GM tested out the "Blue Devil", "Z07", "Stingray", "ZR1", or whatever the flavor of the months these autorags pick, at Laguna Seca.

http://blogs.motortrend.com/6219156/...eca/index.html

http://blogs.motortrend.com/6219268/...end/index.html

http://www.dpccars.com/car-videos/10...aguna-Seca.htm

Reguardless of any "cheap interior" blah blah blah. That car is going to be a beast. Can't wait to see Dodge and Ford's reply to it.

 

Ford's "reply" is the GT. The whole "Blue Devil" project was started as a reply to the GT, and they're just now getting it out after the GT's already been developed, fielded, and run out its production allotment. Unless Mullaly green-lights a new Cobra or the GR-1, I wouldn't be looking for a second competitor in the Ford lineup.

 

If the green-light was turned on for the GR-1, that would be amazing. That is a beautiful concept. I wonder what kind of powerplant something like that would have. Same as the GT?

 

HP = 605
TQ = 501 lb./ft.
6.4L V-10

I would bet they would sell like hot cakes

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As fast as it is...respectifully...its still a vette....
the Viper/ Ford GT are great because they don't have a 'lower' end model
and stand out a lot more.

 

the vette doesnt either, well the "lower" end model is a 400 hp beast.

 

I've said it before and I'll say it again. The problem with the Vette is that the base model is the best model. You can log onto ebay right now and swing a spectacular deal on a new Z06 if you please, and the reasons why are no secret. And while I expect the ZR1 to be stupid fast I also fully expect it to make already obvious shortcomings in the existing lineup glaringly obvious.

Had GM the foresight they could have spent the time and money they are wasting on the ZR1 improving the steering, NVH, chassis dynamics, and interior of the existing C6.5 models. While this would have made the base Corvette a slightly more expensive car without question (figure 5k or so more) it would have also made the Vette a legit contender in every area in the everyday sports car class competing very well with Caymans, 911s, on any front.

Total volume of sales in America would likely be lessened a bit, but the Vette could then be used as a legit, no excsuses halo car for foreign export seriously competing against the 911 everywhere and making some serious money in the process while also opening up some breathing room for high end models of the upcoming Camaro. Since carrying the Chevy/GM banner accross the world and packing people into other, higher volume/less expensive GM models like Camaro should be the main purpose of the Vette this makes far more sense than what GM is actually doing.

Also, a bit of a price and quality hike in the C6.5 here at home, along with the obviously smaller yearly sales totals, would likely to serve to eliminate the need for cash on the hood, further boosting profits and image. Instead GM continues to insist on fixing the one thing that isn't broken.

 

Nothing wrong with the refined '08 C6...at least, not according to the latest reviews. I'd say it's pretty bloody competitive with cars costing significantly more.

And at its price, forget about it.

Reportedly, the C7 will dust anything within $20K of it.

 

Even if the ZR-1 is faster than the GT (which I will be very suprised if it is), I'll still take a GT anyday of the week and twice on Sunday. When you roll into a cruise night with either car, which is going to general more attention? . The GT, while more costly, is just an INSANE car, that really doesn't have too many equals. Plus the ability to easily get more out of that motor is just comical. The car is really over 600 hp from factory, its just not noted in the books. A friend of mine dyno'ed his car and it was 630 RWHP stock, before he reflashed, added a smaller pulley, and new exhaust. The GT was and will always be AMAZING!!!

 

yeah the Ford GT is in another league to any Corvette. And like Jeff said they are underrated from factory and can easily make more power.

 

cool corvette.

yep, i'd take a Ford GT over a Corvette ZR-1

 

To bad production on the Ford GT ended

In the last C&D LL, the Z06 bested both the 911 Turbo and the Ford GT, the current viper is on track to best the Z06, so I have no doubt the ZR-1 (which will have 600+hp and will be lighter than both the Viper and the Ford GT by a good margin) will beat both cars handily.

 

More refined might be a better choice of words than simply refined. In terms of bang for the buck the Vette has all ther bases covered. Ufortunately NVH, build quality, steering feel, and the interior all remain sore spots in any comparison to typical Vette competitors. And if speed was all that mattered Porsche wouldn't sweat the details and Z06 Vettes wouldn't be trading well below msrp.

 

Well, now you're making an argument that could apply to ALL American cars, frankly.

Let's just overhaul the entire US auto industry while we're at it.

Actually, we'd better...

As to the Vette, of course it's not as refined as the Porsche. But you know what, with every successive generation, it closes the gap that much more. And the current Vette is far and away the best production Vette of all time. And value for money? Way out ahead of the Porsche, sorry.

At the end of the day, it depends upon what you are looking for. And Chevy has never been wanting for customers when it comes to Corvette.

 

While I can't argue your opinion the GT will not be in the same leage as this factory stock from a performance aspect. This ZR1 is much lighter than a Z06 (Full Carbon fiber roof etc.) and has more than 100 (probably closer to 150) hp more than a Z06 and the Z06 is just 10ths slower than a stock GT depending on venue.

 

No doubt the ZR-1 will beat the Ford GT off the showroom floor...

I respect the car for its speed and engineering...but it will look like a vette
Whereas a GT is a GT, and a Viper is a Viper.
There's no 'oh what model is that?'

Ford should unleash a 7L TwinForce Ford GT or GR-1

 

So now the Vette is excused because other cars fall short too? Doesn;t work for me.

At the current rate my grandkids will be the potential customers for a Vette by the time GM closes the gap completely. I never argued that the Vette wasn't the value leader in the segment. However GM could potentiall broaden their market by improving the car significantly in areas that don't involve outright speed.

As for Chevy not wanting for Corvette customers.....that isn't exactly true. By this point the Z06 is looking more like a mild sales failure considering they have been trading below msrp for some time now.....and they trade slowly even at that. A sports car that capable with production numbers so limited should have no trouble selling the entire run for msrp. In fact, since the whole point of these cars is to be ultra desirable and improve brand image how they sell is the litmus test for how well they have done. The Z06 hasn't done its job and, as I stated earlier, the reasons why are no secret.

As GM seeks to build ever more capable versions of the Vette customers will expect these cars to look, feel, and behave like cars wearing a higher price tag should. The improvements made with the C5 and C6 are impressive, but GM is currently facing the kind of challenge/opportunity Ferrari did with the 348. At the moment GM isn't giving significant reason to believe they can massage a 355 like transformation out of the next Vette.

 

It sounds as though you want the Corvette to be something it's not. The fact is that the current Corvette is the best ever, and the '08 has received a number of refinements that have impressed the automotive press of late; many of those having to do with the quality of the interior. And I'll say it again: overall performance for the dollar beats any other sports car on the planet. Period. What's wrong with having the corner on that moniker?

Could things be improved still further? Of course. Things can always be improved.

I'm not sure what the core of your argument is here.

 

My argument is that a 52k dollar Vette with a world class interior, appropriate seating, great steering, and competitive NVH/build quality would be a much better car than a 46k dollar Vette as it is now. And to be blunt 6k per car should easily cover the above...frankly GM should be able to deliver for a bit less than that.

Much as it may sound like it I am not '*******' GM here. Both the Mustang and the Vette are better than they have ever been and each is so close to no excuses, world-beater status that missing that mark for either car next major redo will be unforgivable.

A Vette like I describe above would

1: give GM a true global sports car to meet and beat Porsche on every front. Sales might sufffer a bit here at home, but export sales for a no apologies Vette would no doubt take up the slack.

2: open up some room for high end Camaro versions to compet with posible future Mopar and Ford ponycar offerings without stepping on corvette's toes.

3: likely eliminate the need for any kind of rebates to move Vettes.

I don't think there is any question about which car would be better for GM.

 

I actually often make that very same argument about the current Stang. I think the Vette is a bit closer to the mark of its intended audience than the Stang, though.

I tend to agree.

That being said, I think the Vette is closing in on that target, and it's doing it even BEFORE the C7 arrives, something many reviewers agree with. If the new CTS is any indication of how serious GM is about it's vehicles from this point forward, the C7 Vette could be quite a car, perhaps even hitting many of the high notes you list.

Frankly, Ford is moving at the speed of molasses, comparitively. It's Ford I'm most worried about. As but one example, the current Stang is a "good" car, but not quite a "very good car"...and definitely not a "great car". Styling is first rate, dynamics are good given the mechanicals used...but it could have been a really terrific car for not a lot more money. The whole IRS vs. SRA issue is an inexcusable financial argument.