GM's new Corvette is so powerful, it's warping the frame in tests, report says

[Lexx Diamond]

Ever since the Z06 I've admired the Corvette. This news is on some killer smack. I really want one now. Let me find out it can eat a Hellcat. It's predecessor the Z06 rivals Lamborghini, Porsche & Ferrari to name a few.

GM's new Corvette is so powerful, it's warping the frame in tests, report says

​

Nathan Bomey, USA TODAY Published 10:56 a.m. ET March 13, 2019 | Updated 12:39 a.m. ET March 14, 2019
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The redesigned 2020 Chevrolet Corvette's new engine is reportedly so powerful that it's compromising the vehicle's structural integrity in testing, causing General Motors to delay the car's reveal, according to an industry report.

Sports car fans have been anxiously awaiting the debut of the eighth generation of the Corvette, which got its last total overhaul with the 2014 Corvette Stingray.

But the 2019 Detroit auto show, which would have provided a major global stage for the vehicle's unveiling, came and went in January with no reveal.

What gives?

Well, it sounds like GM engineers are scrambling to get the vehicle ready for prime time, in part because they made it so powerful that the vehicle is bumping up against physical limitations.

Classic-car insurer Hagerty reports that a Corvette prototype with a twin-turbocharged, 8-cylinder engine is generating 900 to 1,000 horsepower and is causing a "structural distortion of the aluminum spaceframe" during tests.

"The twist in back was enough to fracture the glass hatch covering the engine," Hagerty reports. "Be glad this flaw was discovered in advance of your top speed runs in Chevy’s designated Ferrari-beater."

At those speeds, the new "C8" sports car would be faster than the 2019 ZR1 performance model, which GM has bragged is the fastest-ever 'Vette at a top speed of 210 miles per hour.

The 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, seen here at the 2019 Detroit auto show, is the fastest-ever Corvette with a top speed of 210 miles per hour. (Photo: RYAN GARZA, Detroit Free Press via USA TODAY Network)

Other bugs, including electrical issues, are also still being worked out, according to Hagerty.

The fastest Corvette ever: 2019 Corvette ZR1 tops 210 mph

Most collectible cars: These are the 10 most prized cars of the Detroit auto show's past 30 years

GM representatives did not respond to requests for comment.

The Corvette is widely expected to debut as a 2020 model.

The current version ranges in price from $55,495 to $128,900.

Hagerty estimated that the redesigned model will start in the range of $60,000 to $70,000 and get a 6.2-liter, 8-cylinder engine with at least 500 horsepower, which would be about 50 more than the current base version.

Follow USA TODAY reporter Nathan Bomey on Twitter @NathanBomey.

 

[CoTtOnMoUf]

The ZO6 would do that when they first came out.

That's why you couldn't get T tops onthem because the torque was just too powerful!

 

[bgbtylvr]

I own the C7 Z06. 2Lt version. It’s fhe fastest thing I’ve ever driven or ridden in. The rev match shifts so smoothly that you can run it to 100 mph from a dead stop in one shift. I have the 7-speed manual. 650 hp is no fucking joke! You will never get it out of it. Scariest thing for
me is once you get the tires sticky, you can take curves at scary high speeds in track mode with very little sway. The odd thing is my boy’s Tesla S might be the fastest car off the line ever. I can’t beat it from a dead stop EVER. Overall, I love every single aspect of that car. The mid engine kinda looks hot, but I have to wait to see it at an auto show to determine if I will trade up for it.

Thank God for having no kids.

 

[ANGRY MAN]

I own the C7 Z06. 2Lt version. It’s fhe fastest thing I’ve ever driven or ridden in. The rev match shifts so smoothly that you can run it to 100 mph from a dead stop in one shift. I have the 7-speed manual. 650 hp is no fucking joke! You will never get it out of it. Scariest thing for
me is once you get the tires sticky, you can take curves at scary high speeds in track mode with very little sway. The odd thing is my boy’s Tesla S might be the fastest car off the line ever. I can’t beat it from a dead stop EVER. Overall, I love every single aspect of that car. The mid engine kinda looks hot, but I have to wait to see it at an auto show to determine if I will trade up for it.

Thank God for having no kids.

Congratulations..I have the C7 Z51 3LT package, black with adrenaline red interior. I can’t imagine what a Z06 is like.. This car is fast enough for me, very easy to speed in. As far as Telsa I wouldn’t even race them at a dead stop. Just like they wouldn’t race me 60mph and up. Waiting to see what this new C8 going to look like, will determine if I trade up myself. As far as kids I have one 12yr old and she loves it. This has car has made driving fun again. Only gripe my legs start to hurt from sitting in that position for a long time...almost feels like laying down.

 

[bgbtylvr]

Congratulations..I have the C7 Z51 3LT package, black with adrenaline red interior. I can’t imagine what a Z06 is like.. This car is fast enough for me, very easy to speed in. As far as Telsa I wouldn’t even race them at a dead stop. Just like they wouldn’t race me 60mph and up. Waiting to see what this new C8 going to look like, will determine if I trade up myself. As far as kids I have one 12yr old and she loves it. This has car has made driving fun again. Only gripe my legs start to hurt from sitting in that position for a long time...almost feels like laying down.

My legs go numb sometimes too. The cockpit feels like it narrows to a point and since I have the manual I need both legs Straight out at all times. I never take the top off as it’s a pain to put back on. It’s light and didn’t take much time but I only remove it when I know I don’t need to go in somewhere like a store. If it just a drive I take it off. Still, love the car. .380 fits in the console perfectly. I left the plastic on the kick plates for exiting and entering the car.

 

[donwuan]

The ZO6 would do that when they first came out.

That's why you couldn't get T tops onthem because the torque was just too powerful!

I remember that. You couldn't get the Z06 in a drop top until the C7s came out because of the frame. But they did put the 427 in the drop top anniversary edition C6 but didn't call it a Z06 which as weird.

 

[michigantoga]

I remember that. You couldn't get the Z06 in a drop top until the C7s came out because of the frame. But they did put the 427 in the drop top anniversary edition C6 but didn't call it a Z06 which as weird.

It didn't have the suspension or brakes

 

[donwuan]

It didn't have the suspension or brakes

It actually does have the suspension and the brakes. It's on a steel frame instead of the aluminum frame with the magnesium-reinforced roof panel.

https://www.caranddriver.com/review...tte-427-convertible-instrumented-test-review/

 

[g0nbad real bad]

Did some bullshit pub. How about our Frames are so shit they are bending and we think somebody saw it.

 

[BDR]

Warping frame? Yeah time to invest in better steel

 

[Lexx Diamond]

It was the Z06 that made me watch Top Gear 3 or 4 times.

​

 

[Genesiswiz]

I own the C7 Z06. 2Lt version. It’s fhe fastest thing I’ve ever driven or ridden in. The rev match shifts so smoothly that you can run it to 100 mph from a dead stop in one shift. I have the 7-speed manual. 650 hp is no fucking joke! You will never get it out of it. Scariest thing for
me is once you get the tires sticky, you can take curves at scary high speeds in track mode with very little sway. The odd thing is my boy’s Tesla S might be the fastest car off the line ever. I can’t beat it from a dead stop EVER. Overall, I love every single aspect of that car. The mid engine kinda looks hot, but I have to wait to see it at an auto show to determine if I will trade up for it.

Thank God for having no kids.

No shots, but the car won't visit you in the nursing home. Ijs

 

[bgbtylvr]

Warping frame? Yeah time to invest in better steel

They’re trying to keep the curb weight down and the speed up. They measure and weight everything from the thickness of the carpet to the width of a screw. They even eliminated the gas cap. They shave weight where they can.

 

[bgbtylvr]

No shots, but the car won't visit you in the nursing home. Ijs

I’m gonna die fuckin—Hopefully in my car. No need for a nursing home. And my mom was in one for a decade and most of the people in there with kids didn’t get visitors. I bet they wished they bought that item or took those trips.

 

[knightmelodic]

Power never equals drivability. Ferarri-beater? We'll see. Neither Ferrari or Chevy have been doing too well in GT. And for all those wannabe highway racers, mid-engine cars are notoriously difficult to learn and master.

 

[michigantoga]

The C7 ZR1 is disappointing IMO

The C6 Vettes are very nice...

 

[sammyjax]

my mom was in one for a decade

Gotdamn

 

[bgbtylvr]

Power never equals drivability. Ferarri-beater? We'll see. Neither Ferrari or Chevy have been doing too well in GT. And for all those wannabe highway racers, mid-engine cars are notoriously difficult to learn and master.

Few people will afford the discussed model. 1000 hp will have it at well over 100k, easily 140k for a Chevy. Nope. The base model will only be around 500hp and 70k or more. Their concern is people killing themselves on tracks or trying to race actual super cars and dying.

 

[Genesiswiz]

I’m gonna die fuckin—Hopefully in my car. No need for a nursing home. And my mom was in one for a decade and most of the people in there with kids didn’t get visitors. I bet they wished they bought that item or took those trips.

Yes Sir, keep it pimping

 

[knightmelodic]

Few people will afford the discussed model. 1000 hp will have it at well over 100k, easily 140k for a Chevy. Nope. The base model will only be around 500hp and 70k or more. Their concern is people killing themselves on tracks or trying to race actual super cars and dying.

Yes, I can see that being the case. But 500 on a mid-engine is still tricky, especially a lightweight one. If you're not used to mids you will wreck with the quickness. I won't even get into how unconducive to speed public roads are. I imagine they'll offer a driving school?

 

[bgbtylvr]

Yes, I can see that being the case. But 500 on a mid-engine is still tricky, especially a lightweight one. If you're not used to mids you will wreck with the quickness. I won't even get into how unconducive to speed public roads are. I imagine they'll offer a driving school?

Driving school is free with the Z06 and up. Base model requires big boy pants.

 

[Hey Julian!]

The C7 ZR1 is disappointing IMO

The C6 Vettes are very nice...

Yeah, they reached the limit of that chassis and tried to through more power and wings to compensate.

 

[big enos burrnet]

first thing they should hav been working on is the frame....the frame on that z06 is fucking solid but i hate that 7 speed trans imo-there is no need
for that low highway cruising gear..a six speed whould have been the way to go...

 

[D24OHA]

Yeah I was thinking the same thing, like "Weird Flex, but ok."

How about you look into a better aluminum alloy for the frame... Maybe Carbon Fiber a certain section of the frame that keeps failing

Did some bullshit pub. How about our Frames are so shit they are bending and we think somebody saw it.

Warping frame? Yeah time to invest in better steel

 

[bgbtylvr]

first thing they should hav been working on is the frame....the frame on that z06 is fucking solid but i hate that 7 speed trans imo-there is no need
for that low highway cruising gear..a six speed whould have been the way to go...

The 7th gear is for cylinder deactivation. It’s more an overdrive gear than getting any extra out of the car. 7th gear isn’t needed unless you’re running 170+ continuously.

 

[Mello Mello]

I own the C7 Z06. 2Lt version. It’s fhe fastest thing I’ve ever driven or ridden in. The rev match shifts so smoothly that you can run it to 100 mph from a dead stop in one shift. I have the 7-speed manual. 650 hp is no fucking joke! You will never get it out of it. Scariest thing for
me is once you get the tires sticky, you can take curves at scary high speeds in track mode with very little sway. The odd thing is my boy’s Tesla S might be the fastest car off the line ever. I can’t beat it from a dead stop EVER. Overall, I love every single aspect of that car. The mid engine kinda looks hot, but I have to wait to see it at an auto show to determine if I will trade up for it.

Thank God for having no kids.

This post makes me want to get one and I’m not a big vette guy. My aunty loved the vets tho and uncle still got his.

 

[bgbtylvr]

This post makes me want to get one and I’m not a big vette guy. My aunty loved the vets tho and uncle still got his.

This is why I bought mine.

 

[ANGRY MAN]

My legs go numb sometimes too. The cockpit feels like it narrows to a point and since I have the manual I need both legs Straight out at all times. I never take the top off as it’s a pain to put back on. It’s light and didn’t take much time but I only remove it when I know I don’t need to go in somewhere like a store. If it just a drive I take it off. Still, love the car. .380 fits in the console perfectly. I left the plastic on the kick plates for exiting and entering the car.

I have to see that in person. Yup I got two twelve subwoofer in the back. So I have to leave my roof at home. Look into some different boxes but I don’t like the sound. Did you change out your brake pads?I haven’t yet but damn I got to wipe the wheels off with in hours of driving.

As far as you not having kids, is by choice cause this car is a pussy magnet. My co-worker said when we pull up a woman not going to know the difference between a V8 and a V6. I said that true, but she’s going to know the difference when this roof come off. He has a V6 Camero, no disrespect to them.

 

[meilmarc]

I have to see that in person. Yup I got two twelve subwoofer in the back. So I have to leave my roof at home. Look into some different boxes but I don’t like the sound. Did you change out your brake pads?I haven’t yet but damn I got to wipe the wheels off with in hours of driving.

As far as you not having kids, is by choice cause this car is a pussy magnet. My co-worker said when we pull up a woman not going to know the difference between a V8 and a V6. I said that true, but she’s going to know the difference when this roof come off. He has a V6 Camero, no disrespect to them.

Get hawk ceramic pads or the powerstop z26 ceramic pads. They barely give off any brake dust

 

[donwuan]

Warping frame? Yeah time to invest in better steel

I doubt it's the one with the steel frames that's bending. It's the 900 hp ZR1 or Z06 and they don't usually have steel frame, to keep the weight down. The frames should flex but not wrap meaning they are not flexing back into shape.

 

[Famous1]

Did some bullshit pub. How about our Frames are so shit they are bending and we think somebody saw it.

Exactly.... I'd take a c6 ZR-1 over any C-7 model.

 

[mcguyver]

Propaganda. This is not good news. Once in production any and all buyers should question it's safety.

 

[bgbtylvr]

 

[bgbtylvr]

Rendering without camouflage.

 

[bgbtylvr]

Video