b4i4getit

A friend of mine says that with Ford bringing out the Mustang Shelby GT500 in mid 2006 as a 2007 model it is guaranteed that GM will have to give the base C6 at least 450 HP for 2007. How they do it does not matter at this point. Considering that the GT500 will have 450+ HP and cost less than the C6 means that GM would lose the performance race with their top line sports car. This time next year some of us with 2005 and 2006 models may be a little envious and those with the Z06 may be just angry.

JLinCA

Think GM will go to 450? I don't. They don't have to do anything. And it wouldn't be the first time they've lost a performance race. The GT500 would actually be compared to the Z06, not a base vette. And that thing ain't going to be anywhere close to the Z06 . . .

^2fastC6^

I'm sure alot of people could care less that the c6 has 50hp less than the shelby. It will still beat it in every stat. I don't think GM will have to worry about people going from Vette to Stang- It usually goes the other way around.

RandyMi

Even at 450 BHP, I doubt that it will be able to put the power to the pavement, and lauch like a Vette!!

mgm311

I've also heard that they were going to weigh much more than the C6. I think they're tipping the scales at around 3800lbs.

b4i4getit

These are all good points but if GM has some tricks up the corporate sleeve to bump the power I would not be surprised if they do. The research and development guys have to do something you know.

Irv

450hp would be nice, but I doubt it. The Mustang is going to weigh about 500 pounds more than a base C6 coupe, so you'll need more than 450hp to make it an even fight. Plus, you'll have that overweight iron block supercharged engine hanging out on the front axle, so I suspect getting a good launch will be just as challenging as it was on an '03 Cobra.

Looking at C5 history, 2005 looks a lot like '98 and 2006 looks like '99 (yes, I know the hardtop was a bust, but it was the third model just like the Z06 is now). So I think 2007 stands a really good chance of looking like 2000, which brought refinement but little else. Big company planning cycles often fit a pattern.

Viperbitesback

they said 450 to 500 so most people figure about 475. If they continue what they did with the Terminators and what seemed to have occurred with the GTs, it could be something like 525 at the fly and like 455 at the wheels. It will probably be about even with the Vette in the straight line, considering how the old cobra with much worse weigh distribution was somwehre near a vette.

SunsetC6

Sorry but GM does'nt need 450. The mustang has 465 horses and will only do 0-60 in 4.6 seconds. Vette will get in done in 4.1 Once again it just goes to prove tourque will kill horsepower any day.

b4i4getit

GM is losing its rear end right now and is fighting for survival. If a small incremental cost will keep the C6 on top they will do it. Don't forget a lot of people just look at HP figures when comparing auto performance. They figure more is always better. While those on this forum don't fit into that group there are lots more that do. I have learned to never say never.

V Vette

Not so, there is no replacement for displacement! Gimme the ponies, the torque will follow.

mj_duell

That is exactly what they weigh. The simple fact is they are almost 600 lbs heavier and have a smaller set of front and rear tires (255) as well as a 3.31 final drive ratio. Not a match for the current C6 with Z51 regardless of horsepower.

Just my .02



--Mike

nalto

I was on two lists to get the first Shelby GT500, instead bought a 2006 C6 and could not be happier.

Don't worry about the 450 hp of the shelby, it will weigh close to 3800 lbs. that is 600 lbs more than the C6

LS1LT1

Exactly, the GT500 will be FAST but it will not easily topple the LS2 C6 (though it could be a strong contender) in acceleration.
Handling/braking/ride quality will still be ALL C6.
I do NOT see a power increase for the 2007 C6.

Virt

This kinda thing seems to come up every few weeks or so.


Coincidentally, MY friend told me, that the new GT500 will sell for tons above the MSRP. The new vette will get a minor HP bump but go to an aluminum frame, drop 200 lbs, and grab 60 in 3.9s. Newer suspension tuned from the nurburing run and from the C6R design will make Z51s reach 1g even in the skid pad. It'll run circles around the new mustang, and woop it in a straight line. The DVD player will play movies and MP3s and won't stop you from entering addresses while moving. Base MSRP will DECREASE by 1k.

/end random crap story.


See? I can do it too.

jruss361

With Z51 on constraint because of fuel milage, I doubt your going to see a 50 HP increase across the board.

'06 Quicksilver Z06

Here we go again, with the "upgrade" rumors.

The '03 and '04 Mustang SVT Cobras had 390HP and the non Z06 C5s had 350. GM does not have to do anything. And probably won't. Not with a 505 HP Z06 among it's offerings.

'06 Quicksilver Z06

What crap story? Everything you just wrote is true. Thats why I'm waiting until 2009 before I buy my C6. Oh, wait........I already have one

Virt

2009? Well by 2009 The doors will become "lambo" style out of the factory. GM has plans to "revamp" the vette image. It's decided that the C6's slight "European" attributes need to take giant steps. There is a top secret project right now that is combining the LS7 block with DOHC heads. The guys in the design team call it ZR1-on-Crack. 600hp at 7500rpm and 550 tq at 2400rpm. Torque curve so flat you can land a space shuttle on. The new HUD will not project a simple green image, but in full 256bit color. Also, there will be forward facing cameras that identify road hazards. The HUD will "lock on" to these hazards and point them out to you via a visual warning or an accompanied audio warning (most likely dave hill's voice saying "You're about to become roadkill. Please avoid the incomming debris/roadkill/accident/ditch/flying cow/Abrams tank." Unfortunately MSRP will increase by about 1k for the Rogue-Abrams-Tank (R.A.T) avoidance module but GM believes that most consumers will find this upgrade useful and eventually necessary in daily life.


Hmmm this is kinda fun! No wonder people keep doing this all the time.

shawn h.

What does the Mustang have to do w/the Corvette?? Two different markets!!

I don't think G.M looks to the Mustang when doing future planning for the Vette.