New Corvette to take on new Viper in horsepower battle for supremacy!

Let the games begin! As the horsepower battles rage on, the latest to enter the fray is Mr Lutz announcing that GM intends to have the Corvette atop the hill once again. With Dodge announcing the Viper being bumped up to 600 hp, a more powerful Vette is needed. It has been speculated for the past few years that a supercharged version of the Z06 is in existance that produces around 650 hp. Throw in the fact that the Z06 is lighter than the Viper and it shouldn't even be a contest. The fact that there will be two cars, from factory, with over 600 hp is like some fantasy that you keep pinching yourself to wake up from. What a shame that the Ford GT is bowing out just when the fun was getting started. Will they bring the Shelby concept from a few years ago to the table to join the fun? We can only hope.

"As you all know, it is not our policy to discuss future product programs. However ... ," he said to laughter from the audience, "it is very important for Corvette to be the most powerful, most capable, best handling sports car in the United States."

Lutz acknowledged that "a recent competitor" had surpassed the top-level Corvette's horsepower.

"But the Corvette vehicle line executive will not take that lying down," Lutz said.

GM accepts Dodge Viper Challenge

I just hope that this trend continues. The trend where the big three offer a world class sports car with insane power, on that most of us will never be able to afford. In addition, a more affordable muscle car like the Mustang, Camaro, and Challenger. After that, build whatever hybrid, ugly crap you want to satisfy the masses, as it will be of little concern to me.

For much of my life I have wondered what it would have been like to grow up during the 60's when rear wheel drive V8 powered cars ruled the streets. Today, while many of the variants are now in 4 doors, rear wheel is back, as are high horsepower, much more efficient V8's. The three pony cars that changed the world back in the 60's are all back, looking much like their ancestors, but with new skin. Throw in the fact that the aftermarket for the vintage 60's cars is grown to the point that you can now buy a new 1969 Camaro body, perhaps things aren't so bad. In fact, maybe I have it better than I would have in the 1960's. Hell, with E85, we even have fuel that can support the high compressions of engines in the 60's without the lead or $5-$6 a gallon prices of today's race fuels. Yeah, things are a bit alright if you ask me.