Next Corvette To Sport A 7 Speed Manual Transmission

[webby]

Next Corvette To Sport A 7 Speed Manual Transmission

Perhaps the manual transmission isn't as dead as a few Italian automakers would like you to believe.Porsche has declared that as long as there is demand it will continue to supply automobiles with do-it-yourself gearboxes, and the German automaker has outfitted its 2012 911 with a seven-speed manual gearbox. Now it seems General Motors is following suit, and the next-generation Chevrolet Corvette will reportedly offer up seven forward gears, as well.

Inside Line has reported that the 2014 Corvette is set to swap in an extra cog for increased fuel efficiency. As a bonus, this move will allow engineers to play with the lower gear ratios thus providing a bit more speed from the lower end.

Now that Porsche has made the leap to a seven-speed manual and Corvette is following suit, could a cackling, wild-eyed locked-in-the-basement transmission engineer be working on an eight-speed unit? We doubt it, but we're already doing heavy shoulder workouts just in case.

 

[Nomar06]

I know what i am getting Ken for xmas! One 25lb dumbell.

 

[KennyGS]

I initially thought the title meant the vette was getting a 7 speed automatic "A 7"

I am very happy with 6 gears, and rarely see 5th or 6th gear in a normal day anyway.

 

[webby]

well, when you can hit 60mph in 1st gear.....

 

[Nomar06]

Guess I need to look for a differen present then...

 

[webby]

40lb dumbbell?

 

[LizBot]

When we retire there will be a 10 gear car.

 

[Dar-Dar]

Didn't the last gen Corvette hit 75mph @ 2000rpm in 6th gear? I wonder how the new 7th gear will be like.

 

[webby]

I looked around - seems like it would be 1182rpm at 55mph / 6th gear on the 2008 C6 Corvette with MM6 TR6060 manual and GU6 3.42 gears (standard).

 

[LizBot]

I give you:

 

[webby]

haha - just remove the windshield

 

[Dar-Dar]

I guess Chevy is aiming for 30mpg with this new design.

 

[KennyGS]

I can't imagine what the justification behind this decision is. I can easily spin my 325mm wide rear tires in first gear like I'm on ice, and don't shift into 6th gear unless I'm on a freeway going more than 65 mph. It never feels like another gear is needed anywhere in between.

 

[bootyluvr]

First thing I thought about was Ken needs to upgrade his Vette!

 

[webby]

this move will allow engineers to play with the lower gear ratios thus providing a bit more speed from the lower end.

well, from this it sounds like they'll be altering the ratios....so it may be totally different shift points than the current vette

 

[NAFG2_KDMFTW]

I can't imagine what the justification behind this decision is. I can easily spin my 325mm wide rear tires in first gear like I'm on ice, and don't shift into 6th gear unless I'm on a freeway going more than 65 mph. It never feels like another gear is needed anywhere in between.

The main justification it seems to me is the current demand for fuel economy.

 

[KennyGS]

Not sure how this will accomplish better mileage to any measurable extent. :shrug: