![[POLL] How Should Chevrolet Fill the Gap at the Bottom of its Performance Lineup?](https://www.corvetteblogger.com/images/content/2025/03/030825_4b.jpg)
Being a fan of General Motors in 2025 is strangely akin to living in Chapter 1 of A Tale of Two Cities, except both ends of the spectrum would be hard to believe even a decade ago – as Dickens said, this is truly an “epoch of incredulity.” It’s easy to take it for granted when you’re living in the middle of it, but when you stop and really think about it, it’s absolutely astounding: there are currently three Corvettes on sale that make in excess of 650 horsepower. They are all mid-engined, and the new King of the Hill churns out an “unthinkable” 1,064 horses. The best of times, indeed!
But, while The General’s super-powered offerings are proudly reaching higher heights and attracting wealthier customers than ever before, it’s undoubtedly become a season of darkness in a winter of despair for everyday, working-class commoners looking to get their speed fix at one of the company’s 7,000+ US dealerships. Below the most expensive “entry-level” Corvette of all time – the $70,000 Stingray (which still makes 490 HP) – the cupboards are completely bare.
There is no Camaro, Chevelle, or SS Sedan; there’s not even a whiff of something that’s at least somewhat interesting, like the SSR, to amuse the masses. Outside of the Bow Tie, it’s more of the same. Famed monikers like GTO, 442, and Trans-Am have long since ridden into the sunset along with their entire manufacturers. Buick has been worthless to anyone with even a drop of motor oil in their blood since 1987. And while the two remaining members of Cadillac’s famed V-Series have defied the odds and “out-German’d” the Germans to become the industry sports sedan standard, they certainly aren’t anyone’s idea of affordable. The base price of the one you really want has ballooned 18% from $83,995 all the way to $99,090 in just four model years on sale while its little brother is encroaching on ‘Vette territory at $63,590 (with zero options) in spite of GM’s foolish refusal to give it a proper Small-Block V8.
How Would You Fill the Sizable Sub-Stingray Gap in GM’s Performance Lineup?
Being in our spring of hope, our age of wisdom, light, and belief, with everything before us, we recently devised two separate gameplans that could help GM save face with its most loyal, but, after years of neglect and betrayal, understandably faltering and hesitant customer base.
Option 1: Bring Back the Camaro
For GM, the first and most logical path to redemption with blue-collar Americans would be simply reviving the Camaro nameplate for a seventh generation using the blueprint laid out by Ford’s newest “S650” Mustang. This profit-maximizing technique would see the previous Camaro’s (still world-class) Alpha II platform return for a second tour of duty along with a slew of already in-service and/or resurrected motivators, including the LT2 (SS), LT5 (ZL1), and LT6 (Z/28).
New exterior and interior designs would be the only significant costs associated with such a program. It would bring entry to the LS/LT V8 club down some $30k to $40ish Grand and have the added benefits of 1. Gratifying the UAW by filling more shifts at the Lansing Grand River Plant, where they build the excellent but slow-selling Alpha II underpinned Cadillacs, and 2. Giving NASCAR teams an actual Chevy to champion in 2026 and beyond.
Option 2: Build A Base 5.3L C8 Corvette Below the Stingray
If the Camaro is to remain retired, GM could choose to continue expanding the Corvette lineup. This time, though, instead of continuing the ‘Vette’s climb up the price and performance ladder or expanding with an ill-advised electric SUV, GM could fill the glaring gap in its lineup by pushing America’s Sports Car back down market with a sub-Stingray base Corvette.
A naturally aspirated, performance-tuned 5.3L V8 making 400-425 HP in a basic, stripped C8 body (possibly with the option of a clutch-by-wire manual!) would be an absolute fox in the henhouse that is the modern sports car niche. Because everyone remembers the $60k Stingray, this car would need to undercut that number. If it split the MSRP difference between the Mustang GT Premium ($51,575) and the GR Supra 3.0 ($57,345), we think it could decimate the market for both and make base 718 Cayman – a car that starts at $74,795 and has to make do with a wimpy boosted four-banger until it crosses the $100k barrier – intenders struggle to justify not buying American.
Internally, this base ‘Vette could also facilitate the LT2’s (or an upgraded 6.6L LT3!) pivot away from the Stingray – that seems like a pretty saturated market at this point – to an exciting new widebody Grand Sport, as rumored.
What’ll It Be, Corvette Nation?
If you were handed the reins at the Ren Cen – or Hudson’s Detroit – which way would you steer the recently vacated entry-level of Chevrolet’s performance wing? Would you bring back the Camaro for a one-two punch of both front-engine and midengined goodness, would you keep the ‘Vette as the only show in town but lower the cost of entry with a new base car, or do you have your own gameplan? Vote and chime in below!
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AI Images prompted by Keith Cornett using Grok
Related:
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[VIDEO] Should Corvette Replace the Outgoing Camaro in NASCAR?
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I bought a new Vette in 93 and 2010. Both base model coupes. Total expenditure for both 70K plus tax. You can’t buy one C8 for that today and I’m happy to say I still enjoy both.
I would come up with something entirely different and futuristic!
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While I would love to see base Vette, Chevy decided during the c5 era they would never build a base car. Buyers today want more than the basic car, and that is served by the LT1 package, while the LT2 is the most popular package.
The Mustang sales are still trending down even with no competition from Chevy or Dodge so a new Camaro likely won’t sell any better. Actually I think a high performance Colorado SS (or SST for truck) and/or Equinox SS for the street (rather than off road) would fill a void not currently sold by Ford or Dodge/Ram. As trucks and crossovers are still better selling than cars GM may be able to get behind this idea.
GM will likely only approve something that will sell in a good volume. Mustang sales are still trending down without competition from Chevy or Dodge so likely kills a new Camaro. As trucks and crossovers are still better selling than cars then a high performance truck and/or crossover for the street makes sense to me. Colorado SS (or SST for truck) and/or Equinox SS are my choices.
Keep the Camaro going. It dominates NHRA and pretty much does in Nascar with a huge Bowtie following. Win on Sunday sale on Monday still applies. Need to revamp marketing to show this. Fire all the DEI loonies at GM including Mary Barro. Let Rick Hendrick or someone with someone like minded hire the new CEO.. Maybe one of the two corvette gurus they just fired for no reason… GM needs to step up and step up now. Bankruptcy is in their near future if they do not. Bring back the SS Sedan possibly put the Chevelle nameplate on it and lets make some noise. They brought back the Blazer and boy did Ford make them look silly when they brought back the Bronco and ate their lunch… Time to change and they better get it right or they are toast…
I agree with this article 100%! It would’ve been nice to see the c7 platform stick around to a sibling company with a tubo six from Cadillac or rebadged Buick opal gt retro theme… An AWD 3Ltt V6 comaro since Cadillac has no proper coupe. That same car could’ve revamped the gnx regal nameplate. Appreciate the read and may our desires be filled by the car gods.
To keep cost down, strip down the present C8, give us a simple interior with light supportive manually “adjustable” seats (power isn’t necessary), even offering a durable cloth (no need for leather when racing). Slim the body down by eliminating the big fat ugly rear end and the rear luggage compartment (we serious drivers don’t need the space for golf clubs). Use the same basic engine but give us a trouble free, no maintenance manual transmission, add a lighter aluminum flywheel, a solid roof construction (C5&C6 Z06) for strength & eliminate weight and make the Z51 package standard. Very simple, very basic but what we purest who just love driving need! Make the option list small but focused on performance, not luxury.
Now that Corvette has FINALLY achieved world class status by producing models that outperform exotics for a fraction of the price, you do NOT want to make a low ball version. IT CHEAPENS THE BRAND. Better to have a separate less sophisticated car at a lower price and make the Corvette aspirational, maintaining it’s desirability as a peer to the world’s best…or even better than.
Plug in hybrid Bolt GT with stripes and spoiler. No manual since many don’t know how to drive them.
Keep the Camaro!
Decontenting the C8 of all, I mean all, weight adding, cost adding items would lower the price and nominally improve performance.
Replacing the engine with a smaller, less powerful one has a negative effect on the performance image of the Corvette.
In my humble opion I just don’t see that either move would greatly increase sales.
With the popularity of SUV’s, the logical business move would be hot versions of those offerings. For example, an SS Equinox with a 375-450hp small block V8 or twin turbo V6.
I would develop a smaller mid engine hybrid something like the Fiero was in the 1980’s and 1990’s.
Turbo V-4 with an electric motor and battery? GM developed the 4.3 V-6 by removing two cylinders from the 350/ 5.7 V-8. Do the same with the current V-8 by removing 4 cylinders to make a V-4 and add boost.
The Camaro was it but Chevy let it stagnate allowing the Mustang and Challenger to pull ahead. Plus Chevy didn’t market the Camaro properly. What a shame to let such a legend die the way it did.
The magic at Chevrolet is gone except for the Corvette.
Restyle the Camaro. Keep it a 2 door gasoline powered V8.
There’s no need for a downscale C8. That’s the niche the used market exists for. A downscale C8 not only dillutes the nameplate, but it also infringes upon future Corvette sales. The used market provides sufficient demand that existing owners can trade up to the current model easily.
And even if GM brings back the Camaro–it is too soon. There needs to be the absence that makes the heart grow fonder. Give it about 5 years without any V8 sports coupe except the Corvette, and the demand will be frothing.
And I still believe that GM missed the boat by not offering a more refined body, and only selling the E-Ray as the Cadillac XLR (and the ZR-A as the XLR-V).
I would like to see a return of Something from the past, such as a Chevelle or Monte Carlo or maybe a Nova with today’s looks and features. Or even a sporty version of the Impala which is a highly popular sell. Offer these with a 5.3 liter manual transmission as a base version.
PS no to the electric battery powered. We love the good old gas powered v8 sounds
In pure marketing terms, a less-expensive Corvette would likely be a failure. A Vette can’t be the only car for 95% of buyers, as it is highly impractical. And if you have the money for a 2nd car, you will spend a little more and get one with better performance. I loved my 2018 Camaro, despite now having an eRay, and would still have it had it not been destroyed in Hurricane Ian. While I would not consider it a practical one-and-only car for every day use, I largely used it that way and it sufficed. My Vette would not be nearly as versatile. Once all my hurricane repairs are made and I have a safe place for it, I will replace my Camaro.
Several VERY GOOD COMMENTS!!
Sort of a compact “E-Ray” like the suggestion of a BOLT GT– V-4 or V-6[optional] with E-Drive rear (for room for a backseat) Maybe even a turbo engine… Sort of in the “Rice-Rocket” market And priced in that “Sub-Compact” Market… and make it capable of EV-Onlyfor general use around town — to school and back or to Grocery store, work. Regenerative batteries, with plug in option {such as overnight home charging… I would enjoy one MYSELF! but great family car with a couple of kids sitting in back seats…easy thru traffic, but be sure entry and exit are easy for the “Seniors Citizens” like me, with bad hips and Knees… {It takes me at least two minutes of struggling to get in and out of my Brother’s C8}
Updated version of the Camaro with better visibility. I would not make a basic corvette it cheapens the already C-8.
“A customer votes everyday with his dollar. Our job is make sure he votes for us.”-
Henry Ford
Thanks,
Ray
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