The irony and deceit of so called BATTERY PROTECTION PACKAGE for Corvette C7 Z06 and C7 Stingray

When +Tadge Juechter introduced the newest generation of +General Motors Chevrolet Corvette, the current chief of Corvette program made absolutely sure to point out the obsolescence of the previous generation when compared to his creation.  Unfortunately for the buyers, the current Corvette chief "engineer" was excused from taking lie detector test while describing his creation.  As time showed, new technology is not necessarily better and in case of the new Corvette, a collection of supposedly great new pieces adds up to a true piece of shit instead of being greater than the sum of the parts.

The failure of the current Corvette is already defined through flawed design, unprecedented failure rates of all major components such as engines, drivetrains, electrical systems and electronics, horrible quality control of paint and assembly.  To make it worse, the flawed cars refuse to ignore laws of physics, thermodynamics and aerodynamics and fall on their questionable faces when subjected to performance tests, assured by the sales brochure.

However, there is considerably more to this situation, with the little details easily escaping attention of the gullible masses of geriatric masses ignorant to the fact that their hero, Tadge has no issues with not just just feeding them with partial truths but outright bullshit as well.

So how does the seemingly innocent battery protection package fit in this context?  Where is that irony and deceit in the battery maintainer offered as a "factory option" to the buyers of the newest Corvettes?

The battery protection package (about $130 ordering option) appears to be not any different than equivalent offerings from car makers such as Porsche and BMW and in fact, the GM offering should be a great deal when the Porsche and BMW counterparts cost about 10 dollars more?

As with the BMW and Porsche counterparts, the battery charger and maintainer that is being sold as the factory option is nothing else than a universal battery charger/maintainer manufactured by a company called CTEK.  This company advertises itself as a SWEDISH company and EUROPEAN brand, no less.  

In reality, if anyone cares to look at the actual units sold by CTEK, it states clearly the units are manufactured in PRC (mainland CHINA), so so much for the European connection.  Nevertheless, this part is irrelevant since the products CTEK sells are quite decent (as verified by the author of this blog using them exclusively) and certainly do the job they are designed to do.

BUT...  there is a big problem with the CTEK made unit, that in reality should be the same 3300 generic version, just with a Corvette specific control panel/faceplate, IT IS NOT THE SAME and in fact, GM is screwing its customers over with this offering.

First of all, the irony: the charger itself has been obsolete BEFORE C7 was available for sale, it was superseded by the newer MUS 4.3 model which in turn (currently for European markets only), has been superseded by MS 5.0 model.  However, as it stands, MUS 4.3 is the latest US available model.

And here is the deceit, not only do the Corvette buyers pay more for a rebadged CTEK charger but they also get less for their money.  Although Porsche and BMW owners pay more, they get more for their money but still, they get less than buyers of the generic version of the same charger.  Still, the Corvette owners get screwed the most.

How do they get screwed the most?  First of all, to make the charger most efficient, it should be hooked up directly to the battery itself, using ring connectors that come standard with the generic charger, NOT AVAILABLE with Corvette "specific" charger.  Not only the ring connection is not available, it is not even possible with Corvette charger since the cigarette lighter type of connector is hardwired to the Yes, charger.

Obviously, for anyone falling outside of the silver haired circle and capable of both thinking and performing simple installation tasks, the factory solution is a dead end.  Who on Earth would be using that idiotic rear power outlet and let the wires hang out afterwards?

There is more to it however and this is where the reality comes out:  the faceplate of the unit and what is missing from it.

Here is the generic version of the unit, there is a MODE button, along with several modes available, including a car and snowflake icons.  For those who are familiar with the CTEK chargers, the snowflake icon carries considerably more significance than the COLD WEATHER function, it also serves as a mode to charge aftermarket AGM batteries such as Odyssey and Optima high performance batteries.   These batteries require higher charging voltage than "normal" batteries, 14.7 volts, specifically.  Since the mode button is absent from Corvette version of this charger, it is clearly unsuitable for anyone considering battery upgrade now or in the future.

Since the latest Corvettes do not use AGM batteries (still the same POS Delco shit like previous generations), this is not an issue in this case but others should be warned, should they be stupid enough to consider the factory charger.

How do the BMW and Porsche counterparts compare?  What do the buyers of those cars get for their money?

Here is the current Porsche branded offering, clearly the MODE button is there although its purpose is a mystery since the only other charging option offered is for a MOTORCYCLE?   Is Porsche in the motorcycle manufacturing business these days?

Ironically enough, even though this offering is called WINTER BATTERY PROTECTION PACKAGE, the winter/AGM mode is missing.  WTF?  A better mousetrap obviously but still...

And here is the BMW model, clearly the BMW version is the exact version of the original charger and it can be used to charge AGM batteries (which some BMW's happen to use these days).  Not only the charger is complete but it also comes with the pig tail connector among the included accessories.  Kudos to BMW for charging its customers more and offering more for the money.

Considering the neglible price difference between GM, BMW and Porsche offerings, who is ripping off the customers the most?   Apparently GM, with Porsche second...  Anyone with even a trace of brains should quickly realize that the Corvette charger is not just overpriced but it is both obsolete and deficient.

Are there any Corvette buying numbnuts realizing how they are being had here, with the "high tech" charger?  NOT A CHANCE!!!

And here is a typical idiotic Corvette charger set up, that's entertainment!!!