The classic American par excellence. The legend lives and presents its sixth generation after 51 years of history.
The Detroit Motor Show had as one of its main attractions the presentation of the new Chevrolet Corvette, which will enter production from 2005 onwards. The new vette shows few innovations. A V8 engine of 6.000 cc. which offers 405 hp, It really is a very particular case. Despite having only two valves per cylinder, an unusual feature for a high-performance car, it surprises with its efficiency and low fuel consumption.
There are no new developments in the cabin either. Small details such as a touch controlled screen for the satellite browser and other on-board functions. Aesthetics does not show innovations of shapes or combinations of colors and/or materials. Considering that General Motors is a giant of the automotive industry and that the corvette is one of its most emblematic icons, for fans it is very ungrateful the response of such a company to loyal buyers and their enormous expectations.
But here comes the crudest of the commentary. As a child I enjoyed collecting photos and videos of every new model that Chevrolet presented. Every concept of the Corvette for me was a very exciting feeling of intrigue, I wanted to know what the next step would be, and when... And I'm sure I wasn't the only one who waited for a good part of my life in 2003 to see GM's proposal for the 50th anniversary. And when he finally arrived, I thought, what a big disappointment. They only continued to offer the standard model, without even celebrating events.
Today I feel like GM frustrated me again. A body that does not convey a clear message. The design of a product, more specifically styling is the language by which the product communicates with the public. If the appearance does not show marked features that confirm that we are in front of a product with a great tradition and characteristic personality, that promises the user to feel a member of a very select stratum, because then we are in front of one more car, and not in front of “the car”.
Such an important car must feel like roaring a beast. Fierce and above the rest. Especially in appearance, because that is the aspect that most people can really, not analyze but “feel”. Few individuals can determine whether the vehicle is aerodynamically efficient or whether its chassis reacts with the same level of efficiency as its engine. But all those who look at a vehicle have a perception of it, it is similar to body language.
My training as a designer in constant search of information and study of design problems leads me to reflect: “Looking at a car is like looking at a woman, some arouse interest to us, others are just beautiful faces not to mention those that go unnoticed, but only a few days leave us thinking about them, no matter what trait is the one that captivated us.” A Corvette should always have us with thought in its essence, which must be embodied in every new design proposed.
© Adrián Blanco 2004 — Prohibited the total or partial reproduction of text and/or images without explicit written consent of the author. —