OUT OF THE BAG; Internet fanatics uncover the next Corvette Z06, and General Motors is not pleased.

Byline: Mac Morrison

We have shown you the spy shots (AW, Oct. 18), now look at the above illustration and ask yourself whether the flared fenders, hood scoop and rear brake ducts might possibly represent the production version of Chevrolet's 2006 Corvette Z06. Not convinced? Consider the alleged (more on that later) specs: 3130 pounds; dry-sump 7.0-liter V8 engine featuring forged crank, titanium connecting rods, 11.0:1 compression ratio; and producing at least 500 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque.

If such Viper-nearing numbers are correct, the Z06 appears capable of supercar-like sub-four-second 0-to-60-mph runs on its way toward flirting with a similarly exotic-like 200-mph top speed. If you are having a problem swallowing any of this, it is likely because the car looks and sounds almost too good to be true.

That is exactly what Houston-based software consultant Paul K. (he asks that his full name not be used) thought to himself when, in his words, he stumbled across a short list of mechanical details and a reasonably clear photograph of the new Z06 on a website for Corvette enthusiasts (it's the one we based our illustration on). To help address his doubts, Mr. K., a C5 Z06 owner and enthusiast, turned to his fellow Corvette crazies and web forum regulars at Z06Vette.com.

"I figured if anybody knows if this is real, these guys will,'' he said. "I simply asked, `Hey, is this old or new info?' Because at that point, [I figured] I'm probably going to have 10 people saying old news, welcome to last week, etc.''

To the contrary, his forum post ignited debates over the photo's validity, as other Z06 fans claimed it to be everything from dead-to-rights real to an early concept to an electronically manipulated image. Within hours the argument and photo spread across the web, surfacing at other Corvette enthusiast sites such as digitalcorvettes.com, vette-net.com, corvetteforum.com and gminsidenews.com.

The arguments did not last long. Approximately 24 hours after Mr. K.'s original post (he claims not to remember where he first discovered the pic), General Motors contacted several website administrators to demand removal of its "property'' from their cyberspace. Mr. K. had, it appeared, unearthed the real deal. "You get this e-mail from GM saying take it down, it's our picture, right there... it's real. Done.''