Im soooooooo excited for this.
But part of me feels lost. I also do not want the front engined formula to go away either. (For the first year anyway, it wont)
Therefore, I would prefer that Corvette does become its own brand or sub-brand or whatever you want to call it.
So Corvette could have several REAL models in its line-up.
Because I dont see the GS and the base Stingray as two models. Nor do I see the Z06 and the ZR1 as two different models. Nor do I see the ZR1 being a different model than the Stingray.
Slippery slope:
The C6...
The base Vette had a steel frame and the Z06 was an aluminium one. The way I process and define models and trim levels, one could see this as 2 different models. But on the C7, all frames are aluminium...
The way the C7 works for me is that its 1 model. It has two different body styles. (maybe 3?) Convertible, fixed roof and (targa top?)
1 model to do battle with the 23 different trims of 911.
1 model to do battle with Porsche's other sportcars in the Vette's immediate competetion. The Cayman and Boxster. And those too also have a myriad of trims.
1 model to do battle with very high end Ferraris, McLarens and Lamborghinis.
You could say that the Vette has 3 or 4 models to them, but that is not how it works. And even if you want to think it this way, it still doesnt change the fact that Corvette is ill equipped, model or trim size, to do battle with all its competitors successfully. And what I mean by successfully is to hand them their ass, each and very time.
I dont want to hear the phrase "for the money" anymore. It was a good measure 20 years ago. But 20 years ago, Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini did not have a plethora of models and trims on their sportscars. Even Mclaren 20 years ago was just 1 car. McLaren has grown and soon they too will even offer a true GT car.
The Vette, with 1 model has to be a pure track car, a pure daily driver, a pure exotic super(hyper) car. And elitists wont even admit to it that the ZR1 is such a thing because price, or the engine is not in the right place (not mid-engined) or whatever ridiculous excuse they come up with...
With the C8 coming, and the C7 will be sold alongside, then and only then would the Vette be 2 models. And THAT opens up the Pandora's box.
When the C8 arrives, it will be a supercar. For realz. When the top dog mid-engined C8 arrives, the Z06 or ZR1 C5 C6 C7 equivalent, then it will be a true hypercar. Hopefully a front engined RWD model is still offered, because the Corvette has also become a viable true blue GT car. And being a hardcore supercar with a mid-engined variant, than Corvette ceases to be a GT car.
Therefore, Corvette is ripe to expand to several models and hence becoming its own sub-brand, brand.
Like Casa said, the Camaro is already at Corvette levels of performance. Obviously not at ZR1 levels. The ZR1 is basically at the limits of what a front engined RWD car can do. Corvette could add AWD to that and aid the situaition, but that also adds weight. Lessens the raw, sports car feel to it. Adding AWD just makes it more GT car than it already is...
But at Z06 levels...The Camaro is at. Just a tad more tweaking is all that is needed...
Corvette, to be really dominant, to shut North American Eurosnob mouthes, needs to expand its portfolio. Its competition did. Corvette needs to do the same.
And when I say North American eurosnob mouthes, yes...as it seems in Europe and the Middle East, the Corvette has finally gotten the respect it deserves. Even in Germany. When the mid-engined C8 arrives, even more so.
And, even if the Corvette purists in North America will NOT accept a mid-engined Vette or an expanded brand line, in Europe and in the Middle East and in Asia, those markets are primed for the taking!!!
Especially if electrified versions are in the pipeline...