Corvette rumors.....

This came from DigitaCorvettes.com.

Take it for what it's worth.


"OMG!!!

Sit down before reading this. It could be life changing....

An old friend of mine who is a GM Powertrain Tech in Warren, MI called me out of the blue today (4pm AZ time). I haven't talked to him since our daughter was born this past July. Anyway, he said he just found out they got their budget to do beta development on the "C7's" powertrain. I said , C7? You guys haven't started selling C6's yet!

He say's all this talk of the "Blue Devil" C6 is misinformation meant to keep the journalists at bay. He says there won't be a "Blue Devil" version of the C6. He said that there will be a Z06 or Z07 (as yet undetermined) version of C6 that will be a 2006 model. It will make 50-75 more HP than the C6's LS2.

Here's where it gets interesting:

He says the "C7" will be out, possibly in 07, more likely in 08, and that GM will sell BOTH platforms concurrently.

Both cars will carry the Corvette badge, but each will be significantly different in design, layout, and capability.

Are you sitting down?

He says the C7 is MID-ENGINED. The chassis is coming from the Cadillac Cien concept car, and the price tag WILL be north of 100 grand. They are targetting the Lamborghini Murcielago as the performance benchmark. I asked about the engine layout (OHC, multi valve, aspiration), but he wouldn't tell me. He just said I'd love it.

Like I said, take it with a grain of salt, but this is the same guy who told me in July that the C6 had exposed headlights, an open cowl, and that the interior looked like a reworked C5's.
I trust him. I'm gonna FREAK if he turns out right again.

Of course I will continue badgering the hell out of him to keep leaking info. And no, none of you can know his name. I don't want to lose him his job."

I read this on Corvette Forum yesterday or the day before...

Let me just say I am more than skeptical....

Yup I read this too. This also seems pretty unbelievable to me.

That's some pretty earth-shattering into for someone at the tech center (allegedly) to be spreading...I know I've never come across info this big without the universal caveat "Tell anyone, I'll kill you:death: "

Anyways, I'll believe it when i see it, but so far this doesn't pass the smell test...If true, whoever leaked this info must not care about his job, because he'll be on his way out on Mon.

On another note, I'm a little disappointed at this trend which keeps taking the performance market upscale...I've always loved and idolized corvettes as a kid, i had corvette models, books, mags, and I'm still a daily visitor to the corvette forums...The problem is that even though the corvette is my dream car, I've realized it will be out of my price range for at least the next 20 years...The best i could hope for right now would be the stang...

Long story short: GM, get to work on the Camaro, already...

If it's true, I'm glad to see it, they've needed to set their sights higher and compete in the market with the Vipers and GT40's and such. And the idea that they will be making both, the upscale version and the regular Vette, seems to be a credible type of move, if true...
I too have my sights on one, once the kids get grown and move out...for now I'm waiting on the next Camaro too!....

It's difficult to believe really..........

The current C5 is out of my price range...............:(

C7.........competing with Lamborghini?:shock:

I couldn't even afford to glance sideways at it.:cry:

While I wouldn't completely rule out a mid-engine super Vette, I very highly doubt it would be deemed a "C7". I'll believe it when I see it. There have been too many of these "This same guy told me back in 2001 that the C6 will have 4 wheels, so he's a reliable source!!!" type of claims to believe.

The $100K 625hp twin turbo vette was always a pipe dream. I never believed it for a minute.

It made absolutely NO sense to the maker or the buyer. Like I've said before, it would still be a $40K vette with a Lingenfelter drivetrain.

This is the correct way to do things. Keep the vette where it belongs, the affordable sports car.

Then if GM wants to compete with the big boys, FINE. Build a REAL supercar from the ground up and give buyers REAL value for their $100K+. A mid-engined car based off the Cien would be perfect for a GM supercar.

This also takes pressure off to keep moving the vette upscale and along with the price.

Originally posted by hp_nut
The $100K 625hp twin turbo vette was always a pipe dream. I never believed it for a minute.

It made absolutely NO sense to the maker or the buyer. Like I've said before, it would still be a $40K vette with a Lingenfelter drivetrain.

This is the correct way to do things. Keep the vette where it belongs, the affordable sports car.

Then if GM wants to compete with the big boys, FINE. Build a REAL supercar from the ground up and give buyers REAL value for their $100K+. A mid-engined car based off the Cien would be perfect for a GM supercar.

This also takes pressure off to keep moving the vette upscale and along with the price.

How would a Twin Turbo 427 Carbon fiber body Vette Not be a real value for $100K? You would have to spend $400,000+ to get something faster.

Originally posted by hp_nut
The $100K 625hp twin turbo vette was always a pipe dream. I never believed it for a minute.

It made absolutely NO sense to the maker or the buyer. Like I've said before, it would still be a $40K vette with a Lingenfelter drivetrain.

The twin turbo Vette may not be a pipedream for all we know...this little bit of "info" doesn't prove anything. And again, there would be no difference between the $100,000 Vette with the outrageous powertrain and the $55,000 Mustang Cobra R....

Originally posted by Z28x
How would a Twin Turbo 427 Carbon fiber body Vette Not be a real value for $100K? You would have to spend $400,000+ to get something faster.


No I wouldn't. I could buy a '93 Fox body stang, drop a KB '03 Cobra motor in it making 800hp and embarrass the $100K vette from here to Sunday for about $20K. And the Blue Devil driver won't give a rat's ass that I just wiped up the road with him.

See it's not just about being faster. The current Z06 is just as fast as the new Lamborghini Gallardo. BUT WHO CARES? The Lambo's a LAMBO, and a Vette's a Vette.



Originally posted by Z28Wilson
....And again, there would be no difference between the $100,000 Vette with the outrageous powertrain and the $55,000 Mustang Cobra R....


That's exactly my point.

I could see a mid-engine top of the line Corvette for a few reasons. If Cadillac builds the Cien, Chevy would have to be part of the mix with a model with more hp (of course). Two models would justify the expense. Also since the vette already has a rear mounted tranny (since 97) with a little work on the subframes-presto mid-engine. Since the Vette is built on a spaceframe like fiero or saturn-(again since 97-source: Corvette Quarterly) it would be very easy to build a totally different looking model on the same chassis. Finially I would expect an aluminum spaceframe-weight reduction could be a few hundred pounds. (Take a look at www.ev1.com and see the alum chassis GM has already used in production, click on structure at bottom of page. That chassis is 210 pounds lighter (42% lighter) than a steel version.) By the way, the ev1 structure was really just an improved version of what the fiero was built on.

I don't think the hardcore vette owners will take something like this too lightly. I don't see this happening bcuz it would be a slap in the face to what the Corvette has become as the "American Icon". This was also looked at about 10yrs ago, and look how far it got. They even had a concept and nothing happened.

Also supposly making a C6 and C7 model and selling them at the same time would be like Ford producing the 03 Cobra and the 98 Cobra at the same time, it doesn't make sense.

Originally posted by mastrdrver
Also supposly making a C6 and C7 model and selling them at the same time would be like Ford producing the 03 Cobra and the 98 Cobra at the same time, it doesn't make sense.

Not really, the C7 wouldn't be the replacement for the C6, I guess better names would be C6.a and C6.b

Originally posted by hp_nut
No I wouldn't. I could buy a '93 Fox body stang, drop a KB '03 Cobra motor in it making 800hp and embarrass the $100K vette from here to Sunday for about $20K. And the Blue Devil driver won't give a rat's ass that I just wiped up the road with him.

See it's not just about being faster. The current Z06 is just as fast as the new Lamborghini Gallardo. BUT WHO CARES? The Lambo's a LAMBO, and a Vette's a Vette.

11 year old modified cars don't compare to $100K+ supercars.

THink more on the lines of Porsche 911, they range from $69,365 - $192,465 and 315HP to 477HP

:bs:

I just don’t see this happening. Why would they blow so much money into developing and certifying a car like this? It’s already Chevy’s halo car, their image car. Why do they need even more image in it? They could just drop in a TT LS2/7 and still rape a Lambo at the track.

Plus I’m damn sure the Cein wasn’t even on its own platform. It was a show car built with off the self parts. Wasn’t it built with a lot of C5 parts?

I’ll believe this when one hits me next time I cross the street.

GM throw money at my 5th gen. I want my Orange drop top in ’08, it better be on the lot.

If they were going to compete with the Lamborghini Murcielago do you think GM go with a blown V8 as rumors would suggest or use a 10 or even 12 cylinder engine

i side with the skeptics
i dont think it will happen but if it did, i'd expect a freaking awesome 5th gen
if they got the money to throw at something like this then they would have plenty to use for the 5thg en, thats for sure

I'm also with the skeptics on this one. I couldnt imagine GM even thinking of selling more than one body style Corvette at the same time. Perhaps RP could come inside and blow this rumor out the water?

this is total :bs:. it makes absolutely no sense what so ever. especially the name . The wouldnt call it a corvette and have it be a seventh generation selling at the same time as the 6th generation. If a Corvette like this ever does come out, it wont happen for awhhile, not until the c6 is done. Maybe if they call it another name besides the Corvette and come out with a mid-engined super car, and sell them it at the same time frame this guy is reffering to. but I can not see that really happening.It'd be cool if they do that, but I would rather see the money go to a new Camaro than a mid engine super car. Unless, of course they make them at the same time :p

There have been rumors of a mid-engine Corvette since at least the early '70s, and we have yet to see one (although there have been some concepts). I think if they did make one in this configuration, it would be smart to sell it alongside the cheaper front engine version. However, I still have to call :bs: until there is more proof. :D

If this is true, its somewhat consistent with what somebody (I think GuionM) said a year ago. They said that there would be a styling change of the Corvette within a year or two of the C6s release. But were vague on details, so instead of a styling change, maybe it was a whole different generation of 'Vettes on top of the soon-to-be current generation.

And about the 450-475 HP Z06 or Z07.....I TOLD YOU!




.....that is if this is true.....

Originally posted by Meccadeth
And about the 450-475 HP Z06 or Z07.....I TOLD YOU!


Well I'm still guessing it'll be 5-0-0. :p

a very loooooooooooong time ago on this board someone talked about the possibility that Corvette would or could separate away from Chevrolet and become it's own nameplate with it's own cars thus making it THE performance division of GM. I thought that to be total BS until I read this and so now it sparks the debate, Could this be the first sign of such an operation???


Also, if this new "BLue Devil" Vette comes out and it basically is the super car for GM then whats to promote the currant Vette to higher performance standards? and finally if the currant Vette stalls out whats to say that the Camaro will even get the performance it needs based on the ol "poor mans Corvette" mantra...


One more thing, if this Corvette line of cars holds true could this mean that we could have a Corvette Camaro???


These ideas are all very skeptical and far fetched but what do you think???

I GM wants to build a true "supercar", it should be Cien, and it should belong to Cadillac.

Originally posted by ADV1
a very loooooooooooong time ago on this board someone talked about the possibility that Corvette would or could separate away from Chevrolet and become it's own nameplate with it's own cars thus making it THE performance division of GM. I thought that to be total BS until I read this and so now it sparks the debate, Could this be the first sign of such an operation???


Also, if this new "BLue Devil" Vette comes out and it basically is the super car for GM then whats to promote the currant Vette to higher performance standards? and finally if the currant Vette stalls out whats to say that the Camaro will even get the performance it needs based on the ol "poor mans Corvette" mantra...


One more thing, if this Corvette line of cars holds true could this mean that we could have a Corvette Camaro???


These ideas are all very skeptical and far fetched but what do you think???

That is scary, I hope nothing like that ever happens.

Originally posted by ADV1
a very loooooooooooong time ago on this board someone talked about the possibility that Corvette would or could separate away from Chevrolet and become it's own nameplate with it's own cars thus making it THE performance division of GM. I thought that to be total BS until I read this and so now it sparks the debate, Could this be the first sign of such an operation???


Also, if this new "BLue Devil" Vette comes out and it basically is the super car for GM then whats to promote the currant Vette to higher performance standards? and finally if the currant Vette stalls out whats to say that the Camaro will even get the performance it needs based on the ol "poor mans Corvette" mantra...


One more thing, if this Corvette line of cars holds true could this mean that we could have a Corvette Camaro???


These ideas are all very skeptical and far fetched but what do you think???

I thought Pontiac was supposed to be the performance division at GM.

I really doubt the old "Corvette brand" rumor has any connection to this possible mid engine Vette. GM doesn't need anymore brands, IMHO

Originally posted by Darth Xed
I GM wants to build a true "supercar", it should be Cien, and it should belong to Cadillac.

I agree. I still think that car would fit right in with Cadillac's "going more upscale" image.

Keep the Corvette a Corvette, two seat, front engine, RWD sports car. Its worked for 50 years, why change it?

Originally posted by SFireGT98
Keep the Corvette a Corvette, two seat, front engine, RWD sports car. Its worked for 50 years, why change it?

I think that may be the whole point in doing this... There is a certain mystic about the Corvette in the platform it's in that wouldn't allow for change. Look at the mid-engine Corvette concept cars from the past thogh and you'll see some definate praise for them (ala CERV). I think a nich car like this may be good for the company and seing as how the Corvette is the halo car for Chevrolet (or in fords word "The pace car for an entire copany" )you wouldn't want to take anything away from it and this is just Chevrolets answer to up the ante for the GT40, Viper and the exotics.

A 427 cubic inch LS7 producing 525+ horspower and less curb weight than a Viper or a GT40 would be perfect for a ZO6. A blower would be even better if it was an additional option. That way, the ZO6 would blow the Maclaren Mercedes, Porsches and Ferraris to the weeds!

Originally posted by KLee
A 427 cubic inch LS7 producing 525+ horspower and less curb weight than a Viper or a GT40 would be perfect for a ZO6. A blower would be even better if it was an additional option. That way, the ZO6 would blow the Maclaren Mercedes, Porsches and Ferraris to the weeds!

...and cost $100K

Originally posted by Meccadeth
...and cost $100K

THe C6 is already lighter than the Viper and the Z06 version will even lighter than mosr eurocars. I don't think the jump from a 5.7L 405HP LS6 to a 7.0L 500HP+ will ad $50,000 I could see the Z06 price going up to $60,000 because of this engine.

Originally posted by Z28x
THe C6 is already lighter than the Viper and the Z06 version will even lighter than mosr eurocars. I don't think the jump from a 5.7L 405HP LS6 to a 7.0L 500HP+ will ad $50,000 I could see the Z06 price going up to $60,000 because of this engine.

What they would have to do to the motor to make it meet emissions, be reliable, and keep it low weight in process would add up. Not to mention you would need new components besides the motor to make the car handle the power. New Transmission to make use of all the new power. I would think if they made a 525 horse Corvette and keep it around the same weight it is now, we would be looking at, at least $75K We're not just talking horsepower (and I'm not a mechanic so I don't know what all would have to be changed, but I know its a lot), we're talking about the components that would have to be changed and yet be a good business case in a low production volume car.

Make it 475 horses and they don't need to change as much and the structural integrity won't be hurt as much with the flow of power and it could stay around the same price as the last Z06. At least thats the undereducated guess at it.

I'm guessing the C6 was designed from day one to handle over 500HP. Lutz has already made comments about going after the Viper.

Why would they do that? Anything costing that much would surely be badged as a Caddy? It makes no sense to 'undo' the last sevarl decades with Corvette as 'America's' sportscar. The Corvette fills a 'niche' (ok a large niche) very well. It's affordable to far more Americans than any of the exotics and yet offers performance that is on par with many of said exotics costing 2 or 3 times as much. Owning a Corvette myself is something I aspired to and worked towards for several years. There's no way I'd be able to buy a C7 from that description though. So why mess with a proven formula?

Do you think chevy would sell it next to a $9,000 AVEO

The Blue Devil is just purple haze.

GM is going to do the right thing and make a REAL supercar.

Mid engined, probably V12 and sell it right under the Ford GT's nose... err price.

It'll be a great value and probably be a Caddy.

Then Ferrari, Lambo, and Ford will have something to really worry about.

Nice move for chevy if they have the balls to pull it off.

Right now believe it or not, in the whole image icon thing, they are getting ragged on from every corner, even chrysler.

chevy's corvette is not much of an image now that you have bmw's running all over, and even the new Chrysler Me 4-12. Look at porshe with their new mid engine, rwd. ford.

Look at what the GT40 did for ford. the new vette with a mid engine will be perfect in that sense.

A corvette is still nice but not that nice. A supercar to go after lambo will be sheer amazement, and that will tinkle down more. it is about getting people into the showrooms,


the gt40 and mustang, and cobra do that for ford. for the past bit it was corvette when it was top dog, but it is not top dog anymore. there is nothing pure and new from gm to get me into the showroom. well, cept the caddie one. lol.

build it, build it, build it.

This thread makes me think of Ford and it's GT(40) and the Shelby Cobra. One is a mid engine RWD V8 and the other is a front engine RWD V10. Both use the same chassis.
The same technique could be used on the Corvette also.

I do think it would be interesting seeing 2 Corvette models.

Having two totally different cars with the same name is totally confusing and it makes no sense.

Like I said... if you want a mid-engine supercar at GM... that is fine... go for it.

But, don't be silly... that is not what Corvette is or ever was.... however, that is exactly what Cien was meant to be, and it's in the division that should have it.

This is possibly the dumbest idea I have ever heard, selling two different Corvettes at the same time. A marketing nightmare.

Make the Cien if GM wants a mid-engined super car. This idea strays far too far from the Corvette heritage.

Originally posted by 305fan
Make the Cien if GM wants a mid-engined super car.


:thumb:

He says the C7 is MID-ENGINED. The chassis is coming from the Cadillac Cien concept car, and the price tag WILL be north of 100 grand. " [/B][/QUOTE]

I think ya’ll all missed the fact that the Cien concept DID NOT have its own platform when it was built. It was an off the self concept car. Made mostly form C5 parts I think.
In my eyes that right there discredits this guys entire story.