Autoblog

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]

Another batch of pics have surfaced of the new Corvette Z07/SS/Blue Devil/Sting Ray/Grand Sport, this time from Popular Mechanics ace Jim Dunne. The car is virtually unmasked, save a cover on the front fender vents and over the hood. The only real differences we see on the outside are the ten-spoke wheels, a black roof and the covered-but-visible hood bulge. Oh yeah, and it's wearing a Devil Red paint job.

The roof is rumored to be carbon fiber to save weight and add strength, a trick commonly employed on a few BMWs. The hood might also be made of the carbon weave, and with or without scoop, PM confirms it's covering a supercharger. Even the wheels might be carbon fiber to save on unsprung weight. Whatever their made of, they look good and appear to be wrapped in even wider tires, especially at the rear. Other changes out back include integrated mudflaps and a revised spoiler lip with a restyled cyclops brake light.

The first Vette to possibly crack the $100,000 mark should be a real supercar, with between 600 and more likely 700 hp coming from its blown 7.0L V8. Click the Read link for several full-car shots from PM.

Thanks for the tips, everyone!

[Source: Popular Mechanics]