Very surprised not to see this on here yet...

http://www.genmay.com/showthread.php?t=730071

6.2 liters
Displacement on Demand
430hp (although some say anywhere between 425 and 450)
well over 30mpg on the highway
overall reduction of 18lbs compared to the LS2
higher compression
variable valve timing


The car itself:
Z06 exhaust (butterfly valve operation), most likely part of the Z51 package
minor interior tweaks such as a change in the steering wheel, center console has been upgraded, new wheels, new interior and exterior colors.


No word on anything about the Z06. There are rumors, but nothing solid at this point.

 

Damn for a second I thought I read 'center stack upgrade' - the center stack in the C6 belongs in nothing more than an economy car - it's so bad I'd almost want to get nav just to help it not look so sad!

So the 08 model will get the Z06's exhaust system in Z51 packaging only? Damn - I want the magnetic ride control setup. MRC got the Z51's cross drilled brakes for 07 so maybe it can have the cool exhaust, too?

BTW - I bet the Vette will REALLY benefit from displacement on demand. Lots of power, light weight, aerodynamic, wide selection of gears... I bet unlike some other DOD V8s from GM, the Vette will actually STAY in 4-cyl mode during highway cruise and not constantly switch in and out.

Oh this brings up another thought - people like to put loud exhaust on their Vettes - I wonder if the Vette will sound like *** when the DOD is engaged - I mean obviously there will be very little throttle position, but still - a civic with aftermarket exhaust still usually sounds bad even at highway cruise.

Variable valve timing? Hmmm... so I guess the power curve looks a little prettier now? Now Vette owners can finally say 'tha vtec kicked in, yo!'

I'm disappointed by the lack of direct injection, though - guess that's for the C7 then eh?

I know several years ago camless electromagnetically actuated valves were a rumor for the Z06 - is that pretty much a dead topic now?

 

I ran a search and found these.
Can someone ask Scott if this stuff should be removed?

 

That is a dealer car in Warren County, KY so it is likely NOT a 08 Corvette. Bowling Green (where the Vette/XLR are made) is the seat of Warren County. I would say that the wheels are aftermarket and the engine cover is a photochop. It could be the engine cover came from an aftermarket source OR from one of the local suppliers. The local Vette suppliers have been known to let some information leak pretty early.

Overall I am very skeptical of these pics without more information.

 

In regards to how much hp the new LS3 makes we need to know what heads are on it. I see it is 6.2l with VVT which makes me think L92 heads, and they flow like hell so I'll think closer to 450hp. In regards to what Threxx was saying about DOD that has been a very hot topic on Corvetteforum. They are worried that in DOD mode the exhaust note will sound like *** so many people don't want it and plan on tuning it out immediately. As much as added fuel economy is nice I think I'd agree with them because I couldn't have my 50k dollar car sounding like *** while crusing. I guess April 28th all will be revealed.

 

DOD was left off the C6 due to rev limitations/exhaust noise concerns. I have no doubt that if DOD is on the LS3 it will sound fine. But I do think there should be a switch to disable it if you don't want it.

 

I'd have to agree with you. Besides the fact, anybody who has the money to get exhaust, obviously has the coin to get a little DOD tuned out.

 

There is ... under your right foot.

 

I wonder if "legally" they could put a simple switch in the cockpit to disable it? Although, I'm not sure if they could approve a higher mpg if it was available to switch off...

 

What's wrong with the C6 center stack?

Cayman:





C6:

 

It looks better in the highly massaged press photos you posted, but in real life it just looks like it belongs in a Cobalt, not a Corvette.

It's a sea of modular black plastic on top of modular black plastic.

The new Escalade is the same way and it's a shame as it hurts an otherwise pretty nice interior for that class of SUV.

The Cayman's center stack is just as bad if not worse in terms of looks. The materials and feel could be better in person though... I dunno. They tend to use good materials and solid construction in the rest of the Cayman.

If you want an example of how GM obviously CAN do a center stack, and SHOULD do all premium car center stacks, look no further than the new CTS

 

So your saying the Vette is a Premium car? And so it should have a Luxury interior? Isn't that what the XLR/XLR-V is?

 

That intake manifold looks a little weird. Maybe its just bad angles, but it looks like the fuel rail crossover actually cuts into the runners on the manifold from the above posted engine, whereas on the LS2 (or L76 for that matter) there's no slit...

LS2:


L76 (this is an L76 manifold with LS2 fuel rails)


Or maybe its aftermarket?

 

It doesn't need to look as good as the CTS. But it's just an example of how GM doesn't HAVE to make all of their center stacks out of exposed flat black plastic modular components stacked on top of each other.

And for the record the XLR is one of the worst looking and feel interiors of pretty much any car sold for 80k-100k bucks today. I'd almost rather have the Vette because at least people wouldn't EXPECT the interior to look as good. Less room for disappointment.

 

Does that also explain the exhaust?