INFO FROM HTTP://WWW.DIGITALCORVETTES.COM. Wanted to pass it along to those of you who aren't registered with them.

Digital Corvettes

C7 CORVETTE - PRODUCTION TIMING

The next generation Corvette will start rolling down the line in the middle of 2010. That said, with ANY program this far from launch, delays can and will happen. As we get closer to some important milestones in the C7 program during the next 2 years, finalized timing should become more clear. As it stands now, summer of 2010 will be extra hot.

C7 CORVETTE - PROGRAM CODES

GM always assigns a special code to all their programs. Internally, the C7 Corvettes are being referred to as follows:

GMX721 = C7 Coupe
GMX711 = C7 Convertible
GMX731 = C7 Z06
GMX245-SSC = Corvette SS

C7 CORVETTE - Z06 TO CONTINUE ON!

The Z06 model isn't going anywhere soon!

Internally, this C7 bad boy is being referred to as GMX731. As usual, expect this model to launch 1-1.5 years after the regular C7 Corvettes go on sale.

CORVETTE SS RUMORS DEBUNKED!

I see more and more wrong information floating around on this car everyday, so let's fix all that right now. Rest assured I'm not guessing on this stuff.

Let's start with the obvious that will not come as a surprise to 99% of the people here.

* The motor is a 6.2L supercharged V8. It's called LS9. I still see some articles and a few people thinking it's nothing more than an LS7 with a supercharger. Some people still also seem to think it will be a turbo'ed motor and not S/C'ed. The decision to make the motor S/C'ed was made *at least* a year and a half ago. A supplier (which I won't name) was chosen to make the supercharger at that time as well, if not earlier. The supercharger will utilize an intercooler that is integrated into the intake manifold. While the motor is making significantly more than 650hp on a test stand, I would look for it to be rated very close to, if not at, 650hp.

* Do I even have to say it's not switching to a mid-engine...?

* The program code is GMX245 SSC.

* The body will have significant use of carbon fiber as well as some polycarbonate. As for CF use, expect at least the hood, roof, fenders and rockers to be CF.

* Program timing is the big one. The super vette has never been a car for the 2008MY. That would've made it going into production sometime in 2007 which just isn't possible with the amount of engineering work needed. The original timing for the car had it starting production in March of 2008 at an annual volume of 1500 units. While I'm not aware of any volume change, the production date has changed. Due to issues GM is currently having with a supplier (which I won't name) involved in the program, the start of production has slipped to July 2008.

* Expect this car to debut at NAIAS 2008. There is only one auto show GM would debut a car like this at, and it is Detroit. The only way you wouldn't see this car at NAIAS 2008 is if the program suffered a major set back or was canceled. While a major set back is always possible on a program with such tight tolerances as this one, cancellation at this point would take an act of god given the money already invested in the program.

 

Nice cut and paste from the "OTHER" Forum

 

Thanks for the information. I thought this would be the year for the mid-engine.

 

I don't care if it came from another forum just happy he passed it on !!

 

Except half of what is taken from that other forum is junk and wrong information.

 

MAYBE SOME OF US DON'T READ THE "OTHER" FORUM.

thank you for adding the unnecessary info to this thread!

 

That was my point !

 

 

Thanks for the info. Interesting.

 

Thank you...That was my intention. I even noted it was from another source...

 

 

This "OTHER" Forum wouldn't be the one claiming 450 horsepower for the upcoming '08 C6 would it??

 

Still think

I say 410 425 mabye tops
It is going to be all about Displacement and Fuel efficnency. with the Ls3 :yesnod and to keep the feds from implementing a gass guzzler tax on the vette

There will be no way in hell that they would bump the base c6 to 450 and keep the z06 at 505

55 hp is too tight of a margin for the 2 models
I think they would always keep the z06 100 hp above base IMHO

 

The only problem with what you say above is that it makes entirely too much sense. :D

Seriously, I tend to agree with you. 425 tops and likely less than that. There is no way Chevrolet is going to significantly lessen the gap between the Z06 horsepower rating and the base C6 horsepower rating.

For if they were to do so, then how could they justify the price differential? The base C6 starts at a MSRP of $44,995.00. The Z06 starts at a MSRP of $70,000.00. Thats a 56% increase in price over what one would pay for a base car.

Yet there are those who are expecting 435 to 450 horsepower and a subsequent cut of the difference to 65 or even 50 horsepower. How then to continue to charge that $25,000.00 premium that everyone pays for a Z06?

For those of you dreamers out there, you think people are going to pay 25 grand for an additional 55 horsepower? :rofl:

People will and have paid 56% more for the additional 100 horses and the other features the Z06 offers. But will people pay 56% more for an additional 65 or 50 horses? Even 425 lessens the gap to 75 horsepower.

You are right, it is going to be all about Displacement and Fuel efficnency. with the Ls3 :yesnod and to keep the feds from implementing a gass guzzler tax on the vette. You might see a token bump in horsepower, but thats about it.

 

Well they didn't for the LS1 and LS6...Maybe they will tune up the Z to increase the HP gap.

 

I read that on digitalcorvettes.com

 

True, but the base LS6 (C5 Z06) didn't cost $25k+ more than the base LS1 (C5) car either LOL.

 

Possibly, but that's easier said than done...they have a lot of R&D and certification time into that somewhat limited production, 'two year only' motor.

 

And the beat goes on!!!

 

All these numbers are great speculation right now, but the one number that is firm is my car will paid for in 24 months which for me is the MOST IMPORTANT number. That I can take to the bank. The rest will just have to sort itself out.

Tom