"Blue Devil" News: Test Details Roll In

[Dave A]

Only they don't, the Sagaris is supposed to be a joy to drive on track and the roads and that is a very track oriented car, as is the Noble and how would you explain the Lotus Elise's constant praise for handling and performance and it not being limited to the track. The bottom line is the standard C6 was considered okay on the track and the road, the same people consider the Sagaris the same, it's good on the track and the road. But thoes same people said thew Z06 was great ont he track, but terrible on the road.

Btw, the Ariel Atom can be bought with the Ecotec or the Honda K20 as found in the Civic Type-R.

 

[Joey D]

I've been in an Elise (there is a rich guy at school that has a yellow one), it's more uncomfortable and has a harsher ride then the Z06, that is barring one can fit. I'm not a big guy and even I felt cramped in it.

Cars meant for the track are going to have stiff, race like suspension. The Z06 really isn't meant to be a road car, yes you can drive it on the road and most people do, but GM built it as as track car for weekend warriors. They also wanted to build a car that would lap the Ring in less then 8 minutes...which they did. The Z06 is more of a symbol car for GM showing that they can build good performance cars, they also had to make up for the previous generation's Z06 which was pretty weak.

 

[ExigeEvan]

I've been in an Elise (there is a rich guy at school that has a yellow one), it's more uncomfortable and has a harsher ride then the Z06, that is barring one can fit. I'm not a big guy and even I felt cramped in it.

It depends which suspension set up he specified. Sport or Touring. The touring will give better road use without sacrificing too much of the track prowess.

Cars meant for the track are going to have stiff, race like suspension. The Z06 really isn't meant to be a road car, yes you can drive it on the road and most people do, but GM built it as as track car for weekend warriors. They also wanted to build a car that would lap the Ring in less then 8 minutes...which they did. The Z06 is more of a symbol car for GM showing that they can build good performance cars, they also had to make up for the previous generation's Z06 which was pretty weak.

Again, all valid points that I agree with. Except the Z06 simply doesn't make financial sense as a weekend warrior in the UK. In the US however, it makes perfect sense.

I would suppose my feelings are somewhat similar to your interpretation, but its more of a consideration of equals in terms of performance, not necessarily in price. With the Dollar as weak as it is against the Pound, and even so against the Euro, I wouldn't expect the Corvette to be the 'cheapest' model available in the UK or elsewhere, but correct me if I'm wrong, it is still cheaper than most of the sports cars with similar capabilities, no?

Considering you could pick up a Monaro VXR500 for approximatley £40,000. No.

Now if we are to roughly speak of pricing on the 'Blue Devil' in theory of course, the price increase (in the US) would be roughly 45% over that of the current Z06, so in the UK it would retail for roughly 87,000 GBP. That still sits it well-below the price of the Ferrari 430 (127,000 GBP) and the Lamborghini Gallardo (117,000 GBP). But, as it has been pointed out numerous times before, TVR would be happy to sell you a car that could match the performance for less money... The Sagaris and the Tuscan for 49,350 GBP and 49,995 GBP (Tuscan 2 4.0) respectively.

...Still, not a bad deal, but in terms of dollars, you are paying 74,000 USD more for the 'Blue Devil' than we would...

Yep. And when you put it in the £87K bracket you open up one big competitor... The Porsche 911.

 

[YSSMAN]

Considering you could pick up a Monaro VXR500 for approximatley £40,000. No.

Well, I don't think I'd call a GTO with a supercharger a competitor to the Z06, but maybe as a viable option against the standard Z51 Coupe. The old 6.0L-powered GTO was only a titch behind the standard Corvette, but that doesn't make it a competitor, IMO. The GTO was far-happier shotting the breeze with the M3, 350Z, and Mustang GT.

Yep. And when you put it in the £87K bracket you open up one big competitor... The Porsche 911.

Yep, and even in the America the Porsche is considered to be the biggest competitor to the Corvette, despite the price difference. Better yet, they'll sell you a Cayman S that can perform nearly as well as the 911 for a few thousand less...

 

[YSSMAN]

NEW SPYSHOTS!

(Images from Digital Corvettes, GMI)

...So, they've got some kind of clear hood thingy. Crazy vents presumably for cooling. Oh, and rumor has it that the dark roof may indeed be a carbon-fiber one.

Problem is, as one person wrote on GMI (stealing from the Simpsons), that "This is a close encounter of the blurred kind."

 

[super cirrus]

NEW SPYSHOTS!

(Images from Digital Corvettes, GMI)

...So, they've got some kind of clear hood thingy.

may be a shaker hood a la mustang mach 1. can't tell if the light is passing through from the other side or reflecting off the clear panel.

 

[YSSMAN]

That has been the debate. I just can't see GM doing a JC-Whitney clear hood on a near-$100K Corvette, it just doesn't seem right. However, a chrome-covered top seems like a reasonable estimate...

 

[Metar]

Looks to me like a clear hood. I mean, look at the lower part of that thing (Italic, 'cause it's hideous) - it shows black stuff, which looks to me like the engine.

The engine itself, however, looks like it's got some chrome in the middle. Though, I really can't see the point of making a clear hood just to show of some chrome and a plastic engine-cover.

 

[Dave A]

Yeah, looking through that hood you can see an engine, but from that angle, how could you see an enine through that hood if it wasn't a photoshop job (and I'm not talking about the obvious cuttingthe whole car out of the original picture)?

 

[YSSMAN]

My only guess as to reasoning as to why the photo is cut out was to hide the location so the dude who took the picture isn't fired...

...That being said, nobody really knows what the hell it is... Clearly, it is something different than the regular LS3 and LS7-powered Corvette, but as to what exactly that difference is, its hard to tell...

Plus, the engine cover kinda confuses me. The supercharger that the 6.2L LS3 is supposed to be using is some kind of top-down intercooler unit (similar to the STS-V), so a cover like that doesn't seem like a good idea... But then again I'm not certain as to how everything works...

 

[Metar]

Yeah, looking through that hood you can see an engine, but from that angle, how could you see an enine through that hood if it wasn't a photoshop job (and I'm not talking about the obvious cuttingthe whole car out of the original picture)?

Optics - the clear part isn't a simple, straight surface. But you're right, it isn't convex enough to deform it that much. And looking at it again, it seems like the rest of the stuff you see on that clear thing aren't parts of the car, so scrap that...

 

[YSSMAN]

Looks like the guys at Team Corvette are focusing on Ferrari now...

These latest spy shots of the Chevrolet Corvette SS, or Corvette Z07, or whatever, aren't the sharpest photos we've seen but they do point to one important development. Taken at a supplier test track in Europe, this Corvette SS prototype was caught testing alongside a Ferrari 599. As fun as it might be to think Chevrolet considers the 599 a competitor for the upcoming Corvette, the real connection is their suspension technology. Like the current Corvette, the Ferrari 599 uses a magnetically adjustable shock absorber system made by Delphi. Up to this point, the system has been offered on standard Corvettes only, but it appears as though Chevrolet's engineers might be reworking the system to help control this Corvette's massive horsepower.

That is rather surprising to see that they're going with Magnaride on this one. I have confidence that they will get the suspension up to Ferrari-grade performance, and of course, here is to hoping that a bit of that awesomeness can trickle-down to the "lesser" Corvettes as well...

 

[Jim Prower]

first of the group of four...turn signal left on, or brake light problems?

 

[Philly]

Suspension on par with a 599? That would be nice. How much faster is the current Z06 compared to the 599? I would think the Z07 would be faster.

However, it would be interesting to have a 599 competitor coming out of Detroit...

 

[Dave A]

It's not a 599 competitor though, the two cars will go to completely different buyers, the Corvette is a sportscar, the 599 is a prestigous Grand Tourer. The Aston Martin Vanquish and the 599 were in competition, but tghe Corvette is not with either. Imo the only reason they have a 599 there is to see how much they can set the Vette's ride to match it hopefully on the road as well as the track. But the two cars go to very different customers, ofcourse some of them might have both, but generally speaking.

 

[YSSMAN]

Pretty much. I mean, Top Gear was crazy enough to compare the Z06 with the 575 GTC, but that was because the Ferrari had been tuned up a bit more for sporting specifications.

...That being said, I believe the 599 is faster than the Z06 in almost every measurement. With the 599 being described as "just short of an Enzo," its pretty easy to imagine how fast the car is on any track anywhere in the world, and while the Z06 may be able to "keep up" due to the 599's higher weight and obvious aerodynamic deficiencies by comparison to the Z06, the Chevy would have an outright uphill battle for conquest...

The "Z07/SS/ZL-1/etc" would have a far-better chance of catching the Ferrari due to the extra 150 BHP to be on more-level playing field (currently, 505 versus 611). With the presumed weight also lowered, the performance of the Vette shouldn't be anything to scoff at, even if it does come from Detroit...

 

[Dave A]

In terms of performance the 599 may have been described as "just short of an Enzo" but the realisty is that one a track it's just short and then some. Ofcourse the new super Vette or Z07 as it's starting to be called here (but wouldn't that be reserved for the next gen super Corvettes?) can possibly compete with the 599 on performance, but not for customer base.

 

[Philly]

Is this being compared to the 599 of 599 GTB (or are those the same car???)? I never have doubted the performance of the vette, it always has been an exception to the Detroit-cars-are-worse idea. On the performance level, I think GM might be able to compete with the likes of the 599 and the Astons, and maybe even use weight to destroy them on the track.

Will we see a Corvette going to would-be Aston owners? probably not. That just isn't the way Detroit works.

 

[Dave A]

Definitely not, unless that guy already has one and wants the other to fill a void in his garage. Astons and Vettes (likewise Ferrari 599's and Vettes) are not comparable beyong them both being cars, performance numbers may on some models be similar but the reality is that a Vette is probably never going to steal any sales from a Grand Tourer. No one is going to set their heart out on a GT and suddenly decide that want a relatively lower quality build sportscar. It'd be like me saying I want a nice big estate car and then buying a hot hatch instead. It doesn't mean the hot hatch is bad, but your in the market for one or the other, or if your rich enough possibly both.

 

[McLaren]

Suspension on par with a 599? That would be nice. How much faster is the current Z06 compared to the 599? I would think the Z07 would be faster.

However, it would be interesting to have a 599 competitor coming out of Detroit...

The Z06 came a second behind at the Autodrome. However, on Vairano, it came 3 seconds behind. Other than those 2, the 599 though, has still remained quite a few steps ahead.

 

[YSSMAN]

Yes, thanks to an extra 106 BHP. The performance of the 599 is stunning given its size and the car that it replaced, by which was previously neck-and-neck with the Z06 in most cases.

...Either way, the 599 probably serves as a better benchmark than the Carrera GT that Lutz had previously alluded to. That being said, for the most part the differences between the two are minimal (I'd rather have the Ferrari) in some respects, but nevertheless is a damn-good target.

Ofcourse the new super Vette or Z07 as it's starting to be called here (but wouldn't that be reserved for the next gen super Corvettes?) can possibly compete with the 599 on performance, but not for customer base.

The Z06 name has nothing to do with the generation of Corvette, its basically a rehash of an old suspension/model option from the late 1960s. The big battle over the name basically comes down to having the Corvette honor its past (Z06, L88, ZR-1, etc) or follow the current lineup of hi-po Chevrolets (SS).

...And yes, the Corvette would never carry the prestige of a Ferrari. Yes, Americans are crazy for the Corvette, but even Corvette guys (like me) give respect when respect is due...

Astons and Vettes (likewise Ferrari 599's and Vettes) are not comparable beyong them both being cars, performance numbers may on some models be similar but the reality is that a Vette is probably never going to steal any sales from a Grand Tourer.

Ummm. The Aston V8 Vantage "technically" competes against the regular Corvette and Z06, as well as the F430 with the others as well...

But in terms of size and look, the 599 is probably as close as you get besides the Dodge Viper...

 

[Dave A]

Then why doesn't Lutz compare the Vette to the Viper, compare it to another sportscar (of which there's plenty around), not a grand tourer like the 599. To me it just sounds like he's desperate to get Corvette and Ferrari mentioned in the same press releases, no matter howw fast they make this Vette it will not take anything away from the 599. In some ways it's a better comparison than the Carrera GT, but in others it's worse, at least the Carrera GT was a sports car not a GT. As for the V8 Vantage, I wouldn't say that occupies the same market share as the Vette either, sure it's a car built to take sales off the 911 but it's not built to a price and for all it's sporting intentions, like the DB9 it's still much more of a GT at heart. I do agree that it is more comparable though, but I don't see the two cars stepping on toes sales wise. That said, relatively speaking, it's hard for me to say what is to a Vette over here, ofcourse there's the speialist sportscars like TVR, Noble, Marcos etc, but considering how few Corvette get sold over here, a complete sell out is still taking next to nothing away from the other companies, so maybe it's just this market confusing the situation.

 

[Joey D]

The Viper does get compared to the Viper all the time over hear, but the Chrysler cry-baby fanboys hate it because the new 08 Vipers with 600hp still can't outrun a Z06 if the numbers are to be believed from the car magazines. And even if the 08 Viper is faster, it's not faster by much.

He's comparing it to they Ferrari because they are trying to benchmark upper level cars in order to make the super Corvette not suck...frankly I'm glad they are shooting for cars like that.

 

[Dave A]

The Viper does get compared to the Viper all the time over hear, but the Chrysler cry-baby fanboys hate it because the new 08 Vipers with 600hp still can't outrun a Z06 if the numbers are to be believed from the car magazines. And even if the 08 Viper is faster, it's not faster by much.

He's comparing it to they Ferrari because they are trying to benchmark upper level cars in order to make the super Corvette not suck...frankly I'm glad they are shooting for cars like that.

But the bottom line is no matter how much they try shooting for thoes car, unless they stop a Corvette being a Corvette and turn it into a grand tourer they are never going to get there. You don't see ford comparing the GT to the SLR. They are two cars that just arn't going to the same buyers. The benchmark once you reach certain levels of perfomance branches out to either stripped out racers for the road, or super GT's like the 599, SLR and ultimately the Veyron. The Corvette will only ever succed heading down the racers route, it has the performance but it's built to a price and it lacks the prestige and the luxury to compete against Aston Martin and Ferrari's GT cars. He can compare it to a Porsche, he can compare it to a Ferrari F430, he can compare it to a Noble, but he can't compare a Vette to a 599, he might as well compare it to an SLR and we all mentioned how ridiculous that was a while back.

 

[TopHat]

Quite frankly, the Viper is too heavy for it to beat the 'Vette, that big 8.3 Liter engine takes its toll. But 600hp is quite nice.

 

[McLaren]

The Viper does get compared to the Viper all the time over hear, but the Chrysler cry-baby fanboys hate it because the new 08 Vipers with 600hp still can't outrun a Z06 if the numbers are to be believed from the car magazines. And even if the 08 Viper is faster, it's not faster by much.

He's comparing it to they Ferrari because they are trying to benchmark upper level cars in order to make the super Corvette not suck...frankly I'm glad they are shooting for cars like that.

Pretty bold statement given the 600bhp Vipers aren't technically out on the market nor have they done any testing in magazines besides previews.

So, really, no one's been crying.

Quite frankly, the Viper is too heavy for it to beat the 'Vette, that big 8.3 Liter engine takes its toll. But 600hp is quite nice.

O rly?

Gingerman Raceway:
Z06 - 1:32.75
SRT-10 - 1:33.95

Vairano:
Z06 - 1:19.5
SRT-10 - 1:19.510

Daimler Proving Grounds:
Z06 - 1:15.4
SRT-10 - 1:16.7

Virginia International
Z06 - 3:01.1
SRT-10 - 3:01.6

I think Joey needs to rethink his little statement. If the 500Bhp Viper can continously run against the current Z06, I'm pretty sure the 600Bhp Viper has zero problems.

Joey, think about what you're saying next time after getting some research.

 

[TopHat]

I was talking about the current Viper, 600 odd horsepower will cure any issue.... except for traction.

 

[McLaren]

I was talking about the current Viper, 600 odd horsepower will cure any issue.... except for traction.

Those times are from the current Viper.

 

[TopHat]

I know that. And the 'Vette beat it every time.

 

[McLaren]

I know that. And the 'Vette beat it every time.

True, but not by the margin that a 600Bhp couldn't easily win. The point of the times were really though, despite the weight, it's still running dead next to the Z06, so in my opinion, both cars on the track, are very equal, and being so, I'd be running the Viper at the track merely based on the fact every review claimed the Viper was the more track-friendly car being extremely responsive to driver control.