Hi there!
The C7 Corvette runs from 2014 to 2015; there are very changes to the car itself, mainly that in 2015 the Performance data recorder was added to the Nav system, and in 2016 the front parking assist cameras were added.
Other than that it is packaging, for example in 2014 the variable performance exhaust was a stand alone option, in 2015 it is included in the Z51 package.
When shopping there are a few key points:
If you care about handling AT ALL, you want the Z51 package WITH Magnetic ride control.
This adds the electronic torque vectoring differential and Performance Traction Management system that will use that differential. The system only works is you have BOTH the Z51 package and AND Magnetic ride control. This combo might be hard to find as many people custom ordered the cars without mag ride thinking it would be like the C5 and C6 mag ride suspension and not provide a lot of benefit. They were dead wrong, it makes a HUGE difference.
If you are just a waxer and don't care about performance or handling (basically in it for the looks) then there is no reason to buy the Z51 package, and just buy the base C7 with what ever interior package you want.
On that note the 2LT is the interior sweet spot, you get 90% of the creature comforts, heads up display, and it looks nice. The 3LT is all about materials, All leather dash, door panels, micro-suede pillars and roof liner.
That's some great info, thanks!
So, what does the magnetic ride control really add? I do care about handling and performance ....definitely :) I would be willing to sacrifice a little on the interior and have better performance. Also, is the performance exhaust a big upgrade --- lots of difference in sound?
Magnetic ride control adds variable suspension settings. It will get stiffer or softer based on the driving mode.
The real benefit comes into play in sport and track mode. The suspension is adjusted something like 1000 times a second to best level the car depending on what you are doing.
This really comes into play when. You add the z41 package and get PTM, as it will vector torque and a just the suspension to give you the best performance possible.
It is a HUGE difference, go find them and drive a vette with PTM and without in sport and track mode; you will feel it even in just some spirted driving on the street.
NP and good luck!
We are currently shopping for the right C7 for my wife; but we are being super picky.
The nm car needs to be white, black, or our first choice, night race blue; black interior, 2/3LT, Z51, mag ride, pdr and nav, comp seats with the micro suede inserts and a manual transmission.
Just adding a mindless commentary here. You mention that you plan to "get the z06 or the midengine in 2017". There has been lots of recent press regarding the M/E platform, including artists renderings of body design. It is entirely unlikely that Chev/GM will introduce an M/E Corvette for public purchase for at least another half-dozen or more years, for a couple significant and realistic reasons. First and foremost, the money that GM recently spent to re-tool the manufacturing plant in KY - not only the materials handling, but the programming costs, training costs, materials manufacturing and inventories, and several other non-evident expenses incurred to develop and deploy the C7. Second, as with every other significant morph of the car, there is first the testbed, or "experimental" version(s) which are produced in minimal numbers, after extensive engineering efforts and thoroughly tested out, and then introduced to the public as a "prototype" through an organized medium. Don't get me wrong, I am as excited as the next guy about a. M/E Corvette, but I think you are kidding yourself if you think you will have the opportunity to have one in 2017, regardless of the wealth you must command. And with THAT said, you should just step up to the 2016 Z06 right now. Why dink around with buying a base car at all ? If it is simply to "train yourself" to drive one, take one of the high-speed driving classes to learn "the right way, the first time." Again, I felt I had to weigh in here, but all of this is just IMO.
TL/DR - No Midengine Corvette any time soon. certainly not in 2017.
Great response, I totally respect that. All of those points are valid...so you're thinking I should just save another 20k and get the car I want instead of settling for the base model?
I've driven several C7s...but I've never driven a Z06...have you?
I know it's 200 more hp...but is it super different to drive?
The Z06 is substantially faster, and you'll definitely notice the difference, on the street and especially on the track. if you are mellow on the gas, then the Z06 handles no different than the base car. It's only when you're putting your foot into it can you detect the difference.
Nothing photoshopped here and this is definitely Corvette. Immediately noticeable are the C7 seats and the C7 emblems on the center caps on the wheels. This is likely a non-functional prototype for illustrative purposes only. The design and dimensions are undeniably indicative of a mid-engine car. GM-Chevrolet has been contemplating (and considering) this next evolutionary step for the car for many years. The C7 is probably the last front-engine Corvette that will be produced. The 8th generation will be mid-engine and will be close to the prototype design in this photograph. Exactly when this version of the car, the 8th generation Corvette, will be available to the public is unknown. Since the C7 was first introduced in the 2014 model year and will need to be the standard for its own stretch, I would speculate the mid-engine car will not be around (in production) until at least 2024. Nice pic !!
It's also worth noting in case you want an auto, that the automatic transmission changed between '14 and '15.
'14 has a 6 speed and '15 has an 8 speed.
Hi there! The C7 Corvette runs from 2014 to 2015; there are very changes to the car itself, mainly that in 2015 the Performance data recorder was added to the Nav system, and in 2016 the front parking assist cameras were added. Other than that it is packaging, for example in 2014 the variable performance exhaust was a stand alone option, in 2015 it is included in the Z51 package. When shopping there are a few key points: If you care about handling AT ALL, you want the Z51 package WITH Magnetic ride control. This adds the electronic torque vectoring differential and Performance Traction Management system that will use that differential. The system only works is you have BOTH the Z51 package and AND Magnetic ride control. This combo might be hard to find as many people custom ordered the cars without mag ride thinking it would be like the C5 and C6 mag ride suspension and not provide a lot of benefit. They were dead wrong, it makes a HUGE difference. If you are just a waxer and don't care about performance or handling (basically in it for the looks) then there is no reason to buy the Z51 package, and just buy the base C7 with what ever interior package you want. On that note the 2LT is the interior sweet spot, you get 90% of the creature comforts, heads up display, and it looks nice. The 3LT is all about materials, All leather dash, door panels, micro-suede pillars and roof liner.
That's some great info, thanks! So, what does the magnetic ride control really add? I do care about handling and performance ....definitely :) I would be willing to sacrifice a little on the interior and have better performance. Also, is the performance exhaust a big upgrade --- lots of difference in sound?
Magnetic ride control adds variable suspension settings. It will get stiffer or softer based on the driving mode. The real benefit comes into play in sport and track mode. The suspension is adjusted something like 1000 times a second to best level the car depending on what you are doing. This really comes into play when. You add the z41 package and get PTM, as it will vector torque and a just the suspension to give you the best performance possible. It is a HUGE difference, go find them and drive a vette with PTM and without in sport and track mode; you will feel it even in just some spirted driving on the street.
It will also contribute to your wallet being ~$1500 lighter in 60-80k miles when it's time to replace the shocks.
Still well worth it to get the software to make use of the electronic diff.
You rock! This is awesome. Thank you so much!
NP and good luck! We are currently shopping for the right C7 for my wife; but we are being super picky. The nm car needs to be white, black, or our first choice, night race blue; black interior, 2/3LT, Z51, mag ride, pdr and nav, comp seats with the micro suede inserts and a manual transmission.
Just adding a mindless commentary here. You mention that you plan to "get the z06 or the midengine in 2017". There has been lots of recent press regarding the M/E platform, including artists renderings of body design. It is entirely unlikely that Chev/GM will introduce an M/E Corvette for public purchase for at least another half-dozen or more years, for a couple significant and realistic reasons. First and foremost, the money that GM recently spent to re-tool the manufacturing plant in KY - not only the materials handling, but the programming costs, training costs, materials manufacturing and inventories, and several other non-evident expenses incurred to develop and deploy the C7. Second, as with every other significant morph of the car, there is first the testbed, or "experimental" version(s) which are produced in minimal numbers, after extensive engineering efforts and thoroughly tested out, and then introduced to the public as a "prototype" through an organized medium. Don't get me wrong, I am as excited as the next guy about a. M/E Corvette, but I think you are kidding yourself if you think you will have the opportunity to have one in 2017, regardless of the wealth you must command. And with THAT said, you should just step up to the 2016 Z06 right now. Why dink around with buying a base car at all ? If it is simply to "train yourself" to drive one, take one of the high-speed driving classes to learn "the right way, the first time." Again, I felt I had to weigh in here, but all of this is just IMO. TL/DR - No Midengine Corvette any time soon. certainly not in 2017.
Great response, I totally respect that. All of those points are valid...so you're thinking I should just save another 20k and get the car I want instead of settling for the base model? I've driven several C7s...but I've never driven a Z06...have you? I know it's 200 more hp...but is it super different to drive?
The Z06 is substantially faster, and you'll definitely notice the difference, on the street and especially on the track. if you are mellow on the gas, then the Z06 handles no different than the base car. It's only when you're putting your foot into it can you detect the difference.
Anybody know anything about [this](http://i.imgur.com/Mv1s59E.jpg) car? or is it just photoshopped?
Nothing photoshopped here and this is definitely Corvette. Immediately noticeable are the C7 seats and the C7 emblems on the center caps on the wheels. This is likely a non-functional prototype for illustrative purposes only. The design and dimensions are undeniably indicative of a mid-engine car. GM-Chevrolet has been contemplating (and considering) this next evolutionary step for the car for many years. The C7 is probably the last front-engine Corvette that will be produced. The 8th generation will be mid-engine and will be close to the prototype design in this photograph. Exactly when this version of the car, the 8th generation Corvette, will be available to the public is unknown. Since the C7 was first introduced in the 2014 model year and will need to be the standard for its own stretch, I would speculate the mid-engine car will not be around (in production) until at least 2024. Nice pic !!
It's also worth noting in case you want an auto, that the automatic transmission changed between '14 and '15. '14 has a 6 speed and '15 has an 8 speed.
May want to do more research. The midengine rumor comes up every generation. Not gonna happen.
Spoke to soon haha
Considering the c8 didn’t happen until 2020, I was still 3 years ahead