From PistonHeads.com
The next generation C7 Corvette will go on sale in 2012, according to official new model strategy plans revealed by General Motors yesterday.
The C7 'Vette was never axed, in spite of GM's bankruptcy woes, but the official line until yesterday was that the project was 'on indefinite hold'.
Unfortunately the official confirmation provides few other details, other than the C7 will predictably retain its front-engine rear-drive configuration, and that production will start in April 2012 as a 2013 m/y year vehicle.
There's been loads of speculation about the new C7 of course, some of it focused around the Corvette Stingray Concept revealed at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show. This car was actually built to star in a Transformers movie, and was a design exercise 'to incorporate past design cues in a fully futuristic shape'. However, it's not unfeasible that certain elements of the Stingray design will appear in the C7, and we're showing it to you again because we've nothing else to go on! (Some reports from the US have suggested that 'thematic links' between the C7 and the Stingray Concept might include the gills around the air intake, and the fins at the rear.)
Other speculation suggests the new 'Vette will get a double-clutch rear transaxle to keep it in line with the competition, and a smaller capacity supercharged V8 to help meet emissions and economy targets. It's likely also that GM will be forced to make more extensive use of lightweight materials and high-tech build methods to keep weight down, although the car's platform is said to be an incremental development of the C6 chassis.
Adam Wartell
sdlong329
