market?

http://www.speedsportlife.com/2006/1...olet-corvette/ (http://www.speedsportlife.com/2006/11/08/dubspeed-driven-review-2007-chevrolet-corvette/)

[fastceli00]

Very good review Zerin... nice to see an objective perspective on the Corvette. The Z06 is an amazing car for its price point but you make a good point about the engine displacement/horsepower ratio. Audi's new V10 is not that large and it produces nearly 500 HP; Chevy needs some direct injection in its life.

[AlmostFamous]

Very good review Zerin... nice to see an objective perspective on the Corvette. The Z06 is an amazing car for its price point but you make a good point about the engine displacement/horsepower ratio. Audi's new V10 is not that large and it produces nearly 500 HP; Chevy needs some direct injection in its life.


True, but it's different with the LS2 and LS7 engines respectively. Chevy could make just as much, if not more power as Audi's new V10 with either engine, but they have to keep cost down since they produce and sell many more vehicles with the LS2 and LS7. When the Blue Devil Corvette comes out, it will be a better candidate to compare to.

[sherpagoodness]

True, but it's different with the LS2 and LS7 engines respectively. Chevy could make just as much, if not more power as Audi's new V10 with either engine, but they have to keep cost down since they produce and sell many more vehicles with the LS2 and LS7. When the Blue Devil Corvette comes out, it will be a better candidate to compare to.

so why did chevy build a plant specifically to assemble the z06 engine along with other hi-po engines? if they were trying to keep cost down why are they using a dry sump oiling system on the ls7?

[fastceli00]

so why did chevy build a plant specifically to assemble the z06 engine along with other hi-po engines? if they were trying to keep cost down why are they using a dry sump oiling system on the ls7?

If you are using a dry sump oil system might as well go to high pressure direct injection. There are so many options to do in tuning to get the power up AND mileage and emissions go down. The Z06 is not all that cheap either since it is rarely ever sold under MSRP. Granted, compared to comprable power plants offered by other companies, it is a bargain, but the interior does not match the performance by any stretch of the imagination. Still a great looking car and an american icon. :eek3dance

[sherpagoodness]

i agree they probably could have extracted a little more potential out of the engine with direct injection and higher compression...i was only arguing the fact that he thought they were trying to keep cost down on the z06. although still pushrod, they use alot of modern technology and high end parts in the motor, not to mention being primarily hand assembled in a plant that produces less that 50 motors per day. the overall fit and finish of the exterior/interior is definately not up to par with the powerplant tho.

[AlmostFamous]

If you are using a dry sump oil system might as well go to high pressure direct injection. There are so many options to do in tuning to get the power up AND mileage and emissions go down. The Z06 is not all that cheap either since it is rarely ever sold under MSRP. Granted, compared to comprable power plants offered by other companies, it is a bargain, but the interior does not match the performance by any stretch of the imagination. Still a great looking car and an american icon. :eek3dance


The interior is not bad. It's a sports car. It's not a luxury vehicle.



Corvette's Interior

http://www.speedsportlife.com/photopost/data/1083/medium/X06CH_CR026.jpg


Porsche 911's Interior

http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-2000-2003/2001-Porsche-911-Carrera-Cabriolet-Interior.jpg

http://www.carchaos.com/porsche/porsche_911_gt2/porsche911_gt2_interior.jpg


Dodge Viper's Interior

http://www.japanmotors.co.uk/images/viper%20sr10%20in%20uk%20interior.jpg





Corvette's interior looks just as good as those two's. Go ahead and take a look at other cars that compete against the Corvette, that I haven't posted, and compare the interior. It goes from a little better to a little worse. The whole point is, the arguement that the corvette's interior is subpar is way overblown.

[zerinVR6]

I respectfully disagree. I've been in several 50k something sports cars, including the '07 M Coupe most recently, and the Corvette interior is not even close to the level of the other cars. The plastic is cheap, unrefined, and even creaks. Should that be the basis on buying the car or not? Yes and no. No because it doesn't affect performance, but yes because there are several other cars in the price class with similar performance with MUCH nicer interiors.

[yourmom25]

you used the word "inundated." not that you care, but that bumps you up 10 cool points in my book.

[fastceli00]

I respectfully disagree. I've been in several 50k something sports cars, including the '07 M Coupe most recently, and the Corvette interior is not even close to the level of the other cars. The plastic is cheap, unrefined, and even creaks. Should that be the basis on buying the car or not? Yes and no. No because it doesn't affect performance, but yes because there are several other cars in the price class with similar performance with MUCH nicer interiors.

I agree with Zerin on this. If interior is not an issue and you are a Chevy guy, go for it. In my opinion, if I had the money for a Z06, it would not even be in my top 3 in terms of choices for various reasons, most mentioned in the dubspeed review that was just written up. The Dodge Viper gets the same criticism in regards to its interior, looks exceedingly cheap and for a 80K+ car, downright embarrasing.