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Fitchner Chevrolet News letter:

L

LongTimer

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The following is from Ken Fitchner at Fitchner Chevrolet. He posted a news letter at another site:


2) C6 News! – New 10/17/03
America's Performance Icon is set to continue its 50-plus year legacy. Over the course of eight successful C5 model years (1997-2004), we've witnessed the Corvette reach world-class status in both performance and quality. And now, a sixth generation Corvette nears its introduction and looks to further the outstanding reputation that the Corvette name has established over the years.
The C6 will be unveiled in January 2004 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Start of production is scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2004, with vehicles arriving in-dealership in the fourth quarter of 2004.
As we approach both introduction and launch, please stay tuned as we will provide critical information to you as soon as it's available.
What will be the estimated price range of the 2005 Corvette?
The product will be priced competitively in the High Sport Segment and will continue Corvette's tradition of high performance per dollar.

Who is the target customer for the 2005 Corvette?
As always, sports car enthusiasts of all ages.

When will the 2005 Corvette be revealed?
An example of the vehicle will be unveiled in January 2004 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The Greater L.A. Auto Show will also feature a C6 on display after the Detroit reveal.

Is the new Corvette a retro design?
No, but like all Corvettes, it will be classic and timeless in design.

What models will be available for the 2005 Model Year?
Both coupe and convertible models will be available for the 2005 model year. Coupes are scheduled to arrive at dealerships during the fourth quarter of 2004, with convertibles available shortly thereafter.

When will a Z06 version of the sixth-generation Corvette be available?
The Z06 model will be available for the 2006 model year.

How large is the next-generation Corvette?
Interior room and cargo room will be similar to the C5 with a more efficient exterior package.

What engine will the 2005 Corvette have under the hood?
It will boast a Gen IV V8. Specifications will be available in the first quarter of 2004.

What is the horsepower of the Gen IV V8?
Horsepower will be increased from today's 350 horsepower LS1. Specifications will be available in the first quarter of 2004.

What transmissions will be available?
Both manual and automatic transmissions will be available.

What is the level of change on the C6 versus C5?
The sixth-generation Corvette will feature all new body, interior, suspension and powertrain.

What new features can we expect to see on the 2005 Corvette?
An example of the vehicle will be unveiled in January 2004 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The Greater L.A. Auto Show will also feature a C6 on display after the Detroit reveal. Beyond that, we are not in a position to reveal any further details about the vehicle or our plans for it.

Does the new Corvette maintain pop-up headlamps?
The C6 will have a higher-performance fixed high-technology lighting system. More details will be available after the unveiling at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

How much commonality is there between Corvette and the Cadillac XLR?
Both cars are built off GM's Performance architecture. However, all visual interior, exterior, powertrain, chassis development, performance and pricing are different. The Corvette remains a performance sports car while the XLR competes in the Luxury roadster segment (Jaguar XK8, Mercedes SL). They are two totally different cars.

Does the XLR affect the number of Corvettes produced?
No, Corvette production will be comparable to today's levels. The Cadillac XLR has a dedicated assembly line separate from the Corvette.

When is the start of production (SOP) for the 2005 Corvette?
Production is scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2004 at Bowling Green Assembly in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

How many Corvettes will be manufactured?
We have the capacity to produce approximately 35,000 Corvettes annually for the global markets, with 32,000 to 33,000 of them for the North American market.

When will vehicles be available in Chevrolet dealerships?
We anticipate 2005 Corvettes to arrive in-dealership during the fourth quarter of 2004.

How will dealer allocation and units per dealer be determined?
Dealer allocation will be communicated the first quarter of 2004 and specific dealer unit detail will be communicated the second quarter of 2004.

When will the first consensus and Dealer Order Submission occur?
The first consensus for the 2005 model year Corvette will occur in April 2004, with Dealer Order Submission Process (DOSP) beginning in May.

What is required to be a certified Corvette dealer?
Certification requirements will be communicated the fourth quarter of 2003.

The Chevrolet dealers who attended the business meetings in Las Vegas last month had a chance to see the all new C6!

Unfortunately I was not able to attend but my father did.

Here are his observations:

The car was not driven on stage but appeared on a turn table.
The C6 is 6 inches shorter.
The C6 had fixed headlamps with clear lenses. The bulbs were very visible thru the lenses.
The C6 has 4 tail lamps and a redesigned rear facia.
The C6 looks very much like a C5 and has retained it’s “Corvette” look.
The side coves were very square as were the front fenders and rear quarter panels.
The car shown was Red.
The dealers were not allowed to get close to the car or to take photos.
No specifications were shared including any powertrain improvements.

[note that at this point he posted the following pic]


album_pic.php
 
Good info?

I'm sorry to see the C6 will not be reaching show rooms until fall.
 
Well, The Dealer is a ligitimate one for sure. (I have talked to this guy a few years ago) The information listed is mostly fluff and really does not tell us anything we didn't already know 6 months ago. Oh well, fun to read anyway :)
 
Good post. Sort of like a Turkey neck. Nice and juicy but not much meat! It is all good to read, thanks.
 
Yes, Was just at the Plant in BG, KY tuesday and tried hitting up the newbie tour guide to cough up some info.

No such luck. Didn't want to loose his job or something like that. hahaha
But did say that it was pretty much the main gossip at the plant these days.
 
Reading P.R. like this is such schlock. On the one hand it claims that the C6 has an "all new body" or words to that effect, and then at another point it talks about how the car shown at Vegas looked a lot like a C5. Someone just grinds this stuff out and never checks for any sort of consistency.....This "announcement" is totally worthless and probably 99% inaccurate. If someone has the email address for the persons who distributed this please feel free to forward this message to them.

--Chris Kennedy
 
Chris Kennedy said:
Reading P.R. like this is such schlock. ....

Boy, who put your panties in a knot. Ken Fichtner is a supporting dealer for several Vette websites and probably knows more about vettes than you ever will. He regularly posts info on production dates, option constraints, and pricing well before anyone else. I think his timeline is probably as accurate as you can get, at this point in time. Just because he can't tell everything he knows, being a dealer, doesn't make him an idiot.

On the one hand it claims that the C6 has an "all new body" or words to that effect, and then at another point it talks about how the car shown at Vegas looked a lot like a C5

Chevy could change every panel on the body ("all new") and still retain the general look of the current C5, just like all the drawings and photchops floating around the net show.
 

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