Update: Check out spy photos of a production-bodied C7 here, and of chassis mules here.
The
pace and frequency of change to this most heroic of all Chevrolets can
be charitably described as glacial, and our assessments of the changes,
when they finally occur, don’t always jibe with the perceptions of the
designers, builders, marketeers, and flacks.
For
example, when the Corvette’s most recent major update came along for
model year 2005, purporting to mark the transition from generation five
(C5) to generation six, we characterized the sum of the changes as
“Corvette C5 and 11/16ths.”
The members
of the Corvette tribe don’t refer to their baby in alphanumerics. It’s
known internally as the Y platform and has been for decades. But that
doesn’t keep the rest of the world from identifying the generations as
C4, C5, and C6. Soon to become C7.
So, will the next generation merit the full seventh generational designation? Here’s what we know. Or at least think we know.
In
the world of cars, perception of newness starts with what you can see.
The Corvette’s looks haven’t changed much in the last two generations,
covering 13 years, but we anticipate change in the C7 will be apparent
at a glance, even to casual observers.
According
to insider folklore, CEO Dan Akerson—GM’s fourth CEO since March
2009—attended a Corvette styling review and told design chief Ed Welburn
that he thought the C6’s posterior was way too wide. Welburn reportedly
said he thought so, too. As a consequence, when the C7 makes its debut
in the fall of 2012, we anticipate slimmed-down rear haunches.
More
startling, it seems certain that the coupe’s going-away view will
feature a split rear window—à la the one-year Sting Ray coupe of
1963—though in this case it will be an optional feature. Chevrolet first
signaled its interest in reviving the split window by outfitting the
Stingray concept vehicle with one. Yes, that’s the one that appeared in
the second Transformers movie.
We
also look forward to—and fervently hope for—a thorough interior
makeover. The C6 Vette has long been a respected member of the serious
sports-car community, but its interior has been subpar for just as
long. Although interior dimensions probably won’t change, materials
will be upgraded, and the seats—strangely deficient for years—are
expected to compare favorably with the buckets found in Porsches and
BMWs. Finally.
The front-engine Y
platform will be essentially unchanged from the C6, with the transaxle
at the rear for optimized weight distribution. As a result, dynamic
elements are expected to change very little—no bad thing—although we
anticipate continued improvement in steering linearity and feel. The Z06 and ZR1 will continue as the mega-performers, while Grand Sport may become the base model.
There
will be changes under the hood, too. Despite the probability of
slightly reduced displacement, output of the Corvette’s pushrod
V-8s—naturally aspirated and supercharged (ZR1)—should be about the same
as that of current engines, thanks to new direct-injection systems.
Also, fuel-economy ratings may show a slight uptick. But don’t expect a
hybrid version.
Pricing conjecture is
just that. We look for the base Corvette coupe to start at roughly
$52,000, ranging up to about $115,000 for the ZR1. If all goes according
to plan, the C7 should hit dealerships in fall of 2012.
shared from: http://www.caranddriver.com/features/2013-chevrolet-corvette-c7
Projected U.S. sales of plug-in hybrid electrics (PHEVs) vs battery electrics (BEVs), Pike Research 
2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid - production model
