Corvette enthusiasts around the world are elated today with GM's announcement of more power for the 2008 Chevy Corvette.  In the world of sports cars, manufacturers are having to raise the horsepower numbers year after year just to keep up with the competition.  This year, Chevy does just that, adding .2 liters of displacement and 30 more hp to the base model Corvette.   

The 2008 Corvette will feature the all new 6.2 liter LS3 motor that puts out 430 hp and 424 lb-ft of torque.  This helps the BASE model Corvette to sixty miles per hour in a mere 4.3 seconds.  This is getting downright awesome.  The engine is now 376 cubic inches.  Manufacturers are discovering the power of displacement in recent years after seeing the success of the Dodge Viper with its 8.3 liter engine that produces over 600 hp now.  The guys at Chevy cant let their Corvette left behind.  The engine has a better flowing set of cylinder heads, larger valves, and a new intake manifold.  Also, a unique new option, is a baffled sport exhaust system with butterflies that operate much like the exhaust on the Z06 model.  The butterflies stay closed below a certain RPM, giving the driver a quiet, smooth exhaust note.  However, reach a certain RPM and the baffles open, releasing the harmonious sounds of an uncorked 6.2 liter V8.  The sport exhaust system adds 6 hp and 4 lb-ft of torque. 

Probably the most exciting part of this announcement is what it could mean for the Z06 and SS Corvettes.  If Chevy is raising the displacement of the base model cars, what on Earth do they have planned for the upper-echelon models.  Stay tuned to RPM Planets as more information becomes available on the new Corvettes.  We could be in for quite a surprise when the Z06 comes out.