mid engine corvette qtr panels leaked photo

If you are expecting “exotic” you should temper that. I’ve argued all along that this is a $60-65K car that needs to get traction in Europe - styling will be derivative and conservative.

So far, that appears to be the case...

 

It looks "familiar".

Some think that's good, some think it's boring.

But its nothing we haven't seen before out of GM

 

Agreed. Honestly, I’m a little underwhelmed. No reason it couldn’t have been like the Cien or something moving like the Elise or 4C.

 

That last batch of photoshops have the proportions wrong.

 

Bob Lutz discusses the C8

http://www.autoline.tv

 

^ Lutz is correct in his assessment of the car industry which is very depressing to most of us. The age of the car nut is coming to an end.

 

I hope he's right about the sticker price too. Only $5k more than comparably trimmed C-7's.

 

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If the costs are anything close to what Lutz is saying, it will be fun, fast with a crap interior and lots of plastic. But maybe with some luck, there will be options lists like the 60s or an aftermarket waiting to upgrade.

Regardless it's about kicking the teeth of the NFGT at a fraction the cost. Go GM, Go!

 

Better. I still think the side scoops look a bit weird. White tends to take away all detail.

To me there is something really odd going on here... almost like someone glued two different cars together. Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

But he also says what my concern is... that the bean counters will cut the car so deeply to get to that price they will sacrifice the car for it.

Lutz's discussion of what happened to the Solstace is classic -- in corporate stupidity

And 435 HP engine today is OK but not really going to shake up the market. A lot depends on the performance numbers as this thing might be a bit heavy compared to the competition.

Lastly, I've said for years Corvette should be it's own brand and branch out -- but GM won't do that to protect Cadillac. Another dumb corporate decision. Look at what BMW and Audi have been doing in upscale sports sedans and SUV. There's no reason why Corvette couldn't have the same brand mystique.

 

It’s a car alright...

 

Lutz left GM in 2010 so he's still talking about the C6 Powerplant (LS3). The LT1 in the C7 is 460HP and my guess is the base engine in the C8 will be another version of the SBC with 500 - 525HP.

 

If it looks like that, has around 500hp, and isn't too heavy, they're going to have a real winner on their hands (assuming its pricing is roughly in line with current pricing).

 

Chevy base model pricing is pretty misleading. Most go for the mid level as the base is really bare bones and the dealers rarely stock them.

I'm still guessing most will walk out of the showroom for 85K even if the base price is about 70. Still an amazing bargain but I'm sure its going to urk a lot of current owners.

 

I agree - it will be a fun car at a good price. Don’t expect a Pagani, it’s not. It’s a Corvette.

 

I'd guess the average base model will leave the showroom somewhere between $75k and $80k, but we'll see. Even at $85k I think it's should be a winner.

 

That's about 20 grand more than the C7 base (if you can find one). Right now you can get brand new C7's at a big discount. The average Vette buyer is very budget conscience.

 

But, what do base model C7's really cost? Like you said, they start at $57k, but isn't selling price closer to $65k-$70k?

 

Yeah, rarely see new C7''s with no options

 

Brand mystic of a BMW or an Audi? Uh, yeah, OK. I'll take my Corvettes over those two-especially most of their newest models. I care about the drive-not some imaginary poseur status. A Camaro drives better than most new BMWs, much less the Corvette. And, no I don't want a Corvette SUV.

 

So you now want to question the why there are superior sales of Audi and BMW over Cadillac? Really?

 

Good marketing and PR. It's hard to change the GM image that has been created over the years even though things have improved significantly.
As they say perception is reality...

 

Completely agree and exactly my point.

That's why there is more brand equity in expanding Corvette than this is in trying to resurrect Caddy into something it isn't. Every time GM has tried to "rebrand" it's brands, it's failed. In fact it even gave up at one point and decide to create Saturn because it felt the concept wouldn't fit any of its existing brands. They were better off folding Oldsmobile than trying to make it "Saturn".

Corvette has a positive brand statement for what it is. Even Chevy is taking off the bow ties in the logos to try to make it seem "less Chevy" and "more Corvette".

Its now a "Corvette Stingray" and not a "Chevy Corvette". Next step, Corvette Zora then Corvette whatever.

 

Corvette La Corvette?