HarryWild

I know it is suppose to be a so called track car; but most people buy it for the status - looks and total speed. Those who go to the track are the ZO6 drivers.

I know that GM has not have the money to develop a dual clutch transmission yet.

Any thoughts on why Chevrolet does not offer the option of an "automatic" for the ZR1?

355Spider

Too much power for the A6 and they suck ***** for performance cars,

Trapper Sean

I will dispute that most people buy it for status or looks.

I do not know what total speed is. Is that the same as overall performance? If so, I will postulate that is why most people buy it.

That said, if one has a true physical limitation such that he/she cannot operate a clutch, then I would think a tuner shop could equip a ZR1 with an automatic transmission that would hold up satisfactorily for street use on street tires.

P.S. Becuase the ZR1 has a lot of torque, that comes online early and over a broad range, I would think an automatic car would do very well on the street.

GOLD72

If any corvette has an automatic, I don't want it. JMHO. This was all debated over the past five years with the Z06. Just interchange Z06 with ZR1 and you will have all the pros and cons.

GOLD72

Don't have an auto for it and likely don't want to design one to reliably warrant for 5yr/100k for that kind of power for the low production numbers involved .

COVERT GUY

Automatics are for lesser vehicles.

Reciprocal

If people are buying the ZR1 for status, there must be no status with automatic transmission. OP answered his own question.

range96

Too few people ask for it.

8850

An automatic with a converter would be showing the manual guys their tail lights at the drag strip. That 2.2? first gear with a 3.42 is not ideal for drag strip.

GTO2Vette

This pretty much sums it up.

racerns

The CTS-V has an auto and while it does not have quite the same power it is a good 800lb heavier which puts alot of stress on a tranny. I am sure GM could make one live in a ZR1 if the wanted. I am not saying that they should, just that they could.

8850

An automatic sure would if the manual could catch the automatic!

breecher_7

I think Jeremy Clarkson said it best. "Its nice to have all this power and a proper manual gear box, not those STUPID flappy paddles!" (are you listening ferrari)

jvp

It's not cost effective for them to bother. The transmission in the V won't fit in the rear end of the Corvette without... work. And that work costs money. And they won't sell enough cars to make it worth their effort.

So essentially the answer stays: they don't have an automatic that'll work with the ZR1's (or the Z06's) torque output. Trust me, they'd do it if it were cost effective.

jas

vette6799

Yeah, those stupid flappy paddles should be replaced with a cluch and a manual tranny on F1. For maximum racing performance, you do NOT want a manual transmission nor do you want what GM has available currently. Give me what Porsche and Ferrari have, flappy paddles and all.

Reciprocal

GM just wants to make sure that people lacking the proper skills don't get behind the wheel of the ZR1.

QUIKAG

Yeah, because only have a manual transmission keeps the people lacking skills from buying one.

I wouldn't mind GM offering an automatic for the ZR1 and Z06...I certainly wouldn't buy it, but more power to them. I'll stick with my nice six-speed manual.

However, if and when, GM develops a top-notch world-class dual-clutch 7 or 8 speed transmission and straps an LS9 or an equivalent engine to it, I would seriously consider getting it.

32DUECE

I have herd the auto ctsv's have problems holding up due to all the power.

DroptopZ

That's about it. You start getting into reliability issues when you put that much power behind the car. Additionally, I think the soul of the ZR1 is supposed to be a visceral performance car. GM probably felt that this detracts from the raw feeling of the car.

I have owned automatics and have nothing against them, but there's just something about rowing your own gears that makes hair grow on your chest and testosterone flow through your veins (what does that say about my girlfriend, who also drives a manual? SORRY SARA!).

8850

German's don't have a problem with Mercedes with automatic and more power than the ZR1. Can't GM do the same?