2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Eight-Speed Automatic 0-60 in 3.6 sec
2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Eight-Speed Automatic 0-60 in 3.6 sec
FIRST DRIVE REVIEWarrow2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Eight-Speed Automatic > MCF Member's > Do You Like `it ?
Post & let us know `OK
Now with eight ways to shift your pants.
- AUGUST 2014
- BY K.C. COLWELL
- MULTIPLE PHOTOGRAPHERS
The race to higher gear counts is in full swing, and automatic gearboxes are leading the way. Driven partly by marketing one-upmanship and partly by the need to meet ever-tougher fuel-economy mandates, eight-speed autoboxes are everywhere, Chrysler’s running a nine-cogger in select models, and 10-speeds—from Ford, GM, Volkswagen, and others—are just around the corner. The General’s own in-house-developed eight-speed units (for its trucks and rear-drive V-8 cars) are just making an appearance after work on them had all but stopped during the company’s plunge into bankruptcy in 2009.
Now the Corvette gets updated with its rear-axle-mounted version of this new eight-speed automatic. Why is this news? While we’re firm believers that manual transmissions still provide a higher and more nuanced level of organic driver involvement and control, it’s no secret that high-performance cars are often faster and quicker during limit testing when equipped with the automatic gearboxes
. Ferrari and Lamborghini have gone exclusively to automatics, and the new Porsche 911 GT3 and the 911 Turbo are automatic-only. One might say that Chevrolet is taking a page from the Porsche playbook by even offering an automatic in the forthcoming Z06—a model that had been limited to manual-transmission offerings in the past. Its supercharged LT4 small-block V-8, with 650 horsepower and 650-lb-ft of torque, will be the most powerful engine General Motors has ever produced. So don’t think of an automatic, even if it is a more common planetary-gear type rather than the more exotic dual-clutch variety, as a handicap the Z06 must suffer.
Now the Corvette gets updated with its rear-axle-mounted version of this new eight-speed automatic. Why is this news? While we’re firm believers that manual transmissions still provide a higher and more nuanced level of organic driver involvement and control, it’s no secret that high-performance cars are often faster and quicker during limit testing when equipped with the automatic gearboxes
. Ferrari and Lamborghini have gone exclusively to automatics, and the new Porsche 911 GT3 and the 911 Turbo are automatic-only. One might say that Chevrolet is taking a page from the Porsche playbook by even offering an automatic in the forthcoming Z06—a model that had been limited to manual-transmission offerings in the past. Its supercharged LT4 small-block V-8, with 650 horsepower and 650-lb-ft of torque, will be the most powerful engine General Motors has ever produced. So don’t think of an automatic, even if it is a more common planetary-gear type rather than the more exotic dual-clutch variety, as a handicap the Z06 must suffer.Gears With Benefits
How can we be so sure? Chevy hasn’t shown us a running Z06 in the flesh, but the company did let us sample the new eight-speed automatic in the 2015 Stingray and Chevy claims that the new ’box is quicker in a straight line than the manual. We discovered that the old six-speed auto was quicker than the manual version with individual tests of Stingray convertibles, but knocking another tenth off of the zero-to-60-mph and quarter-mile times puts the estimated times of the eight-cog Vette perilously close to those recorded for the C6 ZR1 in the first metric and nearly into the 11-second range in the second.
The new GM 8L90 eight-speed automatic, which will also go to work in the 2015 full-size trucks and SUVs equipped with the 6.2-liter V-8, doesn’t hamper the fun one bit. On a road course, taking hot laps in an automatic that performs ignition-spark-cutting upshifts and positive-torque downshifts (engineer jargon for blipping the throttle to match revs) quicker than humanly possible allows the driver to concentrate on the steering and braking, potentially turning quicker laps in the process. Plus, from our seat-of-the-pants perspective, the GM 8L90 shifts as quickly as any dual-clutch unit available. Corvette engineers benchmarked the ZF’s dual-clutch automatic that goes into the Porsche 911 and claim the new GM ’box actually shifts quicker in some cases.
Goin’ With the Flow
Several laps of GM’s Milford Road Course revealed that the transmission programing in good-old “D” with the car’s Performance Traction Management switched on is pretty good for track duty. It’ll hold gears up to redline, downshift by itself just as one might do while tapping the steering-wheel paddles, and automatically upshift when it should. A two-three midcorner upshift doesn’t upset the chassis as it might with a manual transmission because the torque flow at gearchanges is smoother. We’re not saying the automatic is more fun to drive than the seven-speed manual, but don’t be surprised if the next Corvette we put on a racetrack has an automatic.
GM wouldn’t confirm whether the automatic Corvette is quicker on the track, but the Z51-equipped cars are certainly built for it; they will lap continuously for a full tank of fuel without overheating. When the 8L90 goes into the Z06, it’ll have two transmission coolers—one in the hindquarters, as with regular Stingrays, and another farther up the chassis laying flat on the underbelly.
GM wouldn’t confirm whether the automatic Corvette is quicker on the track, but the Z51-equipped cars are certainly built for it; they will lap continuously for a full tank of fuel without overheating. When the 8L90 goes into the Z06, it’ll have two transmission coolers—one in the hindquarters, as with regular Stingrays, and another farther up the chassis laying flat on the underbelly.
Through ample use of aluminum and even some magnesium (a first for GM automatics), the new 8L90 weighs eight pounds less than the six-speed 6L80 it replaces, so curb weights should not increase for 2015. The new transmission gets its eight ratios, with a 7.02:1 spread, from four simple planetary gearsets and five clutches, three of which are always closed for increased efficiency. And speaking of efficiency, Chevy says it missed its goal of achieving a 30-mpg EPA highway rating by the narrowest of margins—one hundredth of a mpg. Corvette chief engineer Tadge Juechter says GM will retest the car next year with an extra 2 psi in the tires in an attempt to attain the 30-mpg label. That’ll require Chevy to change the recommended pressure on the door-frame placard and then print in the owner’s manual that it is okay to run at a lower pressure for “comfort.” That’s a trick Porsche’s been doing for years.
Watch this space for a full test of the eight-speed-automatic 2015 Stingray as soon as we can hook up our gear to one. All that talk about another mile per gallon is nice, but we’ll let you know if our prediction of a 0.1-second quicker zero-to-60 time compared with that of our last test of a six-speed automatic Vette—down to 3.6 seconds—pans out. View Photo Gallery
Watch this space for a full test of the eight-speed-automatic 2015 Stingray as soon as we can hook up our gear to one. All that talk about another mile per gallon is nice, but we’ll let you know if our prediction of a 0.1-second quicker zero-to-60 time compared with that of our last test of a six-speed automatic Vette—down to 3.6 seconds—pans out. View Photo Gallery
Last edited by Space; Aug 27, 2014 at 06:50 AM.
Monte Of The Month -- January 2010
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 8,464
From: San Jose, CA
It's a car that seriously hauls *** still...LOL
Like I've said before, I would have preferred a manual, but the 6 speed auto doesn't take to much fun out of the car. It's a freakin blast to drive still! I might need to upgrade in a few years to a car with an 8 speed and the newer 6.2L that makes 450 standard HP. Cause you know, the 430HP I already has is just not enough hahaha!
I just figured our my Z51 Vette came with a performance Axle Ratio of 2.73, vs. 2.56 (standard). Realized that after noticing mine spins about 100-200 RPM quicker than my parents Vette, depending on speed. Some research showed the automatic Z51's has a 2.73 Axle ratio.
Like I've said before, I would have preferred a manual, but the 6 speed auto doesn't take to much fun out of the car. It's a freakin blast to drive still! I might need to upgrade in a few years to a car with an 8 speed and the newer 6.2L that makes 450 standard HP. Cause you know, the 430HP I already has is just not enough hahaha!
I just figured our my Z51 Vette came with a performance Axle Ratio of 2.73, vs. 2.56 (standard). Realized that after noticing mine spins about 100-200 RPM quicker than my parents Vette, depending on speed. Some research showed the automatic Z51's has a 2.73 Axle ratio.
Hi Mod Michael,That lower gear (high numeric) really makes a big different in a launch & in passing with little sacrifice in MPG's...
Happy that you have `it
Now make a vid with a burnout for us LOL
Monte Of The Month -- January 2010
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 8,464
From: San Jose, CA
Yea...my parents is a 2.56...mine is the performance version and still only 2.73.
But trust me, it will still break the whole rear end loose and lay down a nice launch. LOL
Between the aerodynamics and the fact the dang thing does 1700 rpm at 80mph...thats how they average 25ish MPG. My parents have got 27.2 MPG from theirs on hwy trips, cruising at 80-90MPH. They literally pull gas mileage numbers similar to our Monte's. Amazing cars.
But trust me, it will still break the whole rear end loose and lay down a nice launch. LOL
Between the aerodynamics and the fact the dang thing does 1700 rpm at 80mph...thats how they average 25ish MPG. My parents have got 27.2 MPG from theirs on hwy trips, cruising at 80-90MPH. They literally pull gas mileage numbers similar to our Monte's. Amazing cars.
By Chris BruceRSS feed
Posted Aug 20th 2014 9:30AM
Comments24
UPDATE: After reaching out to Chevy PR for clarification, we now know that the 16/29/20 City/Highway/Combined mile-per-gallon ratings are for the standard Corvette with the new eight-speed transmission, while the 0-60 and quarter-mile times are for the Z51-equipped car using the new trans. The company does not yet have mpg estimates for the Z51/8AT combination.
The Chevrolet Corvette Stingray is already one of the best performers in its class and price range, and Chevyis making it even better for the 2015 model year with the introduction of a new, eight-speed automatic to replace the previous six-speed. The updated transmission isn't exactly news, but the Bowtie brand is finally telling customers why the two extra gears are so important. Autoblog will have driving impressions of the 2015 up later today, but for now, you can snack on this delicious morsel of info as an amuse-bouche ahead of our full impressions.
The eight-speed carries an EPA-estimated rating of 29 miles per gallon highway, a 1-mpg improvement over the previous automatic, and the 16-mpg city and 20-mpg combined figures remain the same as before. According to Chevy, part of the improvement comes from a new 2.41 rear axle ratio that has the engine turning 8 percent less at 70 miles per hour. Though, Z51 models keep their 2.73 ratio at the rear.
However, it's not all about eking out slightly better economy, as the eight-speed also makes the Stingray even quicker than before. The gearbox hustles the 2015 'Vette to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds, a tenth better than with six gears. The run through the quarter mile also drops a tenth to 11.9 seconds. The boost in performance comes thanks to a more aggressive first-gear ratio than before, the company claims.
Of course, not everyone wants an automatic, even an improved one, so for those who want to row their own gears, the seven-speed manual is still available too. Scroll down to read Chevy's full announcement and look forward to our Quick Spin coming soon.Show full PR text
Posted Aug 20th 2014 9:30AM
Comments24
UPDATE: After reaching out to Chevy PR for clarification, we now know that the 16/29/20 City/Highway/Combined mile-per-gallon ratings are for the standard Corvette with the new eight-speed transmission, while the 0-60 and quarter-mile times are for the Z51-equipped car using the new trans. The company does not yet have mpg estimates for the Z51/8AT combination.
The Chevrolet Corvette Stingray is already one of the best performers in its class and price range, and Chevyis making it even better for the 2015 model year with the introduction of a new, eight-speed automatic to replace the previous six-speed. The updated transmission isn't exactly news, but the Bowtie brand is finally telling customers why the two extra gears are so important. Autoblog will have driving impressions of the 2015 up later today, but for now, you can snack on this delicious morsel of info as an amuse-bouche ahead of our full impressions.
The eight-speed carries an EPA-estimated rating of 29 miles per gallon highway, a 1-mpg improvement over the previous automatic, and the 16-mpg city and 20-mpg combined figures remain the same as before. According to Chevy, part of the improvement comes from a new 2.41 rear axle ratio that has the engine turning 8 percent less at 70 miles per hour. Though, Z51 models keep their 2.73 ratio at the rear.
However, it's not all about eking out slightly better economy, as the eight-speed also makes the Stingray even quicker than before. The gearbox hustles the 2015 'Vette to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds, a tenth better than with six gears. The run through the quarter mile also drops a tenth to 11.9 seconds.
The boost in performance comes thanks to a more aggressive first-gear ratio than before, the company claims.Of course, not everyone wants an automatic, even an improved one, so for those who want to row their own gears, the seven-speed manual is still available too. Scroll down to read Chevy's full announcement and look forward to our Quick Spin coming soon.Show full PR text
Long term Test on the StingRay
2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Coupe Z51 Manual
Our Corvette blew an engine but we still love it.
===========================================
Our Corvette blew an engine but we still love it.
- SEPTEMBER 2014
- BY MIKE SUTTON
- PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL SIMARI
WHAT WE LIKE: From the crisp, new design, to the cozy, modern interior, to the excellent balance of performance and drivability, there’s not much we don’t love about our long-term 2014 Corvette Stingray Z51. Our car continues to turn heads and elicit cheers from passersby, even in its subtle Blade Silver Metallic hue. (The wailing exhaust note ensures we’ll at least be heard if not seen.) Many drivers have praised the Corvette’s relatively compliant ride and the comfort from the optional Competition seats, which make long voyages a treat, as well as its excellent brakes and flypaper-like grip. Our observed fuel-economy average has climbed to 21 mpg, too, thanks to greater amounts of highway cruising where the car’s Active Fuel Management cylinder-deactivation system and a slippery shape help it achieve an indicated 30-plus mpg.
WHAT WE DON’T LIKE: Our greatest displeasure has been the car’s downtime at the dealer for repairs (more on that in a second), but we have some day-to-day complaints as well. A few drivers have yet to bond with the Competition seats and moan about insufficient lumbar support, and others take issue with the occasional slowness of the MyLink infotainment’s operation. There is almost unanimous agreement that the seven-speed manual’s gates should be better defined. We’ve also noticed some notchiness with the shift linkage in the lower gears regardless of how careful we are with the clutch. Long stints behind the wheel are marred by significant road noise and footwells that can get overly toasty in city traffic.
WHAT WE DON’T LIKE: Our greatest displeasure has been the car’s downtime at the dealer for repairs (more on that in a second), but we have some day-to-day complaints as well. A few drivers have yet to bond with the Competition seats and moan about insufficient lumbar support, and others take issue with the occasional slowness of the MyLink infotainment’s operation. There is almost unanimous agreement that the seven-speed manual’s gates should be better defined. We’ve also noticed some notchiness with the shift linkage in the lower gears regardless of how careful we are with the clutch. Long stints behind the wheel are marred by significant road noise and footwells that can get overly toasty in city traffic.
WHAT WENT WRONG: For starters, the LT1 small-block V-8 introduced with the C7 lunched itself at 6000 miles, necessitating a complete replacement under warranty. Our forensics lab was unable to assist in dissecting the matter, but an investigation by GM pinned tentative blame on a piece of metal debris (likely from a bad oil filter) that worked its way into the oiling system and wrecked a connecting-rod bearing, which created even more debris that damaged the engine’s bottom-end. Given the LT1’s tight tolerances and high-performance design, it didn’t take much to upset its workings. We’ve heard of a few similar accounts throughout the Stingray community and GM says it’s aware of the issue and is analyzing its manufacturing process for a root cause. Our car was returned quickly and as healthy as new, but—just to be safe—we sent the car back to the dealer after 1300 engine miles for its first scheduled service at 7500 overall miles. The stop included an oil-and-filter change and inspection for $57.28.
The car returned to the dealer at 15,100 miles for an identical scheduled service, during which the side-airbag module in the passenger seat was also replaced under one of GM’s many recent recalls. Other maladies that befell our Corvette include a punctured rear tire at 13,000 miles—which required us to reshod the rear of the car with a pair of new run-flat 285/30ZR20 Michelin Pilot Super Sport ZPs ($905 for the pair from the Tire Rack)—as well as a sizable chip in the windshield that cost us $50 to seal up.
The car returned to the dealer at 15,100 miles for an identical scheduled service, during which the side-airbag module in the passenger seat was also replaced under one of GM’s many recent recalls. Other maladies that befell our Corvette include a punctured rear tire at 13,000 miles—which required us to reshod the rear of the car with a pair of new run-flat 285/30ZR20 Michelin Pilot Super Sport ZPs ($905 for the pair from the Tire Rack)—as well as a sizable chip in the windshield that cost us $50 to seal up.
WHERE WE WENT: Most of our drive time in the Stingray continues to be local commuting, although it has embarked on a couple of trips to Indiana and a weekend in Chicago, after which the driver noted that he loves how “the whole car subtly rumbles to the small-block’s lumpy idle.” The grandest trek was a six-day, 1700-mile round trip from Ann Arbor to Virginia International Raceway and New Jersey Motorsports Park, averaging an impressive 27 mpg overall. Additional voyages surely will happen before the ambient temperature drops significantly and we have to dig out the car’s winter rubber.
Months in Fleet: 6 months
Current Mileage: 15,436 miles Average Fuel Economy: 21 mpg
Fuel Tank Size: 18.5 gal Fuel Range: 390 miles
Service: $115 Normal Wear: $0 Repair: $0
Damage and Destruction: $1019 Continued...
PHOTOS (79)=Months in Fleet: 6 months
Current Mileage: 15,436 miles Average Fuel Economy: 21 mpg
Fuel Tank Size: 18.5 gal Fuel Range: 390 miles
Service: $115 Normal Wear: $0 Repair: $0
Damage and Destruction: $1019 Continued...
===========================================
WARRANTY:
3 years/36,000 miles bumper to bumper;
5 years/100,000 miles powertrain;
3 years/36,000 miles corrosion protection;
5 years/100,000 miles roadside assistance;
2 years/24,000 miles free routine maintenance
3 years/36,000 miles bumper to bumper;
5 years/100,000 miles powertrain;
3 years/36,000 miles corrosion protection;
5 years/100,000 miles roadside assistance;
2 years/24,000 miles free routine maintenance
Last edited by Space; Sep 8, 2014 at 06:27 AM.
VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 2-passenger, 3-door targa
PRICE AS TESTED: $66,575 (base price: $57,995)
ENGINE TYPE: pushrod 16-valve V-8, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 376 cu in, 6162 cc
Power: 460 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque: 465 lb-ft @ 4600 rpm
TRANSMISSION: 7-speed manual
DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 106.7 in
Length: 176.9 in
Width: 73.9 in Height: 48.6 in
Curb weight: 3436 lb
PERFORMANCE: NEW
Zero to 60 mph: 3.9 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 8.6 sec
Zero to 150 mph: 20.9 sec
Rolling start, 5-60 mph: 4.4 sec
Top gear, 30-50 mph: 13.2 sec
Top gear, 50-70 mph: 11.4 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 12.2 sec @ 118 mph
Top speed (drag limited): 181 mph
Braking, 70-0 mph: 137 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 1.03 g
FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway: 17/29 mpg
C/D observed: 19 mpg
Unscheduled oil additions: 0 qt
PRICE AS TESTED: $66,575 (base price: $57,995)
ENGINE TYPE: pushrod 16-valve V-8, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 376 cu in, 6162 cc
Power: 460 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque: 465 lb-ft @ 4600 rpm
TRANSMISSION: 7-speed manual
DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 106.7 in
Length: 176.9 in
Width: 73.9 in Height: 48.6 in
Curb weight: 3436 lb
PERFORMANCE: NEW
Zero to 60 mph: 3.9 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 8.6 sec
Zero to 150 mph: 20.9 sec
Rolling start, 5-60 mph: 4.4 sec
Top gear, 30-50 mph: 13.2 sec
Top gear, 50-70 mph: 11.4 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 12.2 sec @ 118 mph
Top speed (drag limited): 181 mph
Braking, 70-0 mph: 137 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 1.03 g
FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway: 17/29 mpg
C/D observed: 19 mpg
Unscheduled oil additions: 0 qt
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
BeachBumMike
Off Topic
15
Apr 29, 2015 12:56 PM
Space
Off Topic
5
Jan 24, 2013 11:51 AM