Recently ive read where the next generation Corvette will probably be a smaller ride, and possibly with a smaller engine,(possibly back to 5.7) basically for the upcoming environmental/fuel ratings. Also, its also possible there will be no ZO6 or ZR1. Is it also possible that because of the future increases in power of the Camaro (SS/Z28),maybe its Chevys way of putting a wider performance buffer bwtn the Vette and Camaro (stock to stock). Would you buy a lighter,smaller Vette and if not why not?

 

5.5 liter engine.

 

I don't think I'm following you on this one... If they're increasing the power on the camaro, and making the power and displacement less on the corvette, how would that be widening the performance buffer between the corvette and camaro... elaborate please.

To answer the original question, almost every aspect (for those of us who aren't trying to design a new one) is still up in the air and really no one knows what to expect out of the next generation corvette. When they do come up with something new, they've got a really tough act to follow given the current Z06 and the ZR1. Realistically, from a buyers point of view, I would expect something that would be close in performance to the Z06, especially if they drop the option for the Z06 and ZR1. That being said, I think it's really too early to even say I would rather pick a new generation corvette over my car or a C6Z. I suppose we will see how it's designed, what performance it brings to the table and what laws they have to conform to in order to put it all together.

 

I recently read about the rumor regarding the discontinuation of the Z06 and ZR1 models at the end of 2010. I would be surprised if they dropped the Z06 model, but no so surprised if they dropped the ZR1!

As far as the smaller engine, I read that it may be a 5.3 liter engine but most likely a 5.5 liter engine as they plan to use this size engine in the GT2 class racing series. I'm not worried about the engine being smaller. I just hope GM learned their lesson from the early 70's and don't start producing corvettes with no performance!

 

Im sorry if I didnt make myself clear, but unless Chevy plans on following Fords path to fuel economy and emissions, (remember Mustang 2?) or shove a Corvette replacement in our faces (Ford Probe?) , it makes sense that if they came up with a lighter car it would have to have the performance of at least the current ZO6. Why would you buy a vette? We might as well roll over and just buy a Camaro Z28? In my view , it would make sense to widen the gulf btwn the Camaro and the flagship Corvette. And whether the engine is 5.5,5.7, or whatever, thenext corvette would almost certainly have to run well under 4.0!

 

it is all about money and the gm pres-omama, especially with the zr1 and zo6. lighter car and possibly a v6 supercharged car, camaro will follow if not lead in this department, corvette has almost been deleted from GM/chevy lineup at least 3 times that I know of. notice the new grand sport introduction which could lead to death of z06 if it sell very well.

 

I'd go with a lighter Vette with a bigger engine! the V6 thing would probably kill it for me. Beside if I understand correctly, and I'm fairly certain I do; the fuel regulation the must be past are for Chevy's entire fleet - meaning if regulations say they must get 40MPG, and the Vette gets 30MPG, Chevy just needs a car the gets 50MPG - and the Fleet is then averaged at 40MPG.

 

The day Chevy makes a Corvette with a V6 is the day I sell my car. That might sound shallow but here's why. That's one of the biggest downfalls with the mustang. When they made it the 'every man' car by making a v6 and even worse a 4 cylinder in the fox body, it was all down hill from there. one could argue saying the cobra and blah blah but at the end of the day you have a car that everyone else has and it really takes the niceness out of the car. but that's just me.

 

All I know is they better not screw up the C7. As it stands, I plan to upgrade to a C6Z in 5, maybe 6 years. After that, I'd either keep that for 15 years if the C7 sux or upgrade to the C7Z after 5-8 yrs etc, etc, etc.

I hope they don't drop the Z, and I won't even discuss a vette that does not 8 cylinders......gmab.

 

The C5 ZO6 is under 3100 lbs now. How much lighter do we need than that? The C6Z can't be much more, and it's quite a bit smaller. Downsize the Camaro, and then tell me the Corvettes' too big.

 

^ +1

 

your logic makes no sense whatsoever... saying you'll sell your car because the next generation vette might have a V6 would be the same as saying that you would sell a 69 camaro because chevy released the 4 cylinder iron duke camaro in the 80s. ridiculous.

 

Ridiculous! I don't usually do this, but let me filter the urine out of your captain crunch!

First of all, I said I would sell my car if they start putting 6 cylinders in the Corvette. At that point, it's not going to be about history or performance. It's going to be more about making it affordable for the every man (it's hard, but even more so than it already is). I'm not ready to drive a car that's a "me too" car. I feel like if they did that (the V6 thing), that is where the future of the car would be going.

Do you really think that will happen? I don't, and I'm okay with being shallow if it does. Picking another car when vettes start popping up all over the place, because chevy cut corners to produce a cheap car to help fix their past mistakes, will be more than a pleasure.

Lastly, I don't really give a **** if my logic seems ridiculous to you. If you still don't get it, it's not because the car has a smaller engine (well partly but not totally).. it would be because GM would be straying away from the history of the car (hey, that's important to me). I'm all about moving forward and technology and so on and so forth... but if you're willing to tell me that they're going to make a more bad *** vette than the current c6z with a 6 cylinder powerplant.. then that, my friend, is a ridiculous statement to me.

One more thing, I would buy/drive a 69 Camaro even though they make a **** box for just about every generation since then.

 

Bit harsh, talking about urine in someones else's captn crunch!

 

I've read that in 3 or 4 places now and what I read stated that the 5.5 was the new race engine size so it was more inline with the planned engine for the 2010+ car which was to have a I'm guessing 5.0-5.3 ltr since they said production engine would be smaller. I read a GM article that said the Z06 was ZR1 were def out and another that said highly likely to be disco'd after the 2010 MY but due to economy, not the epa mileage issues.

 

never said that a V6 vette would be more badass than a V8 vette, but i'm not about to discount the quality of C5 and C6 because of future mistakes GM makes, just because i don't want to look like joe everyman.
if that still doesn't seem funny to you then i guess we'll have to agree to disagree.

 

Im pretty certain that they wont put a V6 in the next vette because that would definetely kill it. More than likely something more on the level of a version of a Vortex V8 (5.3-5.5) liter engine and a possible curb weight of about 2800-2900 lbs. And I figure they would incorperate more carbon fiber to accomplish the weight savings... and yes a more expensive car.

 

No, I understand where you're coming from. I suppose it's just harder for me to forgive these companies for the dumb things they can sometimes do. However, I do agree that it could never negate the amazing steps they made from the C4 in to the C5 and C6.

 

I already have the vanity plate for it!!

 

Your a B A D man!!! But considering the leap in tech from the C4 to C5 to the C6, if they make the changes that I think they are going to do, the next vette should be a hell of a car!! As far as the Grand Sport is concerned, even if the ZO6 and ZR1 were eliminated, I dont see the GS being the only model offered, as the GS is a limited offering as the ZO6 and to a lesser degree ZR1. The next vette could even be given an "SS" designation or even "Stingrray" which would be very cool