New Corvette Stingray to get race-inspired data recorder

Chevrolet has unveiled a new integrated video, audio and telemetry recorder that will be offered with the new Chevrolet Corvette C7 Stingray.

The device, known as the Performance Data Recorder (PDR), has been developed in conjunction with Northampton-based motorsports engineering company Cosworth and has been shown off at the International Consumer Electronics Show, which opened today in Las Vegas.

Cosworth supplies the data acquisition and telemetry electronics system that Corvette Racing uses on its Le Mans cars. The fully integrated system enables users to record high-definition video, with telemetry overlays, of their driving experiences on and off the track.

PDR includes a high-definition video camera that is mounted within the trim at the top of the windscreen. It records the driver’s point-of-view and captures audio via a dedicated microphone.

The telemetry recorder uses a dedicated GPS receiver that operates at a speed five times faster than the satellite-navigation system and allows more precise positioning and corner traces. The recorder is hard-wired into the Corvette Stingray’s Controller Area Network (CAN) to access vehicle information, ranging from engine speed and gear selection to braking force and steering-wheel angle.

The PDR system can record video with a variety of data overlay options. Track mode shows the maximum level of data on the screen, including speed, rpm, g-force, a location-based map, lap time and more. Sport mode shows just the key data. Touring Mode simply records and displays video and audio of the drive with no data overlay. Performance Mode records performance metrics, such as 0-60mph acceleration, quarter-mile speed and elapsed time, and 0-100-0mph runs.

Video and vehicle data can be captured on SD cards via a dedicated slot in the glovebox. An eight-gigabyte SD card can record approximately 200 minutes of driving. 

The video can be viewed on the Corvette Stingray’s eight-inch colour touchscreen when the car is parked, or downloaded to a computer for further editing, and sharing video via social media sites. The PDR data can also be opened in Cosworth's Toolbox software, which offers a more in-depth analysis of the telemetry.

"The Performance Data Recorder combines the ability to record and share drive videos with the power of a professional-level motorsports telemetry system," said Tadge Juechter, Corvette chief engineer. "Drivers can easily record and share their experiences. In addition, with the included telemetry software, users can analyse their laps in incredible detail and find opportunities to improve their driving and lap times."

PDR will be available in the third quarter of this year. Pricing will be announced closer to that time. It isn't yet clear whether the system will be offered to markets outside of the USA.