Another Yellow

The key words here are "this car" meaning the Z06. It does not say there won't be more horsepower in another model such as a "Blue Devil", Super Sport or Grand Sport.

If one of these new models is ever built, it won't be next year and considering the financial shape of GM, there might never be a higher performance model than the Z06.

Frank

1Day

oooooaaaa...thats too bad I personally would have really liked to see what else they can come up with...would have been really exciting with a lot more body changes than there are right now to the Z06 vs c6..

Alex1217

Even if GM has some hard times, I'm sure the corvette program will go on as long as GM is still in business. Just look at the C5 program. It started during some of the worst financial times GM ever had. The C5 ended up getting pushed back and came close to getting the ax but it was too important of a halo for GM to give up. The C6 is currently a profit maker just like the C5 was, so I see know reason why development of future vettes would stop.

Z06LUST

bingo!! You guys also need to learn a little about Z06 Corvette history--with the C5 Z06 there was only one jump in hp...385 to 405 (01-02)and then the 405 number held for 3 years.....if you go back to the the articles, press releases, interviews etc..yeah folks were upset about the 01-02 hp increase BUT THERE WAS A REASON FOR IT...it has been clearly pointed out that GM in bringing out the Z06 in 01 was not quite done with the engine (ie a short development period)--they ran out of development time in getting that car to market for the 01 year...thus the increase in 02 when all their ducks were in a row.....

The new LS7 small block 427 has been in the works for a long while (how long ago did it show up in the tiger shark concept Vette show or Gulstrands 427 50th anniversary Z06; not an entirely new concept-not saying those engines are exactly like the new LS7 but the concept and engineering was there).....this engine is being 'completed' before the car hits the market...not much more to do...which is why Hill made the comment about not leaving any tricks int he bag...unlike 01 when they were still 'developing' the engine as the 'first' version hit the streets for sale.

Of course over the years it can and probably will improve as does everything....

Runesabre

This is a more general, personal opinion on GM's financial woes more than a thought on whether next year's Z06 will have more hp.

Personally, I think GM's problem (and Ford as well) is churning out cheap cars in bulk and winning market share by volume while compromising on quality and features. GM is getting beat out by cars that are better quality and have better features even though they also come with higher price tags. I know I have gotten fed up with buying cheap cars and will spend more $$$ for a better overall car.

This sentiment really hit home when my wife and I were shopping for mini-vans last year. The offerings from GM, Ford and even Dodge were simply atrocious compared to what Honda and Toyota offered. One dealer tried to sell us a Chrysler Town and Country fully loaded for $10,000 under sticker! And yet it didn't appeal at all to me. The offerings from GM and Ford were even worse to the point I didn't even bother test driving them. The main selling point for most domestic mini-vans was price discounts. But that's not what I wanted; I wanted quality and features and that's exactly what Honda and Toyota delivered in abundance.

IMO, if GM tries to pull out of it's financial woes by driving even harder at more bland, low quality featureless vehicles then they are simply going to lose worse. They need to start competing on quality and features and not just price discounts. Dodge seems to be understanding this as they have shown to be willing to be innovative with unique offerings rather than rehashing the same-old same-old from model year to model year. The Pacifica, Crossfire, PT Cruiser, Magnum, 300... these are all interesting, unique cars.

I love my vette because it's a great car. I feel happy with every penny I spent on my vette despite it not being exactly cheap just the same as I do about my Toyota Sienna. I think if GM and Ford spent more time beefing up their vehicles, they can earn a better profit per unit and still have happy customers even though they are spending more. Being cheap isn't a selling point for me and I bet for many others looking to buy a new car that you will have for up to 10 years.

Chris Draper

“We don’t have any tricks left”

That's not good. A magician without any tricks is out of a job.

ghostRder

Pass me that wrench for that new supercharger !

rodfl99

Why couldn't they just add a Super Charger for some extra HP and kick?

V Vette

But Boris Badnoof said "who gets bomb, me"!,,

vetteship

This is simply clever marketing, there is always room for improvements, from power train to interior to chasis, GM please do not rest on your laurels.

yelloz06

NSTG8R

'cuz then most likely it'd have a gas guzzler tax, which the corvette will never have. (according to dave hill)

Hirohawa

That's it I'm getting an 09' just to be safe.

Tom Steele

I believe that is how it should be - increases no more often than 2 years apart. You are just screwing early adopters when you add significant hp one year after the introduction of a model.

But two years is reasonable time to expect your premiere customers to consider trading...

Just my opinion.

Michael A

I see you are from California. I wouldn't bet on it. The California C02 emission standards kick in in 2008, with a law that is so open to interpretation, the car haters in Sacramento could easily ban the Z06 or even the Corvette if they wanted to. Everything from then on may have to have a battery and electric drive motor. How a state full of car enthusiasts keeps electing these idiots, I don't know.

Michael

fstcrr54321

you can never have enough HP

Walford

Wasn't it "official" a few months back that the Z06 would not have an aluminum frame or make 500 HP?

Z06 Mike

In other words..."Let's wait and see what the ViperBoyz do"...

BobA

I'll take 505 HP but I want an auto so I can be fast and consistent. I like winning at the track.
BobA

jazzlove

Hmmm. I haven't been on this forum in about a week. I didn't know about the announcement from the team... I was planning on waiting for an 07' for that very reason.

This changes things considerably.