Concerned ME Will Be “Corvette Looking?”

[John]

During the 1.13.13. C7 official GM presentation video, Corvette’s Design Manager Kirk Bennion noted , and then afterwards, then GM’s Vice President of Worldwide Design reinforced important C7 design standards. I believe that what they then stated, will be completely C8 applicable, even stated, during the 7.18.19’s reveal initial video?

The new Corvette has to look like a Corvette, that is its most important key, but within that proportional envelope, we really wanted to make key, game-changing moves on the car.

Kirk’s comments (quoted verbatim, but if you would like to see them, they start at 7:11 in the below video.

Right after Kirk’s statement, Mr. Welburn added:

[Quote=EdWelburn]It is a far more international design, in many ways a far more exotic design, gotten more worldly looking, true to its Corvette roots, but is like it has grown up in many ways, in positive ways. At its core, it is obviously Corvette from end to end. [While Ed retired three years ago, the C8’s exterior design has been fully completed under his watch.]

I can imagine some those identical comments being re-stated during 7.18.19 initial video presentation, but more importantly that they have been critical C8 design parameters as far back as when the ME was first mentally envisioned, then transferred from initial sketches to the early clay models, and finally imprinted in its finished body panels.


Are you concerned or confident that the C8 will look like a Corvette?

[MidEngine]

It sure will be different looking from the current Corvette. I think however, it will have many of its design cues and still look like a Corvette

[Z_Rocks]

C8 definitely has Corvette's "Signature", no doubt about it, just a more modern looking Corvette.

But I tell you, once you see the final C8 in flesh, C7 is going to look old very quickly in your brain. That happened to me when C7 came out (especially the front lights), the C6 looked dated from that moment on.

I love the "Shape" of C8, as the driver is closer to the front and the L O N G hood is not obstructing the front view like previous gens. Now it will be like sitting in Lambo and can see the road.

[ZORA 69]

Sometimes we can not see Corvette when the design changes are so drastic, but Corvette is always there in spirit, and finally we see CORVETTE. For example , the change from the C1 to the C2 (62 to 63 ) The front changed dramatically with those new found electrical headlights, though, the rear only changed a little. Now look at the front end of the 2020 C8. Is Zora talking to the designers?? Sure looks like the front of a C3 (1969) to me. 1969 , the year Zora took the first Mid Engine car to The New York show in May of that year. Always thought out of respect for Zora that was to be the venue for the reveal of the C8 by GM. Though disappointed. GM did send the Chief Designer and CEO at least to announce from NY when the reveal would be.

[Plasboy]

That it would look Corvette was never my worry. Just hoping it is good looking, well engineered and priced not too much above current levels.

[John]

If those are your three hopes Plasboy, we can all see your grinning right now.

[Nitrobrother]

Define what a Corvette looks like

Each generation has always evolved and moved the design forward.

C1 -> C2: IRS, better aero due to hidden headlights, a coupe ("A coupe, for God's sake! Who on earth wants an enclosed sports car!"), eventually disc brakes, big block, and air conditioning ("AC? In a SPORTS CAR???");
C2 -> C3: Mako Shark styling ("Looks like a dang arrow"), fiber optics, removable roof panels, eventually a hatchback ("What is this, a Vega?");
C3 -> C4: Wider ("This thing's as wide as my mini van!"), one piece roof panel, no "grill", large diameter wheels, and (gasp!) non-round taillights;
C4 -> C5: Wider still, nostrils are back, oval taillights, bigger side vents, eventually a fixed roof coupe ("How can they dare take away my open-top 'Vette!")j;
C5 -> C6: No more hidden headlights, smaller overhangs, more "edges" in the details - fewer rounded edges;
C6 -> C7: What rounded edges?

The C8 will have two seats, a V8, better-than-normal handling and performance, and be just out of reach of the Average Joe. And the C9 will be even further Out There. Just like it always has been.

Also, the side vents have been there on the front fender, sometimes exhausting hot air out of the engine compartment, since early on. Will the C8 continue that design concept?

[meyerweb]

During the 1.13.13.

Are you concerned or confident that the C8 will look like a Corvette?

Not the least bit concerned. The lightly camoed cars photographed at MPG show very strong Corvette themes, from the arc of the fenders and recessed hood to the sharp nose and low grill to the tumblehome (the shape of the cabin roof - including the roofline and the shape and angles of the front, side and rear glass).

The only thing that to me doesn't really say "Corvette" is the very curved back end, but there's still a lot of camo there even in the MPG photos, so we'll wait and see.

[Cobra502]

Yes it will look like a Corvette, all you have to do is put the "Victory Wings" on it!!

[JB]

Stirring the pot...creating controversy...its what many journalists do..

change is good...evolution, revolution..

i love all generation corvettes yet each one is different from the last.

thats what is fun about the auto industry or at least one of the aspects that many of us enjoy.

im looking forward to the rebalancing of design cues...

i believe when designers dont do tjat its kind of boring and often times leads to create a need for restyling even sooner...

sports car enthusiasts love even better handling, even quicker initial turn in, quicker acceleration etc..

as awesome as the c7 is, the standard model, the z51, the grand sport, the z06 and the mighty ZR1....there will be aspects of the rear mid engine c8 that are even better. Even more appealing...

personally I am anxiously awaiting july 18 th ....im glad i am on one of our supporting vendors lists for a new c8...

reading these articles by the automotive internet journalists...remember there goal is for clicks...

to find a new twist to get viewers to read the latest article is challenging...

this was a headline and an article designed to get peoples attention..l

it worked...i think they are dead wrong in their assumption that the c7 as awesome as it is...is the absolute pinnacle of perfection, far exceeding the needs or desires of performance oriented auto enthusiasts and for the love of god...corvette enthusiasts...

not all corvette owners just sit in lawn chairs at car shows...

a lot of us enjoy pushing the corvettes we own to the limits (from time to time and in a rational and safe way)

[John]

JB, some many of your sentences are spot on! Thank you.

[C8Driving]

Just ran across this from GM.

[Supa_Fly_Z51]

That it would look Corvette was never my worry. Just hoping it is good looking, well engineered and priced not too much above current levels.

@plasboy
I totally agree with you. If it'll come with a Corvette emblem on it, then it'll be a Corvette 😜

It would be silly to think otherwise. It won't look like anything we've seen thus far. it'll look exotic, it'll be sleeker and definitely faster.

[Racer X]

Well one thing for sure, at least by now we know it's not a Caddilac

[Plasboy]

@plasboy
I totally agree with you. If it'll come with a Corvette emblem on it, then it'll be a Corvette 😜

It would be silly to think otherwise. It won't look like anything we've seen thus far. it'll look exotic, it'll be sleeker and definitely faster.

I don’t think just a Corvette emblem is all. It will have design cues and be exotic, beautiful and
perform better.