Quote:
Originally Posted by V6CamaroRS
The reason really is tradition. The Z/28 has always been the top of the line Camaro. To have a generation without a Z/28 is to ignore that tradition. The existence of the ZL1 demonstrates how much the Chevy engineers care about maintaining that tradition. Otherwise they would have left he Z/28 badge on the car and said "good enough".
My understanding is that European regulations are based around the displacement of the engine. Chevy may have been able to hit the CAFE standards with their tech, but price themselves out of the Euro market due to too much displacement. Even at 6.2L, Europeans have to be paying a pretty penny for the Corvette!
No problem. I imagine their thinking in touting the cap was twofold:
1. Play up how amazingly powerful the Z06 is
2. Convince the market that a lack of a ZR-1 is not a big deal
Realistically, the rear wheel drive platform just cannot handle too much horsepower. At 650HP with an ultralight chassis, the 'Vette requires the super-advanced downforce aero bits to put the power down and stay planted. (I believe Motortrend tried removing them when they had car problems and all that happened was stability suffered.)
Technological advances will continue to improve the situation, but I have a hard time imagining that Corvette will be able to avoid the mid-engine question for much longer. It may or may not be the plan for the C8, but there should be no doubt GM is testing designs.
If not C8, then perhaps C9. It will depend on where Checy decides to position the 'Vette. For now it's highly competitive with its AWD and mid-engine competitors. Chevy may be waiting for them to show their hands before committing to a direction.
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1. Traditionally, the Z/28 was built for the track to compete in road racing. The engine was built for racing to meet the class rules. That's why they built the DZ302 and later used the LT1, when the rules changed. If you want to go by tradition, the LT4 has no business being in the engine bay of a Z/28. I would rather the Z/28 not come back the end up being a car that doesn't follow tradition.
2. I'm not real familiar with European taxes it it seems they do tax a lot of stuff they consider luxury items like power functions and automatic transmissions, or at least that's what I've read.
3. I think mid engine is the next logical step for Corvette. A lot of people seem to agree, based on the mid engine prototypes GM has built. It will be interesting to see if they do it and what it's capable of.