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| The C7 maintains the typical modern Corvette front-engine, rear-transaxle layout. Moving the transaxle to the rear allows the engine to be shifted as far rearward as possible placing it completely behind the front axle line reducing the polar moment of inertia. Having the transaxle at the rear also improves the weight distribution of the car. |
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| The small block V8 design allows for the familiar low hood line without the need to resort to a mid-engine setup. |
The cam in block V8 keeps valvetrain componentry weight from the top of the engine and reduces necessary packaging volume. Despite the compact packaging of the small block V8 engineers managed to incorporate direct injection and variable valve timing into the new LT1 design. This aids in the power increase of 450 hp and 450 ft-lb of torque over the 430 hp and 424 ft-lb of torque in the LS3. The lubrication system was also improved with a variable displacement oil pump and oil spray cooling for the pistons. These improvements ensure sufficient lubrication performance through the engine's full RPM range. To guarantee that time spent commuting to the racetrack doesn't suck all the fuel from the tank (and to appease those darn CAFÉ requirements) the LT1 includes active fuel management (AFM) which is essentially cylinder deactivation under light loads.
The C7 combines AFM with electronically controlled butterfly valves on the exhaust to adjust backpressure for better emissions tuning as well as tone adjustment. The C7 is capable of creeping down the street at 2 AM without disrupting the neighbors, a notion that many folks may find to be both good and bad.
Other variances in the new C7 design are a one inch increase in wheelbase and almost three inch increase in length. The length change is mainly attributed to the more aggressive aero design of the C7 Corvette. The focus on mass moves the needle from a 51/49 front to rear ratio to an even 50/50. A big change that remains to be critiqued is the inclusion of an electric steering rack. The steering stiffness (a claimed 500% improvement) and feel were given a large focus in development. It remains to be seen whether the inherent disconnected dead feel of an electric rack has been defeated here. Breaking away from the mold of change the C7 base wheel and tire package, as well as base rotor sizing, stay within close proximity to the base C6 at 18″ x 8.5″ wheels in the front with 245/40/18 tires and 12.6″ rotors. The rear contain” 19” x 10” wheels with 285/35/19 tires and 13.3″ rotors. The Z51 package ups the wheels to 19” x 10″ with 245/35/19 tires and 13.6″ rotors. The rear wheels jump up to 20″ x 10″ with 285/30/20 tires and the rotors remain unchanged from the base.
To finish off the new package the practical engineering influence did not end on the vehicle's exterior. Performance focus and technological development played their parts in shaping the new cockpit. The largest complaints of the past generation were attributed to the seats and steering wheel. The C7 Corvette now offers two seat designs with one being a highly bolstered competition option. All seat choices also feature a magnesium frame to keep weight low and stiffness high.
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| In browsing the GM Media pictures, I zoomed in on the dash. I see boost ('PSI' more specifically next to a little forced induction symbol). |
The steering wheel diameter is significantly reduced for a quicker steering feel. Its shape is influenced by the stingray motif. The staple Corvette heads up display is continued into the C7 with a configurable gauge display in the dash. In order to allow the Corvette driver to keep their eyes on the road, as necessary with high performance maneuvering, the center stack even contains buttons. It also contains a touch screen display for those instances when the eyes may have a moment to wander. The interior material accents feature aluminum, carbon fiber, leather and suede for appealing visual surfacing.
The base C7 Chevrolet Corvette offers a plethora of engineering surprises that will be further discovered with time. History also tells us we can be certain that there are more tricks up the sleeves of the Corvette team. This is just the beginning.
2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Page
