Thank the car gods.
Ever since the Chevrolet C8 Corvette made its debut back in 2019, fans of the mid-engined American exotic have been patiently waiting for Chevrolet to introduce more hardcore models. Recent updates of the Corvette include three new exterior paint colors for 2022, namely Hypersonic Gray Metallic, Amplify Orange Tintcoat, and Caffeine Metallic, and details are slowly being revealed about the electrified Corvette E-Ray. But the latest news is much more tangible.
According to
midenginecorvetteforum user John, the forum co-founder and admin, Chevy will be rolling Z06 N50 prototypes down the assembly line this month. According to forum users, N stands for the 2022 model year, and the number 50 signifies pre-production models.
Power versus weight.
The Dodge Durango was never the type of vehicle that we expected to morph into a performance car. But after the Hellcat engine was fitted to it, it has proved itself good enough to hang with some very special metal. We ve seen the six-seater take on a Lamborghini Urus and a Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, and its AWD system is good enough to leave a Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 for dead, at least for the first gear or two. But how would a Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat fare against something lighter but with less power, something like the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray?
According to Australia s
Wheels magazine, the Z06 will be the first Corvette since the C4 ZR1 to feature an engine without pushrods. It is said to be closely related to Cadillac s Blackwing 4.2-liter V8. It s not the first time that the Blackwing name could have merged with a Vette, but this time it seems like it ll actually happen. However, the report says that the engine won t have turbos as in the Blackwing, but will be built on the same assembly line and will have different cylinder heads and a flat-plane crank. As such, it is rumored to be capable of revving to 9,000 rpm. Oh, and it will be the most powerful normally aspirated V8 with a whopping 616 horsepower.
Forget that sub-$60k C8, it no longer exists.
Chevrolet was true to its word when it announced pricing for the 2020 Corvette Stingray coupe. Starting at $59,995, the C8 Corvette could be had for less than $60,000. Considering its power, performance, and much-improved handling and overall refinement compared to any of its predecessors, this is one hell of a great deal. But good luck trying to find any sub-$60k Vettes on dealer lots because, well, very few exist. Buyers understandably add options and packages, but Chevy was still able to promote that base price even when the 2021 model arrived. Until now.
It s been a rocky start to the year, to say the least.
Earlier this week, we reported that production of the Chevrolet Corvette was back on track after the Bowling Green, Kentucky plant where the mid-engine sports car was produced was adversely affected by the icy weather conditions. Unfortunately, Chevy isn t out of the woods just yet. According to Automotive News, General Motors plans to halt production of the Corvette from March 1 to 5 at the same plant due to another parts supply issue. However, the specific part was not explained, but it isn t the semiconductor chip shortage that has affected many other automakers.