C6 revealed in San Francisco????????

[Michael W.]

Viper V12?

That would be something for the marketing boys to write home about.

[G B.]

If they had just made the butt a little bigger...

Naaah. That really isn't possible.

[Duke W.]

Re: Viper V12?

Yeah, the Viper is a V-10 as is the new Porsche Carrera GT supercar. I don't like V-10s because they have unbalanced rotating rocking couples in each bank. The V-12 is a beautiful configuration, but isn't real efficient for modest displacements.

A V-8 is really the most efficient in terms of package size, weight, and internal engine friction up to maybe about 500 CID. Consider that the cruciform crank V-8 was a GM invention in the late forties, and it's overall efficiency has caused it to be replicated worldwide.

For a given displacement a V-10 or V-12 should make more power, but at the cost of higher internal engine friction, higher fuel consumption, larger package volume, and greater weight. Though the 575 Maranello makes something on the order of 500 HP, it weights close to 3800 pounds, so it's straight line acceleration is about the same as Z06, It does have higher top speed, but gets hit with the gas guzzler tax. A current Z06 will lap short tracks as fast if not faster than a Viper or Maranello because it handles better than a Viper and a Maranello always runs out of brakes in a few laps because it's so heavy.

Up to about 500 CID a V-8 is probably the best engine package for a front "mid engine" car like the Corvette where the engine is setback so the front of the engine is at the front axle line to get decent weight distribution. This allows for a generous two-seater cockpit and cargo area without undue wheelbase or length.

There is currently speculation about a "Super Corvette", that will be carry an exoticar price, and probably more than eight cylinders. My take if that if GM does decide to build a supercar, it will be badged as a CADILLAC.

Duke

[Marty McDonough]

Disappointed

Didn't get excited at the c5, was hoping for something better. The Caddy CTS-V with 400HP is starting to look better & better
Marty

[Clem Z.]

Re: Disappointed

neat car if you need more room and it uses the corvette engine. with a 6 speed this car would be a blast.

[Joe L.]

Re: Disappointed

clem-----

The CTS with V-8 engine is only going to be available with a 6 sped transmission. No automatic will be offered, at least, not initially.

[Joe C.]

Ooops! I Was Thinking Marinello

Wishful thinking got the better of me. You're right Mike. But I'd still like to one up Dodge with the V12.

Joe

[Marty McDonough]

Re: Disappointed

I was talking to the CTS marketing manager at SEMA. 6-speed only. Loaded sticker was $50,500. Serious car. Shipping early December. Want to bet the dealer will have a little markup?
Marty

[Jack U.]

Re: Viper - Too noisy - V8 still "tweakable"

If you look at the last chapter of Dave McLellan's book on the future of Corvette, 500HP & 3,000 lbs. is still possible (page 271) with the "C5 architecture". Turbo charging or Super charging a 427 can take you to 750HP. They built the "Tiger Shark" to prove it. That's plenty to be considered a "Viper Killer".

Referring to the overwhelming power of these theoretic cars, John Moss spoke at Vettes on the Rockies a couple of years ago and hinted that if GM built these cars, you wouldn't see many of them on the road because they would be "in the ditch".

I wonder what the insurance would cost on something like this?

[mike cobine]

Cheap at twice the price

> I wonder what the insurance would cost on something like this?

Back in the early 70s, it was about $750 - $1000 every six on cars that would put you in a ditch. Figuring most have increased their salaries and other expenses about 8 to 10 times today, I'd guess anything under $16,000 a year in insurance could be a bargain.

[Clem Z.]

insurance on corvettes

back in 66/67 i was trying to sell my 1966 450 hp 427 conv and the insurance was so high on those hi perf cars the insurance payment a month was more than the car payment to the people that wanted to buy it. that was the first corvette i owned that i lost money on when i sold it.