New Corvette Model will get More power

[mhoward1]

More power for Corvette

Rick Kranz
Automotive News / February 13, 2006 - 6:00 am

CHICAGO -- Chevrolet is looking at adding a Corvette model with more horsepower than the 505-hp Z06, says Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager.

"We look at what Z06 has done in the marketplace, and we can't keep them in stock," Peper said at the Chicago Auto Show. The 2006 Z06 carries a $65,690 sticker price, including destination.

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[jay25RS]

Chevrolet can put 1000 hp in a Corvette, I will NEVER buy one.

-Jason

[edit]: It's not that I don't like American cars, I love the Viper, SRT 8's, GTO, but even as a 5-6 year old, I didn't like Corvettes.

[johnei]

I'd still buy one, maybe the standard car will become more affordable. Also the quote about not keeping the z06 in stock is interesting after reading some things about GM making poor production allocation decisions.

[Calamity Jesus]

Dear GM. I have an idea. Make more Z06s and quit looking for ways to dillute your own brand. That is all.

[Rapid_Roo]

make more Zo6's and less SUV's

[sasquatch95]

Dear GM,

As a sports car fan, I'm very excited that you keep taking one expensive (yes, I know it's tremendous performance for what you get), limited-edition version of one model of your line-up and keep dumping tons of R&D money into it to add more power and performance. We all know your balance sheet isn't looking so hot these days, so maybe you should take all that R&D money and make a sub-$30k car that people will actually WANT TO BUY! I know, I only have a bachelors degree in Marketing so I can't possibly grasp the brilliant financial scheme you guys subscribe to that will put GM back in the black and find a way to pay all those pensions. Sorry to be a killjoy, we're all eagerly anticipating the 807hp Z06.

Love,
Sasq

[johnei]

I think the idea is we will all be so smitten with the uber hp Corvette we'll happily trundle off to the local Chevy dealer and buy a Cobalt/MonteCarlo/Impala/Camaro regardless of whether or not we actually like them.

[mhoward1]

From everything I have heard about the Camaro, they may actually get it right.

Who knows, we may actually see some thought put into GM models.

[Hazdaz]

Originally Posted by Beaverboy

quit looking for ways to dillute your own brand.

How is making an even more powerful (and obviously more expensive) version of the Vette diluting the brand?

If anything this is raising the brand because while the regular Vette is amazingly fast, the Z06 and this new model will be world-beaters. A car that can take on anyone from anywhere.

Diluting the brand is what they are doing by popping in the lesser Vette motor in seemingly every other car that they make (like the CRS-V, GTO, Trailblazer SS and others).


They are definitly taking the right road with this annoucement. With it, they can pay off the engineering/developement costs of this new model now, and when the C7 comes along, pass all this new technology down to it. This is how the automotive market has historically worked, so not sure why people are bitching about it now.

[johnei]

They need to take the LS7 and do something similar to what they did with the ecotech in the solstice when they made it a direct injection 2.0L turbo. I doubt they would use turbos but does anyone think direct injection is a good idea?
They could call it a fuelie or something.

[Hazdaz]

Originally Posted by johnei

They need to take the LS7 and do something similar to what they did with the ecotech in the solstice when they made it a direct injection 2.0L turbo. I doubt they would use turbos but does anyone think direct injection is a good idea?
They could call it a fuelie or something.

I have never heard of a push-rod Direct Injection motor before. Honestly, is it even possible??

But DI is definitly the future though.

[mhoward1]

Originally Posted by Hazdaz

I have never heard of a push-rod Direct Injection motor before. Honestly, is it even possible??

But DI is definitly the future though.

Sure they could do it, but it would be one heck of an EMS.

BTW, the term ZL1 is being thrown around.

[Calamity Jesus]

Well.. why wouldn't it be possible? Valvetrain type has nothing to do with Direct Injection.

Originally Posted by Hazdaz

How is making an even more powerful (and obviously more expensive) version of the Vette diluting the brand?

The Z06 is already stupid fast... now they want to make an uber-stupid fast version... why? That's what Lingenfelter is for. The more crazy niche versions GM makes, the worse the base C6 looks. Instead of sitting on the Z06 and extending office hours to make more to meet demand, they're focusing on a new project to net even higher dollar customers.

[Hazdaz]

Originally Posted by Beaverboy

to net even higher dollar customers.

And that is exactly why they are doing it.

Developing an even faster Vette (i.e. an existing chassis and body) is pennies on the dollar versus developing a new mid-size family sedan. This project doesn't in any way sideline their efforts in making better 'regular' cars.

One more thing crossed my mind here.... the Vette has been, and probably always will be GM's TOP CAR in terms of speed, handling, acceslration (overall performance)... so my thinking is that they are probably trying to pull the line up in power to make room for some very fast new cars in the near future.
:cough: Camaro and next-gen GTO :cough:
After all, it isn't 'fair' for Vette owners to have a sports car, that is only a hair faster than their soon coming sports coupes. I would fully expect that by the time the Camaro hits the market, the regular Vette will be just as powerful as the Z06 is now.

[sonicsuby]

The new Vettes are sweet. A friend of mine has a C6 and it's awesome.

[johnei]

I don't think its an issue of why build a higher performance version. Look at the 2nd gen Corvettes that come up on speedvision at barret jackson. Everything from 327ci 2 spd autobox cars to 427 cars. So, apparently it worked before. Also Mercedes sells the SL in everything from a 350 or a diesel in europe to the SL65 and I don't think its diluting the model.
I have read that the GTO will be done when this car is finished so expect a Camaro/Firebird lineup instead.
http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/02/...d-another-gto/

[shemoves]

I putted around my neighborhood in a c6. I was not that impressed. Given I was just puttin around, but the steering was imprecise, the clutch was way soft, and the shifting was...unimpressive. Basically, it's an old man's fast-car.

[mhoward1]

Haven driven both models of the C5 Z06 on track, I was just the opposite, I was impressed with the capabilities of the car straight off the showroom floor.

[Chromer]

Originally Posted by Hazdaz

Diluting the brand is what they are doing by popping in the lesser Vette motor in seemingly every other car that they make (like the CRS-V, GTO, Trailblazer SS and others).

Er, no. That would be extending the halo. Diluting the brand would be offering a Corvette with their N/A 3.8L V6.

[Hazdaz]

Originally Posted by Chromer

Er, no. That would be extending the halo. Diluting the brand would be offering a Corvette with their N/A 3.8L V6.

that too... but they aren't doing that. But they are taking the key component in the Vette - it's engine - and dropping into every other car that GM has. Thus my reasoning for diluting the brand. After all, why by a $50k C6 when you can get a Vette engine in that TrailblazerSS or the GTO for lots less. Not that I would even compare those vehicles to the Vette, but that's besides the point here.

[samagon]

one thing else to keep in mind, by putting even more power in the GM halo car (vette) they are OK to continue following the long standing tradition of keeping the vette at the top of the performance ladder, and then make lots of power that they can sell to everyone in different, non-halo cars.

I'm all for it.

[Ghost Rider]

this all falls inline with attempts to put out a new camaro. they need to make sure that a corvette is their fastest car.

wasn't there a turbo trans am that was faster than the vette at one time?

[KINGSKY]

focus on teh INTERIOR...


RANDi

[jigga]

Originally Posted by Chromer

Diluting the brand would be offering a Corvette with their N/A 3.8L V6.

Er, no. Diluting the brand is making a Cadillac version of the corvette (which they already do), a Saturn version of the corvette, a GMC version of the corvette, a buick version of the corvette, and so on.

It is even worse when the only difference between the cars is the badge in front and back (think Venture and Montana).

[jay25RS]

Originally Posted by Ghost Rider

this all falls inline with attempts to put out a new camaro. they need to make sure that a corvette is their fastest car.

wasn't there a turbo trans am that was faster than the vette at one time?

I think it was the Buick GNX or Grand National that was a V-6 turbo that was quicker than the Vette.

-Jason