Corvette C7 Comes in 2012

Previewed, according to some reports, with the unveiling of the Stingray Concept, the next Corvette to hit the streets, the C7, will enter sale sometimes in 2012, corvetteblogger.com cites a GM official as saying. Deemed until yesterday as "on hold", the project seems to have never left GM's agenda, despite the difficulties it went through since the beginning of the year.

According to the source, the C7 will begin production in April 2012, as a 2013 model-year vehicle. Technical specifications are virtually unknown, except the fact that the new 'Vette will retain the configuration of the present day models, with a front mounted engine and a rear-wheel drive. This comes to contradict initial rumor claiming the new sports car will use a mid-mounted engine setup.

The C7 is expected to be lighter and more powerful than the current C6. Rumors say the engine on the car is expected to output around 450 hp. By combining the use of a lighter engine with the employment of lighter materials, the likes on carbon fiber aluminum and magnesium, the new C7 is expected to provide an excellent power-to-weight ratio.

As for the design cues, it is, as we said, unclear if the Stingray will be the source of inspiration for the C7. Created to be the Sideswipe transformer in "Revenge of the Fallen", the concept was dubbed, ever since its unveiling, as an insight into how future Corvettes will look like. More likely, however, the C7 will be an evolution of the design of the C6.

As for pricing, the Corvette C7 is said to stand in the $35,000-$45,000 range.