Photo: GM
In a recent Detroit Free Press interview, General Motors product chief Mark Reuss fired up the speculation machine with juicy info on the future eight-generation Chevrolet Corvette. The GM official declared that development of the Corvette C8 is already underway, but the big news is that "a hybrid or electric Vette" is also considered to join the model lineup.
Shocking tidbit of news, ain't it? We imagine hardcore Corvette fans could even call it an unorthodox change of ways, but it's safe to presume that Chevy's next-gen halo sports car will benefit from internal combustion as well, so stop getting anxious over a change that won't affect the all-American Vette spirit we all know and love.
You also have to take into consideration that the eight-generation Chevrolet Corvette in hybrid or electric form will be launched quite a few years from now on. That timeframe will most definitely see far more drastic CAFE fuel economy and emissions standards in the U.S., so take it this way - without the aforementioned eco-friendly versions, maybe the future C8 Corvette will take up turbocharged V6 mills instead of thoroughbred V8 muscle in both naturally aspirated and supercharged guise.
The bottom line is that light electrification is a compromise every Corvette enthusiast has to prepare for and eventually embrace for the survival of America's favorite two-seater sports car. But then again, maybe Reuss just wanted to reroute the media's attention from the widely known recall fiasco with this kind of icebreaker.
Nevertheless, just look at what Porsche, Ferrari and McLaren did with the 918, LaFerrari and P1. Those hypercars aren't defined by their hybrid powertrains, but actually enhanced performance-wise by the green tech. At any rate, we'll just have to wait and see what the future has in store for us Vette enthusiasts.
Until that moment arrives, we still have quite a lot of time to enjoy the all-new 2015 Chevrolet Corvette. Speaking of which, the refreshed Vette's order guide has already leaked on the World Wide Web. If you're in the market for a brand spanking new Corvette, follow this link to decide what boxes you might want to tick from the options list.
You also have to take into consideration that the eight-generation Chevrolet Corvette in hybrid or electric form will be launched quite a few years from now on. That timeframe will most definitely see far more drastic CAFE fuel economy and emissions standards in the U.S., so take it this way - without the aforementioned eco-friendly versions, maybe the future C8 Corvette will take up turbocharged V6 mills instead of thoroughbred V8 muscle in both naturally aspirated and supercharged guise.
The bottom line is that light electrification is a compromise every Corvette enthusiast has to prepare for and eventually embrace for the survival of America's favorite two-seater sports car. But then again, maybe Reuss just wanted to reroute the media's attention from the widely known recall fiasco with this kind of icebreaker.
Nevertheless, just look at what Porsche, Ferrari and McLaren did with the 918, LaFerrari and P1. Those hypercars aren't defined by their hybrid powertrains, but actually enhanced performance-wise by the green tech. At any rate, we'll just have to wait and see what the future has in store for us Vette enthusiasts.
Until that moment arrives, we still have quite a lot of time to enjoy the all-new 2015 Chevrolet Corvette. Speaking of which, the refreshed Vette's order guide has already leaked on the World Wide Web. If you're in the market for a brand spanking new Corvette, follow this link to decide what boxes you might want to tick from the options list.
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