Concept Car
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: Richmond TX
Concept Car
Why doesn't Chevrolet release a concept/next generation show car with the Corvette. I can't recall them doing it with the C4 or C5.
It seems like it would stir up a lot of interest and you see other makers doing ala the GenIII Viper.
It seems like it would stir up a lot of interest and you see other makers doing ala the GenIII Viper.
Drifting
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 1,833
Likes: 1
From: San Diego CA
Re: Concept Car (BradJ)
Why doesn't Chevrolet release a concept/next generation show car with the Corvette. I can't recall them doing it with the C4 or C5.
It seems like it would stir up a lot of interest and you see other makers doing ala the GenIII Viper.
It seems like it would stir up a lot of interest and you see other makers doing ala the GenIII Viper.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 8,099
Likes: 398
From: Oakland, CA
Stingray III
Remember Stingray III in the early 90s?
I think Corvette is too strongly branded and too close in identity to a show car (dream car / supercar / high-tech car) in its production form.
A show car with the Corvette (or Stingray or Sting Ray or any Shark) name only dilutes Corvette's power as a brand. Make a wild show car and it just takes away from the next real Corvette.
As for an early peek at the next real Corvette, the excitement fades by the time they're ready for sale, and in the mean time poisons sales of the existing model. Remember, GM actually expects to make money on Corvette. It is a halo car, but it is not a loss leader like Viper.
Tuner-style cars are a different story. A car like Tigershark, or the V12 C4, they're more of a garages gone wild scenario and lend excitement and credibility to the current product by showing how robust it is and how far it can go. And they remind the competition that Corvette is not an easy target -- GM can and will answer any challenge to the Corvette throne with extreme prejudice. :-)
.Jinx
I think Corvette is too strongly branded and too close in identity to a show car (dream car / supercar / high-tech car) in its production form.
A show car with the Corvette (or Stingray or Sting Ray or any Shark) name only dilutes Corvette's power as a brand. Make a wild show car and it just takes away from the next real Corvette.
As for an early peek at the next real Corvette, the excitement fades by the time they're ready for sale, and in the mean time poisons sales of the existing model. Remember, GM actually expects to make money on Corvette. It is a halo car, but it is not a loss leader like Viper.
Tuner-style cars are a different story. A car like Tigershark, or the V12 C4, they're more of a garages gone wild scenario and lend excitement and credibility to the current product by showing how robust it is and how far it can go. And they remind the competition that Corvette is not an easy target -- GM can and will answer any challenge to the Corvette throne with extreme prejudice. :-)
.Jinx
Racer
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 436
Likes: 0
From: Soon to be: Orlando FL
Re: Concept Car (BradJ)
Corvettes are as solid brand as one can get. If you do not show the car now you will get more press and excitment when the car is brought to market and it is less advertising that Chevy would have to pay for. Also the more rumors that are out there the more they can listen and change without the scrutny of the press and public
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 2,501
Likes: 177
From: Houston, Texas FEAR THE BONES
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Re: Concept Car (ShanMan14)
Remember, Dave Hill & crew did build a running prototype CERV IV car, but it was not a show car, but rather an engineering study to test the feasibility of the new backbone frame concept in the C5. The CERV IV was a C4 vert with a hard top (albeit with new underpinnings).
Frankly, I'd rather GM continue this route and spend $1 million on engineering the C6 rather than on a show car with no future.
Frankly, I'd rather GM continue this route and spend $1 million on engineering the C6 rather than on a show car with no future.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,499
Likes: 0
Re: Concept Car (94vette)
I think Chevy should offer a sneek preview to selected Corvette owners so we can give them feedback on what we like and don't like about it before it's too late. I volunteer :D and I promise not to let the cat out of the bag :blueangel:
Chevy, you listening ? :chevy
Chevy, you listening ? :chevy
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Vacaville CA
Re: Concept Car (BradJ)
Although not seen by the general public, owners of various sports cars including C5's were invited to evaluate the C6 concept car and provide feedback. As one of those people, I felt fortunate to give my opinion (mostly negative) about the styling changes. Moreover, it received mostly negative response from owners of other sports cars as well. I hope GM took our comments to heart and went back to the drawing board. The reason it isn't shown to the general public is that there would be far too much feedback with no control. Those of us who evaluated the C6 concept car were in a controlled environment.
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