Chevrolet is now offering Corvette Z06 or ZR1 Buyers the option to go to the engine factory and build the engine (under supervision) that will go into their Corvette!

Would you want to do this with your Cadillac CTS-V?  Actually, the Chevrolet option is enabled by the fact that the engines for these models are made by hand at the Performance Center, as the 4.4L S/C V8 in the STS-V was from 2006-2009.    Offering the same option on other models would require a bit more thought.  It is a special experience to help build your next car, and I hope that GM continues to develop this type of thoughtful interactive option.

DETROIT – For enthusiasts who want to be personally involved in creating their Corvette, Chevrolet’s new Corvette Engine Build Experience allows them to literally build the engine for their new car.

In what is believed to be the world’s most hands-on super car program, customers who order a 2011 Corvette Z06 or ZR1 can choose an option to help assemble their cars’ LS7 or LS9 engines at General Motors’ Performance Build Center (PBC) in Wixom, Mich.

“Corvette owners are some of the most passionate – and most involved – enthusiasts in the industry,” said Jim Campbell, U.S. vice president, Chevrolet marketing. “The Corvette Engine Build Experience offers customers an unprecedented opportunity to participate, hands on, in creating the car.”

In addition to building their own engines, Corvette buyers can attend driving school in Arizona or Nevada, take delivery of their vehicles at the National Corvette Museum or watch their vehicles being built at the Corvette assembly plant in Bowling Green, Ky.

“In a way, this is a dream program for a Corvette customer. I would have jumped at the chance to build the 427 in my ’67 ’Vette, and that didn’t have half of what goes into one of these modern precision engines,” said Tom Stephens, GM vice chairman, Global Product Operations. “Today’s LS7 and LS9 Corvette engines are pinnacle achievements in engineering, and to personally involve our customers in their final creation shows the depth of Chevrolet’s commitment to make lasting connections with the customer.”

The Engine Build Experience is an option with a suggested retail price of $5,800. When a customer selects the PBC option for a 2011 Corvette Z06 or ZR1 and the dealer submits the order to Chevrolet, a special concierge contacts the customer to verify participation and help coordinate arrangements. While travel arrangements to and from Metro Detroit are the customer’s responsibility, the Chevrolet concierge helps schedule the engine build; coordinates the customer’s activities at the Performance Build Center; assists with booking local lodging and meals, and arranges local transportation.

At the PBC, the customer doesn’t merely view the engine’s assembly; he or she builds it under the supervision of and support from skilled technicians. When the engine is assembled, a personalized nameplate is added to the engine next to the builder’s name. It is then sent to the Corvette assembly plant for installation in the customer’s car.

The Corvette Engine Build Experience is possible because of the hand-assembly processes used at the 100,000-square-foot PBC. Technicians hand-build the Corvette Z06’s LS7 7.0L engine, the Corvette ZR1’s 6.2L supercharged LS9 engine and a variation of the Corvette Grand Sport’s LS3 6.2L engine. The PBC incorporates the best practices of low-volume niche manufacturers and the established quality and manufacturing standards at GM to ensure the highest-quality specialized engines.

Like all engines assembled at the PBC, Engine Build Experience engines are covered by Chevrolet’s five year / 100,000-mile transferable powertrain warranty.

The Engine Build experience is the latest program Chevrolet offers for Corvette owners. Other programs include:

• Corvette plant tour, where customers can follow their vehicle down the Bowling Green assembly line
• Corvette Museum delivery, where customers take delivery of their new Corvette at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green
• Corvette ZR1 Driving School, which offers complimentary attendance at either Bob Bondurant’s Corvette Driving School in Arizona, or Ron Fellows’ Corvette Performance Driving School near Las Vegas.

“Simply put, no other sports car manufacturer can match the level of personal customer involvement that Corvette offers,” Campbell said. “The Corvette Engine Build Experience takes this personal involvement to an unprecedented level.”

For more information, see facebook.com/corvette

Today I received an email from Cadillac — another good reason to be on their mailing list — with a ‘personalized private offer’ on a new model.  Now this was not an email for some super special Blogger discount, but clearly targeted at current owners and the Preferred Pricing program.

I am currently on the lookout for a great deal on a lightly used 2010  CTS Premium or 2008 STS-V, or on the outside rail eventually a 2009 CTS-V.  Certainly if I could manage a new CTS Premium that would also fit my needs.

The gist of the current offer is a $1,500 discount on a Cadillac on top of (below?) Supplier Preferred Pricing, and in addition to any cash discounts currently on offer.  So in the case of a remaining inventory 2009 CTS, that would be $4K cash back, Supplier Preferred Pricing, and $1,500 off, or $8,847 off the retail price.

For a 2010 CTS premium there is no current Customer Cash offer, so it would be $3,403 off the retail price with Preferred Pricing and Private Offer.

Dear Bruce,

There’s only one thing we take as seriously as designing, engineering and building the best cars and trucks on the road: taking care of the people who own them.

In this spirit, we’re offering a personalized private offer created especially for valued owners like you. Use it to receive $500 purchase or lease cash(1) toward an eligible, new 2010, 2011 or remaining 2009 Chevrolet, Buick or GMC vehicle of your choice, or $1,500 on any eligible Cadillac vehicle(1), now through September 7, 2010.

You can also combine this offer with the GM Supplier Discount and most current incentives for your greatest possible savings. This offer is also transferable to family members in your household.

I don’t think this will quite be enough to get me into a new CTS, but I like the fact that Cadillac is doing targeted marketing well.  There is no higher praise than my reaction — I immediately headed off to the pricing pages to see exactly what the price would be, and then what options I would need etc.  An advertisement that brings the Buyer to the discussion about which Cadillac to buy is a good deal.