We’re pretty sure what the Corvette’s future looks like– more sleek lines, more racey parts, and probably a whole a new mid-engine layout. But, for once, instead of focusing solely on this two-seater performance car we all know and love, we turned our focus to the creators behind it: General Motors. Other than teasing us with indistinct test vehicles running amok, what are they up to regarding the future of the Corvette?
Well, to be honest, there’s no way we can know for certain– but we have the next best thing– Tom Wallace, retired GM engineer who ran the Corvette program, and Bob Lutz, retired GM vice chairman and product developer, gives us their two-cents worth.
Before his retirement, Bob toyed with the idea of the Corvette name hosting more than just that of a sports car. Maybe this isn’t such a crazy thought– others performance brands have done it, so why not Chevy too?
Even though most performance enthusiasts despise their brand’s SUVs, the truth of the matter is that they bring in dough to help keep the brand creating these sportier cars. So, if a Corvette SUV did come into the picture, what would it look like? Detroit News went the full nine yards: talked to these former GM big wigs and brought us renderings of this presumed performance SUV, dubbed the XC7.
Both Tom and Bob agreed on the XC7 concept’s basics. “Front engine, rear drive, with AWD option. Lots of aluminum in the structure. Aluminum is mandatory to support the theme that Corvette embraces to be the lightest vehicle in its class. The two V-8s from the Corvette stable are also a must.” Bob suggested a retail price of about $50k. The only thing that might be holding GM back, though, is the chassis.
After formally discussing the idea, Tom told Detroit News, “The product would be a smash hit, Let’s convince GM to do it!” Now, Bob seems to believe Corvette should break off into its very own brand, “Corvette is a powerful brand that should be developed. Go upmarket with a mid-engine sedan using big Cadillac CT6 architecture, and maybe eventually something like Cayenne. They would split it off from Chevrolet — nobody makes that connection anyway.”