Corvette Blue Devil back on!
The saga of the 600-hp super-Vette named Blue Devil has gone back and forth more times than a Sampras/Agassi grand slam, but it’s just been reported by AutoWeek that according to Tom Wallace, GM’s performance cars chief, the devil in a blue dress Vette is a go. Wallace told the weekly car mag that the biggest challenge is figuring out how 600 horsepower is going to be handled by people who can afford to buy the car.
His concern is legit, as the performance value leader Vette has always been a great bang-for-the-buck. The Blue Devil will likely offer performance on par with the fastest production vehicles in the world and yet still be considered “affordable” in supercar circles. GM is considering requiring Blue Devil buyers to attend a driving school, perhaps one rolled in with the purchase price, before they hand over the keys to such an awesomely powerful vehicle.
Thanks for the hot tip, Keith!
[Source: AutoWeek via CorvetteBlogger]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Michael Karesh 2:08PM (5/02/2006)
The Blue Devil is Go!
Almost makes sense when you've got 600 horsepower.
I'm guessing GM felt the need for some relatively inexpensive good PR and morale boosting.
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Keith 2:10PM (5/02/2006)
I would totally support having to attend a driving school.
It would be fun.
You would learn about driving.
You would learn about the car.
Did I say FUN!?
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Dr. Woo 2:12PM (5/02/2006)
Eight
Hundred
Horsepower
in a Corvette.
Am I the only one schvitzing like a meshugana over here?
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Dr. Woo 2:15PM (5/02/2006)
Six
Hundred
Horsepower
in a Corvette.
Am I the only one schvitzing like a mule over here?
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rrudorf 2:15PM (5/02/2006)
and to think I told you it was a go back in december!
you can look it up.
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Pearson 2:16PM (5/02/2006)
Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep now includes a 1 day "Track Experience" ( http://www.srttrackexperience.com/home.do )with the purchase of any of the SRT vehicles. I'm headed to Daytona on 5/12 for my day of fun and learning. I think manufacturers of any "high performance" vehicle should consider doing the same, and if the manufacturers don't, the buyers should consider taking it upon themselves to attend somthing similar on their own.
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rrudorf 2:19PM (5/02/2006)
it was February, my bad.
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James Fabin 2:19PM (5/02/2006)
I really like the idea of required driving class with purchase. Not only would it better educate the drivers on how to drive such a powerful car, but talk about the FUN!!!!
Way to go GM!
James
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Dr. Woo 2:21PM (5/02/2006)
I agree with everyone's sentiments about the driving school. I mean...a free lesson in how to expertly pilot your new vehicle, and a free opportunity to drive it the way God intended!
It's win-win, baby!
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SSphx 2:32PM (5/02/2006)
Lets face it, GM has the most incredible small block ever conceieved, the LS7 (427cid).They are going to ensure that Ford, and Dodge know their place in the food chain by yet again out performing them price/performance.
The "Blue Devil", which I am sure will be called the "Stingray" will be the end all in top performance in the industry. Exotics to compete with the "Blue Devil" will start in the $300k range and therefore it it once again will be the most performance per dollar of any sports car.
The C6 Z06 completes the 1/4 mile in mid 11s on street tires. The "Blue Devil" should easily plow its way into the mid to low 10s with some decent traction and will likely not venture too much above $100k MSRP.
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Noah 2:35PM (5/02/2006)
This is a great idea, it should be manditory when buying any vehical with a power to weight ratio better than 200hp/tonne
Not only will it improve safety it will help drivers enjoy their car more and be a serious bit of value added. Roll the $4000 into the price and make it a weekend event. You'll get to meet other performance minded drivers and learn about something important. This is such a good idea.
It would be great if it were a vettes only course, they could also teach about the vette your buying in order to help the people appreciate their cars.
--Noah
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Noah 2:37PM (5/02/2006)
Your comments: This is a great idea, it should be mandatory when buying any vehicle with a power to weight ratio better than 200hp/tonne
Not only will it improve safety it will help drivers enjoy their car more and be a serious bit of value added.
Roll the course costs into the price and make it a weekend event.
You'll get to meet other performance minded drivers and learn about something important.
This is such a good idea.
It would be great if it were a vettes only course, they could also teach about the vette your buying in order to help thepeople appreciate their cars.
--Noah
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Michael Karesh 2:41PM (5/02/2006)
I attended the SRT Experience. It's not called the "SRT Driving School" for a reason. You drive at least nine different cars, so you spend far more time learning the cars than learning how to drive better. It's as much marketing exercise as instruction.
I wrote the Experience up in my review of the Magnum SRT8: http://www.epinions.com/content_193671499396
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Corey W. 2:45PM (5/02/2006)
The training is a nice idea, but if it's a mandatory option, with the cost added to the price of the car, I don't want it.
I can't wait to see final pricing, might have to trade in the 99 Hardtop... ;-)
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Presto 3:04PM (5/02/2006)
I hate Chevy, but I love Corvette. Nice job.
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Road Tester 3:39PM (5/02/2006)
I agree, make the driving school mandatory. 600hp is so much power that it only belongs in trained hands.
I really hope they build this car. I love the Z06, but this beats everything.
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RacetrackOwner 3:43PM (5/02/2006)
It's pretty funny to see them pretend that 600 HP is some magical, hard-to-handle HP figure. I know lots of people with daily drivers putting that much, and far more, to the wheels. It's only a problem if you drive like an idiot. Natural selection is a wonderful thing.
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Carlos 3:50PM (5/02/2006)
Would this be before break-in, or after break-in?
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emor8t 3:53PM (5/02/2006)
Hmmm now if i only save 140 dollars a day i can afford one... hmmm.... that uhhh.... im going to need a new job.
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totensiebush 3:57PM (5/02/2006)
I wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't even in your own car, so that you don't have to add the wear that you will get tracking it.
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