GM Considering Electric Corvette Sedan To Battle Tesla Model S, Porsche Taycan
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The eighth-generation Chevy Corvette C8 is unlike any production Corvette to come before it, offering a mid-engine layout and, as is the case for the upcoming C8 E-Ray, an all-wheel drive hybrid powertrain. Now, GM Authority has learned from sources familiar with the matter that GM is considering a new electric Corvette sedan to rival the Porsche Taycan and Tesla Model S.
News that GM is thinking about building a new purely electric Corvette shouldn’t come as a surprise. Back in April, The General teased the new C8 E-Ray with a brief video showing the hybrid supercar spinning all four across a blanket of snow. That same week, GM President Mark Reuss confirmed that GM would also offer a “fully electric, Ultium-based Corvette in the future.”
Indeed, with GM poised the pivot to all-electric power across its new passenger vehicle lineup by 2035, the prospect of an electric Corvette model is, at this point at least, inevitable. Although Reuss declined to provide any specifics in April, GM Authority has already examined the various scenarios in which such a model could come to market, with the most likely scenario being an all-new vehicle beyond the current Y2-based C8, thus supporting GM’s head-first dive into the EV segment.
In terms of platform, then, the most obvious candidate is the new GM BEV3 architecture, likely the low-roof variant. Providing the motivation will be the next-generation of GM Ultium batteries and GM Ultium drive motors, which, as GM Authority covered previously, are expected to provide a maximum driving range of 500 to 600 miles.
The new electric Corvette will also be relatively large in terms of exterior dimensions, likely around the same size as the Porsche Taycan or Porsche Panamera, a requirement to fit the new, rather sizable batteries. The underpinnings will also share similarities with the upcoming range of Cadillac EV sedan models.
Further highlights for the new electric Corvette sedan will include a variety of different performance levels, as well as extensive weight saving techniques, the latter of which is particularly important for a performance-oriented EV.
Expect the new electric Corvette sedan to launch roughly mid-decade.
What do you think, dear reader? Does the idea of a new electric Corvette sedan entice, or repulse? Let us know in the poll below, and make sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more mid-engine Corvette news, Corvette C8 news, Corvette news, Chevrolet news and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
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This is a great opportunity for GM to leverage the legacy of the Corvette name on a CUV type vehicle that can undoubtedly generate a lot of profit. This is the beauty of Ultium. It’s highly flexible so a Corvette-styled body with a performance-themed interior can be married with the common EV skateboard and as many as four of the generic electric motors can be affixed to produce a product as fast as the classic Corvettes but with more utility and substantial cost savings. Selling them at $200,000. or so will make GM a lot of money and with the government subsidy on EVs they become even more attractive.
I would suggest that GM might want to do a 6.2 L V8 soundtrack to pipe in some of the noise consumers are used to and maybe use their vibrating seats to recreate that thrilling visceral feel but the beauty of that is that it could be turned off for those buyers used to Sienna minivans. For those looking for a sedate driving experience, it could all be turned off but they’d still have that Corvette look and the image. Lots of opportunities for GM to make money though.
Barf.
What kinda drugs are you taking!!??? Mushrooms??😂😂😂
It was a drug to make me think like Mary Barra and her merry band of EV lovers and financial wizards who dream in dollars.
Anybody that’s ever paid any attention to me would know I wasn’t serious. I’m all about product purity and being true to heritage.
I think the reason GM is so in love with EVs is that they can use all the same non-descript parts under the skin and then build Hummers and Cadillacs, robo taxis and probably even Corvettes out of them. I think GM sees EVs as a money-making miracle. Ultium is the ultimate in the Chrysler K-car strategy of car building. In it they build everything out of the same basic parts for big profits.
There are a lot of Corvette “fans” on other fan sites who think that this is a good idea. They believe that if Porsche can do it, then so too can Corvette. There are a lot of differences between the status of Corvette and Porsche win their corporate structures and in the public imagination.
I bet dollars to donuts that these “fans” believe that Porsche is a manufacturer of upscale sports cars that now all manufacturers premium SUVs and sports sedans. It is not. Porsche is a manufacturer of premium SUVs and sports sedans that still manufacturers upscale sports cars. In fact, I cannot recall the last time that I saw a two-seat Porsche. However, I see Porsches that seat more than four often. Yesterday, I saw two of them.
Corvette-branded sedans and SUVs would have to be priced above the two-seaters in order to be true to the marque. This price level is cheap for high-performance sports cars, but it is high for most American sedans and SUVs. In fact, the vehicles would be priced above most Cadillacs. The market confusion will be devastating, and not only for Corvette.
I don’t know where you live but I Rarely See four-door Porsches more 911s and boxers
No thanks! Give me a ’23 Z06, all I need!
Why take a successful flagship vehicle for 70 years now that is a 2 seat performance sports car with tons of racing history and make it a sedan? Someone needs to sit me down and explain this whole theory to me as being a great idea.
I am not a Ford fan and totally didn’t understand Fords thoughts when doing this with the mustang for the same reasons even though the mustang was a four seater.
If I was the top brass at GM and this idea was proposed to me I’d have that person or group with this crazy stupid idea out looking for jobs before lunch time.
No you were wrong they are top asses at GM thinking about making this a sedan to ridiculous
The Corvette name is understandably sacrosanct to many, but taking it from being only a single car and into becoming a brand could be a very successful business decision if, and it’s a big IF, GM ensures the products carrying the Corvette name also will be carrying the Corvette soul. Top level style and performance are key ingredients which absolutely must be present.
GM has plenty of good names they could resurrect rather than destroying the Corvette legacy. Monte Carlo, Bel-Aire, Byscane, Chevelle (but as someone who owns Chevelles, I’d rather they wouldn’t) Nova, or Chevy II. They could use a Z-(you choose the number) Baretta, Cavalier, Citation. Etc….
I saw a Hyundai concept called the N Vision, basically a retro looking BEV sports car. If GM made a BEV sports sedan with a retro design and used the Chevelle/Impala/Monte Carlo name it would be a hot item.
The Corvette should remain a 2 seater sports car that’s inspired by race cars, and the Camaro should remain a 2 door coupe made for the streets with track capabilities.
Come on GM!!
No EV Corvette sedan…
No EV Camaro sedan…
Find something else to EV sedan….
Those two are Sport/Muscle car icons, don’t ruin their namesake!!
If GM wants to build a high performance low roof, Electric sedan to compete with Porsche’s Taycan and Tesla’s Model S. It should carry the Cadillac badge. It should a 4 seat, low roof sedan, with coach doors and it should be called SevillE. Cadillac can build High Performance Luxury cars, Chevy can build high performance, but luxury is a stretch. Chevelles and Impalas are low to medium priced cars and will not attract high end buyer.
This is a fantastic idea. It’s a new market segment not a replacement for the corvette. It takes the brand and expands it into a new segment. A segment that will continue to grow with our without GM. If they produce a cost effective solution, they could redefine their future, which at the moment is in question.
Maybe you should put your order in now for one take a good sports Car and Ruin it take apart of American history and destroy It
Chevys and Corvettes were made for the humble working class. That’s what makes them cool. If they take the Corvette name and turn it into a sub-brand of luxury sedans, it takes away from the cool-ness of it. When I see a Ferrari or Lamborghini I rarely look twice. When I see a Corvette I can’t help but stare. The Corvette isn’t about flexing prestige or social status, it’s a race track focused street car for the working class.
I said it earlier, the grid can’t and won’t handle the pull!!!!! When we all go electric, we will have to worry if we have enough “juice” to handle our homes, business and our Evehicles. The power grid has a VERY long way to go. They just have to K.I.S.S the whole program. It’s just that simple.
Porsche did that with the Panamera or the Taycan, so why not? I would certainly consider a 4 door Corvette. What I would never consider is an SUV.