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C7 Corvette to roll out 2013 (Transformer Sideswipe?)

Mark Leevan's photo
Bowling Green Corvette Examiner

MotorAuthority vision of 2013 C7 Corvette

GM announced its 2 year plan for the Corvette and other GM brands. The production of the C7 Corvette will be in April 2012 for the 2013 model year. GM said the Corvette will keep it's front engine configuration.

Earlier speculation was that the C7 would be moved to 2014, so now the Corvette design/build engineers will have the green light to make the anticipated changes.

Corvette fans are hoping for a lighter body, perhaps carbon fiber, aluminum and magnesium. A smaller engine might be utilized but with the lighter weight, the car will be a strong performer.

Corvette Chief Engineer Tadge Juechter said earlier that Corvette product team always has the next generation in mind.

The car featured in Transformers was a concept developed by GM called the Sideswipe.

"SIDESWIPE represents an exercise in exploration for the Corvette," said Ed Welburn, vice president of GM Global Design. "By giving my creative team the freedom to design no-holds-barred vision concepts, it helps them push boundaries and look at projects from different perspectives."

Corvette owners clearly loved the Transformer's Corvette Stingray concept at the Chicago Auto Show. If the 2013 C7 has a total body redesign, you can thank the movie makers.

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Slideshow: 2013 C7 Corvette - Will it look like Transformer Sideswipe?

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Slideshow: 2013 C7 Corvette - Will it look like Transformer Sideswipe?

, Bowling Green Corvette Examiner

Mark Leevan lives within a few short miles, a few short seconds if driving a Corvette, of the only place in the world Corvettes are made. His love for Corvettes started in 1958, a car he still pines over. Follow Mark on Twitter: @markleevan or email: MarkLeevan@gmail.com.

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