2015 Chevrolet Corvette Performance Data Recorder (PDR)

Edmunds.com

2015 Chevrolet Corvette Performance Data Recorder (PDR)

Equip your 2015 Chevrolet Corvette with this first-ever in-car Performance Data Recorder (PDR). Record and playback video and telemetry from your track days.

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ne_blackshirts

This is pretty cool especially how you can play it back right on the 8 inch head unit. But wonder if GM techs check for videos if you go in for warranty work you can almost guarantee they will be denying any warranty work and force you to pay out of pocket.

cwalton1

Good morning ne_blackshirts. For brevity, this sentence didn't make it into the final version of the story...

"GM officials were quick to point out that PDR is self-contained and removing the SD card ensures no data (other than standard OEM "blackbox" data) is stored in the car or shared wirelessly."

So your concern is only partly warranted.

~Chris

cwalton1

Also, here are two GM-produced videos showing the PDR system in action:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2P0MT5H8RCs and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-Y97QLDfKs

~Chris

stovt001_

Does this only work on pre-defined tracks, or could you use this on your favorite driving road (even if it isn't as well-known as Tail of the Dragon) or autocross event?

stovt001_

Also, what would be the point of this on Tail of the Dragon, considering the 30 mph limit and huge police presence?

cwalton1

By the time it is released in late 2014, GM & Cosworth report that they expect to have point-to-point functionality up and running. If that's the case, then autocross track days (where the start and finish lines are rarely the same) and your favorite driving road (ditto) should work.

We also imagine that, in conjunction with other systems, GM will showcase the PDR when the 2015 Corvette Z06 takes a particularly "spirited" drive from a certain "Bridge to Gantry" in Germany. Wink, wink.

Barring all this, they also said that periodic updates to the PDR will be available through Cosworth Toolbox -- where GM might even loosen the reins on the CAN stream allowing for even more car-generated data to be viewed in the Toolbox; tire pressures, oil/coolant temperatures, and so on might pop up in the days to come.

A final note: Cosworth says that while PDR is for now available only on these two Corvettes, it has, by no means, an exclusive relationship with GM and welcomes other vehicle manufacturers' cooperation in the future. Y'think other sports cars manufacturers will be calling Cosworth -- or developing their own data recorders? Either way, driving enthusiasts win.

~Chris