CHEVY’S CORVETTE PACKS A VERY RESPECTABLE AUTOMATIC GEARBOX
SENIOR MOTORSPORTS EDITOR MAC MORRISON: Every opportunity to drive a C7 Corvette brings with it another confirmation that the Corvette has reached a new level.
I personally wouldn’t opt for the convertible, especially given the fact the C7 coupe features a standard removable roof, but the legions of Corvette convertible fans will find the same attributes here as in the coupe: Gobs of power and torque, great exhaust growl, nicely weighted steering, strong brakes and a very nice handling balance. Top operation is quick and easy, and with it down and the wind flying past, you feel even more tempted to extract as much of the car’s enormous potential as you dare.
One thing you won’t find on this here car, however, is the seven-speed manual gearbox. Chevy still hasn’t managed to source a true twin-clutch transmission for its performance car, but the new eight-speed automatic is damn impressive. It varies its shift speeds depending on load so as to prevent snatching the meaty rear tires loose under high lateral loads, but with power on in a straight line, it cracks them off very quickly, whether you opt for full auto mode or shifting yourself using the steering-wheel paddles.
No, this gearbox is not as quick and immediate as the latest, for example, Porsche PDK, but neither is it sluggish when you ask it to perform aggressively. I’m not ready to say I would choose it over the manual, but the faster and quicker the Corvette gets, the more its limits rise, the more I begin to think it’s a viable option. In one way, I’m glad there’s no twin-clutch available yet, because at that point I might finally cave. That’s no indictment of this eight-speed, though. It’s a damn fine transmission, and the first Corvette automatic that I won’t scoff at out of hand when I see a C7 equipped with it. There’s a big part of me that, after sampling it myself, can see the appeal, because you aren’t losing any performance with it vs. the manual, as was the case in older versions. And in some scenarios, like drag strip launches, you’re actually gaining time over the seven-speed manual. Nice work, team Corvette.
ASSOCIATE EDITOR JAKE LINGEMAN: I’m not the biggest fan of convertibles, or Corvettes, but man, this car is just great. It looks good with the top down, handles unbelievably, is faster than 90 percent of cars on the road, and comes in cheaper than cars with half the power.
Maybe I’m exaggerating on that last one, but this is still the performance deal of the century.
The new eight-speed automatic is near perfect, for a slush box. It senses your driving style and reacts accordingly. We tested the new gearbox at GM’s Milford Proving Ground a few months ago and it was spectacular.
Interior trim was nice with the 2LT package and suede seat inserts. Overall, the inside is miles ahead of the old cars. The touchscreen works well and had no problem with my Apple iPhone, and all the controls are within reach. That’s a bonus because you get pretty snug in those seats.
Application of power is perfect with the naturally aspirated engine. Nice and smooth at the beginning, developing real thrust at 2,500 rpm, and then more at 4,500 rpm. The multimode exhaust is a must-have option, in my opinion. It sounds great through tunnels, especially with the top down. Brakes are suitably strong for a 150-plus-mph car.
If I had $60K or so in my pocket, it’d be hard to pass up this new C7; it’s just so much car for the money. I wouldn’t take the convertible, but even the base model is so far ahead of everything else, performance-wise, it’s a no brainer. I do wonder how it would handle the repeated track days of actual ownership. But I suppose the number of Corvette guys going to the track, while a larger percentage than other car owners, it still a pretty small chunk.
Options: 2LT package including memory package, seat adjusters, power bolsters, power lumbar, power heated adjustable outside mirrors, driver’s side auto dimming mirror, inside rearview mirror with auto dimming, heated and ventilated seats, seat badges, universal home remote, premium audio with surround sound, advance theft deterrent system, color head-up display, XM radio and 9-month subscription ($4,160); ZF1 appearance package ($1,995); performance data and video recorder including navigation ($1,795); eight-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission, remote vehicle start, rear axle 2.41 ratio ($1,725); performance multi-mode exhaust ($1,195); carbon fiber interior package ($995); suede microfiber seat inserts ($395)
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