Filed under: Convertibles, Coupes, Chevrolet, GM
V6 Corvette rumors are rumored to be true!
Rumors of a V6-powered Corvette model have been floating around for years but weren't taken very seriously until Motor Trend decided to spend some ink on it a few issues ago and predict the six-cylinder model would revive the "Sting Ray" name. The model would basically be a Chevy-branded version of the Kappa roadster that GM has liberally passed out to such brands as Pontiac (Solstice), Saturn (Sky) and Opel (GT). Chevy's version would be different in that power would come from a V6 rather than an inline-four cylinder, and rumor has it that it would be badged a Corvette. Kind of sounds like a long shot, but Rick "Corvette" Conti, the #1 Corvette dealer in Ohio (w00t!), cites sources somewhere in the universe that tell him the rumors are true and coming sooner than we think. He says the "Sting Ray" name, however, will not be used on this chuckable roadster that should come with a 6-speed automatic and a price tag right below $30,000. He also hints Chevy may drop a bomb in the form of this V6 Kappa at the Detroit auto show in January.
Personally, while a V6-powered Chevy Kappa car will be driving through my dreams tonight, it will most certainly not be wearing a Corvette badge. It's bad enough that Corvette faithful have to share platforms and parts with Cadillac (economies of scale, blah, blah, blah), but the dilution of this iconic car has to stop there. Nothing good will come of calling a V6-powered Pontiac Solstice clone a Corvette. Trust us. Call it the Equinabu, Impaleo or whatever, but don't call it a Vette. And what's with pimping out the Kappa roadster concept to every brand that's still breathing. Two in the U.S. is enough, how about a Kappa coupe for Chevy instead?
[Source: Corvette Conti via Jalopnik]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Chunk 6:03PM (10/16/2006)
Wow, just when you think GM is getting a clue, something like this happens.
I can't believe they would dilute the Corvette "brand" this way. The badge engineering of the Kappa products is bad enough, but at least call it something else.
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Petey 6:04PM (10/16/2006)
GM should concentrate on building a decent mid-size or compact car that they dont have to give away?
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BillC 6:11PM (10/16/2006)
I agree....just when GM seems to have some what of a clue what the public wants and expects! They might do something stupid like adding another cloned car. Whats wrong with offering a higher performance version of the Solstice? Chevy does not need this car. They have Corvette! They soon will have Camero! How about a Cobalt Convertable for the lower end buyer? Solstice/Sky/OpelGT........3's a charm....4 is a bore!
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New Yorker 6:13PM (10/16/2006)
Booorrring. I’d rather vote for a Nissan 240SX/280ZX replacement for a mid-priced RWD platform car—and by mid-priced I mean below 350Z. There’s your bargain.
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Paul 6:18PM (10/16/2006)
I love the idea but if it is called a 'Vette Ill throw up
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JB 6:18PM (10/16/2006)
I don't mind this model, but doesn't Chevy have enough models already? The market for coupes is very tough.
Pontiac needs more vehicles, Chevy needs less.
A cheaper Corvette should be a Camaro. That's what it was before, a poor man's Vette.
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Spaceweasel 6:20PM (10/16/2006)
Isn't Saab getting a version of this as well? It seems they would a natural for turbo 4 base with v6 upgrade.
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Michael 6:20PM (10/16/2006)
They should sell it as a coupe and call it the Monza.
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D Man 6:21PM (10/16/2006)
This is what came of GM failing to join Nissan-Renault? I would buy a 6-cyl 350 Z instead of a 6-cyl vette!
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D-Dog 6:36PM (10/16/2006)
Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Talk about diluting a brand.
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Howard Kerr 6:41PM (10/16/2006)
I have long thought that Chevy needed to "down-size" the Corvette, but building a smaller car and using the Sting Ray and/or Corvette name(s) is something that should NOT even be considered. Since Chevy is SUPPOSED to be the VALUE brand at GM, where would a small coupe or roadster fit...with the Camaro due to show up about the same time and the Cobalt under that car? IF they really have to resurrect a name/concept...how about a small car styled like the original Nomad, that is, a small, sporty 2 door wagon? Sort of a Chevy Miata, but with a useable load space.
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Juan 6:44PM (10/16/2006)
For God's sake, don't call it a Vette. A Kappa with a V6 sounds like a good idea, as having something besides body styling to differentiate it from the other three is downright necessary. Just... don't call it a Vette. Have some respect for a carefully cultivated nameplate.
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Moses 7:09PM (10/16/2006)
Is it April 1st? That is never going to happen, total bull, Motor Trend must be having a brain cramp. There will never be a six cil vette.
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John 7:14PM (10/16/2006)
I'm hoping GM doesn't do this. It sounds like a good car but I don't want it to be called a Corvette. I have one - I've never been a Vette or nothing kind of person but it just seems like a mistake. Maybe it will be a Corvette S or a Corvette ZP3. Sharing the name just doesn't seem like a good idea.
They won't even paint the Corvette certain colors if it doesn't fit the image - I don't think this is accurate.
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Jeff Banks 7:20PM (10/16/2006)
It won't be called a Corvette. I wouldn't even worry about it.
As for the idea, I love it. If they put a V6 in it, it definately wouldn't be in the same catagory with the Saturn Sky/Pontiac Solstice. Just make it turbocharged.
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Corey W. 7:27PM (10/16/2006)
ARE YOU ALL SMOKING CRACK!!!
Think about the history behind the Corvette!! Do you think in a million years GM would do a rebadge on that roadster platform and call it Corvette, Vette...etc!!!
And the Stingray was rumored to be a name for the ZO7, Blue Devil...etc. It's that what the whole Motor Trend rumor thing was about?!?!?!?
Now if you have something "official" from GM, indicating, a two seater roadster, somehow connected to the Corvette, called the Stingray...please do post it...
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GhostDoggy 7:58PM (10/16/2006)
Its the new Chevy Chevette! God, the nightmares continue.
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Mark 8:04PM (10/16/2006)
Drop a V6 into the Solstice and call it a Firebird.
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Joe 8:13PM (10/16/2006)
They could call it a Corvette-ette...
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TalD 8:31PM (10/16/2006)
What kind of wart name for a "sports car" is a KAPPA?
Sounds like S--- to me.
What kind of a 6cyl does GM have to compete with the HIGHLY refined straight and V6 engines now in production ?
My guess: Not one.
Not one that will compete with the likes of Nissan , BMW or most any other manufacturer.
This certainly will make the 350 Z a super bargin.
It has a super refined V6; even more so when the 2007 model is introduced; or has that happened already?
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