PM’s Jim Dunne Debunks Corvette SS Rumors

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Corvette SS Spy Photo by Jim DunneThe coming of the Corvette SS has generated a buzz on the interwebs that hasn’t been seen since… well, perhaps never. When you’re talking about a brand new $100,000 Corvette, truth and rationale seem to go right out the window. Popular Mechanic’s Jim Dunne, who has taken his share of the uber-Corvette’s spy photos has decided to give readers a reality check by debunking the top five Corvette SS rumors.

Myth 1: The Corvette SS will be offered in a manual transmission. False. The LS9 has proven to be too strong for GM’s manual transmissions, so the SS will only be offered in an Automatic.

Myth 2: The Corvette SS will use twin turbochargers to develop 650 hp. False. The LS9 has a single supercharger mounted between the cylinder banks. The intercooler appears to be mounted above the supercharger just under the air scoop.

Myth 3: Chevrolet will produce 3,000 units of Corvette SS. True. The company is planning 1,500 units each year for two years and then will halt production.

Myth 4: The New Corvette will cost $100,000. True. That price point may actually be higher and could end up between $100,000 and $125,000.

Myth 5: The Corvette Z06 will be dropped from the Chevrolet lineup. Don’t Know. This story goes both ways with either the Z06 continuing to be placed on the moderate end of the high performance lineup or that it will be gone all together.

Here is my take on these five myths:

Myth 1: If the Corvette SS will only be offered in an automatic, then there will surely be tears shed by the enthusiasts who believe high end sports cars need a manual shifter to compete with the exotics and other high end competition. On the other hand, there has been a constant drumbeat from the same base to have Chevy offer the Z06 as an automatic. Myth 2: I don’t think anyone believed the Blue Devil/SS was going to be turbocharged. Myths 3 & 4 appear to be dead on. The two year run would take the program to 2011, which is when the C7 is slated for production. My guess is that depending on how well the SS program is received will determine its place in the future C7 lineup. Myth 5: The demise of the Corvette Z06 would cause a lot of consternation among the fan base, especially if the SS program is slated to run only two years. Corvette fans like options, and the idea of a Base/Z06/SS lineup has a lot of appeal.


Source:
PopularMechanics.com via Autonewsguide.com

Related:
Spy Photos: Little Red (SS) Corvette
Blue Devil Corvette to be Named SS



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2 COMMENTS

  1. Gives credit to a story I ran earlier about the LS9 being tested in an automatic – thanks for sharing CorvetteBlogger!

  2. Rick:

    Thanks for the comment. I remember that story now. As I said in my comments, it will be interesting to see how the base will take this news if it indeed turns out to be true. There will always be a case of wanting what you can’t have, but when spending $100K on a car, obviously the more choices you can give the consumer the better.

    Keith

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