The Chevrolet Corvette name may be best associated with thundering V8 engines, but a new concept car has shown General Motors isn’t afraid of making its flagship model an electric vehicle (EV).
Unveiled to commemorate the opening of GM’s new advanced design studio in Royal Leamington Spa in the UK, the Chevrolet Corvette concept car is “part of a global design project involving multiple studios that will see additional Corvette concepts revealed throughout 2025”.
Led by Julian Thomson – the man who penned the Lotus Elise, the Jaguar F-Type and the Land Rover LRX concept (which became the Range Rover Evoque) – the UK team consists of more than 30 team members, who use both digital and clay mediums for designing new models.
This is the first creation to be revealed, leaning on the 72-year-old Corvette nameplate.
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Like the current C8 Corvette, it’s mid-engined, or at least it would be if there was an engine inside.
According to GM, the top half of the concept “captures the Corvette’s classic design elements, but in a futuristic manner”, while its lower portion “focuses on functional technical design, including EV battery technology embedded into the structure and aerodynamics elements designed to channel air efficiently without the need for wings or spoilers”.
Measuring 4669mm long, 2178mm wide and 1033mm tall, it’s about 65mm shorter, 154mm wider and a massive 201mm lower than the C8 Corvette Z06, already a sleek design.
Helping aid the appeal of the concept are huge wheels under the guards, measuring 22 inches at the front and 23 inches at the back.
The full wrap-around glass has been dubbed ‘Apex Vision’, similar to a racing driver’s helmet visor, but also inspired by the 1963 Corvette Sting Ray’s split rear window.
Under the sleek bodywork, there’s a racing-inspired chassis with pushrod suspension, while ‘fan assistance’ helps to provide additional downforce.
GM hasn’t detailed the technical specifications of the concept, likely because – for now at least – it only exists in the digital realm.
“Our advanced design team’s mandate extends well beyond creating production vehicles,” said Australian guru Michael Simcoe, senior VP of global GM design, who is soon set to retire after 42 years with the car giant.
“While they collaborate within our global design network on production and concept vehicle programs, these teams are primarily tasked with imagining what mobility could look like five, 10, and even 20 years into the future and driving innovation for GM.
“As part of the Corvette creative study, we asked multiple studios to develop hypercar concepts, which we’ll see more of later this year.
“It was important that they all pay homage to Corvette’s historic DNA, but each studio brought their own unique creative interpretation to the project.
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C8 Corvette Z06 and E-Ray
“That is exactly what our advanced design studio network is intended to do – push the envelope, challenge convention and imagine what could be.”
Chevrolet is still a few years away from launching its ninth-generation Corvette, given it’s still yet to reveal the flagship for the C8, expected to be called the Zora.
The Corvette Zora is expected to mate the twin-turbo V8 engine from the ZR1 with the electric motor – or even motors – from the E-Ray hybrid, and will undoubtedly be the fastest Corvette ever.
