Chicago 2009: GM finally rolls out Corvette Stingray Concept [w/VIDEO]
by Jeremy Korzeniewski on Feb 11th 2009 at 12:28PM 
Click above for high-res gallery of the Corvette Stingray Concept
General Motors used the Chicago Auto Show to introduce the world to its latest concept vehicle, the Corvette Stingray, which will be featured in the upcoming Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen movie on June 26th. According to GM, the vehicle is nothing more than a styling buck that was influenced by the original 1959 Stingray racer when it was spotted by director Michael Bay while he was touring GM's operations looking for inspiration for the first Transformers movie. Don't expect this concept to spawn any sort of production vehicle, which, needless to say, is a shame.
In robot mode, the Corvette Stingray Concept will take the form of Sideswipe, who will reportedly be a skater with wheels for feet. The General doesn't have anything in the way of new product to show off here in Chicago, so it's using the blockbuster movie to drum up interest instead. It's working... sorta.
Hit the jump for a video of Ed Welburn discussing the design of the Corvette Centennial Concept, along with GM's press release.
Live photos copyright ©2009 Drew Phillips / Jeremy Korzeniewski / Weblogs, Inc.
PRESS RELEASE:
AUTOBOTS® WITH BOW TIES: CHEVROLET-BASED CHARACTERS STARRING IN 'TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN' AT THE CHICAGO AUTO SHOW
Giant movie robot also on display with vehicles used in the upcoming blockbuster summer film
Camaro BumbleBeeCHICAGO – Visitors to the Chevrolet display at this year's Chicago Auto Show (Friday through Feb. 22) will be treated to an out-of-this-world vehicle display – the automotive stars from the upcoming DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures release, "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen."
Five Chevrolet-based characters – including four all-new characters – are featured in the new film set to open in the United States on June 26. All of them are at the Chevrolet display. The four new movie characters include:
* SIDESWIPE – a stylized Corvette vision concept vehicle
* SKIDS and MUDFLAP – twin AUTOBOTS® based on Chevy's Beat (a concept that will go into production as the Chevy Spark in 2011) and Trax concepts
* JOLT – an AUTOBOT-based on Chevy's upcoming Volt extended-range electric vehicle
BUMBLEBEE™, the heroic AUTOBOT based on Chevrolet's Camaro concept from the first "Transformers" movie, returns with a high-performance attitude. Joining the vehicles on stage will be BUMBLEBEE in his AUTOBOT form, standing almost 17 feet (5.2 meters) tall and 13 feet (4 meters) wide.
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"Chevrolet is thrilled to again be part of one of the most anticipated movies in years," said Ed Peper, GM North America vice president, Chevrolet. "'Transformers' gives us a great opportunity to connect with young people on their terms, with a dynamic, environmentally friendly image. The new characters represent the change going on in Chevy showrooms. From the exciting Camaro, the 21st century sports car, to the game-changing Volt, there's more than meets the eye at Chevrolet today."
Directed by Michael Bay, "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" sees the AUTOBOTS confront a new threat from DECEPTICONS® bent on avenging their earlier defeat on Earth. The new AUTOBOT characters in their current Chevy-based form square off against new, tougher foes determined to rule the universe.
"'Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen' goes way beyond the first film in terms of robot action and excitement," said LeeAnne Stables, executive vice president of worldwide marketing partnerships at Paramount Pictures, the distributor of the film. "The new AUTOBOTS add to the storytelling, and these Chevy vehicles went with our filmmakers to locations all around the world. GM has again provided incredible support to the production team working on the movie."
Along with the Camaro that's reprising its role in the new film, the other Chevy models to be seen on the big screen are new to movie-goers.
SIDESWIPE takes the form of a sleek, vision concept dreamed up by the Corvette designers at GM. The design is influenced by the original Stingray race car, introduced in 1959, but also draws on Corvette heritage cues from other generations. It brings them together in a futuristic shape that seems to be equal parts racecar and space ship.
"SIDESWIPE represents an exercise in exploration for the Corvette," said Ed Welburn, vice president of GM Global Design. "By giving my creative team the freedom to design no-holds-barred vision concepts, it helps them push boundaries and look at projects from different perspectives."
The Beat and Trax-based characters, SKIDS and MUDFLAP, remain faithful to their concept designs introduced at the 2007 New York Auto Show – although each wears new paint and other exterior accessories. And while they may be small cars, when they turn into fighting AUTOBOTS®, they pack a big punch.
The other new AUTOBOT, JOLT, appears in the production form of Chevy's 2011 Volt extended-range electric vehicle. With the capability of up to 40 miles (64 km) of pure electric propulsion, plus hundreds of more miles with the assistance from its Voltec powertrain system, the real-life Volt will change driving in America.
Of course, the AUTOBOT team isn't complete without BUMBLEBEE, the yellow Camaro based on the new, 2010 production model. Sporting new wheels and SS-model performance cues, BUMBLEBEE is more stylish and powerful than ever – and enthusiasts will be able to drive their own new Camaro when it goes on sale this spring. For more exclusive AUTOBOT movie information relating to Chevrolet, please visit www.autobotsrollout.com.
Chevrolet is one of America's best-known and best-selling automotive brands. With the largest dealer network in the United States, Chevy is the leader in full-size trucks and the leader in sales of vehicles priced $35,000 and above. Chevrolet delivers more-than-expected value in every vehicle category, offering cars and trucks priced from $12,120 to $103,300. Chevy delivers expressive design, spirited performance and great value with standard features usually found only on more expensive vehicles. More information on Chevrolet can be found at www.chevrolet.com.
DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures present, in association with Hasbro, a di Bonaventura Pictures production, a Tom DeSanto/Don Murphy Production, a Michael Bay film, "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen," starring Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, Kevin Dunn, Julie White, John Benjamin Hickey, Ramon Rodriguez, Isabel Lucas, Glenn Morshower and John Turturro. The film is directed by Michael Bay and written by Ehren Kruger, Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman. It is based on Hasbro's TRANSFORMERS™ action figures and is produced by Don Murphy, Tom DeSanto, Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Ian Bryce. Executive producers are Steven Spielberg, Michael Bay, Brian Goldner and Mark Vahradian. This film has not yet been rated.
TRANSFORMERS is a brand of Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE:HAS). Hasbro is a worldwide leader in children's and family leisure time products and services with a rich portfolio of brands and entertainment properties that provides some of the highest quality and most recognizable play and recreational experiences in the world. As a brand-driven, consumer-focused global company, Hasbro brings to market a range of toys, games and licensed products, from traditional to high-tech and digital, under such powerful brand names as TRANSFORMERS, PLAYSKOOL, TONKA, MILTON BRADLEY, PARKER BROTHERS, TIGER, CRANIUM and WIZARDS OF THE COAST. Come see how we inspire play through our brands at http://www.hasbro.com.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Alex 12:30PM (2/11/2009)
not attractive
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Willem B 12:57PM (2/11/2009)
that's what I thought at first
but after a few minutes it's already starting to grow on me.
The side is very nice
the back could use a bit of tweaking, but not too bad either.
the front end needs some more work, b/c the headlights are ugly and the grill looks out of place.
other than that it doesn't look bad at all.
oh, and the random bar through the rear window won't make it to production, nor the quirky mirrors
dsharp23 1:50PM (2/11/2009)
"Don't expect this concept to spawn any sort of production vehicle, which, needless to say, is a shame."
sorry. feel exactly the opposite. god that's ugly.
Torrent 2:40PM (2/11/2009)
I disagree. This looks beautiful. I love the side view, but the front needs to be brought down to earth, and the rear needs to be tweaked a little, but other than that, this car is absolutely stunning. I love how it translates into the classic Stingray. GM, it's time to get this into your lineup.
BoneHeadOtto 3:15PM (2/11/2009)
there is great potential here. Remove all the concept car crap, and i think there is an excellent vette under there. The Vette needs those curves that harken back to the early 80s. Potentially beautiful IMO, but a little overdone as is. But given the choice between this and the current vette, ill take this concept.
Vincenzo 3:20PM (2/11/2009)
Awesome!...I'll take two!
I love the sinister taillamps peeking from behind the txture ...
Thats the coolest badge ever, on the deck lid
SimbaDogg 9:13PM (2/11/2009)
seriously...and the worst thing was the "this is so stingray", "this is pure stingray" "jesus h christ, ZOMG this is stingray"
like, i know the guys one of the designers, and thats how they usually talk...but i would think he should be more jazzed about it being a gorgeous car (which it by any stretch of the word is not) than being a stingray throwback. gm engineerings, please dont fail me now. from 92-2002 you designed pure garbage. u got great looking cars now, dont go back to you're roots of the 90s...please
hashiryu 12:31PM (2/11/2009)
Dear God, it looks like the result after 9 months of a Vette that had drunk sex with an Acura concet and got it pregnant.
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AMcA 9:32PM (2/11/2009)
Somebody tell me NOW:
Why can't GM build a bunch of these and sell them for outrageous prices? The Corvette's body should be very easy to replace, considering none of it is stressed - it truly is just a shell.
Think Lamborghini Reventon.
All that's keeping them from doing it is that they can't break out of their high-production mentality. Oh, yeah, and they have no money.
MachinaDC5 12:33PM (2/11/2009)
It'll take some getting used to... I'll leave it at that. :\
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Sea Urchin 12:36PM (2/11/2009)
"Don't expect this concept to spawn any sort of production vehicle, which, needless to say, is a shame."-----------I would say that current Corvette looks better.
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I3ziko 12:37PM (2/11/2009)
worst corvette ever
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Sea Urchin 12:37PM (2/11/2009)
After the article is over there's a GM add, showing a Corvette, this way you can compare the two and as i stated above, current one looks better.
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jinsei888 12:41PM (2/11/2009)
why in the world would this "take some getting used to"? This is probably one of the FIRST Corvettes to successfully evolve the cues of the early Stingray tradition. The current Corvette truly is attractive, but it still isn't quite there when it comes to being a "vette". To note, the C5 generation lost it all.
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Corey W. 1:19PM (2/11/2009)
Sorry, the C5 is what brought it all back, the C6 is what almost lost it all..... The was much mixed response when that model was released, when the only real complaint you heard about C5 was the "big butt"
Sofa King Fast! 2:04PM (2/11/2009)
I agree and anyone who thinks this design "ruins" the corvette needs to take a history lesson.
When I was I kid my dad had a '67 corvette coupe (427) and a '69 corvette also with the big block engine (listed at 435hp I think) and to me those are real corvettes.
The current cars are great an all but they don't put corvette in the same league as the best sports cars in the world (Enzo, Veyron, McLaren, Reventon)...especially in design, build quality and finish.
Rev 2:18PM (2/11/2009)
I doubt people need a history lesson to shape their opinion of how ugly this is...
It looks like a overexaggerated design of a vette for a Michael Bay movie. That's not saying much. Especially from the rear - it looks bumbly, big and plasticy - like a Transformer. For a Michael Bay movie. That's just ugly. From the front, it looks like some sort of "car from the future" in a 50's sci-fi movie. From the side it just looks harsh.
But it doesn't look as much like an NSX as the current models have been lately...
Scrap this design and keep trying - use the old Stingray as inspiration plus keep trying to channel the sexiness of the C3, shark designs...
Gearhead0384 12:41PM (2/11/2009)
That is hideous! GM please don't ruin the Corvette.
On an other note the XLR should have been styled something like this from the get go.
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the vegas style guy 1:52PM (2/11/2009)
Exactly!
jinsei888 12:41PM (2/11/2009)
P.S. - there is no video
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