2009 Corvette Sting Ray
Just as with the 2008 Corvette Sting Ray and abundance of rumors are currently circulating about the 2009 Corvette Sting Ray. There is also a wild debate regarding its proper name. Is it truly a 2009 Corvette Sting Ray (or 2009 Corvette Stingray), or will it be a Blue Devil or 2009 Corvette Super Sports (SS). Why not talk a walk down memory lane and produce a 2009 Corvette Mako Shark? Or perhaps the words Stingray, Mako Shark and Blue Devil should be turned in altogether in favor for some new cool marine creature and give car enthusiast all over the world a change to drive around in a 2009 Corvette Tarpoon or a 2009 Corvette Lionfish?
Regardless of what its name will be, 2009 Corvette Sting Ray or something completely different, most things point to that it will be similar to the Z06, but with several notable differences. The Z06 Corvette is a highly regarded platform ant the 505 hp LS7 is naturally a great point to start for anyone interested in building a mesmerizing sports car for the future. Chevrolet has announced that they plan to extend the displacement of the LS7 engine and increase the hp-rating from 505 hp to 650 hp with the help of a supercharger. To put it simple, the engine will be a truly supercharged 6.2 liter V-8 capable of an astonishing 650 horse powers!
Rumor has it that the 2009 Corvette Sting Ray (or Blue Devil or whatever you wish to call it) will feature an integrated intake-manifold intercooler and be capable of going from 0 to 60 mph in under 3.4 seconds. In addition to having an amazing engine, it will also have a bigger hood and include more carbon fiber body panels than the Z06. The use of polycarbonates will most likely also increase and it will come as no surprise if the 2009 Corvette Sting Ray turns out to weigh less than the current Z06.
Most car authorities agree that General Motors’ Performance Center in Michigan will produce the powerplant and that a very low number of units will be manufactured each year. The General Motors’ Performance Center is located in Wixom, a city in Oakland County, and people are already gathering around in hope of seeing the 2009 Corvette Sting Ray being tested.
The price tag for the 2009 Corvette Sting Ray is expected to land around $100,000. This is of course expensive compared to the base Corvette Z06 which cost $70,000 but the Corvette Z06 only had a 427 cu. in. 505 hp engine. Paying a $100,000 for a street car and get a whopping 650 hp must be considered a bargain compared to the alternatives.
Chief engineer for the 2009 Corvette Sting Ray is Tom Wallace who succeeded Dave Hill on January 1, 2006. He is not only a skilled engineer with plenty of experience; he is also an avid racer. His first contact with racing was when he engaged in amateur drag racing and gymkhana. Eventually, he began to road race with the Sports Car Club of America. This was over 30 years ago. Since then, the chief engineer for the 2009 Corvette Sting Ray has raced professionally in the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) American Challenge series in 1978-79 as well as competed in various sedan and GT classes in race-prepared Chevrolets, Buicks and Oldsmobiles. He has for instance been a part of Sebring 12-hour and Daytona 24-hour events.
