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Here's the story:
lllustrated Corvette Series No. 76 - 1988 Running Indy Corvette
"The Running Prototype"
After
seeing the full-size Corvette Indy clay model, GM brass approved the
construction of a running prototype of the bold new design. Clay models
are always a little over the top and need to be pulled back, but the
running Corvette Indy still sizzled.
The second-stage Corvette Indy was a three part project. The overall
design shape and hardware specifications came from the Corvette design
team. Since GM had recently purchased Lotus, it was decided to use
Lotus' suspension engineering skills to develop a prototype active
suspension system. And finally, Cecomp of Italy was contracted to
assemble the finished running vehicle. This was to be an interim car
while the CERV III engineering study was being built.
Dream cars can be very exciting, but are often not road worthy as
production cars. So the original design had to be more realistic. The
front end was shortened and the A- and B-pillars were a little more
realistic. Also, extra ground clearance and wheel travel in the wheel
openings was added. But the shape, flavor, style, and attitude remained.
Running gear was as cutting edge as could be. An early version of the
5.7 LT5 (ZR-1) engine was used. Placement was not only mid-engine
(something that Duntov wanted for decades), but was also transverse
mounted. The backbone chassis was made of carbon fiber rather than the
Kevlar tub of the first version. The Lotus team got to show off their
latest active suspension hardware that had just about everything you
could imagine. Micro processors and hydraulics replaced the entire
standard suspension. The car had full-time four- wheel-drive,
four-wheel steering, ABS brakes and traction control. The active
suspension allowed for smaller wheel houses, fewer parts, and more
interior room.
Weighing only 3,300 pounds and packing 380 hp, the Corvette Indy had
enough grunt to carry the Corvette flame. The next stage would be the
production-like CERV III. As a prototype, the running Corvette Indy was
a success!
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