GM’s American Icon Adds European Touches describes how the old C5 corvette design evolved into the new C6 design:
Designers and engineers on the C6 project went to Germany to drive the old car, the C5, and some of its European competition like the Porsche 911. They also spent time talking to groups of European sports car owners.Porsche owners “were insulted to be asked about the Corvette,” says Tom Peters, the new Corvette’s chief designer. “It was graphic.”
But Mr. Peters and his colleagues took the abuse, and concluded that some of the criticism was warranted.
The newer, “more discriminating” Corvette has a 400-hp “small block” V8; a cleaner, simpler interior, without “bubble buttons”; and smoother handling.
Although I’ve never seen a Corvette in Europe or Japan, this still seems wrong:
But GM sells about 1,000 Corvettes a year in Europe and another 300 to 400 a year in Japan, says Jim Campbell, Chevrolet director for car marketing. GM wants to increase those numbers.