Report: GM Moves Corvette Braintrust to Electric Vehicle File

There’s nothing green about the 2020 (or near identical 2021) Corvette Stingray’s powertrain, but those who developed General Motors’ new mid-engine sports car will apparently have a say in the development of virtuous vehicles to come.

A new report, backed up by GM, claims the Corvette’s engineering team will set up shop in the General’s exhaust-free autonomous and electric vehicles program come September.

Citing an internal source, corvetteforum.com revealed Thursday that the Corvette Engineering team will be moved from the Global Projects program that only just birthed the C8, and onto future green products. GM’s committed to going emissions-free, mentioning to whomever will listen that its future is all-electric. The pandemic has done nothing to temper that outlook.

Ken Morris, Vice President of Autonomous and Electric Vehicle Programs, confirmed the move, telling Corvette Forum, “General Motors is committed to an all-electric future. I’m excited to be putting the team that redefined supercar performance, design and attainability in key roles to help us integrate and execute our EVs to those same high standards.”

While the news left many wondering what this all means for the expected Z06 and ZR1 variants of the C8 Corvette, the report’s author soon confirmed that the remainder of the C8 program is a go.

GM contacted my editor and confirmed that future C8 model development WILL continue.

— Cameron VanDerHorst (@lowclassyuppie) August 27, 2020

It’s possible the hotter versions of the C8 might source some of their ponies from electrons, not hydrocarbons. GM, like Ford, is certainly eager to prove to customers that electrification can improve the sporting experience, not hamper it.

As for who goes where inside GM, InsideEVs reports:

In practical terms, the shift will see Tadge Juechter stay on as the Executive Chief Engineer for Global Corvette. He has been involved with the Corvette program for its past three generations. Ed Piatek, the Corvette Chief Engineer will have a new role and title: Chief Engineer – Future Product. Finally, Josh Holder is being named Chief Engineer for Global Corvette, taking Piatek’s place.

Thus far, GM’s official future product plans do not include an electric sports car, with pickups and crossovers being the go-to bodystyles. That’s where volume lies, at least in the non-electric world. With the Corvette team’s move, this could all change.

[Image: General Motors]