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Entry level Corvette?

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Old Jun 5, 2011 | 02:06 AM
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Default Entry level Corvette?

This is a question only, not a statement.

Any chance the Pontiac Solstice/Saturn Sky is revived as a Corvette model (made in addition to the C7) in BG?
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Old Jun 5, 2011 | 09:08 AM
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Any entry level model that is not actually a decontented Corvette, will be another Chevy or GM model, not something called a Corvette or Corvette junior. Corvette is model of a car line. It is not a car line.
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Old Jun 5, 2011 | 12:41 PM
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Technically, you're correct. That car should get a new model name.

So, is there a chance for it? We know GM isn't spending that kind of money simply on a C7 upgrade.

I think there is room for a Fiero/Solstice/Sky car in the GM lineup.
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Old Jun 5, 2011 | 04:07 PM
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Default Absolutely

Originally Posted by range96
Technically, you're correct. That car should get a new model name.

So, is there a chance for it? We know GM isn't spending that kind of money simply on a C7 upgrade.

I think there is room for a Fiero/Solstice/Sky car in the GM lineup.
And there's room for a Cad XLR.

Given the body count to be added at BG and a vacant line at GM that was used by Cad for the XLR, the Cad is a more likely BUT that's just IMO.
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Old Jun 5, 2011 | 07:10 PM
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Originally Posted by range96
So, is there a chance for it? We know GM isn't spending that kind of money simply on a C7 upgrade.
How do "we" know that?

Doug
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Old Jun 5, 2011 | 09:05 PM
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Just to freak everyone out and cause concern, I was at the Bowling Green plant two weeks ago. There is a solar powered Volt charging station in the employee parking lot.
There are other green initiatives on the property including solar powered trash compacters and an eco park.
Perhaps $131 million is going into alternate energy projects as well as C7 (or perhaps even built into the C7)?
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Old Jun 5, 2011 | 09:10 PM
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Default Some data

Originally Posted by NFexec
How do "we" know that?

Doug
I don't have the numbers right in front of me, however the amount of money being invested by GM is between 10 and 15 times the money spent on the C5 to C6 change.

The Kentucky Economic Development Funding Authority agenda item approving up to $7.5M in state tax offsets over the next eight years lists $113.6M in equipment costs, $4.7M in building improvements and $12.8M in other start-up costs for GM in connection with the investment project. Further that agenda item says the project involves adding a new production line for a vehicle that GM is not identifying. Further Russe says GM will add about 250 workers to the approximately 450 that are currently on the Corvette line.

$131.1 million in investments and an additional 250 workers and the promise of a new production line for an unidentified vehicle adds up to more than the C6 to C7 change over.

Last edited by I Bin Therbefor; Jun 5, 2011 at 09:35 PM. Reason: spelling
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Old Jun 7, 2011 | 10:13 AM
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Originally Posted by 1986coupe
Just to freak everyone out and cause concern, I was at the Bowling Green plant two weeks ago. There is a solar powered Volt charging station in the employee parking lot.
There are other green initiatives on the property including solar powered trash compacters and an eco park.
Perhaps $131 million is going into alternate energy projects as well as C7 (or perhaps even built into the C7)?
An electric sports car that can go 100 mph with a range of 300-350 miles between charge. Nice theory, but we don't have the technology yet. Not in a panic -- yet.
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Old Jun 7, 2011 | 04:03 PM
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I didn't say that it would be a sports car. I just mention green initiatives.

An additional line being added...perhaps the El Camino that has been getting press. Perhaps a Buick or Cadillac.
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Old Jun 7, 2011 | 04:53 PM
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If GM were to be so bold as to revive the Solstice/Sky then I doubt that it would be reborn through an entry-level Corvette trim, the two vehicles appeal to different target markets. With that said, I certainly believe that there is a lucrative opportunity in the marketplace for a V6-powered entry-level corvette. Providing a lower priced model trim level would make the Corvette more financially accessible to the highly-vaunted youthful enthusiast consumer, something that GM is attempting to execute with the C7. Porsche is attempting to get a piece of this tasty market share with the entry-level, flat-four powered Cayman that is rumored to come out when the next generation model launches; I don't see why GM wouldn't follow suit with the C7..
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Old Jun 7, 2011 | 09:50 PM
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Akerson's main objective is to roughly double profits in the very near future. To support that goal he will take the Vette downstream (making it cheaper) and sell a lot more.

GM already made a telling change with the 2012 ZR1. The standard 6-speed is geared more for fuel economy than performance. If you want the old gear ratios you have to pick an option package.
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Old Jun 8, 2011 | 12:41 AM
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Originally Posted by range96
Akerson's main objective is to roughly double profits in the very near future. To support that goal he will take the Vette downstream (making it cheaper) and sell a lot more.

GM already made a telling change with the 2012 ZR1. The standard 6-speed is geared more for fuel economy than performance. If you want the old gear ratios you have to pick an option package.
A turbo DOHC six or a twin turbo DOHC V8 is not cheaper to build than than an NA LSx engine. I am not sure how putting one in a entry level Corvette will allow them to go down market.
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Old Jun 8, 2011 | 01:29 AM
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Originally Posted by Racer X
Corvette is model of a car line. It is not a car line.
In the states, yes. In Europe and Japan, Corvette is a brand. In addition, some years ago, I had heard that GM was considering an identical marketing scheme stateside. The possibility of there being two cars branded under the Corvette moniker is greater than you think.
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Old Jun 8, 2011 | 10:08 PM
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Originally Posted by Racer X
A turbo DOHC six or a twin turbo DOHC V8 is not cheaper to build than than an NA LSx engine. I am not sure how putting one in a entry level Corvette will allow them to go down market.
I never said or implied a turbo DOHC six or a twin turbo DOHC V8 will be in the entry level car.
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Old Jun 9, 2011 | 01:17 AM
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Originally Posted by range96
I never said or implied a turbo DOHC six or a twin turbo DOHC V8 will be in the entry level car.
yes but both have been dicussed as possibilities for the C7 on this forum. I would venture to guess a N/A LSx motor is actually cheaper to produce than the N/A DOHC V6 in the Camaro and CTS.

What engine would have them put in this entry level Corvette? How much Horsepower? How much cheaper could they sell it for?

A whole different car?

How do you think they would make it cheaper?
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Old Jun 9, 2011 | 08:57 AM
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Originally Posted by PetroniDE
An electric sports car that can go 100 mph with a range of 300-350 miles between charge. Nice theory, but we don't have the technology yet. Not in a panic -- yet.
Didn't Oscar Goldman say we have the technology.... Just kidding.

Last edited by 2vette2; Jun 9, 2011 at 09:01 AM.
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Old Jun 9, 2011 | 09:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Racer X
yes but both have been dicussed as possibilities for the C7 on this forum. I would venture to guess a N/A LSx motor is actually cheaper to produce than the N/A DOHC V6 in the Camaro and CTS.

What engine would have them put in this entry level Corvette? How much Horsepower? How much cheaper could they sell it for?

A whole different car?

How do you think they would make it cheaper?
A whole different car.
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Old Jun 10, 2011 | 08:07 AM
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Kappa (Pontiac Solstice/Saturn Sky) derived Corvette and Cadillac fighter for the BMW Z3 and Mercedes SLK?
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Old Jun 10, 2011 | 10:41 AM
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Originally Posted by ELOC
Kappa (Pontiac Solstice/Saturn Sky) derived Corvette and Cadillac fighter for the BMW Z3 and Mercedes SLK?
Yes, but it still would not be an entry level Corvette. It would be a Chevy Corvair or Manta or Speedster or whatever. It may an entry level sports car, but not a Corvette.

Saying it would be an entry level Corvtte would be like saying Traverse is an entry level Tahoe. It is not, it is lower priced entry SUV slotted below the Tahoe. It is not even Chevy's entry level SUV, that is the Equinox.

So might say a Camaro is entry to the Corvette, or at least Chevy's performance cars.
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