Rumor Mill: V6 Corvette is Coming

[Rob]

<div align="center"><img src="/images/design/front/kappa.jpg" width="430" height="200" border="1" alt="" /></div>

In February 2006, Motor Trend published a short article about the Corvette Sting Ray coming back as a V6 powered version of the Kappa platform.

They wrote:

GM is seriously considering building a V-6 version of its Kappa sports car (aka Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky). But the scuttlebutt around Motown is that this version would get an all-new body, a Chevy badge, and one of the most iconic names in the GM sports-car pantheon--Sting Ray. It would be positioned as a muscular, entry-level Chevy sports car priced under the current Corvette range, but above the higher-end Pontiac and Saturn models. Given the enduring success of the Corvette, the Sting Ray plan seems plausible--and profitable.

Full Article: http://www.motortrend.com/future/concept_cars/112_0602_chevrolet_kappa_sting_ray/index.html

The rumors are once again getting much stronger!

What are your thoughts on this? Should the Corvette remain V8 powered only, or would a V6 version be ok since the Corvette started out with a V6 back in 1953?

 

[grapeknutz]

Undecided!!! now if they turbocharge the engine that might be interesting!

 

[6 Shooter]

The only thing constant is change...

I guess ya gotta do what ya gotta do to survive these days in a global market.​

 

[DRTH VTR]

The Corvette has been a front engined, rear wheel drive, two seat, V8 powered car since 1955. It is a formula that has worked for 50+ years. I just see no reason to mess with success.

 

[Pseudomind]

The Corvette has been a front engined, rear wheel drive, two seat, V8 powered car since 1955. It is a formula that has worked for 50+ years. I just see no reason to mess with success.

Without the V8, the rear-wheel drive, well it just ain't a Corvette, but a wanna-be.

 

[Tuna]

Rob, don't you mean L6 back in '53?

I'm not sure that adding an entry level sports car to the Chevy line is a good idea especially if they call it any name that has Corvette tie-in. If GM wants Chevy to have an mid range sports car, at least they out to pick a totally new name for it that can not be mistaken for anything Corvette.

 

[Dirtfarmer]

I guess ya gotta do what ya gotta do to survive these days in a global market.​

It will be interesting to see what lengths GM will be willing to go to to survive. If they think a V6 Corvette will help, then that is going in a different direction than in the past. I don't know if the tried and true practices of GM will help them to survive much longer.

There has been talk about adding a "bowtie" to the Corvette to raise consumer's brand awareness. "GM may now wish to associate the Corvette more closely with Chevy in an effort to improve consumer perception of the brand."

What if this V6 is the first step in a Corvette "line"? The current Corvette would be the flagship model, the V6 would be a smaller, more affordable model. The Corvette line would be similar to Cadillac, an upscale line for GM targeted at a more mature demographic, all carrying the Corvette badge.

This of course would open the gates for the Corvette Sport Utility and the Corvette Wagon.

 

[B17Crew]

I voted no, but what I really wanted to vote was
HE@# NO!

B17Crew

 

[Erik S. Klein]

Chevy can make whatever sports car they want, but if it's not a RWD V8 with a plastic body then it's not a Corvette.

 

[Scott Winebarger]

Yep , figures ! ad Just when they get it right.:nono This almost makes me sick to my stomach. Remember the 76 Mustang with the 4 cylinder engine :ugh . Right then and there I decided I would never own another Mustang.
If Corvette does this, they have lost a sale with me. Can you imagine driving up in your new Vette and someone asking you if it has the V8 or the 6. :cry

OK here it is in a nutshell,

whoever came up with this idea>>>

Go buy yourself a Yugo or a Kia , you are not worthy to even talk to the Corvette owners. Turn your head in shame!

GM has bankrupt the company with all the other cars including their silly "Isuzu" Duramax diesel truck and now the want to ruin the only thing they have thats worth buying. Whats next , the Corvette mini van?
Someone needs to step back and take along look at whos making decisions.

Corvette has always be a step above all the others, go ahead Chevrolet and drop the name down with the others and soon all Vettes sales will die out. The people that buy these cars we love will no longer shell out the bucks .. The Viper people are going to love this one.

 

[Guy]

Call it a Fiero.

What am I saying? I LIKED my little Fiero, but don't mess with the Vette!!!


Guy

 

[DRTH VTR]

Yep , figures ! ad Just when they get it right.:nono This almost makes me sick to my stomach. Remember the 76 Mustang with the 4 cylinder engine :ugh . Right then and there I decided I would never own another Mustang.
If Corvette does this, they have lost a sale with me. Can you imagine driving up in your new Vette and someone asking you if it has the V8 or the 6. :cry

OK here it is in a nutshell,

whoever came up with this idea>>>

Go buy yourself a Yugo or a Kia , you are not worthy to even talk to the Corvette owners. Turn your head in shame!

GM has bankrupt the company with all the other cars including their silly "Isuzu" Duramax diesel truck and now the want to ruin the only thing they have thats worth buying. Whats next , the Corvette mini van?
Someone needs to step back and take along look at whos making decisions.

Don't hold back, now. Tell us what you really think! :L

 

[Laguna Fred]

Sting Ray?

They should call it the Flounder because that's what GM's doing.....................

 

[Scott Winebarger]

Don't hold back, now. Tell us what you really think! :L

I had to walk outside after reading this thread . ad

I am through now, I was about to make a road trip and go postal on some GM azz.

 

[jhecox]

With a 240hp V6, 6-speed, RWD this little "Chevy Solstice" would make an interesting car. Put a turbo on it and boost it up to 300hp and it would be VERY fun to drive.

But IT'S NOT A CORVETTE! It should not be referenced in the same category. They are two completely different platforms. So keep the naming separate.

MHO

 

[74bigblock]

No V8 = No StingRay or Sting Ray

I say they elevate the current Corvette to StingRay status, and demote the proposed ankle biter to a Corvair status.

 

[82ColEd]

I had the option to buy a 6 Cylinder "Vette".. The Opel GT.. We called it the Poor Mans Corvette.. And chose not to. It's not the same. I like my Vette because it has a SB V8 in it.

 

[Trisha]

In my opinion, the "Sting Ray" say's Corvette!! We love our '06 CORVETTE and since what they are planning is NOT a Corvette, why try to fool the public by calling it by a Corvette name!? We are a unique breed! If they want to bring back the name "StingRay" it ought to be on a legitimate Corvette!

 

[GerryLP]

Undecided!?

For two reasons:

1) I saw a small engine in The Unser Museum (http://www.unserracingmuseum.com/) smaller than my daughter's 22RE Toyota engine making 740 HP.

2) If the option were to be a V10, would the majority also object?

GerryLP:cool

 

[RodsnRides]

Rob, don't you mean L6 back in '53?

I'm not sure that adding an entry level sports car to the Chevy line is a good idea especially if they call it any name that has Corvette tie-in. If GM wants Chevy to have an mid range sports car, at least they out to pick a totally new name for it that can not be mistaken for anything Corvette.

I think he did mean that-the L6 is an inline engine.

I have to agree here. I think names like "Stingray", "Sting Ray" or "Mako Shark" should be reserved for special edition Corvettes.

I am not opposed to "Corvair", or even "Nova". "Chevelle", IMHO, would be inappropriate, but I guess I could accept it. The Nova and Corvair models were meant to be economical cars and could be optioned to be somewhat "sporty", which I think this offering is.

Dwayne (6 shooter) is correct as well-it is a global economy, and sometimes you just have to do what you can to survive. But, tying THIS car, based on a separate platform, likely built at a separate plant, should not borrow anything from the Corvette-except maybe tires and brakes.

Rick
:gap