Most diehard General Motors fans are well aware of the Chevrolet Engineering Research Vehicle (CERV) family – a series of Chevy sports car concepts that were designed to push the limits of performance and experiment with groundbreaking new ideas.
1959 CERV I
The last time the CERV name was used on a Chevy product was way back in 1997 with the CERV IV, which was a pre-production test mule for the fifth-generation Corvette. While it’s been nearly 25 years since the automaker has used the CERV name, the GM Design team hasn’t forgotten about this family of concept cars and test vehicles, as it recently published a sketch of an open-top Chevy sports car bearing the name ‘CERV 5.’
Judging by this sketch, which was completed by GM designer Brian Geiszler in 2017, the CERV 5 is a throwback to the first-ever CERV concept. It has an open-wheel body style, just like the original CERV, and is conceived as a driver-focused track day car for motorsports and performance enthusiasts rather than a road-going production vehicle. This is evidenced by its lack of headlights and taillights, IndyCar-style front and rear wing and slick tires. Despite its Formula car shape, the CERV 5 still has room for a passenger and a tiny windshield for deflecting wind, bugs and stones.
1959 CERV I
This “simple seat time Chevy,” as the automaker calls it, will probably never take the form of an actual concept or production vehicle. That said, we’d love for Chevy to produce a dedicated performance car for its track day enthusiasts one day. The Chevy Camaro ZL1 1LE and C8 Corvette Stingray are great track cars, but with slick tires and downforce, a purpose-built car like this would allow these customers to tap into some truly next-level performance.
Let us know what you think of this Chevy sports car sketch in the comments below, GM fans.
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Comments
Mary ain’t gonna let it happen. Spend design team money on crappy truck interiors instead.
Could this be an electric idea, No grill. But also no fenders too.
A crash helmet protects the head, but it doesn’t do anything for the neck. Hopefully this would have a sturdy pop-up rollover bar that deploys instantly in the event of the car getting upside down.
I wouldn’t want my head sticking out of the top of the race car.
yah right, all they do is imagine. Insurance would be through the roof. As long as Barra is at the helm GM will continue to suffer. Now if it where Chrysler there could gave been a chance, Prowler, PT Cruiser, Viper etc. Unlike GM builds nothing they show.
I wouldn’t want my head sticking out of the top of the race car.
Barra will always “bar a” good idea at GM…..Time has long passed for her to go……
You showed pics of CERV 1, why no pics of CERV 2? CERV 2 was FWD, Big Block 427 and went 0 to 60 in 2.5 seconds.