loloone

iTrader: (4)

C7 Z06 Automatic: Badass or Blasphemy?
By Justin Fivella

Some have already labeled the new C7 Z06 Corvette, The Slushbox Supercar because along with a 7-speed manual transmission, GM will also offer an 8 speed automatic, dubbed the 8L90. While some are rejoicing, others are complaining because the General chose to use a torque converter equipped automatic transmission rather than a dual-clutch like what's found in some Ferraris, BMWs and Porsches. But according to GM engineers, the new slushbox is anything but that.
“Wide-open-throttle upshifts will be executed up to eight-hundredths of a second quicker than the dual-clutch in the Porsche 911.”
If that's not good enough, the new 8L90 is backed by paddle shifters and will surely be startlingly fast around a road course, wicked at the strip and the obvious choice for many street driven C7 Corvettes.
Now before you go complaining about Chevrolet using "old tech," let us remind you that many factory AMG Mercedes models have had great success with their torque-converter equipped transmissions and even the new Jaguar F-Type V8S sports a torque converter–and having driven the new F-Type S, I can personally tell you that it rifles off shifts in "Sport" mode.
True, we've yet to sample the new 8L90 and some people weren't happy with the outgoing 6L90's performance, but we're talking two more cogs, paddle shifters and newer technology here. I'm not saying that all the stick guys should convert to the new 8-speed auto, all I'm saying is, keep an open mind! But really, what are your thoughts on a torque-converter automatic as an optional transmission for the new Z06?

Checkout the main page post soon!

Here' some heated debate over on the CorvetteForum as more food for thought . HERE

thunderstruck507

iTrader: (18)

It's going to sell more cars and make this car retarded fast on a drag strip...and if it's as good as they say it is it will tear *** around the road course too.

What's not to like?

It also makes this a supercar people who can't drive a stick for health reasons. From what I read, autoswapping the C6 cars was expensive as hell

TheBlueKnight

iTrader: (4)

I love it, great to have either option. :thumbsup:

bhobbs

I think it's blasphemy that this car got the Z06 badge. This should have been the ZR1.

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

It's fantastic. I greatly prefer an auto myself.

Groesbeck

I think adding the automatic option is an excellent idea. I attend the drag races at Royal Purple in Houston and there are only a few drivers of the older Z0 6's that get down the track without having shifting issues or entirely missing a gear. My wife laughs at this and wonders why the drivers do not train for the races. We are both in our 70's.

murphinator

iTrader: (2)

maybe theres an even more badass ZR1 to come.... as for the auto question as long as the stick is still available it gives buyers options and it sounds like its a damn nice auto andlike mentioned above the auto is likely to be a strip monster

slaterdump

iTrader: (1)

Sounds like the auto is going to be pretty good, although I general prefer a manual.

KissMyWhiteSS

iTrader: (3)

I like that it comes with both options. Sticks are fun and all, but sometimes they get down right old to drive.

MasterTomos

iTrader: (15)

Manual transmissions scare some buyers, so offering an auto as well only makes sense from a business standpoint. Plus, it will appease the dentists and retired folks who make up a majority of the market for these cars (only because nobody else can afford them, of course).

Looks like a ton of trouble for the already lackluster Viper sales.

Nwayne

iTrader: (3)

Since I can't afford one, I'll take either...

Kbodls1

I think its awesome to have the auto as a option, just like thunderstruck said for health reasons, I broke my leg extremely bad three years ago and I cant do a clutch in stop and go traffic for very long at all (living in Houston I have to do it twice a day).

ccreddell

Im thinking that having a converter that locks up, is way less complicated, expensive to replace, and weight than the twin disc clutch setups used by other supercars. Probably easier on the drivetrain too...

DANOZ28

iTrader: (1)

maybe the vette purists think its against their religion but i think its great. if its fast & fun too drive who cares how they did it? i have a fallen arch that sometimes bothers me so i prefer an auto. that rocks , now if i only had the doe rae me!

mjs1012

iTrader: (36)

I wonder if companies are designing better converters yet lol. That car with a high stall and a tire...WOW

CranMaro99

iTrader: (10)

What the heck are people complaining about when a sports car has a CHOICE of transmissions? We have a choice between a sweet auto and a traditional manual. I can see if it was a manual or automatic only car, but this makes everyone happy.

I have no idea why some people's emotions get tied in a knot when a choice makes everyone happy!

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

Exactly.

I can understand when people are upset by a LACK of option/choice, but not BECAUSE there is an option/choice. Makes no sense at all.

speedfreak440

iTrader: (9)

I think a lot of people are really just upset that the guy in the auto will be faster at any kind of track than them while doing less work. You can say that a stick is more "fullfilling" but compared to a modern auto whether twin-disc or torque converter driven a stick just simply isn't as fast.

darrensls1

Well said! Nobody is forcing anyone to buy the car with the transmission they don't want. They are simply making sure that everyone can get the car with the transmission they DO want.

2011grandsport

I hope they have the paddle shift junk worked out. I own a 2011 Grandsport with 6l80, the shifts are not consistant what so ever using the paddles. If they have new technology to use they better have some dam good I T man to program this badass Vette.