Z06Vette.com - Corvette Z06 Forum - Next-gen Corvette to get AWD?

dascrow · 11-11-2007, 04:41 PM

Hot on the heels of discovering the next-gen Corvette could be offered with a dual-clutch transmission, word is now filtering out that General Motors may be working on adapting the Haldex-sourced XWD all-wheel-drive system currently available on the 2008 Saab 9-3 for use on Chevy's budget supercar. The Haldex XWD is a robust system, as it can send up to 85% of the engine's power to a single wheel.

Auto Motor and Sport in Sweden reports that GM engineers have been seen testing a mule with a wider rear track than any Saab currently available, which suggests the system is already in development for the next-gen Corvette. We're not sure whether to place this piece of news in the fact file or keep it on the rumor pile, as information surrounding the next-gen Corvette has been swirling since GM's contract with the UAW was leaked and revealed some juicy details. Will it switch to the smaller Kappa platform (production of the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky is set to switch to the Corvette's facility in Bowling Green, KY in a few years). What about rumors of a mid-engine exotic Corvette to be built and sold alongside the traditional model? There's too much static to pick out fact from fiction, though the dual-clutch transmission seems like a definite lock since it was referenced in official documents. GM, of course, is silent on the subject.

[Source: Auto Motor and Sport]
by John Neff
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/03/n...te-to-get-awd/

Zippy · 11-11-2007, 05:11 PM

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.

**RC45** · 11-11-2007, 05:27 PM

I'd almost rather see the Corvette dropped than get turbos and AWD and all the luxuries of a Rolls Royce...

How's that for traditionalist? hehe

snakecharmer · 11-11-2007, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zippy

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.

Agreed. I also don't like the idea of a mid-engineed vette one bit.

Eddie 70 · 11-11-2007, 07:18 PM

I guess they need to keep coming up with new whiz bangs to keep pulling more money out of our pockets. Lets see, AWD in the vette. Wonder how fast it will do 0-60? 3.5 seconds?

robls6 · 11-12-2007, 01:40 PM

It'll never happen

HotRodHarry · 11-12-2007, 04:02 PM

Chevy has been rumored to make a mid engine Corvette in the 1970's and 1990's. Never happened.

Tony Skarbic · 11-12-2007, 05:00 PM

Ditto Zippy, I agree.

GEORGE MANNING · 11-12-2007, 06:54 PM

Those fortunate enough to be driving 600+ HP Vettes would be singing the praises of an AWD Vette. That is where the future lies with the HP race. IMHO.

CW03Z · 11-20-2007, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HotRodHarry

Chevy has been rumored to make a mid engine Corvette in the 1970's and 8190's. Never happened.

wow....i remember this guy from mod-fords a few years back!

As for the AWD, hm, lets wait an see

HotRodHarry · 11-21-2007, 05:12 AM

Hey man.....still alive here. And still a moderator on Modular Fords too....

70's 80's 90's....maybe now will be the time for either mid engined or all wheel drive.

Z O SICK · 11-21-2007, 06:39 AM

AWD would be great IMO. Traction will no longer be an issue.

Oliveiraej · 11-21-2007, 03:38 PM

I'm surprised it hasn't happen already. The next Gen car will be impossible to beat on the track with AWD. But who really knows when that will happen. They need to go to a Mid Engine car with AWD but it doesn't have to be the Vette. It could be a totaly new model so that they can continue the traditional Vette with RWD and have a new technology beast that would appeal to that side of the market.

I enjoy AWD technology and have had both sports cars and luxury cars with it. If they make one I would buyit for sure. Until then I looking for a used 06/07 Z06 and will get one as soon as I get a great deal.

**RC45** · 11-25-2007, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GEORGE MANNING

Those fortunate enough to be driving 600+ HP Vettes would be singing the praises of an AWD Vette. That is where the future lies with the HP race. IMHO.

No we wouldn't - if we wanted 600AWHP we would have started with an AWD platform.

We didnt want an AWD platform, thats why we have Corvettes to start with.

It would be such a shame for the Corvette to "become something else" just for the sake of "being something else".

I have driven a 650bhp AWD Ruf RT12 on the same streets and tracks as my 660bhp RWD C5 Z06 - both have their nuances, and can be almost as fast as each other - it would be a dissapointment if they both ended "feeling the same"

No Doubt · 11-25-2007, 01:46 PM

Quote:

We didnt want an AWD platform, thats why we have Corvettes to start with.

Well, you may not want one, but Zora Duntov did. His goal was an AWD mid-engine Corvette, which as you know has yet to happen. However, I agree it likely won't for many of the same reasons it didn't then.

Quote:

"become something else" just for the sake of "being something else".

Although historically speaking production Corvettes have always had RWD, they could put the name Corvette on anything and it would be a Corvette. Look how much the Corvette has changed since its introduction. About the only similarity is the fact it is still a front engined, RWD car.

I agree however that changing what has been tradition, just for the sake of changing it, may prove counterproductive and thus another reason it is not likely to happen. That is not to mention the cost of engineering an entirely new and different platform that shares little with other GM vehicles.