Jalopnik: Blue Devil

2009 Corvette Blue Devil or 2009 Corvette ZR1?

Ray Wert — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 09:45:00 EST

We heard an interesting comment from a PR staffer from the General last week that made us kind of wonder about whether GM's Chevy brand would be sticking to the ZR1 name reported by MotorTrend's Todd "Motor City Blogman" Lassa a couple of months ago. After I mentioned how I'm eagerly anticipating the ZR1's debut at the Detroit Auto Show in January I heard a quickly silenced laugh and the comment "If they ever end up sticking to one name." That suspicious comment combined with the very blue-colored engine cowl shots of the Corvette Blue Devil ZR1 SS Z07 we posted last night make us believe maybe the name really is in flux. We guess we'll have to wait and see if maybe this whole "ZR1" thing is nothing but "chasing bloggers' stories." All we know is those engine shots from last night are still up and no shock troopers banged the door down so we think we're in the clear.

The 2009 Corvette ZR1 Is The Corvette SS, Blue Devil, Mako Shark, Z07 Or Whatever

Ray Wert — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 07:45:00 EDT

Chevrolet's reputed 650-horsepower 2009 Corvette's been called by enthusiasts the "Blue Devil," the "Super Sport," the "Mako Shark," the "Z07" and all sorts of other monikers — but according to Todd Lassa, Motor Trend's Motor City Blogman, the up-powered 2009 Corvette will be officially called "ZR1." It's a badge with a wee bit o' history and according to Todd, it will appear on the car they'll be showing at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show in January and on the production version that will go on sale later next year as a 2009 model. Much like the facts provided by the boys at Popular Mechanics, Lassa's also telling us they'll still be using the supercharged version of the new 6.2-liter V8 — the same used in the 2008 Corvette that we've already seen shots of. Lassa's also got the scoop that the price will be "much higher than the 505-horsepower Z06" which Chevy will still continue to build post-launch of the "ZR1." Full gallery of production mule shots of whatever the new Corvette will be called below. [via MotorTrend Blog]

Which Upcoming Car Are You Most Excited About?

Jonny Lieberman — Fri, 25 May 2007 11:15:00 EDT

Used to be that automakers would introduce a new model each and every year. Think Chevrolet Bel Air 1953-1959. These days, they don't do that. But thanks to the relentlessness of blogs, busted embargoes and the obsessiveness of enthusiasts, we are treated to a constant trickle (if not stream) of spy shots and sexy rumors. So which potential product has you in the tightest tizzy? Chevy's Blue Devil? Jag's XF? That RWD coupe with the V8 from Hyundai? Audi's twin-turbo V10 RS6? Perhaps the Tesla? Ooh, what about the new ass-engined VW? What's hopefully going to float our boat? We're torn between the possibly reborn and M-powered BMW Z8/Z9. And well, frankly, the new Subaru STI. As it may come in wagon form only. Which we view as a form of payback. You? – Jonny Lieberman

[The Jalopnik Question of the Day runs daily unless we take off to San Diego for the weekend to brew and drink beer. Do you have a question you want answered? Email it to tips@jalopnik.com with the subject line "QOTD"]

Spy Photos: New Corvette SS / Blue Devil / Whatever Pics?

Ray Wert — Wed, 09 May 2007 08:46:54 EDT

The folks all about Corvettes in the Forum world are bringing some camera phone pictures to the internet of what they're claiming are more of the upcoming super-Corvette. Although we're not expecting to hear official word of the new 'vette that's been alternately called the "SS," the "Blue Devil" or "Rick's New Whip, By Bob" until Detroit, we've certainly already seen a lot of this super car's powertrain mule as of late. These pictures, on the other hand, if they're true, seem to indicate they're gettin' the sheet metal done as well. You may be asking why there's no pics of the back end though — our forum-friends claim the reason for that is

"It's not totally finished here in the pix, the reason for no back end pix is that there is still moulding clay over it developing the rear design..."

Well sure, that makes sense — when you're trying to hide 700 horses, why not leave a still-with-clay model open for anyone with a camera phone to see? – Ray Wert

Corvette SS pix... [CorvetteForum.com]

Lutz Says Corvette SS Project Safe, in Final Tuning Stage

Mike Spinelli — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 16:44:06 EDT

Apparently GM's "pause button" on gas-swilling, rear-drive pavement ionizers doesn't include the "Blue Devil" Corvette SS (or whatever). Vice-grip chair, Bob Lutz says that project was too late to stop. As you'll recall, an EPA proposal to increase CAFE fuel economy requirements, Lutz said earlier this week, caused GM to press the big, red stop button on its plans for cars to be built on its new global rear-drive platform. Those would be the Pontiac G8, next-gen Chevy Impala and ultra-luxe Cadillac. Lutz had said the new Camaro, which is built on the same platform, was also too late to stop. As far as the new 'Vette's engine is concerned, Lutz would only say it will be "comfortably in excess of 600 ." That's horsepower. What a little devil. – Mike Spinelli

2009 Corvette Blue Devil confirmed and in final tuning phase - Daily Auto Insider [Car and Driver]

Corvette SS Spy Photographer Now NOT In Jail?

Ray Wert — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 00:19:04 EST

Well lookie here, Josh Oliver from TheGMSource.com took some time away from breathlessly interviewing GM engineers to turn his attention breathlessly towards police officers in Romulus, MI. Here's what he's claiming to be the straight scoop from his lips to your (and Mark Truby's) ears.

"We did a little research of our own and can confirm, with the utmost certainty that the gentleman in question was NOT arrested or placed in police custody.

TheGMSource has been able to confirm that a civial complaint was filed today by General Motors in Romulus, Michigan. We can also confirm that no criminal charges have been filed by the Romulus Police Department and that...

...an investigation is still ongoing.
What is expected to happen next is a detective will be assigned to the case if it is deemed necessary. While we can not state specifics, we are told that the civil complaint is in regards to "a prototype being pictured by an employee."

So, to set the record straight. The gentleman in question was NOT arrested, nor placed in Police custody, and criminal charges are pending depending on the outcome of the ongoing investigation."

Hmm, this story's become much more strange with every sleepless hour. – Ray Wert

TheGMSource Exclusive: Civilian Who Leaked Corvette Images NOT Arrested [TheGMSource.com]

Corvette SS Spy Photographer Now In Jail!

Ray Wert — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 18:25:25 EST

We've just been told the guy who took the amazing up-close-and-personal shots of the Corvette that some have given the Wagonerian name of "Blue Devil" and at other times has been known by the SS moniker is nowt in jail. That's all we know at the moment. More to come. – Ray Wert

UPDATE: Autoblog's got the name of the shipping company the guy worked at. It's called EMO TRANS.

UPDATE #2: We know the guy worked for EMO TRANS and ~~was fired and that he was taken to jail in Romulus, MI~~. We've placed calls in to the Romulus police (who gave no comment) as well as e-mailed folks at General Motors (no reply received yet). We'll stay on top of this as we find out more information.

UPDATE #3: We're now hearing the dude's not in jail. Someone needs to tell these sources to get their facts straight. Jeesh!

Enter The "Blue Devil" Or "Blue Wagoner" Or Whatever: Lutz Confirms An "Appetite" For Big Horsepower Corvette

Ray Wert — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 16:12:23 EST

According to Automotive News, it's now official — GM plans to build a Super Corvette that's often referred to as the "Blue Devil" in reference to CEO Rick Wagoner's alma mater:

"Call it horsepower wars. In summer 2009, Chevrolet will add a limited-edition Corvette producing about 600 hp..."There is a distinct appetite for something beyond the Z06 in performance, beyond the Z06 in exclusivity and beyond the Z06 in price," GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz said in an interview last week. The car is expected to have styling cues that separate it from other Corvette models."

Thank god for "Maximum" Bob Lutz and his amazing ability to have shit just spew out of his mouth at the most random of random times. God bless that man and his diarrhea of the mouth problem. – Ray Wert

Maximum Corvette: Lutz Confirms Blue Devil Is Nigh

Mike Spinelli — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 09:13:39 EST

According to the Detroit Free Press, GM's Maxibob Lutz says the new, 600-hp Dodge Viper will soon have some competition from the General. Lutz confirmed what sources have been saying for over a year — that Chevrolet will build the high-powered super 'Vette known as "Blue Devil" or "Stingray" or, in some circles, "Paukert the Exclaimer." The car is expected to launch in 2009 with 650 hp, though a rumored hood scoop made of duct tape and cardboard boxes has yet to be confirmed. – Mike Spinelli

GM accepts Dodge Viper challenge [Detroit Free Press]

Related:
More on the Blue Devil Corvette [internal]

Crank it or Spank It? The Winding Road 'Vette Debate Rages On

Davey G. Johnson — Mon, 04 Dec 2006 22:45:00 EST

Over at Dubspeed, spy photog and minion of Priddy Chris Doane weighs in on his side of the Winding Road faux-Blue Devil prank. Kasey Kagawa follows Doane's piece up with a counterpunch of his own, stating that stunts like this are precisely what American autojournalism needs to shake it out of its own self-absorbed torpor. Thoughts? Ideas? Questions? Darts of pleasure? Valiants of lust? Comment away. – Davey G. Johnson

Counterpoint: Spy Photographer Chris Doane Weighs in on Winding Road's Fake Prototype 'Vette; Counter-Counterpoint: A Shot in the Arm [Dubspeed]

Sympathy For The Devil: Winding Road's Faux Hyper-Vette

Davey G. Johnson — Sat, 02 Dec 2006 02:15:00 EST

Over at the Vortex of Vee-Dub, a man named Zerin has posted Winding Road's rather awesome practical joke on the trainspotters of the Detroit Metro area. They took a regular 'Vette, added foam, much tape, marine vinyl and some white contact paper and tricked many people into believing it was a preproduction version of the stonking step-above-the-Z06 Corvette. We like this. We like it a lot. – Davey G. Johnson

The boys at Winding Road fooled everyone [VWVortex]

Related:
Blue Devil is Go! [Internal]

Spy Photos: 2008 Blue Devil Corvette...Again

Ray Wert — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 06:30:00 EST

Oh look, more pictures of the ever-talked about and certain to be announced "Blue Devil" Corvette. It's getting to the point that we know you can recite the rumored numbers The Car Connection repeats mantra-like by heart — "a supercharged Z06-derived 7.0-liter V8 with 600 hp and a $100,000 pricetag." All we've got to say is this little devil's due to make an appearance on an auto show floor at a date of "really, really, really soon." Sounds like a good way to keep the enthusiasts semi-erect until the real muscle car wars begin when the Camaro gets it's coming out party. – Ray Wert

Spy Shots: 2008 Chevrolet Blue Devil Corvette [The Car Connection]

Spy Photos: Another Blue Devil, Corvette SS, Z07, Whatever Spotting

Davey G. Johnson — Wed, 08 Nov 2006 18:30:00 EST

The allegedly-LS9-powered 'Vette has been spotted yet again on the mean streets of the town that's close to Wert's suburb, shot by a man with a cam who saw the camo'd up C6 and a bunch of guys typing on laptops in a manufacturer-plated Suburban. Sadly, dude was too intimidated to shoot more because he didn't want to get busted. Note to dude, if you happen to be reading this: they cannot bust you for taking photographs of cars they're driving around on public roads. Just carry a Glock in case they decide to get rough. They're engineers, not the Geheime Staatspolizei. Shoot all you want, they'll make more Corvettes. – Davey G. Johnson

[AND AGAIN] SS SPY PIC - Exclusive! [DigitalCorvettes]

Spy Photos: More on the 2008 Corvette SS, Stingray, Mako Shark, "Blue Devil," etc.

Mike Spinelli — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 09:30:49 EST

AutoWeek's spies heard the compressor's whine under the hood of this prototype, which hearkens a limited-edition supercar 'Vette. The latest development in the "Blue Devil" saga (named after an early test mule seen on the N rburgring), this hood scoop'ed Z06 was reportedly on the way to the EPA for emissions and fuel consumption testing — relative to the 6.2-liter supercharged V8 that will power Chevrolet's first $100,000 Corvette. Call it the SS, the Z07 or the Sting Ray, just don't call it late for 2009. – Mike Spinelli

Super Vette Spied! Again! [AutoWeek]

Spy Photos: 2008 Corvette SS, Stingray, Mako Shark, "Blue Devil"

Mike Spinelli — Wed, 04 Oct 2006 08:03:04 EDT

Crap, look at that hood scoop. Some new shots of what looks to be a test mule for the oft-discussed, $100,000 "Blue Devil" Corvette emerged in the 'Vetteosphere. Spy photogs recently bagged this highly scooped specimen, which spy Chris "the ear" Doane says could only be powered by a supercharged 6.2-liter V8. Speculation is that the new super 'Vette, which could be called "SS," "Stingray," "Z07," "Mako Shark," or other construct involving marine life, the letter Z, or a number of Ss run concurrently, will produce 650 hp and use carbon fiber to lighten its curb weight under the Z06's bulk. "Blue Devil" is dead. Long live something else.

Captured! Corvette Blue Devil (Stingray?) Mule In The Flesh [Winding Road]

Related:
More on the "Blue Devil" Corvette [internal]

Automobile on the 650 hp Corvette

Mike Spinelli — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 09:35:11 EDT

Jean Jennings and her boys at Automobile report that the speculated-upon "Super 'Vette" (nee Blue Devil) will use a variation of the Z06's 7.0-liter LS7. The new model may be called the Z07 and will get its extra gumption by way of a bolt-on supercharger. As reported back when spy folks first started spotting the devilish Viper-challenger on various test tracks, the reportedly $100,000 heartland scorcher will be fitted with weight-saving carbon-fiber body panels and an outsized hood scoop large enough to feed that oxygen-hungry mill. We'll likely see it by 2008.

Over the Back Fence: "Blue Devil" Vette to Have 700hp

Mike Spinelli — Wed, 05 Jul 2006 12:12:46 EDT

Unsubstantiated tips come and go, but some stick around like relatives. If there's anything right in the world, this tip — which adds to the broadening legend of the "Blue Devil" Corvette — sticks. It's from a guy who knows a guy who's been to a master-mechanic's seminar on fixing the supercharged mill that will allegedly power the Dodge Viper-smoking 'Vette. According to the guy's guy, 700hp is in the works.

"My VERY RELIABLE source tells me the new Corvette is going to come with 700+ N/A HP!!!! I didn't believe him until he said he went to the class that shows them how to repair the engine. My source has been a Master Chevy mechanic his entire career.
He also mentioned there will be 2 new supercharged CTS-V and the convertible (forget the name) Caddy's. The design of the supercharger actually puts the intercooler inside the intake manifold, cooled by a front end radiator.

Whoa, mama. [Thanks to Kurt for the tip.] [UPDATE: Catch of the day goes to Frank, who points out that N/A could mean "naturally aspirated," mitigating rumors of supercharging. Can anyone say LS9?]

Blue Devil Equals Sting Ray: New Corvette to Get Good Old Name

Mike Spinelli — Wed, 07 Jun 2006 10:49:53 EDT

We've been stalking the "Blue Devil" Corvette since the prospective 200-mph 'Vette was first spotted last year tearing up the N burgring with LeMans champ Jan Magnussen at the wheel. Word followed that it was powered by a supercharged version of the Z06's LS7 V8 pushing 600hp and used carbon fiber panels to reduce weight. Now, lots of months and heaps of speculation later AutoWeek says the super 'Vette, which could arrive as early as 2007, has been internally designated "Sting Ray" to jog the memories of white-haired, budget-approving executives — an attempt to keep the halo product from being shelved amid cost cutting. Pretty sneaky, sis.

Corvette Blue Devil project reportedly now called Sting Ray [AutoWeek]

Related:
More on the "Blue Devil" Corvette [internal]

Over the Back Fence: Blue Devil Corvette Coming in Spring 2007?

Mike Spinelli — Tue, 16 May 2006 13:05:39 EDT

The following cryptic message showed up today on Digital Corvettes. Apparently penned by a Chevrolet dealer, it may offer new insight into the upcoming "Blue Devil" Corvette. Not a hell of a lot of insight, mind you, but just about any is welcome.

"A SPECIAL LIMITED EDITION IS BEING PLANNED FOR NEXT SPRING - NO HARD DETAILS UNTIL 1st of THE YEAR OR SO...."

If Donna doesn't show up soon, we're gonna have to wait some more.* (Thanks to Sebastian for the tip.)

[*Name that reference]

Related:
More on the "Blue Devil" Corvette [internal]

Blue Devil is Go!

Davey G. Johnson — Tue, 02 May 2006 17:21:28 EDT

Chevrolet's long-rumored ber- monstrous Godzilla Vette, alternately referred to as the Blue Devil or SS, is slated for reality. According to GM performance cars honcho Tom Wallace. And yes, it will have 600hp. According to Wallace, the biggest problem is figuring how to make that horsepower usable. Still, we have no hard data on whether the car's long-debated LS9 mill will be naturally-aspirated or supercharged.

To Hell and Back [AutoWeek]

Related:
Over the Back Fence: Corvette LS9 for 2008 [Internal]

Over the Back Fence: New LS9 Corvette to Be Blown LS7

Mike Spinelli — Tue, 07 Feb 2006 11:49:05 EST

One of our sources, now in deep cover somewhere in the Detroit area, reports the long-speculated "Blue Devil" corvette's "LS9" engine will be a supercharged LS7, not a spanky new DOHC mill as had been rumored. So does this rumor trump the earlier rumor, or will a a third rumor the same as the first trump them all? D'oh.

Related:
Over the Back Fence: Corvette LS9 for 2008 [internal]

More LS9 Intrigue

Davey G. Johnson — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 21:47:27 EST

Over at Corvette Road, they've got a CAD drawing of what may or may not be the LS9. Looks weird to us. And why a CAD drawing with the engine covers on. From the width of the thing, it could be DOHC, as rumored last week. Something seems kinda fishy about this to us, but we can't quite put our finger on it. Go check it out, come back and weigh in.

Could it be the NEW LS9 Engine Diagrams? [Corvette Road]

Related:
LS9 to be DOHC? [Internal]

LS9 to be DOHC?

Davey G. Johnson — Fri, 20 Jan 2006 22:42:51 EST

The Corvette hasn't had a DOHC powerplant since Clinton's first term, and while the LT5 was a pretty awe-inspiring mill in the day, it's handily destroyed by today's LS7 and is matched by the 'Vette's base motor. However, a document posted on the DigitalCorvettes forums may point to the fact that the LS9 will indeed ditch the pushrods and put the cams over the valves. Then again, it could all be a buncha hooey.

[LS9 DOHC info?] I have something to show you [Digital Corvettes]

The Forums Are Aflame With the Whine of Blowers: Corvette SS Rumors?

Davey G. Johnson — Mon, 19 Dec 2005 15:38:46 EST

Featuring more blackouts than the COINTELPRO papers, documents have been posted on Digital Corvettes about the supposedly-upcoming ber-Vette motor. While nothing's been verified, said documents have been the course of much speculation on the forum. Could the LS9 be a simpler, less-expensive blown motor than the LS7 with all of its titanium gewgaws and dry-sumpage? What shape will the Blue Devil/SS take? Interestingly, there seems to be some evidence in the documents that there could be an automatic Z06 in the 'Vette line's future. Then again, it could all be a big hoax.

[Real or not?] Corvette Super Sport "SS" scans [Digital Corvettes]

Related:
The Corvette Blue Devil: More Spy Shots [Internal]