Corvette SUV design contest winners

Posted by hpayne on May 12, 2017

1stPlace_VetteSUV_design

What if General Motors Co. built a Corvette SUV? That’s the question we posed in March. While sports car brands like Porsche, Maserati and Jaguar are exploiting their performance prowess to make hugely profitable SUVs, Corvette has remained on the sidelines.

So we did some field research for GM, taking the pulse of prominent former executives like Bob Lutz and Tom Wallace, industry analysts and Corvette owners to gauge whether a Corvette ute would work. We even designed our own Corvette crossover concept called the XC7.

Then we opened the floor to our readers. The Detroit News’ Corvette SUV Design Contest was judged by ex-Corvette boss Wallace, Detroit News design chief Jamie Hollar and News auto critic Henry Payne.

The envelope, please…

First place

Raymond Dong, Dearborn

Our winner is boldly rendered with draftsmanship that pushes the boundaries of Corvette’s current design language with sharp edges and fuller headlights. “The winner is very modern-looking, and has some nice edges,” says Wallace. “A little work on the lower grille opening would make it the perfect Corvette SUV.”

Second place

Andrew Kear, New Jersey

This rendering was impressive for comprehensively imagining a Corvette ute, including three exterior views and interior instrumentation. The attention to detail includes rear fender vents and a digital speedo. “Loved having every view of the Corvette ute including enterior,” says Hollar. “Not sure the concept captures Corvette uniqueness as well as the other entries.”

Third place

Rory Williams, Farmington Hills

Our contest asked for SUV designs, but this skillfully rendered ’Vette wagon was mouthwatering. “We need more wagons with center quad pipes!” exclaimed juror Payne.

 

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