Motor Trend Predicts the C7 Corvette Model Rollouts

During the rollout out of the C6 in 2005, Chevy introduced just the base coupe and convertible models with the performance-laden Z06 coming a year later in 2006. When Chevrolet introduces the C7 Corvette next year, the speculation is that we’ll initially have just two models to choose from – the standard Coupe and Convertible – while the upgraded Grand Sports, Z06 and ZR1 performance models will arrive at a later date. Now Motor Trend has weighed in with their predictions of just exactly when we can expect to see the various Corvettes appear in C7 form.

Our friends at Corvette Blog came across the rollout predictions in the latest print version of the magazine. They noted that there was not attribution to any official statement by Chevrolet, so take the following with a grain of salt, especially when you see the V6 base Corvette rumor raised once again:

“The rollout for the C7 Chevrolet Corvette will look like this: The standard coupe will launch in late 2013 or early ’14, with the convertible coming three to six months later. The Z06 is next, a full year after the standard coupe. Then comes Gran (sic) Sport coupe and convertible, with the ZR1 the last of the next-gen Corvettes to hit showrooms. Rumor has it that the ZR1’s supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 will shrink in displacement slightly, for corporate average fuel economy reasons, and there will be a 3.6-liter V-6 version of the base Corvette, though not at launch.”

That translates into the models being released:

• Fourth Quarter 2013 – Base 2014 Corvette Coupe
• Second Quarter 2014 – Base 2014 Corvette Convertible
• Summer of 2014 – 2015 Model Year – Z06 Coupe
• Later in 2015 Model Year – Grand Sport Coupe & Convertible
• Summer of 2015 – 2016 Model Year – ZR1 Coupe

While the rollout calendar makes sense based on previous new Corvette model introductions, GM has not yet indicated that the six current Corvette models will also appear as C7s. We also know that when Jalopnik published their illustrations of what they say is the C7 Corvette, they chose to show the ZR1 model which may indicate that GM’s C7 rollout may be more compressed than the three year model span from 2014 base C7 to the 2016 ZR1 C7.

CorvetteBlog is anticipating that the 2014 Corvettes will actually begin to appear at dealerships in September 2013.

Source:
Corvette Blog

Related:
C7 Corvette Illustration on Cover of Car and Driver’s April 2012 Magazine
[VIDEO] C7 Corvette Captured on Spy Video
Jalopnik to Reveal ‘Real’ C7 Corvette on Monday at Noon; Updated with Photo of 2014 Corvette ZR1