Chevy’s 650-hp Corvette SS caught heading in for EPA testing

Not even a month has passed since we first reported on Chevrolet’s plans for a super Corvette, a halo model well in excess of the already superb Z06. Judging by these spy shots, it appears assurances we were given earlier this year that the car was on the development fast track (“To Hell and Back,” May 8) were right on target.

These photos were taken by George Kachadoorian just outside of Ann Arbor last week. He suspects the car was headed in for EPA testing.

While the hood scoop indicates this is something other than an ordinary Z06, the real prize is under the hood where our spies previously heard the whine of what is most likely a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 pushing as much as 650 hp. The engine, which will be hand-built at a rate of 1500-2000 per year at the General Motors Performance Center outside Detroit, features an integrated intake manifold intercooler similar to the one GM developed for the Cadillac STS V-Series.

So far, names for the production supercharged Corvette include everything from Z07 to Blue Devil to Corvette SS to Sting Ray. No matter what they call it, look for production of the 2009 model to start in early 2008. And set aside at least $100,000 if you want to one in your driveway.

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bigslick83 - 11/6/2006 11:44:09 AM

-3 Boost

its really a sad day when a new vette is over 100k dollars. with so many better choices in the market for the same price, you would have to be in some kind of corvette club to want this baby and show it off. sure it will be faster then the ford mustang 500gt but with an extra 50 grand to put into the mustang it should hold up to the vette no prob.

carfan3 - 11/6/2006 12:19:37 PM

+4 Boost

what are you talking about. the base c6 vette beats the stang gt500.

NARunner - 11/6/2006 12:35:34 PM

+1 Boost

yeah, the comparo link is below....

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/11150/comparison-test-review-2006-chevrolet-corvette-vs-2007-ford-mustang-shelby-gt500.html



And I don't know what you're talking about, the new Z06 has already been compared to the F430 and Gallardo (although it came in 3rd in the tests), but still it is impressive that they could even be considered as competitors. I don't even know what they will compare this SS to.

Dave - 11/6/2006 12:17:57 PM

-1 Boost

Would someone explain to me why the heck GM is building a $100,000 Corvette?? No one in their right mind with 100 grand to spend on car is gonna get a Corvette! The $70,000 ZO6 is already the fastest 'piece of crap' on earth. So what does this make this super Corvette? Going the cheap route too, supercharging.

carfan3 - 11/6/2006 12:20:45 PM

+5 Boost

so what does that make all of the other cars the z06 beats?

NARunner - 11/6/2006 12:42:44 PM

+3 Boost

How else would you suggest they do it? Put a 12 liter V10 in there? This is GM we're talking about, not Ferrari.

And do some math, if the car is going to cost north of $100k, then obvious the only upgrade is not going to be a supercharger. For your extra $30K+ over the Z06, expect even more efficient space frame design and materials, better F/R weight distribution, better handling, and (hopefully, but not likely) maybe a more impressive interior.

Remember ,the Z06 isn't just a C6 with a 7.0L V8...GM wants to compete with europe in the sportscar arena, they are only charging $100K for this car because it will be worth it for those who want to blow $200K+ sports/supercars off the road and the track.

Those who want prestige will buy porsche, aston, bmw, mb for their 100K...those who just have the need for speed will buy this car.

rocker - 11/6/2006 12:46:14 PM

+1 Boost

Supercharging, MB is the king of supercharging, that is the only way they can get power at least until they debuted the 6.3. I like normally aspirated better but if it elevates it to another level then go. People pay over $50k for a Lotues Elise what's the difference?

someguy - 11/6/2006 3:35:11 PM

+2 Boost

Dave, the SLR is supercharged. For you to think supercharging is "cheap" makes for a weak argument!

But for 100k the Vette SS should have a better interior, I'm not talking about AUDI or MB, just replace the obviously cheap plastic and ugly/huge steering wheel. I know those issues aren't too important for someone buying the SS, but if your paying 100k, the interior should be a bit higher grade.

02WRX - 11/6/2006 12:41:55 PM

+3 Boost

Perhaps there are auto enthusiasts who want F430 performance but don't have $180,000 to blow on a car? Yes, it pretty much looks the same as a $45,000 base Vette, but sub-four second 0-60 is just as jaw-dropping in an ugly car as a stylish one. If I had $100,000 the "SS" would be at the top of my list.

Agent63 - 11/6/2006 1:57:26 PM

-1 Boost

NARunner - 11/6/2006 12:42:44 PM+1 Boost

Those who want prestige will buy porsche, aston, bmw, mb for their 100K...those who just have the need for speed will buy this car.

---------------------------------------

Those who want prestigue and have the need for speed will get the cars that you listed along with italian exotics. Quality would be an issue here. Domestics lack quality. Straight line performance is there but the materials aren't as top-notch as the Europeans. That is why for 100K+ someone would turn their attention to something with more European passion. Performance & quality rather than just performance.

NARunner - 11/6/2006 2:28:04 PM

+2 Boost

completely agree...I am just speculating that for $100K, this new Vette might be of higher quality. Also, the current Z06 has already proven to be able to hang with the italian exotics around the track and outperform them on the street. The deciding factors between the two then become quality, and price. For those who want the speed and near performance of an F430, but don't have $275,000 to get one might sacrifice quality and buy the z06.

similarly, those who want the performance of an LP640 or a MB SLR, but don't have the $400,000 to get one, may settle for this $100K vette.

then again, we're comparing apples to oranges, so there isn't really a right or wrong answer.

What you're explaining is your personal preference, and I agree with you, but I know many drivers who get their kicks blowing F430s off the line in their Vettes.

Lexlover - 11/6/2006 4:41:20 PM

0 Boost

vette's are awesome except for 1 problem it's a Chevy and there made poorly. I saw a Z06 and it had some many flaws it was'nt even funny now the want me to pay 100,000 yeah right

bigslick83 - 11/6/2006 5:17:10 PM

+2 Boost

vantage, m6, masaratti gransport, porsche 911, jag xkr are all cars i would buy before i spent over 100k on a corvette. i mean shit you could buy a z06 and c6 for that price. and do u mean to tell me that the ford gt500 with 50 grand under the hood wouldn't toast any vette that is stock? all im gonna think when i see someone driving one of these (which i prob wont) is SUCKER!!! really what mb/bmw/audi tunner adds 50% of the price to produce their models? in this case its at least $30k.

NARunner - 11/6/2006 8:36:17 PM

+1 Boost

no gt500, no matter how much money you put into it would beat a stock vette Z06. The stang is waaaaay to heavy and most of the weight lies over the front wheels, which means it handles like a tank. Maybe you could get it to beat a stock vette in the quarter, but throw in any turns? you're screwed.

Plus, putting 50K under the hood of a GT500 would put your grand total over 100K...and in the range of the new "SS" which would destroy a GT500 even if it had 700hp and a full custom suspension.

ford really botched the gt500...it had a lot of potential and they should have put more thought, more know-how, and more money into it and sold it for $60,000...i wouldn't be caught dead in a gt500, or any Ford for that matter...they just don't get it; at least GM is starting to understand where they need to position themselves in the market.

NARunner - 11/6/2006 8:52:47 PM

+2 Boost

and what are you talking about tuners adding 50% of the price to their models? That statement doesn't make any sense...

the "SS" isn't a tuner car, its going to be a production vehicle...

And in that light, if i correctly understand what you're trying to say, base models compared with their high performance siblings are below...

MB SL550 $95,575 vs. SL65 $186,775 = 95% mark-up

BMW 525i $43,500 vs. M5 $81,200 = 86.7% mark-up

AUDI A4 $28,240 vs. RS4 $66,000 = 133.7% mark-up


So the Corvette pricing model makes sense, that is the way all the germans do it, too.

bigslick83 - 11/8/2006 1:08:10 PM

+1 Boost

i wasnt talking about those. those are also spiffed up production models of their own. i thought the ss was just something they were doing like shelby for ford, or AMG for MB. and from the prices ive seen adding an amg kit does not make up 50% of the original starting costs.

mstangpny07 - 11/6/2006 6:17:27 PM

+2 Boost

is that a flur de lee on the badge???

02WRX - 11/6/2006 8:22:49 PM

+2 Boost

Fleur de lis: part of the Corvette badge since the very first year of production.

mstangpny07 - 11/6/2006 8:37:36 PM

+2 Boost

wow can't believe I missed that! Well, maybe it's because I'm more of a pony guy...:)

Mark - 11/7/2006 7:51:27 AM

+1 Boost

My best friend's dad had a Z06 on order and GM messed up with the whole ordering list and his dad waited for months and no car. So he went back to his dealer and when GM contacted him about the mess up, they offered him the first SS Vette on the East coast for the same price as a 07 Z06 (he's a long standing GM buyer).

He took the Z06 and gets the first 07 for the East Coast. 650BHP was too much for him. I thought he should have taken the SS.

NARunner - 11/7/2006 11:39:05 AM

+1 Boost

I was saying that a GT500 with $50K worth of modifications might beat a stock vette in a straight line...stock vs. stock, the C6 wins everytime.