Corvette Executive Engineer Interview

[Speedy!]

I've started listening to this interview with Tadge Juechter that Hargerty emailed me. I geek out on engineering stuff, but I'm finding it fascinating and thought I'd share. One example, when the C6 Z06 was in development it was actually intended to be the low cost model and a focus group said NO WAY to them coming out with a cheaper version after they'd bought a more expensive model so they changed direction. It also didn't get the Z06 name until days before it was released.

Read the full story

 

[jonx96]

Will have to watch later. But Chevy is doing everything we talked about wanting with the challengers to the corvettes.

 

[Speedy!]

It's super interesting. Example they wanted at least 500hp and the propulsion engineering team said "sure but it's gonna have a supercharger" which messed up the weight bias target front to rear so they had to sort through all that and ended up at 638HP in the ZR1. Little stuff like that.

The mid engine model was supposed to be a C7 but the finance crisis in 2009 killed it.

 

[Jack_Toepfer]

Didn’t realize he retired. Good share.

 

[Jack_Toepfer]

Forgot how successful the C5 was. Production ran at 100% capacity (all available overtime) for the entire run. Used to run a built 2003 Cobra, constantly hunting the C5 z06.

 

[Speedy!]

Would be awesome to get back stories like these on the Hellcat line up.

 

[Demonic Cat]

We are in the same situation as the when Vette C4 ended and C5 started. Major difference is Vette nailed the market and platform, also it continued to build on C5 technology that’s been carried through up to C8. The big question is can Dodge use the new underpinning platform for robust ice integration, ie possible light weight TT V8, 4 Wheel drive and open architecture for multi Platform use. If sales continue to be dismal as most predict, have they left a back door open for what our group wants. Transmission & driveshaft tunnel is there, press some exterior panels to appeal to our taste while selling enough electric units to the folks that want it could justify ice power and panel face lift to remove that front end electric looking theme. Stellantis has spent a big nut developing this platform. They wont throw it away, so could it be converted with out bastardizing it for our taste is the question, or do we have to wait for our new C whatever number Charger is on now, C6 I think so C7. I’ve lost count, if they don’t, then fine screw them. I go forward and be happy with what I have.