[PIC] GM Authority Renders Corvette-Inspired SUV

Rumors have been making the rounds for years about Chevrolet possibly leveraging the Corvette moniker into a stand-alone lineup of vehicles that might include an SUV.

We’re not sure that will ever happen, but just in case, GM Authority has shared another rendering of what such a high-performance SUV, this time with off-road capabilities, could look like.

The response on the internet, to say the least, has not been very kind. We’ll share some comments with you after we tell you more about the rendering.

GM Authority describes it as a Z71 model with “all the off-roading gear expected of the name, but without mucking up the standard C8 Corvette design cues.”

Those features include larger tires “to handle a variety of terrain and conditions,” the website points out, but on the other hand, how many people who pay big bucks for this kind of SUV are ever going to take it into the woods?

GM Authority’s rendering also includes new aggressive-looking tires on two-tone split-five-spoke wheels, a suspension lift for the “appropriate stance,” and black trim bits around the wheel wells and step-ups in the profile. Adding to the look are red tow hooks in the front fascia, red hash marks on the fender, a modified front bumper for a better approach angle, a skid plate, and Z71 badging on the front doors.

Earlier this year, GM Authority released a rendering of a similar Corvette SUV dressed as a “street-oriented performance model” whereas this drawing shows “a high-performance desert stormer” aimed at competitors like the Ford Raptor.

Now for those comments from a few readers on GM Authority:

“That’s awful. Looks ready to challenge the Ford Escape maybe. You’re hurting the Chevrolet Corvette just by creating and posting it.”

“Just make me a damn Jimmy using the Canyon platform. Stop with this nonsense.”

“WTF.”

But there are those who think expanding the lineup could be a good strategy for GM, like this person:

“I kind of like this idea. Turn the Corvette brand into what Porsche started 20+ years ago. A few Corvette models in the $60 – $120 range is a place GM needs to go in my view. A Corvette line could be legit, authentic and have really good margins. No other GM brand has the juice to go to this space.”

What do you think? In our opinion, GM already has a vehicle similar to this with the new Blazer, though we think they didn’t go far enough. We would definitely like to see the old LT1 engine and a performance suspension as options to spice things up.

Source:
gmauthority.com

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