Second Corvette EV concept debuts with California styling

The second of three electric Chevrolet Corvette concepts has surfaced, although GM is very keen to point out that this car in no way previews a Corvette EV.

While the first electric Corvette concept, which debuted in April, came from the company’s design team in the UK, the latest hails from GM’s Advanced Design studios in Pasadena, on the outskirts of Los Angeles.

Although there are no details about where the concept’s motors are located, the California Corvette concept, as it’s known, sticks to the mid-engine supercar design template.

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Compared to the current mid-engine ‘C8’ Corvette, the California Corvette pushes the styling boundaries a little further. The base of the windscreen, for example, sits above the front the axle line.

The front-hinged canopy is said to make ingress and egress easier, and can also be taken off to transform the concept into an open-air track car.

Despite the concept being nearly 2.2m wide, the cabin is snug. Inspired by the bisected design of the C8’s interior, the California has barely any buttons with most of the controls located in the touchscreen in the steering wheel hub.

The car’s body is designed around an “assumed” T-shaped primastic battery pack that’s said to allow for a lower seating position, and better airflow around and through the vehicle.

Other aero pieces include an active spoiler and air brake. The concept rides on 21-inch wheels up front, and 22-inch rims at the rear.

At just 1051mm tall and 2183mm wide, the California concept is considerably wider than the standard eighth-generation Corvette Stingray, which is 1234mm tall and 1933mm wide. In length (4669mm) and wheelbase (2767mm), the concept car is about 40mm longer than the Stingray.

According to Chevrolet there is “no production intent behind this design study”. Recent rumblings from GM indicate an all-electric Corvette is off the table in the immediate future.

Tony Roma, lead engineer for GM Performance, told Autocar at the launch of the Corvette ZR1X, an electric Corvette couldn’t be just about performance numbers, and would have to be “engaging” and centred around the “art of driving”.

“We’re not going to do an electric version of this car just to do it. That would defeat the entire purpose,” he continued.

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