The 2023 Corvette Z06 will not be offered with a manual transmission at launch, and the model is unlikely to offer one at any point during the C8 Corvette’s life cycle.
A group of Chevy representatives were present at Petit Le Mans last weekend to give a product presentation about the new 2023 Corvette Z06. In addition to the presentation, the Chevy reps also fielded questions from race fans in attendance and online – with one curious social media user asking the team if they have plans to offer a manual transmission on the new Corvette Z06 at any point.
The answer, unsurprisingly, was an assertive “no.” Corvette Engineering Manager Josh Holder went on to provide the customary “never say never,” exception, but it’s clear from his tone that Chevy currently has no plans to offer three pedals and a stick in any variant of the mid-engine C8 Corvette. This will be disappointing news for some Chevy fans that remained hopeful a stick would be introduced, but with C8 Corvette sales already exceeding the automaker’s expectations by a wide margin, Chevy has little incentive to invest the money required to produce a manual transmission model. Back in early 2020, Chief Engineer Tadge Juechter also explained why the C8 Corvette won’t offer a manual gearbox.
Additionally, the C8 Corvette Z06 was conceived as a road-going version of the Corvette C8.R racecar that has powered Corvette Racing to two straight IMSA championships. The Corvette C8.R is equipped with a six-speed sequential transmission with paddle shifters, so the presence of a paddle-shifted transmission on the 2023 Corvette Z06 actually aligns it closer with the race car. The quick-shifting eight-speed dual-clutch in the Corvette Z06 also enables the supercar to accelerate from zero to mph in a headline-making 2.6 seconds, further justifying its presence over a manual.
The 2023 Corvette Z06 will enter production at the GM Bowling Green Assembly plant next summer.
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Comments
As an owner of 2021 Corvette with Tremec dual clutch transmission, I have a problem with every single article that has not written accurately about the new C8 corvette. The car does not have a clutch pedal, but it is absolutely a manual tranmission. It needs hill start assist, has clutch plate grab on take off and when it slows down. It has 2 mechanical clutches operated by solenoids, one clutch for odd numbered gears 1,3,5,7 and the other clutch for even gears 2, 4,6,8. Not a joke, real manual clutches, not a torque converter filled with fluid. It has mechanical cut gears, not a series of clutch plates and planetery gears like a fluid operated fully automatic. The Tremec dual clutch is a new kind of manual trans, no clutch pedal, no torque converter. It pains me to see articles painting this in such a way as to yet divide people on this topic. My manual corvette C8 can do burnouts and manual shifts, just like a pedal pusher. I disengage it to rev the engine, pop it to chirp the tires, and solenoid operated manual plates are simplyfastercthan you can possibly pump your leg. One more thing, the clutch plates are expected to last 10 years, but the clutch plates will need to be replaced, and for some of us, probably sooner.
Dude, you can call it whatever you want, but it’s not the same thing. And, yes, I’ve driven it. Don’t get me wrong, they did a great job with this transmission and, yes, out of all the paddle shifter sports cars I’ve driven it is probably the best. Howevver, it isn’t the same thing as controlling the clutch yourself. It is that simple. That is the part that is missing here and that is what people want. I really, really, really wanted to buy this car but I made the same mistake a few years ago and won’t make it again. I bought a new 2017 Porsche Turbo S. The Turbo S is basically the only 911 that is not offered in manual. Prior to that car I had owned 2 911s, both in manual, and loved them. The salesman and people like you on forums told me the PDK transmission was incredible and very similar to a manual. They all said I’d be in love and wouldn’t miss the pedal and rowing my own gears. 2 months in I knew they were wrong. 1 year in and I sold it for that very reason. I could care less about getting a better track time (and I DID track that Turbo S), could care less about how much better and faster this transmission is. I like to control the clutch, it is that simple. We are all different and that’s cool. I think it’s great that many prior manual guys are liking this new set up. Where I get a bit pissy is when they have the audacity to claim EVERYONE will like it and it’s just fine so stop whining about it. Nope, not going to do it. It’s my opinion and it’s how I feel about it. I won’t be buying this car now and I’m sure Chevy could care less. I do hope and pray that eventually the new wears off this model and Chevy sees sales drop because of this decision but I’m not holding my breath. Millenials and lazy GenXers can’t be bothered with a manually operated clutch, too much work I guess, so Chevy has plenty of buyers. It’s just a shame that the last great American sports car couldn’t find a way to offer a true manual and instead went the European sports car route. For the same reason I won’t be buying a Ferrari/Lambo/McLaren etc. My next sports car will be a Porsche GT3….in manual. Enjoy your paddles and your “manual” Corvette.
Follow you dream Rayo…maybe start a blog a-thon on a Porsche site and allow the rest of us to enjoy what Corvette has wrought with the C8???
Rest easy my friend. This millennial enjoys the third pedal. Learned on an old 2001 BMW 3 series, my pops went out of town and left the keys unattended. Currently enjoying a bolt-action Porsche. When my daughter is old enough I plan to teach her.
What exactly are you doing manually? Nothing. The car is doing the shifting, regardless of whether or not there is a clutch somewhere in the system (automatic transmissions have clutches too). With a manual transmission you are physically operating the clutch and you are physically disengaging and reengaging gears. With this, every part of the shifting process is automated.
It’s like claiming that a CNC mill is a manual mill because you pushed buttons to run a code.
Your car does not have a manual transmission, get over it.
My pedal pushing friends in the corvette club with Z06 and ZR1 from previous generations have all tried my C8 and now realize it is a manual transmission, a new kind of manual. They are now looking forward to their own C8.
All the writers keep saying manual, when they mean 3rd pedal with stick shift, like the 3 on the tree from 1950’s . Remember how cool it was to pump the clutch and be superior because you knew the H pattern of the first generation automobile transmission? Like mechanical points and a dwell meter. Priming the carburetor and using a choke. That’ s why antiques and classics will always be around, for nostalgia. But Porsche, Ferrari, and every other modern and advanced auto, including racecars, have embraced new technology to advance the science and performance. I love my antiques, but I am enjoying modern technology also. I am excited to see what is next. No stick shift required.
Porsche dropped the manual but offers it again in the new Porsche 992-generation 911 GT3’s
And are getting a 70%+ take rate for the manual option on the GT3. But, it’s just nostalgia. Has nothing to do with what it feels like to drive a car while controlling the clutch and rowing the gears. Didn’t you hear? All of us who like manuals are just dumb hillbillys who don’t understand technology. IF only we sat in one of the new Corvettes we would realize how stupid we are because it really is just a new manual!
I honestly think the geezers are and always have been in control of the Corvette world. Look inside any corvette you see on the road and you will see the same old man in a baseball cap behind the wheel. My take is they have too many hip issues to properly use a clutch any more. They used to be in their 50s but the same buyers are now in their 70s. I’ll stick with my GT3 in manual with my other GenX buyers….
Every writer has maligned the Corvette C8 and polarized people by ignoring the fact that Corvette C8 uses a manual transmission in all models, they took away the stick shift, and the clutch pedal. Now, using your brain, you need to shift with your left and right hand, the fastest track times come from accurate shifts, which you still do. You do not have to pump your leg, grind a missed gear, yeah no more stick thingy, but a manual. When will the writers tell the truth?
They are telling the truth. You are the one trying to redefine what a manual transmission is. Yes, the mechanics in the new Corvettes are manually derived. That doesn’t make it a manual. You are NOT controlling the clutch therefore you are not manually driving the car. Is the new Corvette’s transmission better than other paddle shifters? Yes, it is different and better. Does that make it a true, feel and control the clutch manual? Nope.
So the writers are doing their job. It’s just a bunch of but hurt Corvette owners who are upset people are calling it like it is and they are driving a car that is much more auto than it is manual.
When I ordered my 3LT Z51 I would most certainly have ordered a stick shift transmission if I could have. Now that I’ve driven my C8 some 7,000 miles I’m very glad this was the transmission I was “stuck” with. Wouldn’t have it any other way. My only complaint is the clutch grab on take off – especially on an incline. The transition from grade brake to forward motion is rough. The DCT is truly an awesome transmission in either manual or automatic.
Does anyone know if the C8.R with its sequential box has a 3rd pedal? Even it it does , it’s used for launch only. I’ve got 5000+ miles on my C8 and more than happy with the DCT.
Should we have stuck with wood spoke wheels 100+ years ago, I think not! 🙂
LOL good call!! buggy whip makers and blacksmiths surely lamented the motor car.
In 2015 I bought a C-7 with the 7 speed and it was fun to once again up shift and downshift. That novelty wore off in 9 months and I traded it for a 2016 ZO6 with an auto tranny. I now own a 2021 C-8 and the dual clutch is magnificent. I will not own a manual again. For those that want a manual Corvette there are thousands out there waiting for you.
It has been written that the way horses are now for leisure and sport, maybe driving for fun and pleasure will be something in the future. Gasoline cars will be only for occasional use.
Stick shifts and clutch pedals will be like a bridle and saddle. Remember transmissions with no synchro mesh gears? You had to be really good with a clucth and stick shift with no synchros
for those that miss a stick shift, I now have for sale an after market C8 stick shift, it fits in the cup holder, makes shifting and grinding sounds, for an extra fee a stick on spring loaded 3rd pedal can be added so you can slam gears…. just like grandpa did on the old model T.
I recently bought a c7 z06. Stick, as god intended. I can afford a c8 z06. Or two. I won’t buy one if it doesn’t have 3 pedals. I don’t care if your pdk knockoff is faster. I want what I want and you don’t make it. I realize I’m in the minority and you’ll make plenty of money without me. But you’re faking the funk and it’s no longer a drivers car. It’s a soulless corporate money maker.
I too have driven and adored a manual transmission in most all of my cars (and naturally my motorcycles) my entire life – so a part of me agrees with you. But honestly you should try it. This DCT and paddle shifters are awesome. I love it !
I HAVE tried it and arguably even owned a better version….the Porsche PDK. For those of us who like to feel and control the clutch, it isn’t even close to the same. Porsche realized this and put the clutch pedal back in the GT3 and are being rewarded by selling 70%+ in the manual option.
This change isn’t just a tech improvement like many have tried to claim. It is a massive change in how it feels to drive a car, escpecially a sports car. It’s cool that some don’t care but they shouldn’t be such D**** about it and act like those of us who like real manuals should just get over it. We won’t.
You’ll get over it snowflake.
Chevy should be ashamed of themselves. You might have fooled a bunch of guys who aren’t real and passionate sports car drivers. I mean, look at all the “but it’s a manual….waaaa.waaaaaaa!!!!” But, you took the last great American sports car and ruined it for half the sports car enthusiasts.
At this point you could put a manual back in your wannabe Euro trash “Sports” cars and most of us wouldn’t buy it on principle….
You sound like a whiny crybaby who is pitching a fit because other people like the Corvette and you don’t, quite frankly.
FAQ: most modern race car drivers only use the clutch to get away from a stop. F1 and Indycar use clutch buttons on the wheel.