GM's typical "business sense" is to rush a new model to production and then use the next 5 years to fix what was wrong/missing on the original edition. They spent the entire model run of the Pontiac Fiero trying to get it right, which they (sort of) accomplished in '88, the same year they killed the car off. Same scenario with the C6. Although they are starting with a much better designed platform, issues like top delamination and dead batteries shows that quality control was not in the boardroom when GM authorized the release of the C6 for public consumption. The '06-'07 "updates" we've seen have been generally cosmetic and should have been designed into the car at the beginning, although I could do without the GM emblem and instead keep the underhood light. IMHO, "cosmetics" is the only reason GM included the addition of drilled brake rotors for the F55 suspension, yet they can't seem to come up with a performance brake pad that won't squeal.

It would be nice if GM's "business sense" would include some mid-generation horsepower enhancements instead of concentrating on additional "bling". Even @ 400 hp, Corvette has some competition nipping at its heels.

 

I agree to an extent, but using the engine change as an example, we all seem to be pretty much in agreement that a change is coming in that department in a year or 2, yet GM has published NOTHING in regards to it. All I'm asking is if anyone has heard similar rumblings about other updates, such as bumpers (at least one other member here has!), wheels (done on every other generation of Corvette), and possibly even a new interior (granted thats a stretch).

Personally, I have heard these things from a reliable source, but I didn't get a timeframe. ALLLLL I'm asking is if anyone has heard any dates for these types of updates, not the minor stuff like color changes and GM badges. If you haven't heard anything, fine. But sheesh, some of the clowns in here saying GM won't update the car must be living under a rock. Name me ONE generation that didn't get at least a wheel change after 4 years. We're on year 3 now, and you can bet the changes for MY08 and most of '09s are probably already done by GM. I don't expect a Corvette engineer to come on here and lay it all out, but there have been many times when someone attends a show or what have you, and Dave Hill or one of the other guys lets something slip as a little tease. That's all I'm asking.

 

A major/minor refresh for the Corvette is unlikely for now as we the upcoming Blue Devil launch, then maybe a Split Window C6 Version that Tom Wallace has hinted at, or a new "Green" engine for 08/09 EPA reasons

 

I would think the timing of the Blue devil would be a perfect opportunity for a change, just like the ZR-1 did.

Fact not well known...the ZR-1 copied the rear of the REGULAR C4's upcoming refresh, not the other way around. It just worked out that the ZR-1 was out first, so most everyone thought the regular car got the "ZR-1 rear", when in fact, that was never the case. Stylists wanted the squared off tail lights all the way back for the '84 model, but were overruled because the decision makers said Corvettes have round tail lights. Now of course, no Corvette has had truly round tail lights in almost 20 years .

 

The C6 will get the same refresh the C5 got.

 

talon90....the C5 Z06 actually got a 20 hp boost, from 385 to 405.

 

No new engine...got it.

I guess Camaro will debut it.

 

Don't mean to sound like an azzhat, but changing wheels and removing a keyhole over the course of 8 years isn't what I'd consider a refresh. The C5 really just got the addition of new models.

I could see a new wheel design coming out, as that is a simple change that doesn't affect any other parts. And the talked about engine update sounds like the company is moving to a new design for the many vehicles that use the LS as a base, and they naturally included the C6 in the change. I would be very suprised if the body changed any more than something very minor, like a color matched spoiler, or an integrated one.

 

Nor would I

 

I hear what your saying. If anyone has followed Corvettes over the years, they should know it isn't uncommon for minor style changes to evolve to keep things fresh between major revisions - which come about less frequently. It seems to me that the C6 is ready for some minor tweaks to keep it evolving, like all car models do every few years.

 

that's why, imo, the '05 is the 'original' C6.

it's the orignal (c6) blueprint from which all others are derived.

 

On another board I saw a Blue Devil with a 6.2 liter supercharged engine, claimed good for 650 hp, to be available in '08. If true, or anywhere close to true, maybe we could see a NA version of that engine in '08 or '09.

 

why wouldn't the blue devil be a blown 7.0 ?

 

I heard they are putting in a decent exhaust One can be hopeful!

 

Two well known changes in the 2008 model that are still considered rumors, but are strong enough that you can almost accept them as facts are:

For 2008:
1. The LSx engine plant is closing and the LSx engine is going to be replaced with a new engine based on the current Vortec line. There will likely be a small bump in HP with this.
2. The Lemans Blue Metallic color will be dropped and replaced with a lighter shade Mulsanne Blue. And there may be a really dark gray added to the color line as well.

Disclaimer-*These are still rumors... Very strong rumors, but none of it has been oficially been oficially confirmed by GM yet.

My thoughts on this are... If GM is going to swap engines they will probably change the the look of the C6 a little, just like they did when they replaced the LT1 with the LS1 in the Camaro and Firebird, but not as a major refresh like the C5-C6 on the same platfom. Most everthing will remain the same, but with a new engine they will add a minor refresh to the nose, grille, and rear, change the wheels and bring out a whole new marketing campaign again to bring out the "all new, completely redesigned 2008 Corvette."

Then... (If history repeats itself again)
They will pull the plug on their new marketing program just when it gets started.
The public will at first complain that the new Vortec engine feels slower than the LSx engine even though it puts out more HP People will blame Torque Management in the computer but nobody will develop an interface for the new computer for another year.
The first 2008 models will sell for way over MSRP and that will keep the "average Joe" from purchasing .
A bunch of minor issues will surface in the new car.
Then they will fix most of the minor problems for the 2009 model and the prices on that model will finally start to come back down to earth toward the end of the 2009 model, but sales will be slow because:
Rumors will suface about the new completely redesigned platform 2010 or 2011 Corvette.
So, if you wish to keep waiting on rumors of a better Corvette next year... You could be waiting for a really long time.

 

man, what do you got ? can i have some ?

blow me a blown blue devil, something that will stop all competition for generations to come.

 

The headlight surrounds won't be black. That would be hideous on bright colors. Maybe a graphite.

If that happens, I'll be glad I have my body colored headlight surrounds.

 

Nah, I'm just wondering if I'll get the new stuff w/ my '08, or if I'll have to wait til the '09 . I guess we'll find out any major MY08 stuff at NAIAS in a few months.

 

Don't know. A guess is that the line up would be Blue Devil at the top, with a 6.2 blown 650hp mill, then the ZO6 with a NA LS7 at 505 hp, and then vert/coupe, with a NA 6.2, putting out maybe 425 hp. All this is purely guess work, however.

 

man that would suck.. don't get me wrong.. it wouldn't be bad. but it wouldn't be the beast. if you gonna build a devil it had better be a beast. remember the old engines they used to put in the Trans-Ams, Vettes, etc. the big blocks of old. now build out one of those, for example and ole 454 SD. update that little gem. do to the big block what ls series did for the small block and you got a beast. just get down and nasty with it. it's gonna have a limited market anyway. show the world how to build a $150,000 supercar. just as the current vette is a $65k wonder, easily compares to cars costing three times as much. build me a $150,000 that would destroy the $450,000 cars of the world.

all i got to say is, a devil better be able to chew you up and spit you out otherwise it's just a little demon devil wanna be.