Corvette C7 To Bow In January, Production Begins June 30th – Or September.
The first Chevrolet Corvette C7 will roll off the company’s Bowling Green, Kentucky assembly line on June 30th, 2013 – 60 years to the day after the first Corvette was built. Or at least that’s what Reuters is reporting, based on supplier information.
While Reuters quotes “…two suppliers familiar with the automaker’s plans but are not authorized to speak on behalf of GM,” the official line from General Motors, according to Automotive News, is that production will begin in August or September of 2013. But a six-month retooling process is scheduled to begin in February, and the timing coincides perfectly with the June 30th anniversary.
Orders for the C6 car will cease in December, with the C7 debuting right before the 2013 North American International Auto Show press days. The new car is said to be smaller and lighter, with a more upscale interior. Only two parts have been carried over from the C6 Corvette, as GM is attempting to appeal to younger buyers who would normally gravitate towards foreign sports cars.
GM will announce details on their new generation of small-block V8 engines on October 24th, but they did release the newly re-designed Corvette logo, shown above.
More by Derek Kreindler
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The C5 & C6 generation have revitalized the Corvette brand. Solid performers for the money. Although they are beyond my means, I am excited to see what the C7 holds in store.
"Smaller and Lighter" is usually a crazy backwards alternative universe to GM. GM traditionally has the porker in any market segment. I hope the C7 really is smaller and lighter and GM kicks some ass with their halo car.
One thing positive that you can say about the Vette is that it resisted the bloat that has run amok in the automotive industry
I think it's sadly telling of Corvette's status among car cognoscenti that this post has so far garnered only 9 comments including this one. In the same amount of time anything of similar performance from BMW, Mercedes or Porsche would probably have 40+. And although I'm still a n00b here, I can see that TTAC elicits comments from a very diverse readership. Apparently 'Vettes are quaint anachronisms? I don't know.... I've only cared for trucks and lately little sippy-cars for when I don't want to feed my truck.