Chevrolet does not build the C6R, Pratt&Miller does and Katech builds the engines. Cost is rather beside the point since it is a sponsored race car. Thus, at the level it competes at, one can't really put a price tag on it since it is more than the sum of its parts. Meaning it costs millions of dollars a season to campaign the car. They don't even think in terms of what an individual car costs.
I am well aware that P&M builds the C6R - but I am also aware it carries a "purchase/lease" price, as their are teams overseas running and campaigning C5R and C6R's. There are probably more racing Corvettes, Saleens, Moslers and Vipers at GT1 competition levels running on any given weekend all over Europe than in the US. That is how much more popular US race cars are over there than here.
This is basis for my statement - if GM sold the C6R (or a similar no costs spared protoype "racer") on behalf of P&M for $2 million dollars as a track day special - the same way the FXX is sold as track day car - its not a race car, its a "customer particpatory prototype program".
Something GM, P&M and Katech should get involved in - to take a US manufacturer into the same playground the europeans play in.
The C5R and C6R won races, now they need to become the play things of obscenely wealthy enthusiasts. There is a market for this type of thing.
an AWD vette would be amazing, but I still like the traditional rear wheel drive beast
__________________ My baby Z was the 12th Z06 to roll off the line on July 10, 2006. It was the 148th Z06 to roll off the production line for 2007 and I picked her up on August 2nd!!
I agree. It would just make it a bunch heavier and slower. Show me the race cars that run fast with all wheel drive. All wheel drive is for soccor moms.
JJ
"This is the first generation to come along that's big enough to hurt a boomer brand simply by giving it the cold shoulder--and big enough to launch rival brands with enough heft to threaten the status quo. As the leading edge of this huge new group elbows its way into the marketplace, its members are making it clear that companies hoping to win their hearts and wallets will have to learn to think like they do--and not like the boomers who preceded them."
Moreover, what do Corvette owners often refer to Gen Y as? "Ricers" What car do you think they will desire as they get older? Hint: it isn't a Corvette.
I'm sure GM is well aware of these demographic changes and I suspect they will start to explore ways to market to them in the coming years.
you are exactly right, speaking as a 24 yr. old. i am currently trying to set myself up to own a c5z in the next couple months. but that is only because i dont' have the money to pony up for a new c6z. though if i had the money for a c6z you can be sure that i (or the majority of "kids" my age) will be going with the nissan gt-r. a "ricer" that will spank the pants off of vettes for practically the same price. one of the things that impresses everybody about the vette is the civalness of the gas millage. well the gtr is speculated to get around 22mpg. so its hanging in there in that aspect as well. if the past skylines are any indication the new gtr (basically a skyline renamed) will have gobs of potential out of the box with just a basic tune in engine dynamics. so yes if gm is to win over this market of new buyers they will need to start playing catch up because Nissan threw the first punch and is about to knock over the kids with money, IF THEY CAN SHIP ENOUGH CARS HERE! maybe the way to do this is to throw in that exotic mid engine factor and the performance of awd. imo thats how they will benefit best. maybe with a new model name to preserve the corvette buyers of yesteryear.
now as a side note. we, speaking for my generation, know the vette, especially the z, shouldn't be underestimated and will decimate a stock vs. stock race on just about everything around. but half the fun is the add ons and tweaking of things that aren't "supposed" to be messed with. and this is easiest and most affordable with "ricer" cars.
as for me i'm set on getting a c5z and blowing the doors off the imports (what we call them) around town. after all i am spending about the same amount of money as they will on their car. they just get a warranty that they have to void to even come close to the z. i'll forgo the warranty and just buy used.
Last edited by chewbakkah : 04-21-2008 at 03:24 AM.
Isn't it interesting that the top line Porsche GT-2 is RWD while the 997 TT is AWD ? My experience says not so good drivers are more daring in the AWD TT, Audi RS4,etc., and better drivers are faster in the RWD supercars. Just an observation.
Isn't it interesting that the top line Porsche GT-2 is RWD while the 997 TT is AWD ? My experience says not so good drivers are more daring in the AWD TT, Audi RS4,etc., and better drivers are faster in the RWD supercars. Just an observation.
i see your point, except for the times that it absolutely out performs rwd like during launch. so it would be nice to have some control over when it is engaged. it'd be awesome if you could program the computer to send power to all four by the flick of a switch just for those times.
__________________
still waiting on the z06 to materalize in my driveway. shouldn't be long now.
Isn't it interesting that the top line Porsche GT-2 is RWD while the 997 TT is AWD ? My experience says not so good drivers are more daring in the AWD TT, Audi RS4,etc., and better drivers are faster in the RWD supercars. Just an observation.
Or the top Lambo being RWD instead of the usual 4WD.
I think the next Vette will be an E-Flex hybrid with four 150 HP elec motors, a fuel cell or small motor to drive the generator, and 4WD. Has to happen some time....
When power gets to moonrocket levels, 4WD and elec gadgets are necessary to keep ordinary people from killing themselves. The new Nissan is built to be (both very ugly and) idiot-proof, as much as anything else. Anyone can drive it fast, reading between the lines in the Road and Track comparo. Heck, it may have the Lexus electronics so it can parallel park all by itself, too.
I think the next Vette will be an E-Flex hybrid with four 150 HP elec motors, a fuel cell or small motor to drive the generator, and 4WD. Has to happen some time....
When power gets to moonrocket levels, 4WD and elec gadgets are necessary to keep ordinary people from killing themselves. The new Nissan is built to be (both very ugly and) idiot-proof, as much as anything else. Anyone can drive it fast, reading between the lines in the Road and Track comparo. Heck, it may have the Lexus electronics so it can parallel park all by itself, too.
Interesting to think of an AWD Corvette. Maybe I'm old fashioned (traditionalist?) but RWD has worked just fine for over 50 years/ If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
PLEASE NOOOOOOO
The last true fun muscle car gets all safety and eco-political correct???
GM don't do it, this generation of drivers like fighting rear wheel drive....
On all accounts the Audi R8 is boring, ditto the Playstation GT-R, as is my all wheel drive (Haldex) R32. Fast, efficient, but oh so boring....
__________________
Move over Mansell:
"Racing is life ... everything else is just waiting.", Steve McQueen
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My baby Z was the 12th Z06 to roll off the line on July 10, 2006. It was the 148th Z06 to roll off the production line for 2007 and I picked her up on August 2nd!! 
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