DerekShiekhi

Could Chevrolet Be Preparing for the C8 Corvette Already?



Last week, I told you all about Chevrolet's $439-million investment into its Bowling Green plant. When I wrote that post, I knew something was a little off - something about the wording of Chevy's press release.

Read the rest on the CorvetteForum.com homepage. >>

nmvettec7

There can be no doubt that GM has a winner with the generational change in both style and technology of the Corvette C7. The automobile industry has always been in a constant change both in automobile design and technology advancements. This will never change. As we progress into the 2020's and beyond, we can only imagine the changes that will emerge.

Modern technology will not regress, technology will only progress. I am certain that GM designers are already working well into the future in development of the next few generations of the iconic automobile, the Corvette.

The announcement in advancements and investment into the Bowling Green, KY plant bodes well for the loyalists of the iconic Corvette. One would have to confess that an investment of some $450 million is for more than a paint upgrade.

The loyalist of the Corvette who exercises patience for the future will undoubtly witness changes in styling, engine performance and technology unmatched in what we see today in the 7th generation iconic vehicle. Excitement will abound for the future. GM needs to continue the development of a quality product with style, performance and price points that can continue to attract a whole new array of potential Corvette owners and continue to attract the loyalists. They have achieved that goal with the 7th generation. They have a winner, and I am sure that that winning design and advancements in technology will only continue into the future. I strongly believe that Corvette owners will have much to be excited about in the years ahead.

OLD_GOAT

I don't see the C8 happening for a few years, after all we're 2 years of production and fixing to start year 3 with the C7.

I do see Chevy making minor changes, perhaps bumping the engines up a few HP, or doing like they did with the C6 going from LS2 to LS3.

Either way, I feel we're at least 5 years or so from the C8.

millpond

Possible, probable, my black hen, she lays eggs in the relative when.

TBIRD57

not getting any younger and i really like this concept!
come on gm be like apple and introduce the c8 in 6 months

millpond

The mid engined Zora could be developed as a separate model alongside the C7. The C7 could last a few more years and we could still see the Zora fairly soon. Don't want to get confused with the C8 designation. You never know, the mid engined car could end up being badged a Caddy.

grocerygetter

Be a curveball if they moved corvette production to new plant and launched c8 and moved another car line into the old plant.

millpond

Definitely would be a curve ball. Who knows?...A few people at GM do, but they are not talking.

motomanvette

Planning for a Corvette generation starts years in advance. I would think planning for the C8 would start shortly.

Glenn Quagmire

When I first saw the story about $439M being spent on an upgrade to painting operation at BG, I had to chuckle a bit. There is no way that GM is going to spend nearly half a billion on painting vettes...orange peel or not.

Nope, it is indeed an attempt to further cloak the next gen vette in secrecy. I have no doubt that GM will produce a mid-engine Zora/ZR1 by next year. It fits perfectly in the order of things we've come to expect from past generations. Having a mid-engine halo car is an awesome idea. As a current owner of both a C6 ZR1 and C7 Z07, I can tell you that it makes no sense to add more horsepower to the current FR configuration. Both cars are already difficult enough to launch with manual transmissions. More wheel spin is nothing more than...more wheel spin.

I've been in line for a Zora/ZR1 for nearly 18 months, and will be happy to write the $150K+ check for a low volume, halo vette, with ample local service options. As with all vettes, the value proposition will be jaw dropping. Thus, I'll probably be saving $150K+ for what would be a more exotic car, with less power, and fewer service choices.

ben dover

^This.^

CCA Corvette Parts

The answer is yes

Regards
Chip

stingraymyway

Of course the engineering departments are working on upgrades and new design. When it will happen is anybody's guess. The C7 will be around for a while. It's too big of a hit for the company to not ride the wave for as long as they can.

Busa Dave

The C8 was in development when the C7 was released. This is very normal for manufacturers of a product. Planned obsolesce--happens with all products especially automobiles.

Ernest_T

I think you're right. Jeep hit a home run with the new Jeep Cherokee which was released in 2013. In an interview in 2015, Sergio Marchionne, the CEO of Fiat/Chrysler America, said the engineering for the next generation Cherokee, scheduled for release in 2018, was already complete.

Steve_R

This again?

rcooper

This is true, and with the time it will take to upgrade the plant, test and train the workers, I should think that it will be several years ( think 4-5) before the next Corvette hits the streets. Be it a mid engine or a continuation of the front engine.
In our family business, with out the aid of computers ( 60's-70's) it took us a couple of years just to design, build and test a lawn mower. This is a fairly simple machine as compared to an automobile, which we know would take years to research, develop, and bring to market.
Any item with thousands of parts and the testing for each of those parts, various suppliers and the co-operation between them is a staggering event.
To those that think a mid engine Zora will be released along side the Stingray in 2017 are a bit premature in their forecast. If it is released as a co produced vehicle I should think that it would be closer to mid 2018 or early '19.
Just in time for me to get a new one.

corvettecop

I disagree. Why? Most folks see a mid-engined Corvette as a replacement. GM sees it as an extension of the brand.

Think Porsche Cayman, 911 and Panamera- expensive, super expensive + super expensive with 4 doors.

HyperX

That would be great news. My C6 Z06 needs a refresh and the C7 is just too damn ugly.

bapd77

Yet here you are in the C7 section.....