A debate is raging within General Motors over the engine layout of next-generation C7 Corvette, according to AutoExtremist. On one side are engineers and product planners who think it's time for the 'Vette to move to a mid-engine layout. In the opposite camp are those who believe tradition and cost considerations are enough to keep the engine up front.

A mid-engine Corvette would most likely cost more than the existing model. What's more, some purists would almost certainly decry such a major change, considering its impact on handling and exterior styling.

Columnist Peter DeLorenzo speculates GM might opt to keep the C7 front-engined, and perhaps build a more expensive and extremely limited production mid-engine model. Such a technological showcase would be a "statement" car from GM, DeLorenzo says.

Marking his championship tenure with Corvette Racing’s GT1-class domination in the ALMS, Corvette racing living legend Ron Fellows is celebrated with a specially prepared 2007 Corvette Z06 production model. All are distinguished by Arctic White paint (including the door handles) that is accented with a racing-style fender stripe and Ron Fellows’ autograph.

“Ron Fellows is a part of Chevrolet’s racing heritage, and he has been instrumental in the remarkable success of the Corvette Racing team in the American Le Mans Series,” said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. "The special signature-series Z06 model that bears his name will forever link him to one of the greatest eras in factory racing, which has produced six consecutive ALMS GT1 manufacturers championships, and counting.”

The front fender graphics are reminiscent of the identifying graphics of the Corvette GT1 race car. They feature double Monterey Red Metallic stripes with Machine Silver borders and Fellows’ autograph in a contrasting Victory Red shade, along with the callouts of the championship years when he was at the wheel. There is also a maple leaf logo motif incorporated with the graphics, a nod to Fellows’ Canadian heritage. Indeed, the red-over-white color scheme of the car’s paint and graphics represents Canada's colors.

This special Corvette Z06 is the first signed special edition in Corvette’s 54-year history, and is the first Arctic White Z06 ever offered. Only 399 are planned for production: approximately 300 for the United States, 33 for Canada and 66 for other export markets.

Exterior cues include a full-width racing spoiler and a unique windshield banner. Additional standard equipment includes the well-equipped 2LZ package and chrome wheels. Special interior appointments include:

Red seats, center console, door panels and instrument panel
Red, leather-covered armrest with a Corvette-signature “cross flags” logo that is hand-signed and numbered by Ron Fellows
Tech pattern interior trim

An accomplished road racer, Ron Fellows is inextricably woven into the Corvette Racing team’s success. He helped test and develop the first Corvette C5.R race car and recorded the team’s first win in 2000. Fellows also grabbed the ALMS GTS class championship in 2002 and shared that position in 2003 and'04. Fellows has been a part of all six consecutive ALMS GT1 manufacturers championships for Chevrolet, and was voted the most popular ALMS driver in 2004 and'05. Additionally, he has slipped behind the wheel of NASCAR Nextel Cup Chevy Monte Carlo SS race cars when the series hits road courses. He’s also scored a pair of NASCAR Craftsman Truck series wins, three NASCAR Busch Series wins, 19 SCCA Trans Am wins and was the GM Player’s Challenge champion in 1989.

The Ron Fellows ALMS GT1 Champion Corvette Z06 will be available this spring. It carries an MSRP of $77,500, including destination. OnStar and the navigation system are the only options; and when equipped with them, the price is $79,945.

CHICAGO -- If 505 hp is good, can 600 be better?

Call it horsepower wars. In summer 2009, Chevrolet will add a limited-edition Corvette producing about 600 hp.

General Motors' announcement at the Chicago Auto Show last week follows a vow by GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz after the Chrysler group showed the 600-hp Dodge Viper last month at the Detroit auto show. That vehicle eclipsed the horsepower rating of the high-end Corvette Z06.

"There is a distinct appetite for something beyond the Z06 in performance, beyond the Z06 in exclusivity and beyond the Z06 in price," Lutz said in an interview last week.

The car is expected to have styling cues that separate it from other Corvette models.

The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 currently holds bragging rights among the Detroit 3 for having the most horsepower -- 600 from its V-10 engine. That is a 90-hp boost over the 2006 model; a 2007 model was not offered. Dodge says the Viper will go from 0 to 60 mph in less than four seconds.

Although Lutz did not mention pricing, industry sources expect the price for the limited-edition Corvette to approach $100,000. Currently there is a $25,505 step from the lowest-priced coupe to the Z06 coupe.

The 2007 Corvette coupe and convertible have a 6.0-liter, 400-hp V-8, while the Z06 has a 505-hp, 7.0-liter V-8.

Chevrolet produces about 3,000 Corvette Z06s annually. Production of the higher-horsepower Corvette would be lower.

Said Lutz: "Corvette has taken on the character of a brand" and can support several models.

A limited-edition Corvette producing somewhere around 600 horsepower will arrive in summer 2009 as a 2010 model, GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz said in a new interview.

"There is a distinct appetite for something beyond the Z06 in performance, beyond the Z06 in exclusivity and beyond the Z06 in price," Lutz told Automotive News.

GM has long been rumored to be working on a more powerful Corvette project known as Blue Devil, Sting Ray, Z07, or SS. Back in May, GM's head of performance cars Tom Wallace confirmed the car was under development.

Lutz' statement is the first confirmation of a timeline for the new Vette's introduction. At the Detroit auto show, he said GM would produce an answer to the 600-horsepower 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10. GM would "not take that lying down," he said.

Lutz said Corvette has "taken on the character of a brand" and can support several models. The current top-of-the-line Corvette is the 505 horsepower Z06, which rockets to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds. Chevrolet produces 3,000 Z06s annually. The new model would be even lower volume.