Corvette Stingray Concept: Why Bother?

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

The price of any exclusive story is a straight face. Having scored some seat-time (and flack-time) with GM’s Corvette Stingray Concept, Jalopnik was obliged to report the experience sans critical filter. Which means we learn that the Stingray “represents a merger of GM design and technology from the past, present and future,” as well as “the merger of high technology with high design in the powertrain, exterior and interior.” Of course, in order to keep that all-important straight face, nearly everything about the concept has to be described using either the term “represents” or “theoretical.”

Despite costing several million dollars to build, the Stingray is a 15 mph dummy. Its hybrid V8 with infinitely tweakable eco- and sport-modes is “theoretical.” As is its ability to tweet, “keep an eye on friends,” and calculate the fastest way around any given race track. And despite the future-tense veneer, the Stingray doesn’t even preview the look or drivetrain of the C7 Corvette.

Pointless concepts are fundamental to the DNA of old GM, and luckily this one was first sketched six years ago. Technically, this is not your tax dollars at work. But still, why is GM hyping a vehicle which will never get any closer to the street than Transformers 2? “Conceptual technology” may turn refrigerator boxes into spaceships for three-year olds, but it doesn’t have any bearing on consumers of automobiles. And if you’ve got a few million dollars extra, why not put it into the actual development of an actual next-generation Corvette? Unless of course the point was to remind everyone that nothing at General Motors ever changes.

Edward Niedermeyer
Edward Niedermeyer

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  • Akitadog Akitadog on Aug 14, 2009

    GM should be focusing all its Corvette resources on a direct-injection LSx, with cylinder-cutoff tech, and a facelift for 2011 model year. 455 hp w/ 29-31 EPA highway mpg would be very helpful towards GM's fleet mpg average, not to mention owners. I bet the Z06 could get 530 to 540 hp or so.

  • Akitadog Akitadog on Aug 14, 2009

    GM needs to spend its Corvette money on a direct-injection LSx engine w/ cylinder-cutoff technology, as well as a 2011 facelift. Imagine a 450-460 hp Vette w/ 30 EPA highway mpg.

  • Ambulancechaser Ambulancechaser on Aug 15, 2009

    Given that I've seen 2010 Camaro SS/RS's for sale around here (Alberta, Canada) in the $70k price range (I kid you not) I would imagine that the C7 'vette will be price in and around A KAJILLION DOLLARS. Or $40k in the states. Or whatever.

  • Powerpeecee Powerpeecee on Sep 21, 2009

    Dear God General Motors designs are terrible. Perhaps they've' hired their second engineer, but they are still using the folks in the mailroom to come up with new car designs. Bleah!

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