Vernon

Makes sense from a business investment point of view.

OnPoint

That could be. Even then, we're 12+ months away. Let's say they debut the ZR in about a week here in mid-Nov. with production of it starting in short order. Then debut the ME Jan. 2019 at NAIAS. That is roughly 14 months away. I agree with you they could offer the ME for production shortly after that, say spring '19 or about 17 - 18 months from now (as opposed to a fall '19 production release). If they go with your scenario, that would give the ZR roughly 1.5 years of market time before the ME arrives.

sunsalem

I just can't believe we are 1.5 years away from the ME...it just seems too far out there to me.
OTOH, GM has turned the wait for this minor updated Z06 ZR1 into a century.

VETTE-NV

That still seems like long time, but on GM's calendar, it's probably just a blip.

I'm just wondering what, if any, big new they will save for the 2018 Detroit show. A mid engined concept car, perhaps? I realize that their other vehicles (sedans, trucks, SUV's) are their bread and butter, but the sports oriented vehicles always seem to get the headlines.

VETTE-NV

Other than the McDonald's excursion, which was most likely an intentional photo op, we haven't seen very many track or hot/cold weather spy pics of the cars being tested. They may still be quite a bit far from full development beta cars.

OnPoint

Yeah my gut tells me we're no closer than 18 months away from being able to purchase the ME (and maybe a bit longer than that).

That is certainly going to feel like forever for the ME, but we're days from the ZR unveiling, with purchase capability right around the corner for it.

Nate@VanBortelChevy

I think it could go either way, ME or FE. I think it was odd how the FE was testing along side the ME. This tells me there are 3 possibilities.

1.) There will be a ME "ZR1" and not a FE. The FE "ZR1" is simply a test mule for a new engine, "LT5". The big rear wing is to help replicate the force the rear tires will exhibit in the ME car. The FE mule is a decoy to make people believe a FE ZR1 is being revealed soon (GM did something similar with the C7, had a mule dressed in C6 skin).

or

2.) We will have a both a FE ZR1 and a ME C8.

or

3.) There will be a FE ZR1 and the ME is not a Corvette, or not coming out at all

OnPoint

^^^ I'd wager 100 bucks to St. Jude that both of those are wrong (with your original #2 stating ZR and ME will debut around the same time).

jagamajajaran

Nate, you're missing a third possibility...

3) ZR1 will be revealed soon as the FE car we have seen in various colors in coupe and convertible configurations, with various aero packages and that GM's ME car will be revealed much later, most likely at NAIAS in January of 2019.

OnPoint

Chicago1

Or the ME is another prototype that will be shelved like all the others for us to look back at 25 years from now

Nate@VanBortelChevy

Fixed

OnPoint

I'd put a C-note on your #3 as well.

Vernon

Oh no, don't say that.

There's great anticipation and optimism for the dream of a supercar ME platform to finally materialize.

jimmyb

Look on the bright side....
If the ME car is going to come out next fall, we'll know in January 2018.
Or maybe they're doing this long model year (2019) because of the ZR1.
Or maybe I HAVE NO IDEA (vote for that option if you're keeping score)

The ZR1 has got to be shown pretty soon because I think the 2019 order guide is coming out in late November (I'm pretty sure on this).

PS. This extended 2019 model year has me very confused as to what they're going to do. Maybe the ME is going to release as "mid" year deal, which would explain the assumed LONG 2019 model year.....

VETTE-NV

Not a chance.

Nate@VanBortelChevy

If you look at history, your theory about introducing a new model 1/2 way through the year makes sense. Chevy did this with the Malibu and the Impala. Malibu “Classic” at first, then they bright out the new model, and the model year is typically longer than the norm.

elegant

For those who anticipating that the ZR1 reveal is soon and that production starts soon afterwards...

You are correct on the former, but sorry the ZR1 is not scheduled for production for many months away. You will be driving yours by late spring however, though I do not know what the manufacturing hold up is.

FYREANT

My opinion on what I think Chevy will do is based on their best interests, and how things always go in the car industry.

First, we'll see the reveal of the ZR1 in Dubai. It will be front engine, with the power bump over the Z06. It will not be a Z06.

Next, we will see an entry level ME introduced a whole 12-18 months later.

Then, we will see a juiced up version released 1-2 years after that.

why? Because this is in their best financial interests. Release just what the market is will bear, when the market will bear it. do NOT play all your cards at the same time because if you do, then you have nothing new to carry you through the next 10 years. If Chevy releases the ME right now, what will they introduce next year? Or the year after? The safest and most lucrative way is to drag things out. It makes sense when you think about it.

This is how it always happens. The C7 is no different. First we got the C7 at the end of 2013 early 2014. Then in 2015 we got the Z06. Then in 2017 we got the grand sport. Then for model year 2019 we will get the ZR1. These are planned release cycles well in advance to keep the public interested and to keep them spending money to stay current with whats out. This gives the C7 at least a 5-6 year model run before introducing the mid engine. which I believe we will see revealed in mid 2019, for a 2020 model year production run..

Ant

elegant

FYREANT, totally agree with your projections. And exactly what I have heard.