QOTD: What's Next for the Chevrolet Corvette?
The Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray was introduced yesterday. Now that we know that it's combining a gas engine and an electric motor, I'm wondering -- what's next for the venerable 'Vette?
Related, what should be next?
A full EV 'Vette? A ZR1 for the C8 platform, finally? Bring back a manual transmission for certain trims?
Something else?
I find the E-Ray exciting because it gives the car an all-wheel-drive setup at times (and, technically, front-wheel drive at times) and because it could help save a teeny tiny bit of fuel. That said, I am already thinking about what else Chevy can do with the platform.
Are you? Sound off below.
[Image: Chevrolet]
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Tim Healey grew up around the auto-parts business and has always had a love for cars — his parents joke his first word was “‘Vette”. Despite this, he wanted to pursue a career in sports writing but he ended up falling semi-accidentally into the automotive-journalism industry, first at Consumer Guide Automotive and later at Web2Carz.com. He also worked as an industry analyst at Mintel Group and freelanced for About.com, CarFax, Vehix.com, High Gear Media, Torque News, FutureCar.com, Cars.com, among others, and of course Vertical Scope sites such as AutoGuide.com, Off-Road.com, and HybridCars.com. He’s an urbanite and as such, doesn’t need a daily driver, but if he had one, it would be compact, sporty, and have a manual transmission.
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How about more restrained styling? The current version looks like it was designed by a dozen teenage boys high on Red Bull.
There are two obvious paths. First, the Evette has to come down in price,while maintaining its performance. Second, a full electric. Full ICE is dead.
Sadly I assume the future for the 'Vette is a spin-off SUV - yuck.
What I would like to see is a smaller version. In general we need more EV coupes and sports cars. The original Telsa was a 2 door (a Lotus with a battery pack). Hybrid power, like the current E-Ray makes sense as many supercars have gone this route. F1 uses hybrid tech its clearly a great way of getting more power and instant torque. However an all EV 'Vette is just wrong... as it would not longer be a Corvette.
While going mid-engine was a big change it was Zora's original concept for the car. However it ruins the car's practicality as the front engine rear hatch setup is actually great for road trips and daily tasks. A mid-engine configuration is superior for handling but kills all interior space.
If GM is smart (separate discussion altogether) they will follow the path created by Porsche and the 911. The v8 is here to stay, per Ford, Mercedes, Porsche, et. al. and whether the Corvette is turboed is actually inevitable, because superchargers just don't produce the same low end torque and efficiency (and you can't supercharge a mid engine car either). This is proven by the fact that Merc and Porsche brought back (yes, put them BACK into models that went to blown 6s) in the form of blown small displacement v8s, because customers demanded them.
If they can put out a Z06 that is like a 911 GT3, and an E-Ray that is like a 911 Turbo S, I think that is the game. Push the car into it's forte (performance!) and offer a track version and a maxed-out version, that practically match each other on the track (go look at how similar a GT3 and a Turbo S are in lap times/entry and exit speed, etc.
Then, introduce the specialty models that mimic other 911s: a base model, a lightweight model, a couple with a stick, and always focus on how the Corvette is winning in IMSA and WEC racing. V8 development is still strong in endurance racing; Cadillac, Porsche, Lexus, Aston Martin, Mercedes, Corvette, all running v8s in Prototype and GT classes.
Keep it a hybrid, just like the 911, and hold out for e-fuel. LONG LIVE THE V8.