Should Chevrolet Consider Producing A Budget Corvette?

We’ve heard plenty of enticing details on the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, from its new estimated 450-hp LT1 V-8 engine to the aerodynamic details that may make the C7 the most streamlined Corvette ever. All these details sound great, but enthusiasts actually considering a 2014 Corvette Stingray may only hear dollar signs. That won’t be the case for long, as Motor Trend has learned that Chevrolet is preparing a “low-cost” Corvette for 2015.

2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray rear side view at night 300x163 imageThe lower-cost Corvette will not wear a Stingray badge and, instead of the 6.2-liter V-8 with an estimated 450 hp, expect a version of the all-aluminum direct-injection 5.3-liter V-8 making fewer than 400 horsepower. Called the Corvette Coupe, the car’s 5.3-liter V-8 is similar to the one debuting in the new GM trucks. As we mentioned in our 2014 Corvette Stingray coupe First Look, Chevrolet considered a twin-turbo V-6 because, while it had enough power, it didn’t improve fuel economy.



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PUGPROUD - 2/27/2013 2:57:17 PM

+2 Boost

Yes...but should be basic, simple ultralight version. A car for the true driving enthusiast and someone on a budget would be a home run...both making the car more accessable to yonger people, people on a budget and enthusiasts while offering a new desireable driving experience...super light, super quick handling. If you make it only cheaper you will be watering down both the brand and the owners' experience. The right karma is "Wow you got the stripped down, utilitarian superlight driver's handling vette ! Not "Owe you could only afford the cheapest underpowered model !"

AlleVier - 2/27/2013 5:42:42 PM

+1 Boost

I've thought for a long time that they should turn Corvette into a brand; keep the current Corvette in the middle, create an entry level below and a low-volume hypercar at the top.

rconn14 - 2/28/2013 9:11:05 PM

+1 Boost

What did you think the Z06 and ZR1 were?

ricks0me - 2/27/2013 8:29:41 PM

+1 Boost

Would be nice if they took out all unneeded items including air conditioning and insulation to lower the weight and the price. I am expecting disagreement on this.

t_bone - 2/27/2013 11:16:11 PM

+3 Boost

Used to be...the Camaro.

85bmw745i - 3/2/2013 11:59:14 PM

+1 Boost

It already is a budget car. Look at the price and tell me you can find anything close to the performance for the same price.

skytop - 3/3/2013 5:57:43 PM

+1 Boost

They already do. It is called the Cruz.

SuperTurtlePlus - 3/4/2013 8:39:43 PM

+1 Boost

Isn’t the Chevrolet Corvette already a “budget” car? It comes in thousands of dollars cheaper that the exotics (both Italian and German) that it competes ably against (and even beats by some measures).

The Vette also functions as a ‘halo’ car for GM, to create something in the Chevy showroom that steals its thunder is no way to sell more of them.

In other words, you shouldn’t be able to find a cheaper vehicle at Chevy dealerships with similar performance because the Vette rests at the top of the mountain, everything else is, by necessity, under it.