Trim Levels
Base: LT
Mid-level: Z06
Up-level: SS

Introduction

The Corvette; such an iconic GM vehicle. It's the car that everyone loves, and has a place in the hearts and minds of millions of people around the world. It's Chevrolet's equivalent of the 911, and the two vastly different cars are often compared head to head as ideological opposites. The car that can compare with rivals costing far more; .that car is the Corvette. And that's the car we had the task of redesigning, quite possibly the hardest of all the RIA cars we have done before. Our hardest vehicle, in the hardest lineup. Efforts in this lineup have culminated with, and in our idea of what the next generation C7 Corvette should be.
In this RIA, our C7 Corvette's styling follows an more evolutionary, rather then revolutionary path. Overall the car is much more emotional and dramatic, with a more planted stance and low-slung look. Things like a swooping downward character line add drama and excitement to the car, while still retaining that unmistakable Corvette look.

We followed the mantra of "don't mess with success" in hammering out the details on the C7, especially in regards to price. The Corvette is an attainable supercar, and that's something that shouldn't be changed. The LT starts at $47,150 and bumps up the horsepower from current C6 levels to 450HP. And, as is the case now, is available in a few different packages, 1LT, 2LT and 3LT. Z06, which starts at $70,250, increases the HP level to 600HP from it's 7.0L LS7 V8. A new addition to the model line is the "Super Corvette", which we have called the Corvette SS. The Corvette SS, starting at $115,000, has a supercharged version of the engine, making 850HP. The SS also adds features like ceramic brakes, something GM has opted out of the current car because of the over $10k cost. The price has been brought down though, however and it's a feature that certainly should be present on the very best of Corvettes.
Lots of debate on where to take the Corvette, both in RIA and inside GM. Some have said to take the Corvette mid-engine. That's the worst course of action because it destroys the very essence of the Corvette in that it's an attainable supercar. In price as well as styling, future Corvettes should stick to the principles that made it what it is. A mid-engined vehicle has it's place at Cadillac, but not as a Corvette. Our proposed C7 Corvette arrives around the time of the production vehicle, in 2010 as a 2011 model.
Specifications Sheet

Vehicle Type: Large 2-Door 2-Passenger Sports Car
Size Comparison: Current Corvette
Competitors: In a Class of it's Own
Base Platform: GM Y-Body
Drive Wheels: RWD
Engines:
LT: 6.2L 450HP LS3 V8 - Starting at $47,150
Z06: 7.0L 600HP LS7 V8 - Starting at $70,250
SS: 6.2L 750HP Supercharged LS9 V8 - Starting at $115,000
Transmissions: 6 speed Automatic (Optional: LT/Z06/SS), 6 speed manual (Standard: LT/Z06/SS)

From DC

 

Actually I think the back looks pretty good. I would like to see the front as well.

 

 

front end looks to much like the Saturn Sky

 

It looks like a C6 with a body kit. I really hope they come out with some actually NEW! I'd like to see some headlights that resemble a 1958, or maybe a double bubble roof design or something.

 

The wheels are the only cool thing about that one.

 

Looks okay but GM, quit giving us EVOLUTIONARY............we want REVOLUTIONARY! I want people to stop in their tracks as I drive by! Give me some kind of space-age dash! Give me excessive horsepower I will never be able to use on the street! Give me more, more, more of what is good on the C6!

 

one word UGLY

I like the C6 alright, but this one no thanks.

 

Looks to me like they are blending various family elements together. As pointed out earlier they've picked up elements of the Saturn Sky and they are picking up elements of the Caddy as well.

I think this is more of an "evolution" into a form a design by corporate identity and less building a Corvette we (well me for sure) would like to see.

I'm probably on the outside of the group but there are a lot of subtle things GM could have done to improve the current C6.

Ah well, we have to bear in mind the disastrous year GM has just had. Given that we're lucky they're even talking about a C7.

 

850hp for SS version with CAFE regulations? is this old?

 

Cool, great news! I will be keeping my C6-vert.- I dig my ride no need to change, no thank you this time around GM...

 

Utter Crap

 

CAFE regulations mean little when the number of SS/ZR1 Corvettes are so few.
I like the wheels and the back.

 

might as well just call it a C6.5 rather than a C7

 

450hp in the base vette isn't enough to take me out of my LS2 2007. I'd rather buy the Z06 either C6 or C7 generation depending on funds.

 

Sounds promising!!

So when can I place my order for a 2011 C7 Z06?

 

this is not from GM. Ugly as hell!

 

All you that want revolutionary will not get it. This is a mass produced, high volume car. Something that will stop traffic as you drive by can ONLY be small volume production. Even the F430, if produced 30000/year, will not be stopping traffic. The sheer number on the road ensures that it becomes a familiar sight. The Corvette has always been relatively affordable, high volume (thus affordable), kick *** performance car. It will never be "exotic", will never be produced in low number (exclusive). Now variants of it might be low production (ZR1), but not Corvette as a whole.

 

That is not from GM, but rather a forum called GM inside news. The have a design group there that designs cars....

 

Looks WAY better than the current C6 with the smile face. Still not good enough though. But on the right track, sorta. Who are these design guys....they need new "people"