Filed under: Sports/GTs, Supercars, Chevrolet, GM
With GM on the brink, what will happen to the Corvette?
Click above for our high-res ZR-1 burnout gallery
Some Corvette fans and avid forum members over at GM Inside News have already asked the unfathomable question of what automaker should take over the reigns of America's longest-running sports car if its parent company were to lose custody. Their answer, rather shockingly, was Toyota. We sure hope it doesn't come to that. Still, tough questions deserve thoughtful answers, and Motor Trend is asking away. Even if The General survives, what does the future hold for Team Corvette, which has seen its ranks diminished in the past few weeks with the loss of key players including Vehicle Line Executive Tom Wallace and John Heinricy, test-driver extraordinaire and director of the performance division?
With such important personalities retiring from the 'Vette project, one might wonder if GM's iconic performance car will lose out on planned development. That seems like a real possibility, but we need to realize that R&D funds may be better spent keeping the leaky company afloat, something that the Corvette isn't a major part of. At least there's an excellent, proven platform for the new team to build from.
Gallery: Covette ZR1 burnouts
[Source: Motor Trend]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
TORONTO 3:29PM (11/28/2008)
Toyota!?!?!?
Sweet Jebus..... the world is coming to an end.
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uttyk 4:27PM (11/28/2008)
The mind boggling part is how they managed make it so slow.
Don 6:25PM (11/28/2008)
The corvette is one ugly car with an Aveo interior, why on earth would Toyota want to spend cash on such a piece of redneck crap?
Shiftright 7:26PM (11/28/2008)
Ugly or pretty is in the eye of the beholder, but Don, you're a bit off otherwise. Speaking as a die-hard euromobile lover, I give full props and respect to the current Vette. It kicks lots of euro ass in a curvy as well as straight line, gives you a lot of euro-like feedback along the way, and does it for tens of thousands less. I don't really think we have to worry that much about its future either. GM will be downsized, but it won't go away, and neither will the Vette.
Kitko 8:34PM (11/28/2008)
Theoretically speaking. Should GM go south...
Would you rather have the Corvette prosperous under Toyota? Or would you rather see it gone? Because that's what would happen. The era when of a bunch of enthusiasts could keep the legacy and the brand and the car alive and independent is gone. That's what happened to the British cottage auto industry, those few who survived are laughing stock.
On the other hand, Lotus did the only sensible thing. Now it's owned by Malaysian automaker Proton. And, by the way, Lotus uses Toyota engines. Ferrari and Maserati are owned by Fiat.
Michael 3:32PM (11/28/2008)
Then, within two years, the Corvette will be front wheel drive, and the Z06 and ZR1 trim levels will be reduced to two different body kits for the base Corvette.
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Mazda FTW! 3:36PM (11/28/2008)
Not to mention 5 new shades of beige, 15' hub-cap wheels (17' alloys on the ZR1), seating for seven and a small 120HP I4 to make room for more trunk space.
TORONTO 3:51PM (11/28/2008)
The ALL NEW 2012 CORVETTE
Mind boggling acceleration of 0-60 in 13.8 seconds.
Judy Zik 3:18PM (11/29/2008)
Not to mention it will be sharing a platform with the Camry. Toyota has proven how good they are at killing sports and sporty cars. They should be the last automaker allowed in the same room as a Corvette.
MJL 3:34PM (11/28/2008)
I hereby resolve that if GM goes under, the Corvette should too. Hate to be impractical, but that baby is an American machine made by GM and not anyone else, and if GM goes — a horrible, awful day for America — it should, too.
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David 1:19PM (11/29/2008)
I came to say exactly that. If GM folds completely, then the Corvette should go with it. Better to die a noble death than be bastardized by an import manufacturer. Toyota is a fine company, to be sure, but the Corvette is 100% purely American through-and-through. Same with the Ford GT. It would be sad to lose such icons, but I would much rather lose them entirely than have them continue without their American-ness. Toyota can make fast cars if they want, and they will be distinctly Toyota, which is good. Just not for the Corvette.
larry a 3:35PM (11/28/2008)
Well its not that hard to recreate a car with a big v8 and leaf spring suspension, so it should be fine
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larry ass 4:09PM (11/28/2008)
oh the old leaf spring comment, thats a good one, especially for a car that run and handle with some of the most advanced suspension setups in the world.
larry a 5:58PM (11/28/2008)
lol i never said leaf springs were a bad thing, which is why theres a C6 in my driveway, seems like you're the ass, ass
naggs 3:29PM (11/30/2008)
its actually a very small v8 and the the composite spring setup is actually pretty expensive
nothing about what you said makes sense
jrhmobile 3:35PM (11/28/2008)
The good thing about the current generation Corvette is that it's pretty well sorted out. It could use still more interior upgrading, perhaps, and there's not a vehicle made that can't use more development and detailed refinement, but the package seems to be pretty solid overall.
I just hope this doesn't hamper efforts to turn the new C6R into a GT2 class winner in the American Le Mans Series. Racing success may be worth a lot when marketing sports cars, but economic realities may force GM to shelve the racing program for now.
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John D 3:36PM (11/28/2008)
Why are you so afraid of Toyota? They're not stupid, they know why people buy Corvettes: amazing performance at an amazing price. No one would buy a FWD Corvette. If they did purchase the brand, they'd probably just make it better-- improved fuel economy (I wouldn't say no to a hybrid option) and maybe a bit cheaper too. Change isn't always bad, xenophobes
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Michael 3:38PM (11/28/2008)
There's not a single exciting car in Toyota's lineup. That's why I would be scared.
Eddie 3:39PM (11/28/2008)
Toyota knows how to build a sports car, too. The Supra is a legend.
2004m3driver 3:40PM (11/28/2008)
At least their cars are exciting to stockholders.