rybo
rybo
View My AgentPage

Print this Page | Digg It | del.icio.us

Tags: Corvette

Tag Link: Corvette

Corvette going green
The war for ever-faster, more powerful cars may be drawing to a close. Fuel economy regulations and simple practicality are beginning to make the push for more horsepower unrealistic. Chevrolet’s Corvette is a perfect example - the 2009 ZR-1 revealed at the Detroit auto show makes 650hp and tops out at 200mph - and its designers are already eying ways to keep performance levels the same as the current generation while improving fuel efficiency.

The new ZR-1 is an absolute monster, putting out supercar power for sports car prices. Pushing the envelope even further is beginning to seem a bit ridiculous, especially without similar advances in handling. After all, the power output of the Corvette has grown by almost 50% over the last ten years while handling performance has made only incremental increases. Perhaps shifting focus to efficiency - and hence light weight, which contributes to better handling through quicker transitional ability among other things, is overdue. Read Article
Corvette going green



Comments:

Images hosted in your AgentSpace can now be posted in the comments section using the following syntax (case matters):
[img]IMAGE URL[/img]
Example: [img]http://agent004.myautospies.com/users/150/Sample-Gallery/sample1.JPG[/img]
pushrod27pushrod27 - 1/22/2008 12:11:44 PM
-1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
An end to the horsepower war? These are sad times indeed.

reply to this comment
Htay7500Htay7500 - 1/22/2008 1:03:06 PM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
tht sucks. hopefully the ZR1 should be a handful.

reply to this comment
AutoEngAutoEng - 1/22/2008 1:40:30 PM
+5 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
I am all for this change of direction for GM's sportscar division. While I like to hear about and talk about 620hp, we all know that a true sportscar is about a lot more than just power. Overall balance is key.

Colin Chapman founder of Lotus said it best "add lightweightedness". His recipie has given some of the best performing cars ever produced. The Elise/Exige both do 4.x sec 0-60, corner and brake like nothing else out there yet only need 190-250hp from a 2.0L 4-cyl engine. As a result the cars cost is less (40-60k) and as a bonus you get 30MPG on the freeway in what is basically a supercar.

THe recipe of 300-400lbs less weight and 150 less hp is FAR more tantalizing than a 700hp corvette. Lets be honest guys, we all like to talk and hear about big numbers, but if any of you have driven such a high powered RWD car, you will understand, that it makes the car very difficult to balance. There is too much power for the available traction nearly all the time, making the car more of a dragster and less of a sports car. GM has done a great job with the Z06 and ZR1 and the engineers have made them handle as best they can, but I think reduced weight will be far more beneficial in the future Corvettes than added power.

Add power and what you get is a less balanced car more prone to traciton issues, and straight line speed. Bigger engine, is heavier, less efficient and worsens the cars dynamic handling.

Remove weight, and you get a better balanced car. It will accelerate faster with less power, it will brake better, it will corner harder, and change direction faster all due to reduced momentum. It will also allow a smaller cheaper, more efficient engine to be installed, without sacrificing overall performance. Need I go on?

Lightweight is a very good way to go. Well done GM figuring that out! It's good to see that a major manufacturer has recognized the key to allow performance and economy to coexist. They are not mutually exclusive as some people belive. It will just take a change of heart on the part of manufactueres and enthusiasts. Bigger is not necessarily better.

I look forward to the next Corvette to see how seriously that ideal is taken to heart.

reply to this comment
PorschinatorPorschinator - 1/22/2008 4:10:57 PM
-1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Only fault of the Lotus Exige/Elise is that it is a track toy only. I have a buddy that bought one recently and returned it...lol. Def not a vehicle you want as a primary or only vehicle.

I would also say the ZR1 is not a recommended commuter but the base Corvette truly is. GM is making believers with the latest Corvette.


GreenPleaseGreenPlease - 1/22/2008 10:42:18 PM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
@AutoEng

On the money dude. A supercar is about more than HP. In the short term, GM could make some minor tweaks to improve fuel economy in the Corvette:

-Move the exhaust to the sides, implement a smooth underbody and have it flow into a rear diffuser. This should help pare down the Cd from .28 to .27/6 while increasing downforce on the rear axle at speed. (Lose 5lbs)
-Move the transmission to the rear, shoe-horn the engine even farther toward the center, shorten the body and tweak its shape accordingly. This should (slightly) reduce weight and drag while improving balance and putting some much needed weight on the rear axle. (lose 50 lbs)
-Employ ceramic coating in the combustion chamber, exhaust mains, and exhaust. This should reduce cooling requirements and therefore radiator size/weight while improving combustion efficiency and cylindar scavenging (increase in power/decrease in fuel consumption) (lose 25 lbs)
-Convert the car's electric system to 48V and run accessories (AC, Steering, Pumps) independent of the crank.
-Utilize direct injection
-Utilize full VVT on both intake and exhaust
-Utilize a small Li-Ion battery instead of a big-ass lead acid. (lose 25 lbs)

Overall, those tweaks could reduce weight by 105 lbs, pare down the Cd. to maybe .26 and improve the cars balance. With VVT and DI you could probably get fuel economy to 20/30 city/hwy while getting 550hp out of an NA engine. Add displacement on demand (with a button to turn it off) and you could get 21/32

Ultimately I'd like to see this in a Corvette (I'm putting on my flame suit for this one):

-RWD
-Transverse 4.0L I4, direct injected, full VVT, with a variable geometry turbocharger.
-Rear axle mounted transmission.

Why this drive train?
-The 4.0L I4 could make ~600HP while maintaining excellent fuel economy. This is due to the high aspect ratio afforded by having 1L per cylinder of displacement (reduced thermal losses).
-Such large cylinders could utilize the little discussed HARMc (High Aspect Ratio Multiple charge)injection regime at low-mid load. Such a regime uses numerous small charges within the cylinder. Each the AF ratio near each charge would be ~10:1, though the cylinder as a whole would be running closer to 50:1.
-The transverse I4 would shorten the body drastically. The front hood and windshield line would flow together seamlessly and provide excellent aerodynamics (ala Mclaren F1 or Toyota prius)
-The rear mounted transmission would increase weight on the rear axle and improve grip, acceleration, and handling.


CarbonBlueCarbonBlue - 1/22/2008 3:06:55 PM
0 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
too bad toyota couldn't produce them that way...and by the way, that 1200 never makes it to the ground

reply to this comment
PorschinatorPorschinator - 1/22/2008 4:03:42 PM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
GM should get a big pat on the back for not only producing a car with such power but also not producing that power just to move a heavy beast. A LA M Benz.

Instead GM's engineers wanted to make a World class Sports car with great balance of power and reduced weight!

I know Rosko is trying his best to be a class clown. All good. I can guarantee that 1200HP Supra needs more maintenance than a used Yugo. Def not a daily driver and I am truly not knocking the Supra, it is just a aftermarket fact!

reply to this comment
nate12680nate12680 - 1/23/2008 12:17:18 AM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
It appears the Corvette has a new competitor in the GTR. The GTR in my mind is the bar GM should be working towards with the next c7z. A more compact design and forced induction instead of more displacement seem key to me. Ideally I invision a twin turbo 5.7L LSX motor on the solstice platform.

reply to this comment
TONYRICHTONYRICH - 1/25/2008 10:50:40 PM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
I DONT KNOW WHY THIS HAS TO BE THE END OF HORSEPOWER THEY SHOULD BE WORKING TO GET BOTH HORSEPOWER AND GOOD GAS MILEAGE GMS EUROPEAN COMPANY OPAL HAS COME UP WITH A SPORTS CAR THAT HAS A 1.3 LITER TURBODIESEL THAT HAS A 0 TO 60 TIME OF 4 SECONDS A TOP SPEED OF 155 MPH AND GETS 113 MPG AT 140 MPH SO YOU SEE IT CAN BE DONE.

reply to this comment
To post a comment for this story, you must first Login.

If you do not have an account, you will need to Register (It's Free!).

Most Recent Stories
Is Lexus Missing the Boat By Not Having a BMW CS Competitor?EVO Magazine: Nissan Skyline GT-R Birth Of An Icon 1989EVO Magazine Long Term Test: Mitsubishi Evo X FQ-300 SST.....More Exciting Then The M3?2009 Suzuki SX4 Special Edition With TRIPCarlsson Tuned Mercedes GL500 With 435HP2008 Bentley Continental GTS Black Edition by Project KahnBMW Puts Lexus and Mercedes on Notice - But Did BMW Go Far Enough With Their New 7-Series?Bigger and more powerful Prius in the works2008 Jaguar XKR Portfolio Limited Edition in AustraliaPorsche 911 Powered Trike Troubled Waters by Phoenix Trike WorksPeugeot Builds 50 Millionth Peugeot CarPaolo Martin’s rendering of what the Fiat Topolino should look likeBrazil receives a new Volkswagen Gol 2009 modelSeat reveals schedule until 2010, includes first ever Seat SUVBritish companies plan a new kinetic hybrid flywheel systemTata faces a rough ride as shares dropGordon Murrays T25 City Car SketchesInterior spy pictures of the next-generation BMW 5-seriesSpy pictures of the BMW X6 HybridNew Tatra concept revealed, the 903 concept modelOpel to feature the Insignia hatchback and sedan at the British Motor ShowThe Chevrolet Beat is being considered for the U.S marketBugatti wants a new model, maybe even a four-door-coupeToyota Canada Reduce Retail Prices on 11 ModelsMaybach Exelero Concept for sale for $7.8 millionDetails emerge on 2010 Toyota Prius, more power and better fuel-economy2009 Ford Focus RS images leaked before debutGM To Unleash Corvette S-Limited in JapanA Sneak Peek At Mercedes Benz's European SLR Code Name Z199Leaked Images Have Hit The Web But The Spies Are The First With Full Details Of The New 7-SeriesSTUD or DUD? The 2009 BMW 7 Series Leaks It Way On The WebMINI SUV to spawn a 5-door hatchbackThink June Sales Were Bad? Both GM and Toyota Say Their Sales Will Fall Even FurtherBMW 135i with carbon fiber partsMerrill says GM bankruptcy possibleAUTOEXPRESS UK: Jaguar XKR-S vs Audi R8 vs Nissan GT-RPorsche 997 TARGA Refresh Leaked Before LaunchAudi A5 3.2 Quattro ReviewToyota struggling to meet small car and hybrid demandNow Just What Would You Do For A Tank Of Gas?High Gas Prices Causing European Market DownturnThe Good The Bad And the Ugly - Who Will Rise And Who Will Fall In 2008?Video: New Lexus RX goes testing at Nurburgring2008 JE Design Audi Q7 Street Rocket2008 BMW Z0 Concept Design by Andrei Avarvarii2008 Lamberti LS1 ConceptThe New Kia Forte Sport Sedan2008 Volvo & DOE Expand Drivelines2008 Audi R8 DTM Safety CarB&B Tuned Audi TTS Sportcoupe With 362HP