Will the 2012 corvette be a downgrade?
 

Do you think the next generation of Corvettes will be a downgrade vs the current model?

I read on the web that they are thinking of reducing it 150 HP and having a smaller engine because they are trying to get better fuel economy.

If that is true,that will make the current corvette the best and most powerful one ever made.

Do you guys know if this rumor is confirmed or just speculation?

Thanks

I've heard it will be diesel...possibly a twin-turbo V6...

not solar powered?

No way !! The mustang has a phony pony v6 and always has. Sometimes you have to look to see if it is "real". Vettes have always been one way and the purchasers of these cars dont just like "em cause they purrrty'. If they performance isnt there, the legend dies. PERIOD.

The engineers will figure out a way to keep the HP high and get the 35mpg or they will discontinue. Just my .2 and it isnt worth that:cheers:

Is the 35 average for the entire fleet or per car?

If the Volt will get like 80 MPG( I am guessing), then the corvette could keep its current MPG rating or perhaps they could make it a little lighter with the same engine. Just so long as the fleet is averaging the 35 MPG.

I am not sure who comes up with these crazy rules. The market is suppose to determine what will get built not arbitrary rules.

Well, except for that 20-year period starting in the early 1970s.

Nobody knows what GM will do with the next-gen Corvette.

If money is tight, it seems like GM could do a cosmetic makeover of the C6 and keep the basic chassis in production for quite a while.

2012? I think your dreaming. Most likely 2013 will be the last C6 with a anniversary edition for the final run of the C6. 2014 is a very likely year the C7 will debut. And it will have lots of HP. Thats something you can bank on.

Remember the Vettes of the 70's?? Not exactly powerhouses.....

To the OP, I'm not impressed with HP #'s.....I'm more concerned with power/weight ratio.

Hmmm.... have you ever driven a mid seventies L48?

It will be different most likely. Given fuel pressures and emmissions, etc but today is not the 1970's so technology will likely produce a smaller, lighter but equally performant automobile. It may well be a much improved car given the that GM will have to push the tech envelope to get this one out of the barn. HP is somewhat irrelevant as long an aggressive weight/HP ratio is maintained along with proper gearing to match output.

:iagree:

I have a 73 sitting in my shop with a whopping 190 HP Looks sweet. Period. 74 & 75 went down in performance from there. GM does watch the fuel markets. If they can sell a 300HP Corvette that will get 28/38 MPG they will definitely cut the HP. I know they would still sell like hotcakes and so do they.

No matter which direction GM goes in - the Vette will continue to improve it's handling and performace. Even if the HP doesn't continue to grow...it will still me the best sports car in the world dollar for dollar. I drive a '75 roadster to shows and even though it's not 'quick' by today's standards, it's still a fun drive and draws lots of attention.

We should enjoy and appreciate the C6s and stop worrying about the C7....

As long as the performance is equal to or even better than C6, I don't care how they do it. It can be electric for all I care. I want the performance. So many people get hung up on "if it's not a high HP V8 then it's worthless". If they can find other means to make the power, deliver the performance and (just as important) keep the price in line with what Corvette is known for, high performance for low price, them I'm in.

The 1953 intro model was "Polo white and powerglide only" with that 105 hp "Blue Flame" six.

We've come a long way baby!

I predict that future Corvettes with more aluminum and Carbon fiber but with less hp, but similar performance....

This, like anything here on the C7, is a wild a** guess...

I suspect the C7 will feature a seriously upgraded electronics package. (The one in the C6 dates back to the early 90's.) I bet the interior will offer better materials, ergonomics and fit/finish. The power may be less than the current LS3, but I bet the performance envelope will be similar. The bottom line, an improved vehicle with similar performance. Who cares about raw numbers as long as the car performs?

It was rated @ 150 HP Gross.

It probably made 115 HP NET (the way they rate them today).

Don't laugh; I've heard the very same thing.

If the 2012 Vette is a Sky/Soltice size car with a 300 hp engine, I'd buy it!