Z06Vette.com - Corvette Z06 Forum - New Shots of 2009 Corvette SS Show Room for Supercharger, Carbon Fiber Roof and More:

***El Calor*** · 08-30-2007, 06:56 PM

August 29, 2007

DETROIT — Here's our latest look at what the Corvette folks have been working up for the ultra-fast coupe class, the 2009 Corvette SS. At least SS is the name most used in referring to this 600-plus-hp, supercharged beauty. You might think it looks like today's Corvette, except for the tape over the fenders and the black covering on the hood. But you'd be wrong.

Let’s go through the subtle—but very important—changes needed to make this a 200-mph car for the track. We think the hood covering hides a new bulge there—a necessary tweak to make room for that supercharger nestled near the vee at the top of the 6.2-liter V8 engine.

There's also a solid possibility that the new hood on the new ‘Vette is made of carbon fiber instead of the traditional Corvette fiberglass. If so, that's a major move toward weight savings. Based on the black top we’ve seen on our spy shots of this puppy in blue and then again in red—though it’s new to the yellow, which we’ve also already seen—we feel even more strongly that the prototypes are already carrying carbon-fiber black roof panels.

You might check out the stingy aero lip atop the deck in the rear. That’s new to the Corvette line, and a necessary accessory when traveling at high speed: At speed, the lip catches the air stream and forces the stream upward, creating a down pressure on the rear wheels (always good to have ultimate traction when moving at this car's hyperspeeds).

That black lower rear fascia arrangement surrounding the exhaust tips also looks new to us.

The rear view also shows new, stingy "mud flaps" that extend the fenders to cover the width of the Michelin tires. We told you before that Michelin and Goodyear were bidding for the tire contract for this vehicle, and so far it’s looking good for Michelin to take Goodyears off the Corvette for the first time ever. The Michelin sidewall details include "light load" and "outside" designations, with separate designs for each wheel. Rear wheels probably have an aspect ratio of 35 on 20-in. rims. Another detail near the fender is hidden beneath the black tape—probably two separate slots for air evacuation.

Finally, we see the design of the wheels themselves once again. Behind the dual five-spoke design on the outside of the rims, there are 10 additional spokes set inboard. As with the carbon-fiber body parts, the wheel design offers ultra-light, unsprung weight to aid handling and ride and to cut down on the vehicle's overall weight. Boy, is this beauty gonna need it. —Jim Dunne

http://www.popularmechanics.com/blog...s/4221132.html

itsaz · 08-31-2007, 03:17 AM

How come they fail to mention the right hand drive?

**MSiska** · 08-31-2007, 06:41 AM

I like the wheels, but man will they be hard to keep clean!

**jub jub** · 08-31-2007, 06:48 AM

It's looking good but I'm curious as to what the hood will look like. Right now it seems a little too bulbous.

Z O SICK · 08-31-2007, 12:03 PM

Hmm, I can't wait to see the final product.

***El Calor*** · 08-31-2007, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by itsaz

How come they fail to mention the right hand drive?

Haha I didn't even notice that! That is weird

ZO6 AL-X · 08-31-2007, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by itsaz

How come they fail to mention the right hand drive?

You mean the picture taken through the mirror?

Car's going to be a beast.

**RC45** · 09-01-2007, 12:29 AM

I will be in line for the first set of take off wheels that goes on sale.

Are those 19 or 20 x 13" wide hoops on the rear?

TheAngryTiTTy · 09-01-2007, 02:08 PM

I really hope that GM does more to the body to set it apart from the Z06. This car is going to be an icon and it deserves to looks more like a Super car rather than a Z06 with a different hood and wheels.

pauln64 · 09-03-2007, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jub jub

It's looking good but I'm curious as to what the hood will look like. Right now it seems a little too bulbous.

The hood might be something left to be desired...I say change it and go TT. STS can help with that

**panzer** · 09-03-2007, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheAngryTiTTy

I really hope that GM does more to the body to set it apart from the Z06. This car is going to be an icon and it deserves to looks more like a Super car rather than a Z06 with a different hood and wheels.

Yeah. Remember these are the same people that came up with the 'special' 50th anniversary model.

vettewarehouse · 09-03-2007, 09:03 PM

I have a strong feeling that the SS vette will have the same front end as the C6R!!!!!!
Same headlights and same hood scoop/s......

tambeng · 09-03-2007, 10:08 PM

Also read in the Automobile Magazine that it will be using the LS3 Engine as a base instead of LS2 engine and with Supercharge it will produce 650 hp.

No Doubt · 09-04-2007, 02:14 AM

Those photos gave me an idea. Everyone with a VY C6Z should cover the same areas of their own car with black construction paper. You can place styrofoam underneath and shape it just about any way you want to further the illusion.

Just think, you too could end up in a magazine as a "test mule"!

The Highlander · 09-22-2007, 04:54 PM

What i can't understand... is.. .why is it so much more expensive? they are using an engine which in the end will be cheaper than the z06... 6.2L ls3 with a supercharger.. I mean.. come on... what exotics are in this engine and why didn't they do it 7L?