Autoblog

Corvette Stingray Shooting Brake under consideration by Callaway [w/poll]

Zach Bowman — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Hatchback, Chevrolet, Design/Style, Luxury

Callaway has released a few renderings of a design study for a shooting brake version of the C7 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray. The company says it wants to create a long-roof version of America's sports car to offer buyers more interior room and a vehicle with "unique style." The company says it will use structural carbon fiber for the new body bits, which suggests the conversion shouldn't add too much more weight to the Corvette. Along with a few mechanical tweaks, the Callaway Corvette Stingray AeroWagon could breeze past the 200 miles per hour barrier.

Provided that they get enough interest, Callaway estimates they will be able to effect the changes on the Chevrolet for around $15,000, and says the conversion work should be available through its network of dealers. You can check out the brief press release below for more information, or head over to the Callaway site to plunk down a deposit - but before you do, we want to know... do you find this C7 wagon interesting? Vote in our poll below, then feel free to leave a few lines in Comments.

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Continue reading Corvette Stingray Shooting Brake under consideration by Callaway [w/poll]

Corvette Stingray Shooting Brake under consideration by Callaway [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Mar 2013 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Are you the 2014 Corvette Grand Sport?

Seyth Miersma — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 15:28:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet

When are stripes more than just stripes? Follow up question: Is the product development team at Chevrolet really cocky enough to hide the next C7 Corvette variant in plain sight? This very recently spotted, and ostensibly obscured C7 asks a lot more questions than it answers, but there's at least some evidence to support that it might be the next Corvette Grand Sport.

The first and most obvious tip-off that something is up with this 'Vette revolves around those silver stripes. Obviously the stripes themselves don't necessarily denote a new model. However, when Chevy recently launched its "colorizer" website for the Stingray, there was no provision made for racing stripes - solid colors only.

Grand Sport exhibit number two is actually an incriminating lack of badges. The production Corvettes we've seen to date have all carried Stingray badges on their fenders, just behind the vent. The car seen in these images has no such badges, which is an intriguing omission on an car that looks like a production-spec vehicle otherwise.

The last clue is a subtle one, picked up on by the same spy photographers that have been following C7 prototypes around for ages now. There's a full car cover in the cargo area of the Corvette in these photos - that's an item that all of the other prototype 'Vettes carried as standard equipment - to thoroughly hide them from prying eyes when they needed to be parked outside.

Any one of these differences spotted on a manufacturer-driven 2014 Corvette would be easily brushed off as an anomaly, but taken as a whole there could be something else there. What say you? Is this the next Corvette Grand Sport we're looking at, or just some stripes and a pile of wishes? Share your thoughts, in comments.

Are you the 2014 Corvette Grand Sport? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Feb 2013 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevy Corvette Stingray "colorizer" lets you chase the rainbow

Jeffrey N. Ross — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Coupe, Performance, Etc., Chevrolet

After you've convinced your better half to let you buy a new Corvette, then comes the hard part... actually figuring out which 'Vette you want. While Chevrolet has yet to release the official configurator for the 2014 Corvette Stingray, it did give us something else to kill some time playing around with.

The C7 Corvette "colorizer" recently went online, and it lets you look at the car in all of its available colors and wheel options from four different angles so that when this car does go on sale, you know exactly which one you want. It includes the Corvette's full pallet of colors including Torch Red, Laguna Blue and the hue you see above, Velocity Yellow. Toss in the black wheels, and we're sold. If you have some time this afternoon, be sure to check it out the Corvette colorizer for yourself, and even if you don't have the time, we've put together a gallery with all of the possible color combinations.

Chevy Corvette Stingray "colorizer" lets you chase the rainbow originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Feb 2013 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First 2014 Chevy Corvette Stingray spotted crashed in the wild

Dan Roth — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 21:47:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., Safety, Chevrolet

This restyled blue 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray is wearing manufacturer plates, and it appears to be the same one seen around the internet in various pictures lately. This crash is likely not part of the Chevrolet testing regimen, however. Digital Corvettes forum member gpetry posted the shot with a note: "got this picture e-mailed from a friend in Arizona last week..." No circumstances are given, other than the incident occurred in the thick of a set of curvy roads, and the coupe ping-ponged off a guardrail and into the rock wall. Hopefully everyone involved in the incident walked away.

It may not be a pretty thing to see, a crashed sports car that's not even available for sale yet, but rest easy. Many pre-production cars are used for development and then unceremoniously crushed and scrapped, anyway. If that's the case here, that makes this wrecked 'Vette less of a tragedy and more of a case of exceptional efficiency.

First 2014 Chevy Corvette Stingray spotted crashed in the wild originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Feb 2013 21:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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C7 Corvette makes inaugural ad appearance in Chevy's first spot with new slogan

Chris Paukert — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 12:45:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Chevrolet, GM

Chevrolet's "Runs Deep" tagline has finally been run into the ground, replaced with the Bowtie brand's "Find New Roads" slogan that's part of parent General Motors' plan to unify its everyday brand's marketing efforts worldwide. The new Chevrolet campaign was ushered in on prime time last night during the Grammy Awards on CBS, and the first spot, a 90-second full-line ad, also marks the first appearance of the 2014 Corvette Stingray in a commercial.

Being a full-line ad, the commercial is composed of vignettes centered on different vehicles in the brand's lineup. The all-new 2014 Impala also makes its first commercial appearance in dapper fashion, and time is spent on a skateboarding Sonic and a bouquet of brightly colored Spark hatchbacks driven by fashionable women. The ad starts and ends with Chevy's green halo car, the Volt, along with a young girl with her robotic dog (yes, really).

Chevrolet's "Runs Deep" campaign got off to a rocky start in the fall of 2010, but it did last for a couple of years with some tweaks. This new one, "Find New Roads" seems more intent on drawing new customers into the fold than the outgoing tagline, which seemed to play more toward the brand faithful. It admittedly reminds us more than a little the short-lived "Find Your Own Road" Saab motto (which, we note, was conceived while the Swedish brand was under GM's control), but no matter, we still think it's got more long-term potential than "Runs Deep."

Scroll down to watch the video.

Continue reading C7 Corvette makes inaugural ad appearance in Chevy's first spot with new slogan

C7 Corvette makes inaugural ad appearance in Chevy's first spot with new slogan originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Feb 2013 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevy confirms Corvette Stingray Convertible for Geneva

Chris Paukert — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 16:31:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Europe, Chevrolet, GM

Want proof that General Motors has increased global ambitions for its 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray? It's staging the world premiere of the model's convertible variant at the Geneva Motor Show early next month.

As previously rumored, the droptop rendered above will debut at the Swiss show, making its first appearance anywhere on March 5. According to Susan Docherty, president and managing director of Chevrolet, the location makes sense because Corvette "...is an icon that has long been recognized and admired even in countries where it's never officially been offered."

While neither Chevrolet nor the Corvette has a major sales presence in Switzerland, the Bowtie's European headquarters is located in Zurich (about three hours to the northeast of Geneva) and GM has made it clear that it wants to build the Chevrolet brand up across Europe.

In other news, Chevrolet has announced that it will auction off the first retail Corvette Convertible for charity, at Barrett-Jackson's Palm Beach auction. The proceeds of the sale will go to the Michigan-based Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute. Autoblog regulars may remember that the very first C7 Coupe was auctioned off for charity last month by Barrett-Jackson at its Arizona sale, drawing a cool $1.1M.

Continue reading Chevy confirms Corvette Stingray Convertible for Geneva

Chevy confirms Corvette Stingray Convertible for Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Feb 2013 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Was the C7 Corvette cut from Beyonce's Super Bowl halftime show?

Jeffrey N. Ross — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet, Celebrities

Someone was bound to receive a free 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray during the Super Bowl XLVII festivities; it just wasn't who we thought it was going to be. Despite a report back in December that superstar Beyoncé Knowles would be getting an all-new Corvette during her halftime performance, that turned out not to be the case. Joe Flacco, starting quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens, did in fact win a Corvette for his MVP performance.

So what transpired that prevented Beyoncé from rolling on stage in the new Chevrolet? Anyone who knows isn't telling, but according to Yahoo! Autos, General Motors said that for one reason or another a deal "did not work out," and it appears to have been an eleventh-hour change. Regardless of who's to blame or what prevented this from happening, we're sure Chevy has had no problems getting attention for the C7 Corvette since it was introduced last month.

Was the C7 Corvette cut from Beyonce's Super Bowl halftime show? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Feb 2013 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray convertible headed for Geneva debut

Steven J. Ewing — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 17:29:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Chevrolet, GM

While most of the world is still coming down from all the hype surrounding the debut of the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this month, we're already looking to the future. And according to Autoweek, the next chapter in the C7 story will unfold at the Geneva Motor Show in March. That's right, General Motors is reportedly using the Swiss stage as its venue to debut the Corvette Stingray convertible.

If this strikes you as odd, you aren't alone. After all, with a car that's such an American icon, we'd fully expect Chevrolet to unveil it here on our shores in either Chicago or New York. But according to Autoweek, GM is looking to boost export sales of its halo car, and since the C7 was engineered to compete with the world's best and brightest, showing it off in Geneva is somewhat of a smart move. What's more, those with sharp memories will recall that GM used the Geneva expo to debut the sixth-generation C6 Corvette convertible back in March 2004, so there's also a precedent.

Details surrounding the Corvette Stingray convertible are still slim, though we fully expect the 6.2-liter V8 and choice of either six-speed automatic or seven-speed manual transmissions to carry over unchanged. Prototypes spotted on the road showed the car fitted with a cloth convertible roof, as well.

The C7 Corvette Stingray coupe is expected to go into production in August, and Autoweek estimates production of the convertible to follow about three months later. The Geneva Motor Show kicks off on March 5, 2013, so stay tuned to this space for more information closer to that time.

2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray convertible headed for Geneva debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Jan 2013 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Why does the Corvette Stingray have so many vents? Here's why

Jeffrey N. Ross — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 19:57:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Chevrolet, Design/Style

Just looking at the new 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, it's not hard to see that the car's design was created with aerodynamics at the forefront, but Chevrolet designers point out exactly what went into designing the iconic coupe in a pair of recently released videos. The videos show the Corvette going through early design phases, including clay models and wind tunnel tests, as well as talking to the car's chief engineer, Tadge Juechter.

Both videos help explain various aspects of the C7 Corvette, but it's the aero tuning of the car that is most interesting. This includes extra attention paid to the lower air dam and vented hood to help reduce drag and lift, while the rear quarter inlets are for differential and transmission cooling. Juechter said that some of these aero-tuned elements were inspired from GM's involvement in racing.

If you have about five minutes and you can't get enough information about the new 'Vette, then check out the videos posted below.

Continue reading Why does the Corvette Stingray have so many vents? Here's why

Why does the Corvette Stingray have so many vents? Here's why originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 27 Jan 2013 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2014 Chevrolet C7 Corvette wastes no time zooming into Jay Leno's Garage

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 12:45:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Chevrolet, Celebrities, Design/Style, Luxury

Where else would you expect the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray to show up first? Although this time it isn't exactly in Jay Leno's Garage, Leno instead playing an away game at Brown's Classic Auto in Scottsdale, Arizona. Nor does Leno drive the car, instead taking an 11-minute walkaround of the new American sports car with General Motors design head Ed Welburn, the same man who recently brought by a string of classic Corvettes to the talk show host's California compound.

It is, admittedly, a love-fest for the American sports car now featuring 450 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque, but one that also features admissions about previous Corvette seats like "they were kinda rough," and the explanation that labeling the coupe "Stingray" means not having to call it "the base Corvette." On top of that, Welburn also explains the proper application of the term "dashboard." You can watch it all in the video below.

Continue reading 2014 Chevrolet C7 Corvette wastes no time zooming into Jay Leno's Garage

2014 Chevrolet C7 Corvette wastes no time zooming into Jay Leno's Garage originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Jan 2013 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First production 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray draws $1.1 million bid for charity at Barrett-Jackson [UPDATE: w/video]

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 23:20:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Auctions, Chevrolet, GM

Barrett-Jackson has a long and storied history with the Chevrolet Corvette. For instance, back in 2008, Chevrolet auctioned off the very first of its new Corvette ZR1, earning a cool million bucks, and just last year the first 2013 Corvette 427 Convertible crossed the auction block for $600,000.

For the 2013 event, Chevrolet brought along the very show car we all fawned over at the Detroit Auto Show - the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray. Bidders got to look at this car as they fought for the right to order the very first C7 that rolls off the showroom floor, and they'll get to pick the color and options. We figure it'll be loaded.

After it was all said and done, C7 Corvette numero uno sold for $1.1 million, with 100-percent of the proceeds going to benefit College for Creative Studies. Check out the car as it crossed the black carpet in high-res beauty above, and then read its official description below.

*UPDATE: You can now watch a video of the bidding action below!

Continue reading First production 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray draws $1.1 million bid for charity at Barrett-Jackson [UPDATE: w/video]

First production 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray draws $1.1 million bid for charity at Barrett-Jackson [UPDATE: w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 19 Jan 2013 23:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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eBay Find Of The Day: Chevrolet Corvette Stingray press kit for charity

Chris Tutor — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 08:59:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Auctions, Chevrolet, GM

Members of the motoring press who were invited to the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray reveal all left with a pretty sweet press kit. The individually numbered black box within a black box contained not only a chunky little flash drive, but a paperweight adorned with an actual Stingray badge.

Before we even left the press reveal, at least one had popped up on eBay. There are several there now, including one being auctioned by Chevrolet for charity. Chevy's auction features number 1 of the 2,014 produced. Not only that, but the interior black box has been signed by "key GM executives."

With just about a half a day left on the timer, the bidding has reached more than $1,500 for this piece of rare Vette memorabilia. Considering it's the first kit in the series and the money will go to the American Cancer Society, we can't really argue with the steep price. Happy bidding, Corvette fans.

eBay Find Of The Day: Chevrolet Corvette Stingray press kit for charity originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Jan 2013 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Exclusive video of C7 Corvette's reconfigurable gauge cluster

Seyth Miersma — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 14:09:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Coupe, Performance, Videos, Chevrolet

We've inundated you with Chevrolet C7 Corvette Stingray information over the last couple of days (you're welcome), but until now the images of the car have been largely of the exterior, and completely static. We figured that the slightly less dense crowd of journalists around the Chevy stand on day two of our media coverage would make for a good opportunity to get some video. And, considering that the reconfigurable instrument cluster was brand-spanking new, we asked Corvette Interior Design Manager, Ryan Vaughan for a tour of it.

Scroll down below for a first look inside the Corvette cockpit, and stay tuned for more fun from Detroit, today and tomorrow.

Continue reading Exclusive video of C7 Corvette's reconfigurable gauge cluster

Exclusive video of C7 Corvette's reconfigurable gauge cluster originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Jan 2013 14:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2014 Chevrolet C7 Corvette Stingray is worth another (and another) look [w/poll]

Chris Paukert — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 20:28:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet, GM, Design/Style

We already told you all about the Corvette Stingray in our Deep Dive feature last night, but now we've had a chance to part the massive crowds surrounding it and get up close and personal at the Chevrolet stand here on the Detroit Auto Show floor. What do we think?

Not surprisingly, the C7 has real presence. And at least without a proper street backdrop and other vehicles for scale, this new Corvette looks smaller - likely because of the more defined surfacing along the side and less-rounded appearance overall, it has a shrink-wrapped appearance (this, despite a longer wheelbase). In our book, that's a very good thing.

We expected to have some trouble wrapping our heads around the Stingray's rear end treatment, and we have - but not for the reason you might think. The taillamp array is a bold departure from tradition, but the indirect lighting and deep-mounted fixtures are compelling, and the functional vents that surround them are unique. It's the prominent center-mount exhaust outlets that we're having a bit of trouble wrapping our head around. We'd like to see what the rear end looks like with squared-off outlets that mimic the taillamps, as right now, the exhausts are the only circular element on the entire back graphic of the car, and that strikes us a bit odd. Maybe for the eventual Z06 or ZR1?

Back to the vents for a moment - there are a whole lot of them, especially on this Z51-spec model. Thankfully, they're all functional, and they add a sense of genuine purpose and menace to the design. That said, we'd like to see how the car looks in a bright paint hue like red with the vents finished in body color, as going color-keyed should smooth out the design somewhat, which some of us found a bit fussy. Perhaps it's just going to take some time to get used to versus the C6 and C5 generations, which were much simpler designs overall.

Even at a glance, the interior is leagues ahead of the outgoing model, which is no surprise. We like the new smaller-diameter wheel, the driver-oriented center stack and the passenger-side climate controls underneath the air vent is a nice touch. The fit-and-finish evident is significantly better than what we've seen in the past, but at first blush, it doesn't appear to set new standards for the class.

The most important thing about the C7 Corvette will be its performance, of course, and the new LT1 small block and the preliminary performance metrics released look spectacular, from the 450 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque to the promised 0-60 mph of under four seconds.

The C6 was already a bargain, and if Chevrolet manages to keep the C7's pricing more or less in check, this new model figures to be a smash hit.

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2014 Chevrolet C7 Corvette Stingray is worth another (and another) look [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Jan 2013 20:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2014 Corvette face leaks on Road & Track cover

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 08:55:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet, GM

This is the face of the new Corvette. As was the case with the next 'Vette's hind quarters, the fascia has leaked on the cover of a magazine, in this case, Road & Track.

As you can see, a more angular look graces the face of the 2014 Corvette, with a large oblong-hexagon-shaped intake for sucking in as much of the atmosphere as possible, along with sharply defined bulges in the hood and what appear to be LED-ridden headlights. Front and center sits the latest variation of the classic Corvette emblem, just below a slot-shaped hood scoop.

We can't help but draw comparisons to current supercars like the 2013 SRT Viper and Ferrari 599. In any case, we're literally hours away from the car's full reveal, so you won't have to wait much longer for a whole slathering of Corvette-flavored morsels. Until then, cast your gaze upon the face of America's next world-beater.

2014 Corvette face leaks on Road & Track cover originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 13 Jan 2013 08:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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McCall's Motorworks Revival kicks off the Monterey weekend in style

Zach Bowman — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 12:44:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Chevrolet, Ford, Lamborghini, Ferrari

McCall's Motorworks Revival has officially kicked off the festivities in Monterey, California. This year, attendees were treated to a buffet of lust-worthy metal both new and old, including one very special treat. CSX2000, the very first Shebly Cobra assembled by Carroll Shelby himself, drove in under its own power and a distinguished cloud of oil smoke. Long live the snake. Two historically-significant Ford GT40 models showed up on the tarmac as well, including the very first MKI road car ever produced and the very last MK1 race car ever built.

If those aren't good enough to get your mouth watering, the oldest Corvette Stingray in existence stopped by to rub elbows with the personal jets on the runway as well. The third Stingray constructed, the '63 Convertible boasts hand-laid fiberglass and a 327-cube V8 under the hood.

It wasn't all old American metal, though. Both Ferrari and Lamborghini showed up with some of their more lust-worthy hardware, as did Koenigsegg, though it was Pagani that stole the show. The Italian automaker displayed two Huayra models. You know, in case you somehow managed to miss one of them. Check out the full gallery above for a taste of the action.

McCall's Motorworks Revival kicks off the Monterey weekend in style originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Aug 2012 12:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: GM scouring the globe for next Corvette design, first time looking beyond U.S.

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:28:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet, GM, Design/Style

Chevrolet 50th Anniversary Corvette Stingray Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Chevrolet Corvette is a uniquely American invention. It's the quintessential sportscar from the land that brought us baseball and apple pie. Interesting, then, that General Motors would choose to seek out design studies from its various styling studios from all around the globe, particularly those in Europe.

According to AutoWeek, though, that's just what GM's vice president of global design, Ed Welburn, did late last year when the time came for The General to start drafting proposals for the next-gen Corvette. Why would GM consider looking at European design flavors for its oh-so-American, V8-powered, rear-wheel drive sportscar? Demographics. According to Welburn, "We have challenges in the States with the Corvette. The average age of the customer is really rising."

That average age, for those keeping track, is 54 years-old (so says the Power Information Network). And it seems that the import-favoring younger generation in America isn't all that interested in the current 'Vette, a fact that has undoubtedly played a part in the Corvette's 48-percent sales decline in 2009 over the previous year.

One thing's for certain - its certainly not the Vette's all-conquering performance that's holding it back. Perception seems to be a bigger problem. "We have to develop a design that feels trimmer, meaner, to go along with the incredible performance that the car has," said Welburn, referring to the notion that many believe the current Corvette looks too big despite being roughly the same size as the benchmark Porsche 911. We might also suggest that GM needs to gag the beancounters who will undoubtedly threaten to nickel-and-dime the quality out of the next Vette's interior.

Whatever the case, Welburn knows the car can't stray too far from its heritage. "It can't mutate into something that gets so far away from Corvette that it is no longer a Corvette," he said. It seems the future may hold very interesting things for the iconic Corvette within the next two or three years. We anxiously look forward to seeing what Chevrolet manages to cook up.

Gallery: Chevrolet 50th Anniversary Corvette Stingray Concept revealed again

[Source: AutoWeek]

Report: GM scouring the globe for next Corvette design, first time looking beyond U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Harley Earl's own '63 Corvette Stingray convertible on the auction block

Noah Joseph — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Convertible, Performance, Auctions, Chevrolet, Specialty

Harley Earl's 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible - Click above for a high-res gallery

Legendary sportscar marques deserve their own dedicated auctions, and lately they've been getting what they deserve. RM Auction has been running a Ferrari-only event at the Maranello factory for a few years now, while Bonhams has been doing the same with Aston Martin at Newport Pagnell for even longer. But while the Corvette may technically be a model and not a brand, it has its own rabid following and its own history. Which could help explain why Mecum is holding a dedicated Corvette auction later this month in St. Charles, Illinois. The Mecum Bloomington Gold Corvette Auction will feature an array of Vettes from Chevy history, and this is undoubtedly the highlight: Harley Earl's personal Stingray convertible.

As the grand-daddy of American car design, Earl earned his place in history. And to help commemorate his achievements, General Motors presented him with this unique 'Vette in 1963, shortly after the car made its debut at the Chicago Auto Show. The car featured a unique metallic blue paintjob with white highlights and a blue leather interior, 300-horsepower fuel-injected 327, unique side exhaust and an array of special instruments in the glovebox.

Earl drove the car for two years - he even drove it at Daytona as the 500's Grand Marshall in 1965 - and then sold it to a war vet who drove it to California and back with local newspaper coverage. The car was then lost for decades before a group of amateur racers bought it at auction with the intent to drag race it before identifying it as something special. It then changed hands among Corvette collectors before receiving a full restoration. The car's status and storied history, more of which you can read about in the press release after the jump, are sure to fetch a pretty penny when this Vette crosses the auction block on June 26.

Gallery: Harley Earl's 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible

[Source: Mecum]

Continue reading Harley Earl's own '63 Corvette Stingray convertible on the auction block

Harley Earl's own '63 Corvette Stingray convertible on the auction block originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Jun 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chicago 2009: GM finally rolls out Corvette Stingray Concept [w/VIDEO]

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 12:28:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Concept Cars, Performance, Etc., Supercars, Chevrolet, GM

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.

Gallery: Chicago 2009: Corvette Stingray Concept LIVE

Gallery: Chicago 2009: Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Concept

Continue reading Chicago 2009: GM finally rolls out Corvette Stingray Concept [w/VIDEO]

Chicago 2009: GM finally rolls out Corvette Stingray Concept [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Feb 2009 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pics Aplenty: 2009 C3R Retro Corvette Stingray

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 13:58:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Performance, Chevrolet, Rendered Speculation

Click above for high-res image gallery of the C3R concept

Might it be possible that the General would consider going retro for its next Corvette? It's worked wonders for the current crop of remade pony cars, with Chevy's own Camaro being a prime example. Some might argue, though, that the modern 'Vette has never really strayed from its core ethos of offering big performance for a relatively low price, so perhaps it's not in dire need of visiting the past for inspiration. On the other hand, its current styling is an evolution of the C4 design and doesn't bear much resemblance to past classic generations.

One enthusiast by the name of Christian Cyrulewski has taken matters into his own hands by using the third-generation Corvette as inspiration for a rebodied C6, the current version of America's sports car. This is the second version of the C3R, as it's designer calls it, and it's received some tweaks since last time we showed it to you, with more to come we're told. Design elements like the Mako Shark-inspired front fender peaks and steeply flowing rear buttresses from the early C3 series are present, as are hideaway head lights, which were a Corvette staple until the latest C6.

While there are no firm plans to produce a car based on these renderings, past indications are that Cyrulewski would like to see the first C3R running down Woodward Avenue for next year's Dream Cruise. We'll be there, of course, and will definitely keep our eyes peeled for the C3R.

Gallery: 2009 C3R V2.0

[Source: Serious Wheels]

Pics Aplenty: 2009 C3R Retro Corvette Stingray originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Nov 2008 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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