KOMPAS.com - The next-generation Chevrolet Corvette could be penned by Australian designers. Chevrolet’s Corvette is the car best known as ‘the all-American sportscar’, but the all-new incarnation of the ‘Vette could well have an Australian influence.
Late last year Holden’s parent company General Motors requested designs for the next-generation Corvette from 10 of its design studios, and Australia is likely to be a major contender. Holden is not confirming or denying its involvement.
"We run a major design studio here at Fishermen's Bend and as such we're often engaged in GM global design programs,” spokesman Scott Whiffin said. “Beyond that though I'm not really in a position to talk specifics at this stage."
Regardless of whether Holden wins the design competition, the car will definitely have an Aussie flavour. Former Holden – and Monaro – designer, Mike Simcoe now heads up Chevrolet’s design studio, while a number of other Aussies have influential roles in the company’s Warren, Michigan, design headquarters. Ex-pat Max Wolff is exterior design director for Cadillac and was responsible for the recent CTS coupe.
Aussies have also designed a number of notable concept cars for GM in recent years. Ondrej Koromhaz penned the Chevrolet Aveo concept for the 2010 Detroit motor show, while the eye-catching GMC Denali and Pontiac G8 were designed by Aussie Warrack Leach.
A report from Automotive News quotes GM’s vice-president of global design, Ed Welburn, saying that the Corvette needs a new look to appeal to younger buyers. He says that: “the average age of the customer is really rising,” and “[GM has] to develop a design that feels trimmer, meaner, to go along with the incredible performance that the car has”.
