Alleged Three C8 Issues

[John]

Good news, that it strongly appears that there three alleged problems, if there were correctly identified, are noW in the rear view mirror, e.g., the C8 is again moving forward.

Thanks to Don Sherman, we heard that these three alleged issues (actually two fo the three) were the following in this link: https://www.hagerty.com/articles-vid...corvette-delay

[Quote=Hagerty] The real reason why the C8 mid-engine Corvette is delayed

by Don Sherman //

March 08, 2019
Our prior speculation that the next-gen, mid-engine Corvette would bow at this year’s Detroit Auto Show was obviously dead wrong. Nor did the Stingray replacement appear in Geneva, and it’s unlikely to debut at next month’s New York extravaganza. Generally speaking, auto shows are no longer deemed suitable for launching blockbusters because they’re unable to grab and hold the attention of today’s frantic automotive reporters. Plus, the argument goes, a car as big as the Corvette can generate news on its own without the backdrop of a show.

So, we gave the bushes another relentless beating to compile an updated report of what may be happening behind the GM engineering scenes. Thanks to well-placed sources, we discovered three good reasons for delaying the C8’s production start to December of 2019.

First, all GM products are shifting to a new electrical architecture—the means by which 100 or more computer modules per vehicle communicate on what’s called a CAN (computer area network) bus. Engineers are having difficulty working the bugs out of the new Global B party line serving Corvette and several other new models.

The second issue is a structural distortion of the aluminum spaceframe experienced during testing a prototype equipped with the 900-1000 horsepower twin-turbo V-8. The twist in back was enough to fracture the glass hatch covering the engine. Be glad this flaw was discovered in advance of your top speed runs in Chevy’s designated Ferrari-beater. Carpix
Item three is some unspecified bone of contention between those who design Corvettes and the development engineers who steer them to the far corners of the performance envelope. It could be a visibility issue, some ergonomic shortcoming, or a cockpit design problem. Unfortunately our sources won’t reveal the specific details underlying this concern.

Our best guess for the when and where of C8’s unveiling is in conjunction with the National Corvette Museum’s 25th birthday celebration in Bowling Green, Kentucky, (near the car’s assembly plant) at the end of August. The weather should be hospitable and there’s a handy race track near the facility to host aggressive test drives. We’re hoping for a production start by December with customer deliveries of 2020 model year cars to begin early next year. The plant has the flexibility to continue building C7s, so the front-engine Corvette’s future availability will theoretically be geared to demand.

Expect a base C8 to cost between $60-70,000 and be powered by a 6.2-liter LT2 V-8 delivering at least 500 horsepower. The 50-horse gain over today’s LT1 will come from more aggressive valve timing. The one and only transmission will be a seven-speed dual-clutch, paddle-shifted automatic supplied by Tremec. LT6 and LT8 V-8s expected later in C8’s life will climb the staircase to 1000-horsepower heaven with overhead camshafts, a flat crankshaft, and twin turbochargers. Hybridization is also part of the C8 game plan. On hybrid models, electrically driven front wheels will consume the (front) trunk space otherwise used to carry two sets of golf clubs in the base model.

[John]

Thanks to “69,” we have these summarized in one place as followed:

First, all GM products are shifting to a new electrical architecture—the means by which 100 or more computer modules per vehicle communicate on what’s called a CAN (computer area network) bus. Engineers are having difficulty working the bugs out of the new Global B party line serving Corvette and several other new models.

The second issue is a structural distortion of the aluminum spaceframe experienced during testing a prototype equipped with the 900-1000 horsepower twin-turbo V-8. The twist in back was enough to fracture the glass hatch covering the engine.

Item three is some unspecified bone of contention between those who design Corvettes and the development engineers who steer them to the far corners of the performance envelope. It could be a visibility issue, some ergonomic shortcoming, or a cockpit design problem.

Looking at these in turn:

IItem # 1: Could have been discussed by Mark Reuss as far back almost four year ago in this article, summarized by the idea that software upogrades can be done from afar, not requiring dealership expensive and time-consuming visits, as Tesla currently does

General Motors developing wireless download of new feature


By Joseph White

Detroit (Reuters) - General Motors Co is developing technology to allow new features to be downloaded wirelessly, the automaker’s head of vehicle development said on Wednesday.

GM global product development chief Mark Reuss said the company is developing a new electrical architecture for its vehicles, which he called “Global B,” that will move much of a vehicle’s computer power to the mobile internet, or cloud.

“It will become cloud based,” Reuss said, adding that the new architecture will allow future GM cars to have new features downloaded wirelessly. GM has looked to aircraft maker Boeing Co and military contractors for ideas on how to develop network security for the systems.

Reuss, meeting with reporters in Detroit, did not lay out a specific timetable for deploying the new, upgradeable electrical and data systems, but indicated it would be soon.

GM, like most major automakers, has been slow to enable over-the-air upgrades for its vehicles. Silicon Valley luxury electric car maker Tesla Motors Inc, by contrast, designed its Model S sedan to accept new features and functions through wireless upgrades, in a manner similar to a smartphone.

Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk has said that properly equipped Model S sedans could be upgraded to have new features such as automated parking or limited hands-free driving.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-a...0P42UY20150624

Item # 2: Frame Twisting

As Don Sherman noted, this occurred only on the ZORA version, caused by its massive torque twisting a frame member. The good news here is that this was identified many, many months ago, long ago solved by strengthening that part after GM used its Cray Supercomputer to figure out the best fix. We do not know whether that was beefing up that aluminum part, using a higher grade of it, adding strengthening webs, or whatever. Nicely not only was this solved a long time ago, but GM in order to keep assembling process as simple as possible, went with the “one chassis” model (using the identical one for the entry model, the mid level model, and the ZR1), so even if one gets the “only” 500 HP version, your chassis would be able to handle the ZORA’s torque level.

Item # 3:

???

As Don Sherman noted, we do not know what is was.

That issue however, and the other two, all appear to be behind us based on the long Caravan that we just saw Tadge, Harlan, Alex and even GM President Mark Reuss go on, for based on part Corvette development history, such a testing and development trip including the very top members of the next gneration’s Corvette team, occurs right about this time (in relationship to a subsequent reveal and later customer production).

[Shrike6]

Thanks for the full story, John. Now, about item 3.....

[Shrike6]

Allow me to make a completely unsupported, and uninformed guess...

[Frenzy36]

Maybe they are going to lower the windshield wipers so they will not cause drag when they steer them into the far corners of the performance envelope. And will not be unsightly and distract from such a beautiful piece of machinery while taking them out to the local car shows.

[Milliwatt Rob]

Perhaps under point 3, it was discovered that 90% of the target buyers found it impossible to egress the cockpit without some form of assistance. Engineering is developing an "ejection seat mechanism" to give the less limber among us an exit boost.

[bobbytinvab]

Yes an elector seat would be good Thx for the synopsis of the three issues John.

[John]

What is issue # 3? Might it be corporate directed that the electrical system move toward 48V (the most oft-cited rumor)? We are aware that there were electrical issues starting last June 10th, e.g., the famous picture of attempting to jump start a C8 IVERS in a Florida gas station for a while, leading to the more infamous pic of it being driven away on a tow truck. These two pictures are familiar to us.



Also we learned that initial attempts after that to increase battery and alternator sizing to fully solve electric issues were not sufficient.

So could initial, electrical system enhancement tries, and with that not succeeding and thus then needed a electrical system major upgrade, be issue # 3?

[Frenzy36]

At least we know if in a situation it does need to be towed, a flatbed isn't needed. As far as the electrical system goes they would have been able to easily put in a large amp alternator in it to keep up with electronics. I have wired many cars which run linear amplifiers upgrading the alternators and in some cases two alternators and extra battery for storage, to run thousands of watts. That would be a easy fix for them. Could possibly have been one of the truckers running high wattage linear amplifier which may have fried one of their sensitive electrical systems with RF.

[Frenzy36]

Here is a short video for those who do not know what RF (Radio Frequency) does. Most truckers are running linear amplifiers to boost their signal (RF) which interferes with many electronics.

[JB]

Would have thought a flat bed tow truck would have been used.

[C8-wannabe]

Would have thought a flat bed tow truck would have been used.

Assume it's definitely preferred, but they probably wanted to get it out of sight ASAP and not wait for one.

[jsmatt]

Great discussion,
What we do know is that GM is trying to release a very refined "debugged" version of the ME. They are obviously targeting world class performance and are trying to meet the high quality expectations of the Corvette enthusiasts around the world. Not only that, they are preparing a car for the next generation of racing against some very good competition. Their process on the C7 was systematic and controlled. I expect and want no less from them on the C8 ME.

I'm prepared to wait for the equivalent model of the ZR1 in the ME platform, with all of it's next generation performance expectations...

[John]

jsmatt, can a mere car be faster than the speed of light, e.g., your C8 ZR1?

[Fireeagle]

Would have thought a flat bed tow truck would have been used.

Especially with the clearance for all of our vettes. That was a sad picture to see.