RIP Manual Corvettes - Rumour Mill Says C8 Could Be Auto-Only

Test mules for the C8 Corvette have been spotted, and the word is that it's set to be fitted with a dual-clutch auto gearbox - and no manual option
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It’s time for black armbands, people: the next Corvette is likely to drop to two pedals.

C8 Corvette test mules in camouflage have been spotted by Car and Driver, who say that the cars feature a new seven-speed Tremec dual-clutch automated transmission.

It should be strong, with upper input limits of 664lb ft and 9000rpm, but the investment involved in making the car suitable for manual gears as well could be too much for General Motors.

RIP Manual Corvettes - Rumour Mill Says C8 Could Be Auto-Only

It should make for higher performance than ever, though. With no perceptible drop in thrust during gear changes, the C8 will put its power to the road more efficiently.

Also key to the move could be GM’s desire to see the Corvette battle the likes of Ferrari and Porsche in Europe, and with sales on this continent overwhelmingly in favour of dual-clutch - where the choice is offered at all - it’s sort of essential…

Source: Jalopnik

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Comments

Rbiland

This makes me sad. All people care about are putting down lap times, which could be kinda neat and cool, but a fixation on that kills the fun in it.

09/16/2016 - 15:15 |
18 | 1

Start putting down those lap times yourself and you’ll see it’s not so sad as you think.

09/16/2016 - 18:42 |
5 | 0
Poke

No manual corvette?
But…

09/16/2016 - 15:19 |
74 | 2
Anonymous

It fought a good fight for the manuals. The manual Vette died a noble death.

09/16/2016 - 15:22 |
14 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

The Vette isn’t an american muscle anymore…

02/02/2017 - 01:54 |
0 | 1
Anonymous
09/16/2016 - 15:31 |
129 | 1
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

02/02/2017 - 01:59 |
0 | 0
Jared G.

no please don’t let this be true…

09/16/2016 - 15:50 |
3 | 1
Aaron 15

No, no and more no, Chevrolet is making a huge error on making a mid-engined Corvette, now they’re only gonna offer Autos!? Wow what’s next? A Mustang with a 4 cylinder Hybrid as it’s top engine!?

09/16/2016 - 15:56 |
55 | 1

How are they making an error with making a mid-engines Corvette?

09/16/2016 - 16:01 |
3 | 2

Wasn’t there once a time when upcoming Corvette was supposed to be MR, and even a rotary?
And we really can’t judge anything yet, hell, this could as well prove to be the best Corvette ever made. Let’s just see how’s it going to end up.

09/16/2016 - 18:21 |
17 | 0

This is retarted what happend to manual transmissions and big v8s now everything has a turbo v6

09/17/2016 - 03:50 |
2 | 0

There were many mud engine corvette prototypes
Rotary
V12 through i4

It’s called change
Embrace its chaos

09/17/2016 - 05:50 |
0 | 0
That Geo Metro Guy

In reply to by Aaron 15

The first corvette design back in the 50s was mid engined. Gm went worth the fr layout when the cost to manufacture the mr layout was to expensive. I’d say a mr corvette could be cool. Its not like its taking away the ability to do burnouts. Plus the majority of vette owners just have one to look at. But a manual transmission is something that is necessary unless they are going for paddle shifters.

09/17/2016 - 14:20 |
1 | 0
Anonymous

So a corvette won’t be ‘man’ual?

09/16/2016 - 16:13 |
7 | 1
Ben F. (Slowmaro)

I someone who loves my manual LS cars as much as the next guy…a DCT is probably the best for a C8 that has a crap ton of power. The goal of the car is to be as quick as possible and you’ll be accelerating so quick it will be hard to keep up.
A normal Corvette should still have a manual option though. 40% of C7’s sold were manual so saying there isn’t a market for it is crap.

09/16/2016 - 16:36 |
6 | 0
Anonymous

This is very similar to Porsche, who is testing a mid-engined 911 for GTE.

09/16/2016 - 16:56 |
0 | 0
Aaron 15

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Really?? That’s sac religious!

09/16/2016 - 18:30 |
0 | 0
Stubaru

Batman1422 Rekt

09/16/2016 - 17:30 |
0 | 0