GM’s Akerson: We’re Launching 'Top Secret, Revamped' Corvette

[Rob]

According to General Motors Chairman, Daniel Akerson, GM is planning a “real step forward” with a brand-new model of the popular Chevy Corvette.

“We will come out with a new revamped — I’ve seen it, it’s not been published and it’s under wraps, top secret — the latest Corvette that I think will float a lot of people’s boats.

“It’s a great looking car and a real step forward.”

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[LLC5]

Apparently Camaro tail lights represents a real step forward.......and also floats boats.

Live and learn, right from the top.

 

[Huskerman]

I can not lie...............I'm starting to get a bit excited.......I wonder what a real step forward means....?

 

[Low drag - High speed]

Too much hype for me.

This whole C7 issue has dragged out too long and there's been way too much speculation and hyperbole. I'm at the point where they could make a ZR1 Cobalt and call it a 'Vette and I'd just be glad it's over and done with. I'm happy with the Corvettes we already have.

There's such a thing as overplaying your hand ...

 

[67vet]

Is his statement going to hurt 2013 sales?

 

[John 2003 Vette]

Apparently Camaro tail lights represents a real step forward.......and also floats boats.

Live and learn, right from the top.

You could not be more correct. No CORVETTE should ever have Camaro tail lights. Ugly !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Low drag - High speed]

I don't like the word "revamped."

It's nebulous and inspecific and could mean anything from evolutionary to derivative to retro to all-new. What a bunch of bureaucratic doublespeak. Akerson represents all of GM, so to him, the Corvette is just a wart on GM's ass.

He'll probably retire soon with $100 million Obama stimulus dollars.

Yeah ... I'm cynical. How many times can you get screwed before the light comes on?

 

[i10fwy]

OK, I'll take a shot at this. Here is my speculation on what GM is going to do, but 1st they need to thin out the product line - too many Corvette models IMHO.

I think they will buy or contract directly with one of the current "Corvette Upfitters/Tuners" and position Corvette with a AMG, M type of product. Way upscale with tons of performance for BIG$$$$$$$$$$

i10fwy

 

[Huskerman]

Mmmmm....I think they are going to try to appeal to a younger generation because us Boomer guys are going to be less of a marketing force over the next 10 years. I would like to buy a brand new C7 and pick it up at the factory. It's on my list and I'm sure they will want to sell me one. They also want to sell to the 30 somethings so they may be aiming away from what the boomers have traditionally wanted in a Corvette. Nothing to radical but it may be different then we are used to. What store they sell them from will be interesting to see also.

The want to get back to 35K cars sold a year soooooo it will be interesting to see how they will do all of that.

 

[warren s]

I don't care what it looks like or how revamped it is or not.

I just hope that 6 months after it hits the streets the Corvette forums are not filled with stories about failures, quality control problems and the typical GM dealer apathy towards customer complaints.

 

[catbert]

Mmmmm....I think they are going to try to appeal to a younger generation because us Boomer guys are going to be less of a marketing force over the next 10 years. I would like to buy a brand new C7 and pick it up at the factory. It's on my list and I'm sure they will want to sell me one. They also want to sell to the 30 somethings so they may be aiming away from what the boomers have traditionally wanted in a Corvette. Nothing to radical but it may be different then we are used to. What store they sell them from will be interesting to see also.

The want to get back to 35K cars sold a year soooooo it will be interesting to see how they will do all of that.

Boomers will be less of a market force by the end of C7 productions cuz' a significant number will be taking dirt naps. The Vette must start drawing new buyers or risk becoming another TBird. When I looked around at the NCM Bash this year, it was like an AARP veterans convention. GM has the dual issues of price and content/technology to keep current owners, and, even more importantly, attracting new ones. The C7 had better be a home run, Camaro tail lights, or not.

GM is able to generate a 2 year buzz every time a new model comes out, and that's a good thing. And nobody knows what the tail lights will look like.

 

[danl72]

I just hope that they make sure everything is good to go and there will be no problems.

 

[xfirez51]

You could not be more correct. No CORVETTE should ever have Camaro tail lights. Ugly !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Apparently you weren't around when the C3 and 2nd Gen Camaro were being sold.

 

[67vet]

Speaking of "Old" -- how old is General Motors Chairman, Daniel Akerson?

Which way is he thinking - we will find out soon enough.

 

[Mac]

Is it Top Secret Revamped... or Double Secret Probation??

-Mac

 

[1analguy]

The following comments are referring to styling only, and I know that styling is purely subjective...so these are obviously JMOs. I am also aware that the C5 was a real technical leap forward over the C4 (excepting the early LS1 vs the LT4). With that in mind...

The media lead up to the C7 has been/is way to long. Remember the insanely-long lead up to the current Camaro? And just look at that...it may (or may not) be a great car, but the styling could only be charitably described as "unfortunate", at best. This front rendering for the C7 seems to be the least offensive rendering so far, yet it displays a ridiculous amount of old-fashioned, C3ish front overhang...and the rear rendering is plainly not serious or acceptable. So, where does all this leave us? Well, never let it be said that a new-generation Corvette must look better, or even just newer, than the previous generation. When the C5 first bowed in '97, I remember hearing several non-car people remark that they thought the C5 was the old car and that the late C4 was the new car. I had (have) a C4 GS at the time and of course I knew better, but I could see what they were getting at...especially from the rear 3/4 view, which is easily the best for the late C4...and the worst for the C5. Then, when the C6 debuted, I thought that it was everything that the C5 should have been right from the get-go. I don't think we've seen any renderings that are very close to the C7 yet. I'm just hoping that when we actually do see the car, my eyes don't hurt as much as they did when the C5 first arrived. Again, JMOs...

 

[67vet]

The good news is that we will only be in "Speculation Mode" for several more months. Then will come the "why didn't they" or "should have done" for months to years.
I would like to see the technology jump 50 years worth for the C7. Compare what my 1962 was to what the 2012 ZR1 is.

Roger

 

[Low drag - High speed]

I just hope the government owners don't have a lot of influence.

That would sound the death nell for any real performance, styling or technological innovation in such a "non-PC" beast as the Corvette. Having said that, I agree that all we've seen so far are red herrings and canards meant only to step up the chatter.

 

[1analguy]

GM is its own company. There are no "government owners"...

 

[catbert]

GM is its own company. There are no "government owners"...

You are spot on. There is nothing the administration would love more than for GM to buy out the balance of what the Government owns so both can put the bankruptcy behind them. I wish GM would do that instead of putting money in French automakers. What the hell is that about? BTW - if the administration WAS running GM, and they are as anti-car as people say they are, there would be no C7.