
Chevy is already working on concepts for the upcoming Corvette.
General Motors
Sign up for The Drive Daily
Corvettes have traditionally been designed and manufactured in the U.S., embodying American culture like hot dogs and baseball. However, the design of the next-generation Corvette may be influenced by a design studio located just outside Birmingham, England, hinting at a mid-engine, sci-fi hypercar aesthetics.
Recently, GM launched a new design studio in Royal Leamington Spa, about 20 miles from Birmingham, as part of their global initiative to envision the next-generation Corvette. Julian Thompson, a former designer for Lotus, Jaguar, and Land Rover, is leading GM's U.K. design team and has been assigned to propose a new Corvette design. While you might not recognize him by name, you are likely familiar with his work on elegant Jaguar models like the XK and F-Type. Thompson oversees a team of 30 designers within the 24,584-square-foot U.K. studio, all focused on creating a futuristic Corvette look.
General Motors
Historically, the Corvette has been known as the sports car for the common man, offering top-tier performance that the average shopper could eventually afford. For this new project, however, GM tasked several design studios with developing a hypercar version that pushes limits, and what you see is the result.
Despite claims from GM and Thompson that this concept draws inspiration from Corvette’s legacy, that connection appears minimal. Remove the checkered-flag emblem from the front, and one might mistake it for an electric concept car from Lotus or even a newcomer like Rimac. The only nod to Corvette history is the C2-inspired split window, which Thompson’s team incorporated into both the front and rear windows, rather than solely the back as in the original. This split front window is referred to by Thompson as "Apex Vision," with the central spine dividing the windows also serving as a structural component.
GM
As an electric hypercar concept, it features an ultra-low passenger tunnel and wide-set wheels. Massive aerodynamic air inlets are situated between the wheels and the car's main chassis, complemented by powered gullwing doors. While it may not resemble the traditional Corvette, it certainly looks impressive.
If GM can successfully adapt the look of this hypercar concept and make it as budget-friendly as the Corvette has always been, it could emerge as one of the most thrilling electric sports cars globally. Although it might not evoke the essence of a classic ‘Vette, the same could be said for the C8, which could ultimately prove to be the best iteration yet.
GM
Have any tips? Send them to [email protected]




Other articles






Chevy is already working on concepts for the upcoming Corvette.
If it ends up resembling this, the C9 Corvette will have been crafted by British designers.