#NAIAS: Place Your BETS! RUMOR Suggests The All-new, Mid-engine Chevrolet Corvette WILL Appear At The Detroit Auto Show — YOU Buying It?

Oh boy. Here we go!

According to a forum user who has previously provided interesting information regarding the next-gen, C8 Chevrolet Corvette dubbed "Zora," it will be making an appearance at the 2019 Detroit Auto Show. And like many rumors, there are some holes in this.

First, the rumor contends that there will be a reveal on January 14 of both the coupe and convertible variants of the all-new C8. The problem is that there is not a scheduled General Motors press conference that day. The only GM-related event is happening on January 13 for a reveal of a Cadillac.

Second, one has to question if GM would be as bold as to reveal the vehicle with no warning and zero hype. While GM could take a note from Ford's playbook, a forum user did bring up a good point: The Corvette is a mass-market vehicle and obviously the company wants to make a splash. Alternatively, the all-new C8 has been given massive exposure all over as is, so, one could contend that a surprise reveal could be in the works.

All that said, Spies, what do YOU make of this rumor? Is it bull bird or is it the real deal?

Read Article

dlin - 1/6/2019 12:48:30 PM

+2 Boost

Will definitely buy if it comes with 500hp and priced as a Cayman

Agent00R - 1/6/2019 1:03:53 PM

0 Boost

So, if you believe the rumor that the vehicle WILL debut at NAIAS, the same source claims it will cost $169,900.

Very far and away from the price of a Cayman...

MDarringer - 1/6/2019 1:09:36 PM

+1 Boost

$169,900 will kill the Corvette.
$69,900 would be home run.

Making the Corvette unattainable for its core audience would be a massive error. Even a $100K base would be pushing it.

In these times, sports cars--like sedans--will sell only if they are advantageously priced and represent a tremendous value.

Agent00R - 1/6/2019 1:32:16 PM

+1 Boost

Completely agree, Matt.

Will be interesting to see if the C7 remains in production alongside the C8 or if it all shifts to the C8...

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 1/6/2019 1:50:41 PM

+1 Boost

As an American icon and legacy product it would be fitting if GM did the reveal at the Detroit show. But I am sure someone is thinking that this is a "global car" and there will be those pushing for Geneva or a more international venue for the debut of the C8 Zora.

xjug1987a - 1/6/2019 3:46:51 PM

+1 Boost

There is zero reason an “electrical issue” should keep an otherwise finished icon from its reveal. Also there’s no reason this should have a price in that range simply because it’s a mid engine design. GM seems to be stumbling in so many regards it needs to change the conversation to excitement and awe... I’m not holding my breath.

dumpsty - 1/7/2019 9:20:54 AM

+2 Boost

about how much does it costs to R&D this type of vehicle?

as I recall, GM is in the biz to make profits (hopefully) from exciting vehicles being offered.

perception is everything. if the "basic" Zora is priced too low, the media will find every minor flaw to post MAJOR complaints about. they will disregard the PROS & only focus on the CONS & then say "nice kit car GM - stick to front-engine cars".

we're expecting a refined rear-engine performance car. it should be priced similarly as it's closest competitor.

xjug1987a - 1/8/2019 2:45:34 PM

+1 Boost

While I agree it should be priced appropriately, GM has a pathetic history of creating vehicles that are 70% there and pricing them equal to their competitiors. The Allante was one, and there are many others. The CTS-V is perhaps (IMO) the best car on the planet when all factors are entered in, and its a bargain. THATS what I'm saying about pricing....

PUGPROUD - 1/6/2019 4:09:27 PM

0 Boost

C8 base price will only be a reasonable amount over C7 base but climb ever higher as more powerful versions introduced over time. C8 prices could range from between $69,000 for 500hp version up to $169,000 for 900hp version.

The mistake Corvette should not make is show C8 now but not introduce for sale/delivery for another year like Supra, NSX, etc.

MDarringer - 1/6/2019 5:36:46 PM

0 Boost

Or the Giulia or the Griffith or...

xjug1987a - 1/6/2019 6:08:44 PM

+1 Boost

Agree and perhaps as Matt recommends it be branded “Corvette” but the middie is called the C8, C8 Zora, etc... and keep the current model as the C7 Stingray, C7 Grand Sport, etc... that could be amazing... but again GM will somehow screw it up...

mre30 - 1/6/2019 8:18:30 PM

+1 Boost

This launch will definitely get screwed up.

Fact of the matter is, consumers care less and less about these 'niche' two-seater sports cars from mass-market companies. The segment is crowded. 30 years ago, there was the Corvette, one mass-market Porsche 911, one mass-market Ferrari 308/355, and maybe some niche vehicles that sold in miniscule quantities (DeTomaso, Lambos, etc)

Present day, it is kinda sad but in this era where there is a deluge of multi-line 'exotics' - McLaren, Lambo, Ferrari, Porsche, Aston and the 'unattainables' such as Pagani, Bugatti, Koeniggsegg, etc. - cars like the NSX, the LFA, Audi R8, the Ford GT, the Corvette, the Nissan GTR even the Supra, some BMW's and some 2-seat AMG's just gather dust and 20-something fingerprints in the corner of the showroom.

The segment is way too crowded for people to really care about a vehicle like a mid-engined Corvette. I think the 'halo' is about to be 'off' of "Halo Cars".

PUGPROUD - 1/6/2019 8:55:41 PM

0 Boost

Agree 100% mre30. The rich folks have moved on up to be exclusive and using hypercars as investment currency amongst their kind, knees and death are causing old time sports car guys to exit market and new generations either much less interested or cannot afford $50k+ toys. Just the perfect storm in which to introduce a new Z4 and Supra, good luck. No wonder Nissan was rethinking 370Z and M-B killing off SLC. Next economic downturn will see much blood in this market segment.

OneOfOne - 1/7/2019 10:46:34 AM

+1 Boost

maybe corvettes would sell if they didnt use yestertech humongous engines and werent so large with so much wasted space. the douches who buy them arent anyone people want to hang with or respect. if the corvette was the size of say the camaro and retained the looks with a smaller yet still powerful engine it would sell 3 times as many

OneOfOne - 1/7/2019 10:42:46 AM

+2 Boost

perfect. a niche within a niche for a country that is not buying cars in favor of suvs and trucks. and you wonder why gm is irrelevant

dlin - 1/7/2019 2:13:52 PM

+1 Boost

Here I propose a daunting idea: How about let C8 MR be a crate platform? For sure Lotus can benefit from platform sharing for a new Esprit. And maybe next MR2, 718, or even NSX... ha!