C5 Design- Some Shared Ideas?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 515
Likes: 279
From: Carol Stream (Chicago suburbs) IL
C5 Design- Some Shared Ideas?
You be the judge:
First image, 1986 concept for a mid-engine Corvette
Second image, 1992 Jaguar XJ 220
Third image, my C5
It would appear that the general lines of the C5 as we know it, may have evolved from (or borrowed from) existing mid-engine designs.
First image, 1986 concept for a mid-engine Corvette
Second image, 1992 Jaguar XJ 220
Third image, my C5
It would appear that the general lines of the C5 as we know it, may have evolved from (or borrowed from) existing mid-engine designs.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,360
Likes: 24,785
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
I can see some similarity in the Jag fender lines.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 515
Likes: 279
From: Carol Stream (Chicago suburbs) IL
Yes, in addition to the similar fender lines, I noticed that the mid-80s concept for a mid-engine Corvette appeared remarkably similar to the production mid-engine Jag. Although in the world of design, it is very difficult to know who, or what design has played an influence in another design- for all we know, maybe the Corvette designers were being influenced by Jaguar design?
In addition to the similar fender lines, the pop up headlights are evident in all three designs- the mid-engine designs necessarily longer in the rear, but all three designs have a rather large rear. The large rear of the C-5 is a design element many criticize. I have seen some speculating that it was to accommodate the desire for a trunk.
However, seeing the mid-engine Corvette concept car and the production Jag, I think more likely the rear of the C-5 was derived from these mid-engine design concepts. Having a design like the C-5 in production (with a larger than necessary rear), would make the evolution from a front engine Corvette to mid-engine Corvette less abrupt. I wonder if the thought that the Corvette might eventually move to a mid-engine lay out, may have been behind, the C-5 "behind."
In addition to the similar fender lines, the pop up headlights are evident in all three designs- the mid-engine designs necessarily longer in the rear, but all three designs have a rather large rear. The large rear of the C-5 is a design element many criticize. I have seen some speculating that it was to accommodate the desire for a trunk.
However, seeing the mid-engine Corvette concept car and the production Jag, I think more likely the rear of the C-5 was derived from these mid-engine design concepts. Having a design like the C-5 in production (with a larger than necessary rear), would make the evolution from a front engine Corvette to mid-engine Corvette less abrupt. I wonder if the thought that the Corvette might eventually move to a mid-engine lay out, may have been behind, the C-5 "behind."
