With all of Malibu’s dealers on hand, the stage was set, and Malibu didn’t disappoint. The newest Corvette Limited Edition Sport-V features plenty of styling influences from the C6 Corvette, along with a few unique Malibu touches.

As a follow-up to a partnership in the late 1990′s that was responsible for the original Corvette ski boat, Malibu and GM have teamed up again to produce an updated version of the Corvette for the water. In stark contrast to the original limited edition that was based on the direct-drive Echelon, the new model is a v-drive, featuring a new hull that is not shared with any other model.

Read on for more details, as well as a video of the Corvette on the water.

Gallery: 2008 Malibu Corvette Limited Edition

Malibu treated GM excutives in charge of the Corvette brand to a sneak peak at the brand new 2008 Malibu Corvette Sport-V. The newest version of this very special boat is based on the latest road=going ‘Vette, the C6. With distinctive styling cues on the inside and out, the Malibu Corvette is as close to the real thing as you can get on the water.

The GM Trademark and Licensing representatives that inspected the boat were impressed with the accuracy with which key features were reproduced, and look forward to seeing the official unveiling of the boat sometime in November.

Malibu employees that have seen the boat so far are equally impressed with the new Corvette.

“The C6 version of the Corvette boat has sparked innovation and the use of technologies never before seen in the water sports industry,” explained Dan Gasper, Director of the Malibu Boats Research and Development Center and Lead Designer.

If Malibu feels that strongly about the new boat, you can be sure there are some exciting features lurking under the deck of this new Corvette.

Read the full recap courtasy of Malibu on their blog: GM Visits Malibu Boats For a Peek at Newest Corvette.

Malibu announced today that GM has chosen them as a partner yet again to bring the iconic Corvette back to the water. This marks the second time Malibu and GM have teamed up to bring America’s best known sports car to the water.

The last generation Corvette boat was initially introduced in 1997 and was produced through 2001. Based on the Echelon direct drive hull, the original Corvette was a direct drive boat showing just how much things have changed in the last decade. First model year boats featured a custom built 425HP Callaway Supernatural engine. That hand built mill pushed the Corvette to over 65MPH in ideal conditions, but because it was hand built and extremely expensive, it was discontinued after the first year. Later models featured 375HP marinized GM LS1s that proved much more reliable, and nearly matched the blistering pace of the Supernatural powered boats.

There is much speculation about what the new Corvette will look like, but according to Malibu, it will be based off of a v-drive platform to increase appeal and desirability. Based on the C6 version of the Corvette, the new model will have an authentic LS7 engine available as part of the Z06 package. As the exact same engine offered in the Z06 ‘Vette, this 7.0L engine will feature a full 505HP, which should be more than enough power to provide plenty of entertainment on the water.

Malibu promises more details in the next month, so stay tuned as we get closer to seeing what the latest Corvette Limited Edition watersport boat from Malibu will look like.

Rumor Confirmation: The Corvette boat is coming back!

Imagine our surprise when a routine visit to the Malibu Boats website turned up a sneak peak at the new redesigned 2008 version. Then, just as quickly as it had turned up, it disappeared again, waiting until the official launch to be released. Fortunately we were able to grab some shots of the new site while it was up. We’re not sure if the brief display was intentional or not, but here’s a review based on our brief look at the new site.

The new website features a predominantly white color scheme which lends to a much lighter feel and allows the reader to focus on the content. Additionally, navigation throughout the site is much improved over the previous versions, and it appears as though someone that actually has experience designing websites was in charge of this project. Even more impressive is the fact that the site seems to be almost completely functional under both Safari and Firefox, something that Malibu’s Internet Explorer focused designs have failed to do in the past. Whether or not that was intentional or entirely accidental is tough to say, but it’s nice to see.

This is the first public look at the 2008 model line, and together with this new platform, we must say 2008 looks to be an exciting year for Malibu. With the new website up and running far sooner than any redesign in past years, we’ll get more time to check out the changes for 2008. Accidental or not, we’re glad we got a chance to preview the new site. The official launch should be any day now, so stay tuned to MalibuBoats.com for a chance to check it out in person.

Gallery: 2008 Malibu Boats Website Sneak Peak

We’ve posted a full gallery of the interior on the new Wakesetter 23 LSV. There are detailed shots of all of the improvements, including the few elements such as the driver’s dash that were completely redesigned. Overall the entire interior has received an update, with the update hitting some areas more than others.

At first glance, the dash is definitely the most noticeable change. The new design is much taller, and features a deeper, more substantial look that is slightly reminiscent of the original Malibu Skier and Sunsetter models. Other major changes at the helm include the addition of Malibu’s New Multiplexed Graphical Display Switches and a new throttle assembly that replaces the standard black Morse MV-2 with a billet aluminum version.

Another change is the more convenient location of the headunit in the walk-through to the open bow, although we’re sure some people would have preferred that it stay under the armrest where it is less accessible to the passengers on the boat and less susceptible to accidental contact. Other changes to the stereo include the relocation of the front speakers from on the dash, where they reflect directly off the windshield and into front seat passengers, down to the walk-through. This is a welcomed change, not only because it will make changes the dash speakers easier, but it should also result in sound that is less harsh and more natural up front.

The side panels in the interior also received a mild redesign, although the LED back-lit Malibu plates as well as the surplus of cupholders we’ve come to expect are still present, just in a slightly different configuration. The rear entertainment console has been replaced in favor of a low profile recess that can house an optional rear remote.

As usual, many of the changes made will probably be controversial, but the entire package is another attractive design with incredible attention to detail and the execution we’ve come to expect from Malibu. What about you, what are your thoughts on the new interior layout and features? Let us know in the comments!

Gallery: 2008 Malibu Wakesetter 23 LSV Interior

It’s official, here are the first images of the brand new 2008 Wakesetter 23 LSV that Malibu has released. You can view the official press release we posted earlier for all of the details.

The overall look of the new 23 is pretty much what we expected; it looks like a cross between it’s big brother the 247 and the diminutive VTX model. The side profile is slightly modified due to the revised standard progressive gelcoat pattern that will be used on all 2008 models, but by and large the looks are dominated by the revised chine of the Cut Diamond hull.

Inside the boat features a new interior with a revised dash design that incorporates new LCD switch panels. Also new is the optional walk-over transom with provides a clear path to the swim platform without subjecting the vinyl on the hatches to additional wear-and-tear.

Gallery: 2008 Wakesetter 23 LSV

Early reports are that the brand new Wakesetter 23 LSV we announced earlier today (and it’s sister boat, the Wakesetter 23 XTi) will use the same frame-less windshield that was introduced on the Wakesetter VTX and Response LXi models for 2007.

This windshield received a lot of criticism early on for it’s unorthodox design, especially the chromed corner posts with circular reliefs. We’re still out on the overall design, the unobstructed view from the older windshield without any support bars in front of the driver was tough not to love.

One thing is for sure, this is the new corporate windshield we can expect to see on all Malibu models, so we better just get used to it.

What do our readers think, is the new windshield an improvement, or was the older style wrap-around glass the best option? Let us know in the comments and we’ll pass the feedback on to Malibu.

The name may be a bit complicated, but Malibu’s new LCD control panels aim to simplify the use of all of the primary and secondary accessories and features on 2008 Malibu models. By completely replacing the physical rocker switches used in past Malibu’s with large, easy to read LCD panels, Malibu has created a control system that can adapt depending on what features you’re adjusting.

The new switches make use of physical buttons across the bottom of the each large LCD display panel to allow for finger-tip adjustement without taking your eyes off the water. The new switch plates are also integrated with the new Malibu/Rockford Fosgate stereo, which eliminates the additional Sony remote that has been installed at the dash. It’s now possible to adjust the stereo without reaching for the headunit, and without removing your attention from the water ahead.

Read more about his unique innovation after the jump.

Face it, Malibu is on a roll. Year after year they continue to refine their product line with impressive performance and innovative features. From Industry accolades like Powerboat Magazine’s Boat of the Year Award to consumer demand that they can barely keep up with, it’s obvious Malibu knows exactly what they’re doing.

For 2008, the Wakesetter 23 LSV model, one of the staples of their lines, is the subject of their attention. From the hull up, this 23 foot powerhouse is completely new. Riding on the Cut Wake hull Malibu introduced on their 247 LSV and VTX models the two previous years, this new model makes use of all of Malibu’s existing wake building technology, as well as some new advances making their debut.