The current Chevrolet Corvette is
probably the best Corvette to date. The 197 mph Z06 is also
probably the best-valued supercar in the world. So, how on
earth does GM surpass this with the 2012 C7 model which is
planned to be released in 2011 to coincide with the 100th
anniversary of Chevrolet? |
That is a good
question, and GM executives are planning the replacement
right now and asking themselves the exact same thing. GM may
be suffering at the moment in the current economic
conditions. However, they will not and are not going to let
one of America’s longest lasting nameplates to linger too
long without a replacement.
At least that is the current plan. Some sources believe that
it will be impossible for GM to bring out the new Corvette
in 2012. Some are predicting delays until 2013. Others are
predicting the earliest that we will see the C7 is 2015, if
we see a new model at all. If the new model is delayed until
the 2013 model year the current C6 Corvette will be the
second longest running model in Corvette history.
The current economic situation is not the only problem GM
has as far as the new 2012 Corvette is concerned. The 2007
federal fuel economy standards law dictates that the
corporate average fuel economy must be 35 mpg by 2020. This
mandate will affect the options GM has with the layout and
hardware choices for the new C7.
GM is said to be considering three different propels for the
new 2012 Corvette. Whichever design is chosen, the new
vehicle will have to have better fuel economy and will have
a higher performance than the outgoing model. GM is rumored
to be considering a twin-turbocharged V6 direct-injection or
a smaller V8 for the new model. Some even think that a mid-engine
Corvette is being considered by engineers at GM. However,
this option is likely to be too expensive and offers very
little weight savings anyway. |
