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I really, really like this design. To me it's showing Jaguar CX-75 vibes (you know, the orange Jag that was in pursuit of James Bond in "Spectre").
If it's too soon for a C8 replacement and it's not a C9: could it be a stand-alone version, maybe the often-heard "Zora" rumor?
IMHO I disagree with two posts before stating it looks Ferrariesque; I'm quite happy it does not! Ever since Ferrari broke with Pininfarina their cars became not very pretty.
It is way too early to speculate what the final C9 design will look like - but I wonder where they are supposed to mount the license plates. The back end of that concept car appears to be made to fit a European style license plate - wider than those in the USA...........but not as tall. No telling where they will end up putting the front plate in states which require it.
The design looks pretty cool and doors that open vertically would be a nice touch.
FWIW I'm on a C9 group on FB and a retired GM employee created and posted these as well as a few other renders. He was using the CX concept but trying to make it a more production-acceptable design.
1. The doors are too wide because of the scoop design. I love how it looks and the fact that it hides the door release, but I cannot park the car in most spaces. Also, with the comp seats I need the door open all the way to get my leg up over the bolster (I'm 6'4"). So this design with a more traditional door is appreciated.
2. The rear end styling stinks.... I like the tail lights when they're on, but overall it's not a beautiful rear end.
It is way to early to speculate what the final C9 design will look like - but I wonder where they are supposed to mount the license plates. The back end of that concept car appears to be made to fit a European style license plate - wider than those in the USA...........but not as tall. No telling where they will end up putting the front plate in states which require it.
The design looks pretty cool and doors that open vertically would be a nice touch.
Why is it too early? I would guaranty you the C9 design is done and baked at this point. C8 dev mule was spotted in January 2015 for a planned 2019 release as a MY20 car, but then we had the strike, then covid and car didn't launch until Feb '20.
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I suppose that the test mules & prototype cars are probably already being produced / tested - if indeed the launch date will be for MY 2029. That might mean a mid-2028 introduction to the public.
Just know that they might decide to mix it up a bit as we get closer to the new model's debut. The GM execs still are going to want to leave a little to the imagination. I guess that I ought to give up my dream of them offering the C9 with a manual transmission, huh?
FWIW, my wife and I are not exactly enamored with looks of the C8. The performance is outstanding, of course, but the hardest part of a Corvette is getting in and out of it. LOL!
We also both enjoy having a manual transmission. We ended up getting a killer deal on a new 2026 Mustang GT - you know, to sort of hold us over for three years until the C9 goes on the market. Would we ever buy another 'Vette after having two C7 Stingray coupes? Too early to say. Something that bugs me, though, is that the exhaust note on the Mustang sounds better than a Corvette. I know that a Mustang is not even in the same class as a Corvette........but I have to give the Ford boys a nod for that attribute of their pony car.
The Mustang GT is also one of very few cars you can still buy that has a stick shift. There's something engaging about rowing your own gears.
Save the manuals! 2026 Ford Mustang GT coupe in Adriatic Blue. Base model, cloth seats, rear spoiler delete, six-speed Getrag manual transmission. Only 900 miles on it in three months!
2026 Ford Mustang GT coupe in Adriatic Blue. Base model, cloth seats, rear spoiler delete, six-speed Getrag manual transmission. Only 900 miles on it in three months!
That's a beautiful color!
Pontiac had a color named Adriatic Blue. The Ford version isn't that far off from the Pontiac version, even with almost 60 years between them!
I don't see the car getting wider than this- so either this sketch is of the widebody versions, or the entire lineup will be widebody.
Either way, love the design and REALLY hope they stick to it exactly as shown.
They really need to ditch the outdated golf bag requirement, and make it a 2 carry-on suitcase requirement (one for each passenger) instead. One can fit in the front trunk, and one can fit in the rear trunk, with some extra room to spare in the rear trunk for other road trip items.
Pontiac had a color named Adriatic Blue. The Ford version isn't that far off from the Pontiac version, even with almost 60 years between them!
The Adriatic Blue is almost 95 percent blue and 5 percent green - depending upon the light. My wife's 2025 Toyota Camry is a color called Ocean Gem; sort of the opposite. It's like 95 percent green and 5 percent blue.
My favorite Ford Mustang color is probably Grabber Blue. If I were going to get another Corvette, I would lean towards Elkhart Lake Blue or Red Mist.
