GM accepts Viper SRT10 challenge, confirms "Blue Devil"

General Motors is determined to reclaim its king-of-the-hill position from the new 600-horsepower 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10, which was introduced this week in Detroit.

"As you all know, it is not our policy to discuss future product programs," product boss Bob Lutz said during a meeting with analysts on Thursday. "However, it is very important for Corvette to be the most powerful, most capable, best handling sports car in the United States." According to the Detroit Free Press, Lutz acknowledged that "a recent competitor" had surpassed the Corvette Z06 in terms of horsepower, but "the Corvette vehicle line executive will not take that lying down," he said.

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, but in recent months there has been some speculation as to whether the project was still a go. Lutz's comments confirm the Blue Devil is very much alive.