Check this link for grins. Closing comment will probably annoy some Camaro pilots but its a point well taken.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/gm-pla...202153268.html

 

IMHO - just more unsubstantiated C7 NOISE

 

Just more BS with not one iota of substance.

 

If I were a betting man I would say that there will be a plain Corvette.

My reason for thinking so is because of the name Stingray, I think that they used it to denote their top of the line non-full out racing model ie Grand Sport, I think there will be a stripper Corvette, then Stingray, then full on performance model (ZR1 or Z06).

Just a gut feeling.

 

Sooooo, if you're not, there won't

 

ummmmm, yeah.

 

I'm in with "Billy Ray" with a trailer hitch option

 

Yeah, but didn't they already try this with the FRC named billy bob in C5? That didn't work out to well!!!!

 

No.... I suspect they're working on a marketing plan to bring back the Sky and Solstice by considering putting a corvette badge on them. They don't know if that will fly and may actually tuck them under Buick which doesn't quite fit at all.

It's a marketing dilemma for GM.

Lets see:
The Corvette Stingray: Iconic American sports car [base, Z51, Z07, ZR2]
The Corvette Sky: entry level vette, same interior options, turbo v6
The Corvette Solstice: Four door luxury vette similar to the Porche Panamera

 

If I had to guess , I'd say that is as close as they could get to what the OP is suggesting. IMHO, it could be branded as a Corvette but with a completely different name (like Manta or some such silliness) and smaller frame to take on the Miata/Nissan Z/etc class of cars.

I really do think there are a couple of different markets (outside of their present market) where the Corvette brand could complete.

 

From the article...besides there is already a lengthy thread on this very topic, where everything that could be said has been said...three times.

 

The FRC brought about the Z06 so IMO it did work well and to be honest I'd take an FRC over a coupe any day.

 

But Corvette would have to become much like BMW when it expanded its market years ago. Corvette would have to become a "brand".

The apparent down side is that GM has been grooming Cadillac to take on the foreign competition, adding Corvette as a brand could take market share away from Cadillac.

 

You can not say no Look at Cadillac, years ago would people say
yes v6 caddies, station wagon caddies, truck caddies. ??????

maybe not as extensive as Cadillac, but definitely a cheaper version and small run around version like the BMW 1

 

The FRC was re-thought several times. The original idea was to increase C5 sales by offering a lower priced model (nicknamed Billy Bob). Very few extra parts required, just vert body with a one piece roof bolted in place of the tonneau panel. On a plant tour in February 1998 we checked one out in the finished area. It was dark blue with tan cloth seats, manual mirrors, auto trans, ugly 17" wheels all around and small 235 tires. Dealers had early ordering info in April 1998, very limited options to keep it cheaper than the coupe. Then some time in May everything was put on hold. Apparently someone decided it wouldn't sell and axed the cheap model at the last minute.

Revised ordering information appeared in June. Plan B was to drop the low cost concept and make the most of its lower weight. Offering it only with Z51 and 6-speed made it the performance model for 1999 and 2000. It gained leather and the big wheels/tires so it wasn't much cheaper than a basic coupe. That may be why sales were so poor.

Then in 2001 the slow-selling FRC shape finally became a success as the outstanding Z06.

A few of the Billy Bob pilot cars were seen on display for years after that but you have to know what to look for: they became the Sebring and LeMans pace cars with the huge C5 flag designs. The automatic trans in a FRC gives them away.

 

Actually, Manta might not be too silly. They could also revive "Mako."
Thing is, the next Camaro based on the Alpha platform might just be small enough to take on the Nissan Z. With not too much reworking, it could also form the basis for a 2-seat sports car. It's also been engineered for RHD from the start (good for sports car friendly markets like the UK, and in Australia where GM V8s have a huge following).


I've wondered what role Cadillac should play with regards to the foreign competitors, whether the expectations of the Corvette should be fulfilled by Cadillac instead. With the C7, it would appear that GM is committing Corvette to this role. Will be interesting to see how this plays out.

 

Stingray could be the GS equal and then a less optioned base would just be badged 'Corvette' limited to a 1 or 2LT (or whatever they are calling the content package for C7).