- Corvette engineer Tony Roma says manual C8 rumors are simply not true.
- Tremec previously showed a manual transaxle matching the DCT layout.
- Low manual take rates influenced Corvette development decisions.
In the world of performance vehicles, engagement is a key metric. It’s one reason that manual transmissions are still desirable, despite being technically slower than high-performance automatic options. Late last year, news broke that Tremec, the DCT supplier for the Corvette, had created a manual version that would fit in the same space.
Now, the Corvette’s chief engineer, Tony Roma, says that the transmission was fake and that it isn’t coming to America’s most iconic sports car.
More: A Corvette That Forgot It Was A Corvette Just Sold For Near-New C8 Money
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6O3ve_6lJNMRoma made the comments during a quick engineering talk at Sebring International Raceway, where he and vehicle chief engineer Josh Holder answered questions from attendees, as Corvette Blogger first reported.
One of those questions touched on speculation that Chevrolet could be working on a manual version of the Corvette after Tremec revealed a six-speed transaxle with the same dimensions and mounting points as the C8’s dual-clutch transmission.
Manual Transmission Rumors Dismissed
Roma didn’t leave much room for interpretation. “And unfortunately, the answer hasn’t changed,” he said. “Tremec showed something at SEMA last year that I wish they wouldn’t have shown. It’s not real. So when people say, but there’s one that’s available, there isn’t. It’s not real.”
He added that while he personally likes manual transmissions, the current eight-speed dual-clutch is simply the better fit for the car. “All I can say is our 8-speed DCT is tremendous. It’s awesome. The car is faster and essentially better with the transmission we make.”
Business Case Against Manuals
Holder backed that up with a business argument, pointing to the very low take rate for manuals at the end of the C7’s lifecycle. “We’re in a for-profit business, we make Corvettes,” he said.
“One of the things that makes America’s supercar attainable is making good business decisions. At the end of the seventh generation lifecycle, the penetration rate of manuals was super low. The market was voting with their wallets, and we didn’t get enough votes.”
So, in short, don’t expect a three-pedal-equipped Corvette anytime soon. That said, it does make us curious about what exactly Tremec was or is doing with that manual transmission. To that end, we’ve reached out for comment and will update you here when we hear back.
Context:
Chevrolet confirms no manual transmission is coming to the C8 Corvette despite supplier rumors.
Context:
Low manual take rates on previous Corvettes make the business case against offering three pedals.
Context:
Tremec displayed a concept manual transaxle at SEMA that matched C8 dimensions but isn't production-bound.