Next in ME Development Process

[John]

Next in ME Development Process


Question, what do you think is next, after Nurburgring testing, earlier testing at VIR, and continued test at both Milford Proving Grounds and at the GM facility inside the Yuma Army base (no drone/no airplane fly done).

What do you think is next in the ME’s development/testing process, and why?

[Shadow]

I remember in “All Corvettes Are Red,” a reported comment by Dave Hill saying, as he was in a caravan of C5 mules testing during the winter months, that, “the windshield defrosting is not going fast enough, and that is one thing CR and other testing agencies will zero in on in their initial evaluations.”

Track testing is critical, but what is most important to 95% of us, 95% of the time, is day to day functionality. What is next is with temperatures dropping, and with rain and snow starting to increase soon, is that the car is driven tens of thousands of testing miles on the streets; going short distances like running errands; in summary, being tested in the kinds of driving many Corvette daily drivers do in fall and winter, all to insure the ME works well doing “everyday car” activities.

Of course in addition to those daily street testing miles, at some point, probably next January, the 2020 Corvette will return to Kapuskasing, about 560 miles north of Toronto, where GM has its winter facility where every GM vehicle must be tested at. Kapuskasing‘ s average January temperatures are 11 degrees Fahrenheit (daily highs), with nighttime lows averaging -11 degrees F.

While I want my ME tomorrow, there are so many overriding reasons for further testing over the next roughly one year until the first customer cars are delivered.

[Boomer]

Some sort of "endurance" testing like a 500 mile non-stop point to point on US roads/Interstates like regular usage.

[Ateupjoe]

Some sort of "endurance" testing like a 500 mile non-stop point to point on US roads/Interstates like regular usage.

I donate myself to the cause of driving it thru the trenches. Somebody has to do it.

[John]

We have selected you Ateupjoe as our MECF representative. Just report at Mary Barra’s office tomrorow morning at 8:00 to receive your ME IVERS for testing. Happy driving.

[Mobius]

I donate myself to the cause of driving it thru the trenches. Somebody has to do it.

You beat me to it...

[Racer86]

I would be willing to test the ME by driving to various winery’s and restaurants.

[John]

Maybe we could get Mary Barra to give us a second one — and we could have a MECF contest to see who would get it for three months, on the condition that the driver put 25,000 miles on it during that time. It would comeswith a GM gas/expenses credit card (but no smokes nor alcoholic beverages allowed).

[Plasboy]

If your going to dream then dream big.

[John]

If your going to dream then dream big.

Got it. I am dreaming of a year two, naturally aspirated, 600 HP, wide bodied ME with lots of options to check off (or not as all individually choose).

[Shadow]

I am dreaming of the reveal coming sooner than later. And that like de Nysschen said at Cadillac, we are going to reveal cars earlier as aero has become more and more important. We will be able to test them better without any camo, but that will mean a longer time period between the reveal and the customer vehicles starting production.

So two-edged sword?

[Ateupjoe]

We have selected you Ateupjoe as our MECF representative. Just report at Mary Barra’s office tomrorow morning at 8:00 to receive your ME IVERS for testing. Happy driving.

Security wouldn't let me in today......said I needed preclearance so I showed them my TSA precheck and 2004 National Archives Research card but still didn't work.

[Boomer]

Maybe we could get Mary Barra to give us a second one — and we could have a MECF contest to see who would get it for three months, on the condition that the driver put 25,000 miles on it during that time. It would comeswith a GM gas/expenses credit card (but no smokes nor alcoholic beverages allowed).

Yea. I think we're on to something here. It fits with Chevy's "real people" marketing strategy. This could be "real Corvette owners" participate in "real world C8 testing". That would be a great marketing strategy for the C8! All interested MECF members could participate. It would enhance sales of the ME. We would be on TV!

Sounds like a great initiative for the Forum Administrator to set up with Chevy!

[CorvetteBlogger]

I think we covered this idea once in a Corvette cartoon:

[Fasttoys]

I hope we will see more testing in different climates, possible less camouflage, diffent wheels bigger brakes/rotors.

This last week been very quiet ? if they wait till this time next year to release the car I think many on the forums will go crazy. Timing is very important, interest rates on the rise are slowing down larger purchases, not enough cash buyers to offset rates. I remember the Audi R8 was launched during 2008, the economic timing was not the best.

C7 are not moving many sitting on dealer lots, ME reveal and releasing to customers needs to be strategically timed.