Corvette C7 Final Edition launched
Bells and whistles version of America's sports car signals the approach of Chevy's midship C8
We've not long to wait before the hotly anticipated Corvette C8 arrives, with some predicting its reveal will take place in the next few months. The all-new midship model will take place of the C7 as Chevy's most athletic sports car, but, if rumours are to be believed, it won't necessarily signal the C7's demise. There's apparently more to come from the front-engined model in America, where it is expected to run alongside the C8 as an entry model. In Europe, however, its time looks to be nearly up, because Chevrolet's latest launch here is called the C7 Final Edition.
This is a bells and whistles specification 'vette, so it only comes in 460hp Grand Sport and 660hp supercharged Z06 forms, with each getting a long list of extra kit thrown in as standard. Both versions get carbon ceramic brakes, sports seats and a performance data recorder, along with the sportier 'vette chassis setup. But buyers in some markets can also opt for the Z07 package, which attaches more aerodynamic pieces and stickier Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 rubber to the two-door sports car.
Included on both versions is a front splitter and pair of side skirts made from carbon fibre, while for the Grand Sport, carbon trim is also added to the front wings. Just two paint colours are offered with the Final Edition: Sebring Orange Tintcoat Metallic and Ceramic Matrix Grey Metallic. Opt for the former and your car will come with an interior wrapped in black nappa leather with blue stitching, while the grey paint mixes the same material with white stitching. Side stripes with the words Final Edition suggest this is indeed the final C7 to come to Europe.
And that's it. We should add that those who opt for the atmospheric 6.2-litre V8-powered Grand Sport can pick between an eight-speed auto or seven-speed manual gearbox, but the faster Z06 is manual only. Not that those of us in Blighty will necessarily have the privilege of deciding, because the 'vette is not officially offered here - unless, of course, you opt for an import. For our cousins on the continent, prices for the Final Edition start at €116,500 for the Grand Sport and €139,500 for the Z06.
Some people think the C7 will remain in production as the traditional front engined, petrol V8 with a new mid-engine C8 being produced alongside, having potential for hybrid development as well as more traditional engines.
Bear in mind that a new 450 bhp, manual C7 can be bought from £65k and these run-out models look ridiculously expensive for my taste.
It's a shame some US cars never get a decent foot in the door in the UK, we seem to get all the dreadful ones and never the decent ones. Maybe the success (I see quite a few on the road in the UK, so a success from my limited view) of the Mustang with the wheel on the correct side will bring a few more Amercian motors to these shores.
I do agree with others on here though, mid-engined Corvette doesn't sound right.
but thanks for playing
....and if they released the Ginetta preview pics and said it was a new Corvette, you wouldn't blink an eye
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The Corvette name is synonymous with a front-engined V8 GT.
If they want a mid-engine car then call it something like Dreadnought or other nautical moniker.
Let's hope it's not Junk and has a healthy Barque...you see what I did there.
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