Corvette Blog

As reported today on AutoBlog, it seems that the use of Carbon Fiber (CF) on the Corvette may still be at least 10 years away.  The use of CF on the ZR1 is a sure sign that GM recognizes that its use is the future of Corvette, but wants to tread lightly and see how feasible on mass produced vehicles.

Carbon Fiber is used for a number of parts on the ZR1, including the roof, hood, front fenders, and spoiler, just to name a few.  This provided GM with a savings of 35 pounds against the normal parts used on the fiberglass Corvette.

So the rational question, given the upcoming fuel standard increase, is why wouldn't GM use CF on future Corvettes as soon as next year?  Well, unfortunately its extremely cost prohibitive at this point.  While the demand for carbon fiber continues to grow, the price is not inline where it would keep the Corvette at the great price point it's always enjoyed.  The ZR1 is a totally different animal that can get away with its use, but that's all we're going to see any time soon.

[ AutoBlog ]

Posted By Ryan In Corvette News , Corvette Production , Corvettes of the Future | 0 Comments Permalink

GM released new 2009 Corvette ZR-1 photos!  Click here for the entire gallery of photos.  We will also be featuring one image per day until the end of January here on the blog, but as always, you can go to our gallery to see all of them now.

Posted By Ryan In 2009 Corvette ZR1 (Blue Devil) , Corvette News , Corvette Pictures , Corvettes of the Future | 0 Comments Permalink

Winding Road posted their January issue today, and there is a real treat for us Corvette enthusiasts!

In an article entitled "Meet the New Boss," contest winners have their say in determining the direction for the new C7 Corvette.  It's a must read!

In addition, there is a great video of Corvette's new boss meeting the Corvette Racing Team at Laguna Seca this past October.

Here's a link to the video, unfortunately they won't let you embed it:  Corvette Video

Posted By Bill Connell In 2013 Corvette C7 , Corvettes of the Future | 0 Comments Permalink

It's about time we got more than just a peak at the 2009 Corvette ZR1.  While there isn't too much in the way of speed (until the end), the video still offers us the best look yet at the upcoming addition to the Vette family.

650 HP is coming our way folks, and we at CorvetteBlog are ready!  We expect  the official release of the vehicle will be at the North American International Auto Show here in Detroit in January (where we will have full coverage)!

[ Fast Lane Daily ]

Posted By Ryan In 2009 Corvette ZR1 (Blue Devil) , Corvette News , Corvette Videos , Corvettes of the Future | 1 Comments Permalink

Keith of CorvetteBlogger has reminded us of a blog he wrote on January 1, 2007, pertaining to the trademark application made by GM for the ZR1 nomenclature.

At the time, Keith wrote, "Now it would be irresponsible speculation on my part to think that GM would have an interest in using the ZR-1 RPO code for the Blue Devil / SS Corvette."

That speculation in January is now at odds with the recent announcement from Motor Trend.  The plot thickens.

Posted By Bill Connell In 2009 Corvette ZR1 (Blue Devil) , Corvettes of the Future | 0 Comments Permalink

This news broke Tuesday and has been rippling everywhere on the Net.  It appears that it was Todd Lassa's post at the Motor Trend Community Blog that got it started.  Word is, that the previously called Corvette Blue Devil will be called the Corvette ZR1.

You may know from a previous post that I have predicted Corvette SS.  In fact, I still want to believe that it will be Corvette SS.  Some of the other bloggers think that Lassa's statement is conjecture, and not based on an infallible source.  However, most of the solid advance information we have received so far has indeed come from Motor Trend!  Likelihood of accuracy here is, thus, pretty good.  As a result, Corvette Blog now has a new category of previous stories (at the right): 2009 Corvette ZR1 (Blue Devil).

[ Stories on Future Corvettes ]

Posted By Bill Connell In 2009 Corvette ZR1 (Blue Devil) , Corvette News , Corvette Production , Corvettes of the Future | 6 Comments Permalink

The AutoExtremist Blog describes itself as "the bare-knuckled, unvarnished, high-octane truth" about the automotive business.  Its author, Peter De Lorenzo, spent twenty two years in automotive advertising before leaving to found his blog and really tell everyone what he thinks.

Last Wednesday, De Lorenzo turned the assumptions and presumptions about the next generation Corvette on their ear with a prediction that the C7 will be mid-engined!  Corvette engineers have considered the mid-engine approach time and time again.  Just visit the National Corvette Museum for evidence, as mid-engined prototypes from the past smile at passersby (see example I photographed there last winter).

Posted By Bill Connell In 2013 Corvette C7 , Corvettes of the Future | 7 Comments Permalink

The magazines and blogs are all over the Corvette SS (or Corvette Blue Devil or Corvette Z07) again.  There are articles on CorvetteBlogger, AutoBlog, and AutoNewsGuide, all linked for you to check out.  All of the articles appear to rely on a Popular Mechanics posting by Jim Dunne.  In turn, Dunne seems to have gotten his information from a large Michigan Corvette dealership. 

I can tell you that it wasn't our Corvette dealership, so I can't assure you of the authenticity of the remarks.  In summary, though, there seem to be five lines of thought currently being emphasized:

Posted By Bill Connell In 2009 Corvette ZR1 (Blue Devil) , Corvettes of the Future | 0 Comments Permalink

The cover story of the August 2007 issue of Winding Road's on-line magazine is "Chevrolet C7 Corvette".  They report that GM's internal code for the next Vette is GMX711.

Check out the excellent artistic proposals on pages 46-52!  The question has been asked years ago, but could the next Corvette be mid-engine?  Don't miss this free read at Winding Road!

Posted By Bill Connell In 2013 Corvette C7 , Corvettes of the Future | 0 Comments Permalink

If all goes as planned, the first 2008 Corvettes are rolling off the line this morning at the Bowling Green Assembly Plant in Kentucky.

Stay tuned for photos and information when the first 2008 Corvette shows up at our parent dealership.

Related Blogs:

[ Corvette Blog ]

Posted By Bill Connell In Corvette News , Corvettes of the Future | 0 Comments Permalink

Chevrolet dealers were treated to a taste of upcoming Corvette product Thursday afternoon by video.

Though the program was on the 2008 Corvette, dealer after dealer questioned Chevrolet product staff regarding the availablity of the so-called Blue Devil, SS, Z07, Stingray, or Sting Ray.

Gary Claudio, North America Marketing Manager for GM responded time and again by saying: "Stay tuned, and save your money!  It will make you smile!"

Looks like a lot of people will be smiling ... we just don't know when!

Posted By Bill Connell In 2009 Corvette ZR1 (Blue Devil) , Corvette News , Corvettes of the Future | 1 Comments Permalink

Popular Mechanics is at it again with spy shots of the Corvette SS.  Call it Z07, StingRay or Blue Devil if you like. 

PM suggests that we are looking at a carbon fiber roof, as well as hood.  Their impression is that we are seeing a revised hood that covers the supercharger intake scoop.

[ Popular Mechanics ]

[ Corvette Blog ]

Posted By Bill Connell In Corvettes of the Future | 1 Comments Permalink

In a clever and original consideration, Marty Padgett of the Car Connection website applauds GM for its promotion of the Corvette SS at the very same time it promotes the fuel saving Volt.  Chevy dealers, of course, would like to have both, and the sooner the better.  Personally, I'd like one of each.

In having two "halo cars"  so distinctly different, GM presents itself as the innovator of all things automotive and powerful, while at the same time holds out hope for an efficient, fuel saving, attractive, and hip family sedan.  Quite a feat!

[ Car Connection ]

Posted By Bill Connell In 2009 Corvette ZR1 (Blue Devil) , Corvettes of the Future | 0 Comments Permalink

The July issue of Motor Trend dropped on the desk at Corvette Blogtopia on Friday, and there on page 19 was their take on the upcoming mid-production cycle Corvette.

From Motor Trend's perspective, the "top ten things you need to know about the 2008 Corvette" are:

LS3 6.2L engine replacing the LS2 6.0L, with horsepower up to 436

Bigger intake vales and higher-lift-intake cams to improve breathing

Posted By Bill Connell In Corvette Equipment , Corvette Reviews , Corvettes of the Future | 2 Comments Permalink

Earlier this week, Rick Kranz of the Automotive News speculated that there might be a Four Door Corvette in the future.  Reasons for this speculation include:

First, Porsche is planning on the Panamera by 2009, Aston Martin's Rapide arrives next year, and Maserati has the Quattroporte now.  Each of these brands started with a reputation for stylish two-seaters only.

Second, Bob Lutz has admitted to having the same notion about Corvette.

Corvette Blog would like to suggest that the proposal in the Automotive News wouldn't be successful!  But if Mssrs. Lutz, Welborn, and Wallace of GM worked on it, they could probably put together a convincing design, don't you think?

[ Automotive News ]

Posted By Bill Connell In Corvettes of the Future | 3 Comments Permalink

Jim Dunne has provided the best photographs to date of the coming Corvette SS!  Just published by Popular Mechanics, shots from all sides give us a tantalizing look at what's on its way.

A power-plant dispensing 650 horsepower (or more), combined with an anticipated greater usage of carbon fiber throughout the vehicle to reduce weight, will result in unbelievable performance capabilities right out of dealers' showrooms.  Certainly the rumored cost of over $100,000 will limit the customer base, but once again the "performance for the buck" factor will make Corvette SS a runaway winner!

[ Popular Mechanics ]

[ Related Corvette Blog ]

Posted By Bill Connell In 2009 Corvette ZR1 (Blue Devil) , Corvette News , Corvettes of the Future | 3 Comments Permalink

Car & Driver today published a recent interview with Dr. Bob Lutz in regard to the upcoming Corvette SS.  Of course, the concern has been on how the recently announced HOLD on rear wheel architecture GM vehicle development might affect Corvette.  "Not at all" is the correct answer!

In an article they published under the title "2009 CORVETTE BLUE DEVIL CONFIRMED AND IN FINAL TUNING PHASE," Alisa Priddle reports that confirms Chevrolet's plan to have significantly more horsepower than Viper's 600, but certainly not 700 until at least the second year of the SS variant.

Posted By Bill Connell In 2009 Corvette ZR1 (Blue Devil) , Corvette News , Corvettes of the Future | 0 Comments Permalink

Tim the Toolman on the Home Improvement sitcom was always after “more power.” Those are certainly the appropriate words to describe the upcoming C7 Corvette.

According to Jim McQueen, GM’s VP of global product development, as reported in the May issue of Motor Trend magazine, power for the C7 ZO6/SS successor will climb to about 700hp.

He is stated as saying, “We’re working hard to get that power onto the pavement.”

[ Motor Trend ]

[ Home Improvement ]

Posted By Bill Connell In Corvette News , Corvettes of the Future | 0 Comments Permalink

My snail mail copy of Corvette Fever just hit the in-box, and they have published a timetable on our highly anticipated Corvette SS.  Claiming infallibility from a GM insider, the author of the article states that this vehicle program was officially initiated on June 20, 2005.

The Anticipated Validation Testing completion date is October 15, 2007.  The Start of Production Date is March 8, 2008, less than a year away!

Body modifications of a grander sort than have been seen in any "spy shots" will be required to accommodate P335/25R20 tires.  The inside word is that the supercharged 6.2L LS9 engine will produce 650 horses and 650 foot-pounds of torque!  The transmission will be the six-speed MTX.  Electronic limited-slip differential and a next generation brake and engine intervention traction control system round out the package.

That ought to put thoughts of Vipers out of the minds of the last hold-outs!

[ Corvette Fever ]

Posted By Bill Connell In 2009 Corvette ZR1 (Blue Devil) , Corvette News , Corvette Production , Corvettes of the Future | 0 Comments Permalink

GMsource.com is showing an alternative concept of the coming Corvette SS.  Chris Pauwels has taken the same information we used from the scooped SS being shipped out of Romulus for Germany, and penned a proposed look.  Please click to see it as I have not requested permission to use the photo.

Chris thinks that the hood will be raised perhaps an inch or two, but with no air scoop in the hood at all.  I agree that everything I've seen would accommodate this look, but I'm still leaning to the photo I showed a few days ago here at the Corvette Blog.

[ Corvette Blog Story ]

Posted By Bill Connell In 2009 Corvette ZR1 (Blue Devil) , Corvette News , Corvettes of the Future | 0 Comments Permalink

A report out of the Geneva Auto Show this week suggests that future Corvettes (as well as all other Chevrolet products) will be designed to accomodate right-hand and left-hand drive.  They will be true world cars.  The program will take as long as five years to roll out entirely.

[ NewsPress ]

[ Related Story ]

Posted By Bill Connell In Corvettes of the Future | 0 Comments Permalink

Corvette rumors.  Suggestions.  Disavowals.  Spy shots.  Retractions.  You'd think it was a soap opera!

When Winding Road broke their story about their bogus black Corvette SS, do you remember the hulking scoop on the hood?

When Jalopnik and others revealed the "real photos" of the red Corvette SS at Detroit Metropolitan Airport in Romulus last month, did you notice the cover/bra over the hood?  It is not hiding a raised scoop, right?  Where did it go?

Posted By Bill Connell In 2009 Corvette ZR1 (Blue Devil) , Corvette Pictures , Corvettes of the Future | 0 Comments Permalink

According to the Detroit News this past Saturday, photographs published on the new Corvette SS prototype with supercharger were removed from the website fast-autos.net.  They remain now two days later at three other websites (at the least): Jalopnik, GM Source, and Edmunds.

The question would be why can the photos be shown at some sites, and not others? What’s your take?

[ Detroit News ]

[ Jalopnik ]

[ GM Source ]

[ Edmunds ]

Posted By Bill Connell In 2009 Corvette ZR1 (Blue Devil) , Corvette News , Corvettes of the Future | 0 Comments Permalink

GM had said that they will improve the value of the storied SS nameplate in the Chevrolet franchise, and the next step is finally underway!  The SS Concept Car shown was introduced some years ago when the announcement was first made.

According to sources at AutoBlog today, the production code for the upcoming Corvette super powered performance machine is GMX245-SSC.  It is now clear that this rockin' 600hp (or more) Vette will be a version of the C6 generation because the first part of the code, GMX245, is used for the current C6 Base and Z06 models.

Posted By Bill Connell In 2009 Corvette ZR1 (Blue Devil) , Corvette News , Corvettes of the Future | 2 Comments Permalink

I remember where I saw my first Sting Ray. The dad of my brothers’ friend was a GM executive and always had the latest and greatest of Detroit iron in his driveway. And one day after high school classes, there it was in his driveway!

Amazing! Perfect! Flawlessly styled with the gorgeous split rear window and the center spine! The hood louvers were superb! Beautiful was insufficient to describe it. Stephen Covey’s “paradigm changing” would have worked, but nobody knew the term back then.

Posted By Bill Connell In Classic Corvettes , Corvette History , Corvette News , Corvettes of the Future | 0 Comments Permalink

Just announced by Chevrolet today: the Ron Fellows ALMS GT1 Champion Corvette Z06 version will be available this spring. It carries an MSRP of $77,500, including destination. OnStar and the navigation system are the only options; and when equipped with them, the price is $79,945.

This special Corvette Z06 is the first signed special edition in Corvette’s 54-year history, and is the first Arctic White Z06 ever offered. Only 399 are planned for production: approximately 300 for the United States, 33 for Canada and 66 for other export markets.

Posted By Bill Connell In Corvette Equipment , Corvette News , Corvette Pictures , Corvette Pricing , Corvette Production , Corvettes of the Future | 4 Comments Permalink

As I walked into the massive display room of Cobo Hall, the first car that grabbed my attention was the equally massive Audi R10 diesel powered race car.  One local columnist and amateur race car driver, Henry Payne, stated in the Detroit News that this competitor is "the most significant car in the North American International Auto Show."

And significant it is!  In June 2006, the diesel powered Audi R10 won the world's prize competition, the 24 Hours of Le Mans.  As Payne noted, "it became the first non-gasoline powered car in the 74-year history of the legendary French competition to finish first!

Posted By Bill Connell In Corvette Events , Corvettes of the Future | 0 Comments Permalink

I really don't know what GM is thinking with this one.  They plan a strong fourth quarter push for accessories and accessorizing your vehicle, so much so that they are sending 27 vehicles to SEMA, one of which "resembles" a Corvette.

This ridiculous C6 comes outfitted from Mid America Motorworks and was designed by The Custom Shop.  To their credit, it is outfitted with 650 horses under the engine and a kickin sound system from Sony measuring 5,600 watts.

The interior is horrible in the pictures.  Mind you, its made from Ostrich leather and Alcantara synthetic suede.  I just think of those Ostriches that suffered for... this?!  Oh, and Lambo doors?  Not on my Vette.

Lastly, can anyone tell me why they would photograph this on some random road with a field as a background?  Just seems so out of place to me.  For more photos, continue on or head over to our friends at AutoBlog.

[ AutoBlog ]

Posted By Ryan In Corvette News , Corvettes of the Future | 0 Comments Permalink

Well, we didn't expect to see this today, but it seems like it could be a reality now.  Reports are, that GM will build a V6 version under the Corvette badge for a new Chevy Convertible in the $30,000 price range.  We at CorvetteBlog feel like it would be a poor use of the Corvette emblem and namesake to be used on such a project.

The idea of a vehicle like this for Chevrolet is exciting, don't get us wrong, but not with a Corvette badge.  It's likely the announcement will come at the NAIAS in Detroit, January of 2007.  It will fill an interesting gap between the current Corvette we love and the coming Camaro we will adore!

[ AutoBlog ]

Posted By Ryan In Corvette News , Corvettes of the Future | 1 Comments Permalink

The Corvette Blue Devil has been discussed for some time now and with much anticipation, the first spy shots of the powerful car are now available.

The Corvette Blue Devil will reportedly have a supercharged 6.2-liter V-8, that sources speculate could push nearly 650-horsepower.  650, whew!

There's no major exterior design changes from these pictures, at least none that would catch the eye at first glance.  I'm a little disappointed... but with that kind of power, I won't complain.  What are you thoughts on the design?  Let us know.

Click over to Winding Road for more pictures.

[ Winding Road ]

Posted By Ryan In 2009 Corvette ZR1 (Blue Devil) , Corvette News , Corvettes of the Future | 0 Comments Permalink

DETROIT -- Corvette rumors are as rampant these days as tabloid stories about Nick and Jessica. But aficionados' antennae are picking up emanations from deep inside General Motors that Chevrolet is readying an ultra Vette for 2008 that should outgun the new Z06

Posted By J.P. In 2009 Corvette ZR1 (Blue Devil) , Corvettes of the Future | 0 Comments Permalink

Having a Corvette Z06 is something special. Owners will wait in line for these high performance machines, and now, it only gets better and is worth the wait.

Lingenfelter has really come up with something special. This $50,000 add on can give you 800 horsepower, yes, 800. Jalopnik reports:

Corvette Z06 owners looking for ways to spend the spread between their car's dealer-premium price and the sticker of, say, a Ferrari F430 or Porsche 911 Turbo need only call the boys at Lingenfelter. Give the venerable Corvette tuning house 8-12 weeks and $50,000, and they'll turn any Z06 into a twin-turbo, 800hp rocket sled.

Posted By Ryan In Corvettes of the Future | 2 Comments Permalink

One German automaker has the right idea. Edmunds.com reports Geiger Cars is modifying the 505 HP Corvette and adding an additional 42 HP to give it a whopping 542 HP! According to the article,

The STAGE 1 performance treatment contains a free-flow intake air guiding with sport air filter, special exhaust manifolds, steel bed catalysts, four large chrome exhaust tips, and engine tuning including special mapping for the ECU.

Now if you happen to have an extra $114,000 laying around... give em a call!

Posted By Ryan In Corvettes of the Future | 0 Comments Permalink