In late June, former GM vice chairman Bob Lutz made an interesting, yet controversial, statement about the Corvette.
The outspoken manager said in an interview that if he were still working for GM he would put the Corvette name on an SUV as well. Given how popular sports utility vehicles are nowadays, that might not seem like a wild idea — even Ferrari will build an SUV.
Lutz’s reasoning is that the upcoming mid-engine Corvette will fail to attract new buyers and younger buyers. He believes the C8 will mainly appeal to Corvette aficionados which is why GM needs to use the popular Corvette name on a performance SUV as well that would rival models such as the Porsche Cayenne.
While we can’t argue there would be a strong business case for a Corvette SUV, we don’t think such a move would be well received by the Corvette community. After all, many (hardcore) Corvette fans are reluctant to a mid-engine model, let alone an SUV.
Still, the performance SUV would not target Corvette fans but rather attract new customers to the nameplate which could become a performance brand in its own right. If you’re curious what a Corvette SUV could look like, this rendering from Allcarnews offers a pretty good idea.
Also read: New Chevrolet C8 Corvette Will Get A Base 6.2-Liter V8 Dubbed ‘LT2’
Based on the Camaro-inspired Chevrolet Blazer, the hypothetical Corvette utility has the wheels pushed as far out as possible for a longer wheelbase, is wider, and features bulged wheel arches. The roofline is lower and more inclined towards the back while the front end adopts Corvette-like headlights and a massive grille.
Corvette fans will no doubt recognize the Z06 wheels, Camaro fender vents, and C7 hood vent, among other details. As for the powertrain, the 650 hp 6.2-liter supercharged LT4 V8 from the Corvette Z06 would be a good choice. Imagine the performance an all-wheel-drive Corvette SUV could deliver.
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