Would You Buy An Automatic Z06?

[QKSLVR]

No way,time to count sheep Zippy

[Sanford]

Maybe GM could build a limited # for the senior drivers who are physically challenged.

[sconi]

Maybe GM could build a limited # for the senior drivers who are physically challenged.

Yah, the Handicapmobile!!


Zip, I always thought automatics were for girls that can't get the hang of a manual!

[JBsZ06]

Originally posted by panzer
If it works for Ferrari's it could work for the Z06. I would love one I can shift but also put in auto mode when I am in bumper to bumper traffic ( who does not encounter this? ).

Heres a list of "sports cars" that offer sequential shift technology..

Ferrari..(not a real sports car?) Enzo..360 and 575
Lamboghini is coming out with this technology for the Murcielargo
Maserati
Aston Martin
Porsche 911 (2005 model year)
Audi TT
Alfa Romeo
BMW M3 and upcoming M5 (the non ultimate driving machine?) BMW is quoted as saying it may only produce SMG M versions for the M5 as its just consistantly a faster car.

I don't know why you guys hate this technology..

It offers perfection and consistancy and total driver control in the same manner as we presently have yet it offers performance above even formula one or rally drivers capabilities..

An added bonus is increased durability..emissions and fuel economy. This type of transmissions with better emissions and fuel economy during Government testing would allow the engineers to produce cars that were more powerful as well. (as they would have less difficulty in meeting said standards)

Its a win win deal here and it would be unfortunate that the added 200 dollar production cost for materials and r & d per unit will not be undertaken on Corvette because its owner group doesn't see yet see the benefit. Not manly enough..? what the hell is that..

I thought you guys just wanted to go faster?

Sorry for the rant but these types of advancement in technology had a similiar backlash when ABS and Competition mode active handling first came on the scene..

Today..these are the technologies that in many ways make the Corvette and Z06 a better sports car than the Viper..(both on the race track and the road) IMO anyway..


All egos aside..

I think the only handicap would be be the idea that this technology is not wanted..or needed.

[wallyman424]

the sequential stuff is great and all, having driven a 360 modena and the new 575M, but i just like a regular manual better. its a thing of personal preference. im sure a sequential gearbox could be more efficient and much quicker than i am, but i like that a manual requires skill and that not everyone you meet can become an expert in a matter of minutes. Im not saying that they shouldnt offer it in the next corvette, but i just hope they keep the 6-speed as an option as well, but as for the automatic, a simple NO will suffice.

[NavyPhrog]

I wouldn't buy a Corvette with an automatic tranny much less a Z06!! Well maybe when I am too old to shift, but until then...Nope

[JBsZ06]

The Ferrari is actually old technology..what is coming from Porsche and Audi may surprise you. The dual clutch capability should make the shifts faster than BMW's present 80 millisecond timeframe..

I think the Ferrari's sequential shift technology although among the first on the scene is actually antiquitated (sp) at about double the time frame..150 milliseconds..

And for those concerned that they would not have stick shifts on corvettes...you can bet..the traditional stick shift will be on corvette for years and years..if not forever..

GM marketing has it right..Corvette owners in general don't want this..

Boohoo!


I'm old enough to remember the same arguments and discussions were rampant when ABS brakes came out..people said..they wanted to exert the HIGH level of skill they had to control the car vs..using ABS braking..

[wallyman424]

i get what your saying, and it would be cool, but most people see that and say to themselves "what next, are they going to make the steering 'automatic' too." corvette drivers, and most sports cars drivers in general, like as much control as they can get.

[Baron]

JBsZ06 You are 100% right. And someday the Corvettes will have sequential shift technology. And we will all get used to it( and probably love it). I think it is just hard to break old habits( at least fo us 50 yr old kids )

[JBsZ06]

Wallyman..I enjoy the conversation so please don't take this as a flame in anyway..

The ultimate control of the sports car would with this technology be expanded..not reduced..

It would just be the speed and consistancy of perfection that would allow the car to be faster..

Interestingly enough..the M3 guys who have sticks who compete in track events..are quite envious of the SMG capabilities..and to start off..most of the M3 guys were adament that the SMG was a gimmick or something that removed driver involvement.

I'm just shooting the breeze on this and apologize for any misdirection of this thread.

[JBsZ06]

Baron..I hope your right and I also hope at some point someone would offer an aftermarket capability for this technology to hit the Z06..

Some gentlemen on Steves C5 forum in past mentioned this as a 4 grand possiblity..(at the time I had an A4 so I didn't follow up on it)

Don't get me wrong guys..I dig the six speed on the Z..hell thats the reason I bought the car..I just get a kick out of the consistant perfection and execution..with this technology..

Now I promise..I'm out of this thread to let it follow its natural course..

Accept my apologies..

[wallyman424]

oh, i didnt take any offence, this is a great conversation

if were talking consistancy and speed of shifting the SMG-type tranny is the way to go, no questions asked. but i have to say, that when i drive my navigator, i usually have a water bottle in the cupholder and hell, my arm has the tendancy to put the waterbottle into first gear once in a while!

i would love to see this become an option on the corvette, because the main draw of the corvette through its life span has been its high tech wizardry, from the fuelie to the active handling and magneto-shocks. but just as with any other changes there are going to be purists (no better than anyone else) who like it better before.

[sconi]

i get what your saying, and it would be cool, but most people see that and say to themselves "what next, are they going to make the steering 'automatic' too." corvette drivers, and most sports cars drivers in general, like as much control as they can get.

Formula 1 drivers don't seem to mind. Besides, if we agreed that the paddle shifter type stuff was OK, we wouldn't be able to trash Zippy!

[JBsZ06]

Wally man..I'm glad you didn't take offense and as a past owner of a 99C5 A4 and now the absolutely awesome Z06..

I think the biggest kick..and the reason I am running to hit the open road more often with this car vs. my last corvette..



is that awesome acceleration when you drop down the gears for insane rollon performance..that just isn't there with the A4.its like night and day...or better yet..as you dive into the turns and the car is set and balanced just right..

I'm sure all you guys are aware of all that I stated but for me personally....its been a revelation of consistant gratification.. as I take this car through mountain drives etc..(not 10/10ths but at a spirited pace) the enjoyment factor that is being mentioned by many here are dead on the money!

I would imagine...

One of the problems with the present technology Automatic torque convertor corvettes is that when you dive into a corner and the car senses you lifting off the gas..it upshifts and the car gets all squirelly..(sp) and then again as your pulling out of turns getting ready to hammer down the straightaway.. ..the traditional automatic sports car downshifts so low that the back end flys out..As a recent yet past owner of a C5 automatic..I would say it was tougher to modulate the gas pedal on Automatics in that scenerio..(it just wanted to give that "strong downshift" and I would say it would upset the car's handling balance)

those two are among the many reasons why a traditional torque convertor automatic would never be placed in a Z06..

To better look at the original question of this thread posed by Zippy..with regards to an automatic A4 or A5 Z06...



You guys are dead right..torque convertor automatics wouldn't conceptually match with what GM has applied with the Z06..nor its specific design goals..

[Zippy]

I am really surprised by the overwhelming support for our 6-speed! When I thought about posting this, I expected the majority would vote "no." But didn't expect such a large number of responses.

For the record, I am on my 4th C5, and all have been 6-speeds.
I hope to continue driving 6-speed Vettes, but am still bothered by occassional left leg pain and cramping, hence the thought of an automatic Z06.

My prediction is that a paddle type shifter will be available on the C6! Time will tell.

Gotta run, taking the 6-speed Zee out for the final ride of the year! Going into winter hibernation tomorrow.

Zippy