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

Matt Kimberley

16 Sep 2016

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

Comments

Sorry autocorrect what I meant was one day we will only have the classic cars because every new car will be economicle efficient and intelligent so I’ll stick with old cars #savethemanuals

Paddle shift is ok people.

This is the one reason I’m glad the Viper is dead, if it was still alive, it could morph into some soft GT with an auto. Case in point, this Corvette.

Convert one to manual, no Big deal

I guess triptonic paddles will do, but this generation, my generation, is just about getting from one place to another. I mean no one understands the meaning of driving. Manuals and just driving in general are ways that we can escape the boring normal life. The joy of driving is something unique. And all car company’s are just money focused. The automobile world is changing, and way to quick. I mean I always think of this, imagine your in a beautiful super car, with 500hp at your feet and a open sky above you. And all you have is a beautiful winding road through the hills and countryside. The sound of the engine, the click of the main yak transmission when switching to 2nd. One day future generations will never get to experience something like that. It’s a sad truth.