Lutz for Edumunds.com:

[LongTimer]

"Edmunds: You did the Viper during your stint at Chrysler, and now Neil Hannemann, who led the Viper team, is doing the GT at Ford. Does GM need a Viper/GT class vehicle, or is the Corvette strong enough to handle that role?

Lutz: Let me tell you that the Corvette C6 will have versions where we confidently predict it will suck the doors off of both the cars that you just named. The current Z06, with 400 horsepower, on the Gingerman Raceway, laps faster with its 400 horsepower than the new Viper does with 500. So other than just brutal straightline acceleration, the Z06 is faster today. Clearly the C6 Corvette, without giving anything away, is going to be a major step forward in vehicle mass, dimensions, handling, braking and, most important of all, power-to-weight ratio. So I think whatever gap exists now is going to be eliminated — in total performance. I think we'll match the competition in acceleration, and we will beat them in on-road handling. And if the Z06 version of the C6 is not enough to do it, we've got a few tricks up our sleeve, which we're already investigating. But it will always be Corvette-based.

Entire interview click here

 

[LongTimer]

You gotta love this guy. When did you last hear a top GM guy say "...suck the doors off..." and really mean it.

 

[MidKnight]

You gotta smile when you read that.
Can't wait for the new year!

 

[CFour]

All good and well indeed. BUT will these cars be affordable to someone that makes less than 6 figures a year? Or is Corvette going to be pushed further out of the reach of the average working person? How much more HP does one really need in a passenger car ? I don't really hear anyone complaining that there C5s are slow. As exciting as at all sounds everything comes with a cost. No one really wants an 70+K Corvette to wish for. IMO they would much rather have one they can afford in there garage. The ZR1 proved this in the early 90s after the first year GM could not give them away. This whole my "penis" is bigger than yours HP wars is getting goofy IMO. I would much rather the money be spent on making the car at least the quality of a Honda, OH *silly me* I forgot making big motors is MUCH easier than quality and fit and finish.

 

[LongTimer]

Today's cutting edge is tomorrow's base. Ross, in a recent posting of yours, you said that the LS6 was scheduled to become (essentially) the base engine in an earlier GM vette development scenario. If the C6 Z06 does go up $10-15k in price, but is an absolute world beater, I am ok with that. I will only own targas anyway, but I get the bragging rights for the Z06's accomplishments and somewhere down the development road a targa will benefit from some of the Z06 technology.

 

[CFour]

That does not answer my question. Do you honestly think someone that makes say $70K a year will be able to afford such a Corvette for $75K? without having to live in it as well?

 

[LongTimer]

You said less than $100k / year. I don't think anyone who makes $70k a year should be buying a new C5 either, nor a new base C6 - but it's their business not mine.

All I'm saying is that if GM thinks enough people will buy a higher performing, higher priced model while they continue to offer a "base" targa and vert at near today's prices, that performs on par with the C5 Z06 - I have no problems with their plan.

Many of those who bought C5s and ran to Lingenfelter, or Mallet or some other tuner waving $10k will probably be happy with this new factory "tuner". I will bet that if this IS GM's approach, unlike today's Z06, the C6 Z06 will NOT comprise 25% of the C6 volume. Again, I am OK with a lower volume super vette.

By the way, it's not just about HP. Lutz talked power-to-weight ratio and in the rest of the article he talked about improved quality throughout GM. It's a good read.

 

[CFour]

Well you see the Corvette was always billed at the car the common man could buy. Now you just confirmed my feelings.

 

[UB2 SLOW]

Bottom line is that if someone really wants HP they will find a way to pay for it. Weither its getting it stock or buying a lower rated version and then modding it out. Chances are, they are going to mod it out anyway. If the new Z06 cost $70K, I would not buy it, but instead get a regular C6 and then start modding. If the Z06 cost less than or close to the current price, I am all over it.

 

[LongTimer]

Well you see the Corvette was always billed at the car the common man could buy. Now you just confirmed my feelings.

I'm not sure what you define as a "common man", but if it's a guy making $70k today, I think the vette out priced that guy sometime back in the C4 days.

Back in my "common man" days my first vette was a low milage used vette that I was as excited about as I will be about my next vette - new or used. I bet that I'm not alone either.

 

[ROCKETBLOCK]

GM could also keep the Vette on steroids under any price cap they want. Bump up all of the other Corvette units a couple of thou. and voila! A verrrrrrrrry fast ZO6 for a reasonable price.

 

[Clairvoyant1332]

I'm not sure what you define as a "common man", but if it's a guy making $70k today, I think the vette out priced that guy sometime back in the C4 days.

Back in my "common man" days my first vette was a low milage used vette that I was as excited about as I will be about my next vette - new or used. I bet that I'm not alone either.

I guess that makes me a "common man", but I picked up a new Z06 a year ago and I'm not struggling. Of course, I don't have a family to worry about either.

 

[Gorgon]

Since Cadillac spent a bunch of money for devepment of the C6 and everyone seems to think it isn't a drastic change from C5, they why all the speculation that this car is going to jump $15k in price? The transition from C4 to C5 saw the increase of the base car by 0.7%. I expect to see based and optioned prices similar to what we have for the '04 model. Not sure why the price would jump as much as you guys say.

Leon

 

[JBsC5]

Leon.

I think the price will be stabilized on the base C6..and vert..

Its the C6 Z06 that might jump comparatively to the C5 Z06..15 grand.

IMHO lots of technical and material improvements

JB

 

[reubenmc]

I'm far from buying a vette that's even a couple years old. But I do support the idea of a little higher priced "super vette". I like the idea of a vette rolling right off the assembly line and "sucking the doors off" its competition!!!

 

[Gorgon]

Leon.

I think the price will be stabilized on the base C6..and vert..

Its the C6 Z06 that might jump comparatively to the C5 Z06..15 grand.

IMHO lots of technical and material improvements

JB

I still don't see why. A lot more development went into the current C5 when it transitioned from C4 as it was an all new car from the ground up. I would expect the Z06 price point to be at a similar point compared to the coupe that we see now. I realize this discussion is centered around the new Z06, but I've seen similar speculation that the base car will have a significant jump in price. And that's all I see is speculation since there are no real facts out there.

But I can't wait for the January Detroit show. I think this car is going to r0x0r.

Leon

 

[JBsC5]

Base car should price the same (give or take a few dollars depending on what options become standard etc)

Z06 material cost will escalate the price...IMHO..

Expanded use of titanium, carbon fiber, aluminum, 20 inch tires..

I hope your right on z06 pricing...I would much prefer it to be at present level...but I don't believe so..