Where other American performance vehicles are facing their end soon (see: LX Dodge Charger, LX Dodge Challenger, Chevrolet Camaro, Chrysler 300) it’s an exciting time to be a Corvette fan. Demand for the re-imagined sports car remains white-hot, with the mid-engine layout gamble paying off in terms of performance, curb appeal, and sales. And that’s expected to stay that way for a few more years. But as we progress further and further into the life cycle of the C8 Corvette, details are beginning to emerge on what’s next. The C9 Corvette is coming, and what’s expected of it may surprise you.
Our own Manoli Katakis was once again invited on the Corvette Today podcast, hosted by Steve Garrett and Keith Cornett from CorvetteBlogger, to deliver the insider line on what’s going on with the next-generation Corvette.The interview starts at the 21:30 mark and, in a nutshell, the big question is whether or not the C9 Corvette will be all-electric or gasoline powered, especially given the auto industry’s push for all-electric vehicles going into the next decade. To that end, the C9 Corvette is still not expected until the end of the decade (2028 or later), but it could nonetheless arrive on an updated mid-engine platform (Y3xx) with a V8 engine (Gen VI Small Block), keeping the highly desirable formula of today’s C8 intact.
Adding credence to this is the fact that General Motors just announced a major investment to produce next-generation Small Block V8 engines, demonstrating that rumors of the demise of ICE has been greatly exaggerated. Plus, if/when GM debuts their upcoming Corvette EV sedan and electric Corvette SUV, it could help preserve the high-octane characteristics of the two-seat coupe. It’s working over at Ford in regards to the S650 Mustang muscle car and the all-electric Mustang Mach-E SUV. Maybe it is possible to have a future where everybody is happy, after all.
