With all the rumors surrounding the hyped-up Corvette, Jim Dunne over at Popular Mechanics wanted to get some answers, so he went to the source – well, a source, at least.According to the "largest Corvette dealer in Michigan" the Blue Devil/SS 'Vette will get a singular supercharger, will cost upwards of $100k and could possibly push out the current Z06 to be the dominant Corvette in the General's lineup. Only 3,000 abnormally-aspirated, Corvette supercars will be built over two years, with 1,500 units being allocated for sale each year.
The shocker? According to the unnamed dealer, none of GM's manual transmissions are up to the task of handling all the ponies produced by the blown powerplant. The solution: it's getting an automatic.
The one question that wasn't answered (or possibly even asked) is "when?" We're putting our money on Detroit or Chicago, but considering all the misinformation out there; we'd suggesting talking to a dealer.
[Source: Popular Mechanics]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
CarGuy37 @ Jul 12th 2007 8:51AM
"The shocker? According to the unnamed dealer, none of GM's manual transmissions are up to the task of handling all the ponies produced by the blown powerplant." I've got a crazy idea... call 500hp sufficient.
FThorn @ Jul 12th 2007 8:58AM
are you saying don't make a vette with over 500 hp?
Just me @ Jul 12th 2007 9:09AM
I totally agree.
Is this vette a much better car because it has much more HP. Who can use all that power anyway. How about making a vette actually look nice for once. I am so tired of all these versions of vettes that all look the same since the 80's.
hotrod @ Jul 12th 2007 9:28AM
Yeah, and all those stupid 911s that look the same since the 60s, right? LOL
I really doubt the automatic thing is true. I know I couple of guys with turbo'd vettes putting down WELL over 600hp that get flogged at the strip and they take it with ease.
Besides, they're doing this to keep up with Viper, and you cant have bragging rights with a *but only with an auto* disclaimer attached. I call BS on this one.
georgejetson @ Jul 12th 2007 9:19AM
It's funny how ALL the rumors about the Blue Devil production being strictly limited come from a couple of high-volume Corvette dealers (yes, Rick Conti, I'm talking to you), aka the guys who stand to benefit most from the huge deposits and markups they can generate from those who are worried about limited supply.
I'll believe it when GM tells me it's true, thanks.
Nick @ Jul 12th 2007 9:24AM
That bit about the transmission is complete bull IMO. Look at the Viper right now even, pushing 600 horsepower and 560 pound feet, all routed through the newest iteration of the traditional Viper/Corvette T-56 transmission. Hell, just look at the number of current Viper/C6/C6 Z06s that are running over 600 horsepower through the T-56 just fine.
Jonathan Hicks @ Jul 12th 2007 9:36AM
Oh no! Please don't tell me that its not getting a manual transmission.
Reuben @ Jul 12th 2007 9:46AM
Well that cuts it, when the powerball calls my name ill just have to get a z06 and cry myself to sleep for the lack of another 100hp with a stick.
Reuben @ Jul 12th 2007 9:48AM
Does Gm even have an auto that can take that (besides silverado HD)? What we need are some interior pictures of this thing.
CMDR @ Jul 12th 2007 9:20PM
What!? We need to shy away from looking anywhere inside the corvette, just keep our eyes pointed out the windows, maybe even put a HANS device into it, so we aren't tempted to cock our collective heads in disgust after witnessing the aftermath of the Tupperware-Tornado that hides in each and every GM.
Guenther @ Jul 12th 2007 10:15AM
What's a singular supercharger? Will it be AT&T when it's released?
While I'm sure the 6L90 could be made to handle the power, but the T56 will do just fine.
When was the last time anyone here went to a dealership and though that the staff there was really well informed about the vehicles? The only one I've come accross was the 19y/o kid who sold me a civic 8 years ago.
pd @ Jul 12th 2007 10:59AM
This rumor was reported a while back on Digital Corvettes, from a noted vette salesman who does have alot of inside info guys very credible. Said the car is having a very hard time putting power to the ground!
Derek Kreindler @ Jul 12th 2007 11:00AM
Maybe all those Nurburgring expeditions were to test the Blue Devil's 6-speed Allison transmission
Chris @ Jul 12th 2007 11:03AM
I would suggest that maybe the automatic isn't a bad option considering it would be a paddle shifted unit. Consider that both the "prancing horse" and "raging bull" have paddle shifters. Consider a properly shifting electronic / paddle shift automatic an upgrade.
And as for the performance stats, keeping a high horsepower engine spinning and transmitting power (rather than manually disengaged from the rest of the drivetrain) may actually help performance numbers.
Nick @ Jul 12th 2007 11:46AM
Considering the transmissions you're comparing to are not automatic transmissions, but rather clutch(pedal)-less manuals, it's not really the same thing.
As far as helping performance numbers, the new auto in the standard C6 already runs faster than the manual variant, but the bottom line is that it's still an automatic. A hell of a lot of people would gladly give up a tenth of a second in order to experience stirring the box through their right hand and their left foot.
Rocket Punch @ Jul 12th 2007 11:07AM
It is comforting to know that at $100k, that you will be getting $99,900 in performance and engineering, and a $100 interior, which cost $5 to design and $95 to build.
Yaroukh @ Jul 12th 2007 11:27AM
LOL
Jeremy @ Jul 12th 2007 11:41AM
Who cares! Look at the Lambos, the look cheap as hell and they cost 220k, and the Ferrari, although better, is by no means a 220k interior. This car is designed for performance at an "economical" price. For a 100 grand I'd buy it just to rub it in the face of an enzo that I can beat it and only spend half the price!
Nick @ Jul 12th 2007 11:56AM
"Ferrari, although better, is by no means a 220k interior."
You're not paying 220k for an interior, you're paying 220k for what is arguably the most balanced and refined driver's car of the century, with a wonderfully high-strung V8 sitting behind you while you're in a beautiful driver-oriented, yet still very Italian (ie. sexy) interior, wrapped in great Pininfarina lines. Then obviously, there's the whole Ferrari lifestyle that you're buying into.
The Corvette, while incredible performance for the money, is nowhere near as refined, balanced, and finely crafted as the Ferrari. It's simply about getting bang for the buck, which isn't a bad thing either by any stretch, it's just different from what Ferrari does.
Rocket Punch @ Jul 12th 2007 1:22PM
Jeremy, please don't take it the wrong way. I am by no means saying the Corvette is bad, it is rather a compliment instead. I mean, who else would build a $100k high performance machine with almost all of it cost going into providing the best "bang for the buck" performance at the cost of a worthy interior and built quality?
By the way, the next time you came across a $200K Enzo, let me know, I am getting 2.