Potential C8 FE Corvette

[ltomn]

Credit: Hwasup Lee

This was a winning sketch from a Design competition conducted with the 10 GM Design Centers around the world in 2010. This is a classic example of what can be done without reinventing the entire front engine concept. Do remember that Ferrari's most expensive cars are front engine models and if GM maintains their front engine line with a vehicle like this, they could easily continue the popularity of that variety of their offerings. This is exactly why so many of us have championed the business model offering both front engine and mid engine models. With this degree of creativity, many might forego a mid engine in favor of a front engine. This is a concept design that can sell in the full scope of what is presently fiscally available. Thereby allowing the ME to fill the Halo Car niche.

All along, I, and numerous others, have said it was totally absurd for GM to forego the front engine format. This car, or something closely resembling it, would cement the position of the front engine vehicle in the coterie of Corvettes.

[John]

I am excited that once GM selected Hwasup Lee’s C7 design, now 8 years ago, that they smartly kept him working on additional Corvette versions. We have confirmation, for example, that he was integrally involved in the ZR1’s design (Source=Tadge). Hopefully, he continues to work on future ME and future FE Corvettes, for personally, I like his flair/style.

It is my belief that the C8 will be a ME, and that if there is a later FE, it would be a C9 debuting in 2022 (when the current C7 can no longer meet applicable safety standards).

Itomn, I do not believe you would have any problems with the next FE being called an C9 instead.

[ltomn]

I am excited that once GM selected Hwasup Lee’s C7 design, now 8 years ago, that they smartly kept him working on additional Corvette versions. We have confirmation, for example, that he was integrally involved in the ZR1’s design (Source=Tadge). Hopefully, he continues to work on future ME and future FE Corvettes, for personally, I like his flair/style.

It is my belief that the C8 will be a ME, and that if there is a later FE, it would be a C9 debuting in 2022 (when the current C7 can no longer meet applicable safety standards).

Itomn, I do not believe you would have any problems with the next FE being called an C9 instead.

John, I forget where it was mentioned but there was a fairly recent statement made that suggested work was already ongoing for a C9. Bluntly, I called it a C8 because there was no place to put it on the forum without that moniker. I do not believe that Hwasup's design has to be confined to the C7 designation. The design could easily carry forward to a upcoming model.

[ltomn]

This thread was started to expose the failure of the concept that GM was going to eliminate the front engine variant of the Corvette. It's main desire was to try to help people see that it does not make fiscal sense for a major corporation to negate a very valuable asset in the corporate portfolio. Business sense suggests that the possibility of them stopping the manufacture of a front engine model of the corvette, hoping that an expensive (by comparison to itself) mid engine vehicle will take up the slack is folly. That is kissing off a major asset and will certainly cause a major uproar with shareholders.

With this said, we peons of industry need to better understand the giants of industry that make the decisions! While it's certainly part of the decision, this is not a romantic endeavor intended to retain the historic nature of Corvettes from decades ago. GM is evolving as a car company and they are creating an additional supercar to put in their cashe of offerings. There is no reason to not compare the future to that of Ferrari. That is to say, a vehicle company can easily create a front engine model and a mid engine model in concert. The expansion of Bowling Green is a very expensive example of this desire. Evidence has shown that they can fully assemble two fairly different autos on the same line.

While the C7 has been declared mature, is is not yet dead. GM has openly stated that the model will be continued for a couple years. A new model of front engine vehicles can then step in. And if they are designed even remotely like Hwasup's render it will scare Ferrari more then Porsche! I like the sound of a GT for those that want to haul golf clubs to the Club in style! This can be win/win for GM and it's clients. I suggest they are a lot smarter then us and we will find that out in a few years.

[meyerweb]

It is my belief that the C8 will be a ME, and that if there is a later FE, it would be a C9 debuting in 2022 (when the current C7 can no longer meet applicable safety standards).

Itomn, I do not believe you would have any problems with the next FE being called an C9 instead.

Given that GM execs have, on multiple occasions, referred to "the C8," and that there is no evidence of a new FE right now, I think it's safe to say the C8 is the ME car.

The "C" designations really don't have any official meaning. All C7 means is "7th generation of the Corvette. Unless Chevy decides not to call the ME a Corvette, it is very obviously the 8th generation of the Corvette, and logically the C8. Whatever follows it, be it FE, ME, or all electric AWD with 4 motors will logically be the C9.

[John]

I was reading away and agreeing to your every sentence, but don’t fully agree on your last one which said, “Whatever follows it, be it FE, ME, or all electric AWD with 4 motors will logically be the C9.”

I am thinking while an FE would be a C9, that Z06/ZR1/Zora versions of the ME will still be a C8.

Exception: All electric e-Ray might not be a “C” at all, but an “E1.” Although, that could be a completely different nomenclature, appearing as a 2022+ Cadillac???

[meyerweb]

I was reading away and agreeing to your every sentence, but don’t fully agree on your last one which said, “

Which said.....?????

Don't leave me hanging.

[ABorC]

Which said.....?????

Don't leave me hanging.

He quoted your comment: "Whatever follows it, be it FE, ME, or all electric AWD with 4 motors will logically be the C9."

[meyerweb]

He quoted your comment: "Whatever follows it, be it FE, ME, or all electric AWD with 4 motors will logically be the C9."

When he first posted, his sentence ended as I quoted it above, with the comma. The rest of his post didn't show up at all.

[meyerweb]

I was reading away and agreeing to your every sentence, but don’t fully agree on your last one which said, “Whatever follows it, be it FE, ME, or all electric AWD with 4 motors will logically be the C9.”

I am thinking while an FE would be a C9, that Z06/ZR1/Zora versions of the ME will still be a C8.

Exception: All electric e-Ray might not be a “C” at all, but an “E1.” Although, that could be a completely different nomenclature, appearing as a 2022+ Cadillac???

Agree with all but the last sentence, LOL. I think if it's called a Corvette, it will still be a C#. For example "Corvette e-ray." If, however, GM comes up with a new name for a future electric version, then it might be an E-1, or Z-1, or whatever. I just kinda hope I'm no longer around when my only Corvette option is an all electric one.

[ltomn]

I think it's incumbent on me to offer a little further explanation. When I said, All along, I, and numerous others, have said it was totally absurd for GM to forego the front engine format. This car, or something closely resembling it, would cement the position of the front engine vehicle in the coterie of Corvettes. What I am trying to impress upon readers is that it is not difficult for GM to do an exterior modification and an interior modification and keep the control system intact. Thus saving hoards of money on design. The label will be C8. It allows GM to put forth a major design evolution with the least amount of fiscal suffering. And this includes left and right hand drives, which expands their market! It allows them to, potentially, continue offering the same cadre of Stingray, Grand Sport, ZO6 and even ZR1, whatever they deem necessary. But most importantly, it takes the pressure off of the mid engine car's price. It facilitates the expected higher price point on the ME and allows for the same prices, with inflationary hikes, to the FE line. And with a design like this one, or something as visually impacting, they would hit it out of the park.

[meyerweb]

I think it's incumbent on me to offer a little further explanation. When I said, All along, I, and numerous others, have said it was totally absurd for GM to forego the front engine format. This car, or something closely resembling it, would cement the position of the front engine vehicle in the coterie of Corvettes. What I am trying to impress upon readers is that it is not difficult for GM to do an exterior modification and an interior modification and keep the control system intact. Thus saving hoards of money on design. The label will be C8. It allows GM to put forth a major design evolution with the least amount of fiscal suffering. And this includes left and right hand drives, which expands their market! It allows them to, potentially, continue offering the same cadre of Stingray, Grand Sport, ZO6 and even ZR1, whatever they deem necessary. But most importantly, it takes the pressure off of the mid engine car's price. It facilitates the expected higher price point on the ME and allows for the same prices, with inflationary hikes, to the FE line. And with a design like this one, or something as visually impacting, they would hit it out of the park.

Agree with all except the statement that the next FE 'vette will be the C8. It's pretty clear, based on comments by multiple high-level GM people, that the C8 is the car that's being worked on now the ME.

[SheepDog]

Credit: Hwasup Lee

This was a winning sketch from a Design competition conducted with the 10 GM Design Centers around the world in 2010. This is a classic example of what can be done without reinventing the entire front engine concept. Do remember that Ferrari's most expensive cars are front engine models and if GM maintains their front engine line with a vehicle like this, they could easily continue the popularity of that variety of their offerings. This is exactly why so many of us have championed the business model offering both front engine and mid engine models. With this degree of creativity, many might forego a mid engine in favor of a front engine. This is a concept design that can sell in the full scope of what is presently fiscally available. Thereby allowing the ME to fill the Halo Car niche.

All along, I, and numerous others, have said it was totally absurd for GM to forego the front engine format. This car, or something closely resembling it, would cement the position of the front engine vehicle in the coterie of Corvettes.

If Corvette does produce both FE and ME cars, then 1. will both be designed by the same crew? 2. will both versions be allowed to be the best that they can be? 3. will one or the other be engineered to inferior performance, beauty, appeal, status? 4. will they compete abrest or in tandem? 5. Like the Boxster and 911s? Different and equal or different and unequal????? What would the Corvette faithful want? Could you see yourself owning both if doable? What percentage of Corvette fans would die to have both???

Would you more likely want both FE and ME if they are different and equal (yes) (no)?
or
Would you more likely want both FE and ME if they are different and unequal (yes) (no)?

What if FE and ME offered an option of mixed twins?

Finally, what would be the effect if the ME and FE new editions and remodels are released in a staggered sequence separated by several years? Would you more likely want both if they are staggered? Or released simultaneously?

What would be the best case?

[meyerweb]

Hard to decide without knowing more. Too many hypotheticals and choices right now. But part of my decision will be practicality. My wife and I like to travel in the C7, and if the ME doesn't have at least the luggage capacity of my C7 'vert it might be hard for me to justify. The C7 has ample performance for my needs, so I'm won't feel left out if any future FE has similar performance, even if the ME has more. And cost, while not even a thought for some, will make a difference to me if the ME is dramatically more expensive.

No one outside of GM (and maybe not even inside GM, yet) knows whether there will be a future FE and, if so, what it will be like, but I'd be very surprised if GM offers a future FE that performs worse than the C7. If it's roughly equal, that would be fine with me.

[John]

You are going to be one very happy camper.