Originally Posted by ZFORME

A Corvette Z06 should have serious power, handling and style. The C6Z
style missed my expectations by a long shot. The power and handling are top notch. The C7Z06 will be my next Corvette depending on what it evolves into. Any one who designed an Aztec(C6) should be last on the list to envision a new Corvette generation.
I am keeping my C5Z and will modify (LS7) it if GM designers fail again.

Originally Posted by Twil1ght

I said that once too. Unfortunately, it isn't just the engine that needs restoration at some juncture. Funny thing is, as much as I have blasted the looks, everywhere I go people are telling me how much more they like it then my C5 Z06... go figure.

Originally Posted by Speeed-Racer

The key here being change. I think people get used to the way something looks and simply want to see something different. Then things are 'better' just because it is newer and different. Then there are those of us that just appreciate the beauty as lasting i.e., '69 Z28, '65 GTO, '67 Chevelle, '63 split window coupe, 04 Z06, on and on...

Speed

Originally Posted by GTA-nitz

Dude, what you just said makes no sense.

If that is the case why did it take so long for the hybrid to enter serial production?
Why was the EV-1 a car that you could only lease and not buy and why were all of them junked as soon as they were returned from their leases?
All of that technology is old but was never developed till now just because the gas companies are virtually steering the whole economy and the government.

Are the SUVs also gonna disappear in America?
Or are they gonna produce a 8000 lbs Cadillac Escalade that gets over 27mpg?
Let me tell you that both of these scenarios are highly unlikely to happen in the next 5 years.
I doubt that the SUVs and trucks will Dissapear too.
Thats why what you said makes no sense.

In 1989 a Corvette had 245 hp and got 26mpg, today it has over 400hp and gets over 28mpg and tomorrow it will have probably 600hp and still get 28mpg.
Could you get over 400 hp if you built your 1989 Corvette?
Sure, but definetely not at the same milage as a 2003 Z06.

These cars will get more efficient and it doesn't mean necessary less power or a smaller engine with forced induction either.
There is many ways to do this,
for example try making the V8 a DOCH 32v with electronically controlled valve timing and right there by increasing its volymetric efficiency throughout its power band its already more efficient than a OHV V6 with a turbo.

I agree with Vette-kid about what he said that the whole line have to meet a certain standard and not every individual car.
What he said makes total sense considering we already have a higher standard than many of these SUVs meet as individual vehicles and they still sell them.
The day they start making big, heavy SUVs that get 30 mpg all day long, they won't have any problems making an aerodynamic 3000 lbs Corvette get the same or better milage, belive me!
Im also sure that certain vehicles like high performance cars will be exempt from rules like these considering the limited numbers that they are produced in comparitivly to a regular passenger car or SUV.

Originally Posted by Twil1ght

Well...two things here...

#1 - I have a LONG history of posts regarding my negative opinion of the C6 Z06 looks and preference of the C5 Z06. It's growing on me since I look at it every day, and I understand the reasoning they did what they did. Aesthetically I like the C5 Z06 - however now having not looked at it every day for a while, I see them differently. (long overhangs, etc)

#2 - Perhaps personal taste is also an issue, seeing as out of the cars you list I only find 1 beautiful.

Originally Posted by Speeed-Racer

I agree, it has everything to do with personal taste...btw, which one do you find beautiful...let me guess...the vette?

Speed

Originally Posted by HUMVET51

I heard that the next vette will be a little larger than the current Pontiac Solstice, not with a V6, but with a smaller displacement V8, (5.7-6.0?)

Originally Posted by droid

Actually Jeffeyvyette is correct. It is called the CAFE bill that was just recently passed. I requires the enitre fleet to average 35mpg. I work at GM and they have cancelled many vehicles in the past year pre and post CAFE. Take a Look.

http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/12...-of-cafe-bill/
Andy

Originally Posted by ctusser

I agree that GM does have the technology and ability to make an economical performance vette. But they will be so overwhelmed by a massive vehicle redesign and restructuring effort that things will get worse before they get better. The reality is corners will be cut and the path of least resistance will be taken just to get products out the door and meet corporate profit margins. In the late sixties a 400+ HP vette was common, and a few underrated 500+ HP beasts were slipped out the door. From the early seventies to early 80s vettes were putting out less than 200hp. I hope I'm wrong, but I'm betting that HP figures will go backward for a while.

Originally Posted by stingray454

I plan to keep my '02 Z06 until the C7 comes out. I'll probably skip the first model year to let them work out the first year bugs, and for the price gouging to subside, so most likely 2013. While I like the C6 Z06 a lot, its not worth the huge amount of money to me, for what I think is a marginal upgrade in performance, especially when I can't even exploit all of the performance of my C5 Z06 as it is. I always said I would replace my Z06 when I get bored with it, and I'm not even close to being bored with it, even after owning it for 6 years. Instead, I'm going to autocross it more, track it more, invest in high performance driving school, and do a few upgrades to the car to fix the things that bug me with it (seats and stereo).

For a $50k+ premium, I want a significantly different car from what I have now, and I think the C7 will qualify, especially if its DOHC, mid-engine, and has DSG option.

Originally Posted by Twil1ght

That looked like a whole lot of RA-RA circle the wagons and save the SUVs crap to me... personally I'd like to see the SUVs disappear. In Atlanta, they are mostly driven by people who can't drive and either don't know it or don't care. They won't get the out of the way, the make all sorts of erratic maneuvers, and they are generally doing everything but trying to drive the vehicle. I vote for putting them on the bus.

Originally Posted by GTA-nitz

I doubt that HP figures will go down on the Corvette.
I agree with you about what happened in the 1980s with the power reduction but we are not in the 80s anymore.

Our cars are not carburated and the computerchip is much more sophisticated than it was back then.
I dont think that GM would be overwhelmed by the redesign of the vehicles considering they already have the design since 1990, look at the C4 ZR1.
The LT-5 was the predecessor for all Cadillac Northstar 32v DOCH V8s out there today.
There is no redesigning required here, they can easely make a bigger version of the existing Northstar 32v DOCH V8 thats based on the LT-5 and possibly add varible valvetiming to it like BMWs VANOS or Hondas VTEC and sell a supercar.
We cant speculate of whats gonna happen in the future based only on what happened in 1980 with cars because alot of things has changed since then.

Last time a production Corvette had a 240 HP engine, I had a commodore 64 computer at the house to play video games on.