Corvette’s Dash Cam: Is it Suitable for Mass Use?

Mon, 1/15/2018 - 9:07 pm by Kirsten Rincon

Corvette's Performance Data System

At the 2013 Detroit Auto Show, General Motors introduced the most powerful standard Corvette ever built. It featured exterior design changes, and a comfortable interior with new high-tech features. Its many improvements raised the bar for future models. Judging by the announcement of the Performance Data Recorder, it seems that the 2015 Corvette will live up to expectations.

Performance Data Recorder

The new Corvette Stingray, which will hit the production line in the third quarter of 2014, will give drivers the opportunity to record their entire driving experience. The system consists of a front-facing 720p HD digital video camera, mounted on the car’s windshield near, which will record everything that the driver sees. The videos that are captured by the camera will be stored on an SD card located in the glove compartment, which can be used to transfer the footage to a computer. An 8GB card can store about 200 minutes, while a 32GB card can hold up to 600 minutes of footage.

The Performance Data Recorder will monitor the car’s performance metrics while displaying information on the dash-mounted touch screen. It can keep record of the vehicle’s braking force, engine RPM, gear selection, speed, and steering wheel angle. The system displays recorded footage on its 8-inch screen.

There are four system modes that drivers can choose from: Touring, Track, Sport, and Performance. In Touring mode, the driver only sees a video, with no overlay. If you select the Track mode, you will see a video with an overlay of the car’s RPM, speed, and lap time. In Sport mode, you receive additional information on g-force and speed. Finally, the Performance mode displays 0-to-60-mph acceleration time as well as quarter-mile speed and time.

This information can be very useful to drivers. By comparing speed and time on different areas of the track, drivers can make adjustments to improve their performance for the next time they get out on the course.

On the Road

GM developed the system in collaboration with Cosworth, and it will be offered as an optional feature on the 2015 Corvette.

The Performance Data Recorded has a lot of potential and could be soon adopted by other car makers. In addition to tracking performance metrics, it can be of great help to law enforcement for determining fault in car accidents. However, the cost of the system will probably prevent it from becoming a standard feature on mainstream models, and it will likely be only available for luxury vehicles.

Check out the video here.