THE WORST-KEPT SECRET SINCE THE MID-ENGINE VETTE
General Motors designed its Alpha platform to underpin the best driving machines around. To date, the only model of the five built on it not to make our 10Best list at least once is the Cadillac ATS.
After decades of epic sports-car battles between Chevrolet Corvettes and Porsche 911s, Chevy is queuing up a new rivalry against Stuttgart's highest-performing SUVS. Rather than expend resources to designate a new lineup of high-test sport-utility vehicles, Chevrolet will call its sub-brand a name synonymous with performance: Corvette.
It's shocking General Motors took this long to add a true performance SUV to one of its model lines. After all, Porsche's high-roof five-seaters the Macan and Cayenne-continue to be its bestsellers year after year. Their high-profit margins fund insanity such as the 718 GT4 RS and the 911 GT3 RS.
Remove any previous expectations that the Corvette SUV will be electrified, at least not at first. The SUV will be built on the celebrated Alpha platform that underpins the Camaro and the spectacular Cadillac CT4-V and CT5-V Blackwings. The platform alone suggests the Corvette SUV will be both entertaining to drive and potentially sold in two sizes. Again, think Macan and Cayenne.
The Alpha platform allows access to GM's vast powertrain catalog. If Chevy builds a Macan competitor, we'd expect a 300-plus-hp turbo four to serve as the base engine and a twin-turbo V-6 with 400 or so horsepower at the top. To challenge the Cayenne, the larger SUV will get that twin-turbo V-6, while the nearly 500-hp 6.2-liter V-8 will belt out its American song in the higher trims. Expect the Vette SUV to come standard with all-wheel drive and a 10-speed automatic across the board, with magnetorheological dampers an optional extra.
This story is from the May 2023 edition of Car and Driver.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 2023 edition of Car and Driver.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Great Aspirations
Highs: Excellent fuel economy, good controls, quiet on the highway. Lows: Bigger outside than inside, just-average dynamics, premium pricing.
Treading Water
Highs: Sharper styling, big new touchscreen, solid electric range. Lows: No all-wheel drive, steep pricing, rivals are quicker.
Higher-Purpose Hybrid
Forget electric range. This plug-in hybrid delivers 791 horsepower.
1979-93 - WHAT TO BUY: SAAB 900
Echoing the design of the long-running 99 that preceded it, the updated and modernized Saab 900 was the car that brought the fringe Swedish brand into its closest proximity to the mainstream, which honestly wasn't that close.
12-Cylinder Salute
Bentley makes 18 Continental GT-based Baturs as a send-off for its W-12.
How to Winch in a Pinch
We head out into the Utah wilderness with the Cameron Advanced Mobility team to learn to off-road like military special forces.
Time Machines
A trip to Duncan Imports prompts an unexpected rendezvous with cars from my past. And want them all back. Well, except maybe the Ram.
Now Hear This
Automakers are going to new lengths to create the sounds of modern cars.
Getting Hammered
Jonathan Hodgman isn't afraid of a challenge, and his shop, Blue Ridge Mercedes, specializes in the difficult task of repairing early AMGS.
2022 GENESIS GV70
Long-Term Test AFTER TRACKING EVERY FILL-UP, SERVICE, PROBLEM, COMPLAINT, DENT, AND DOG HAIR, CAR AND DRIVER PRESENTS THE 40,000-MILE EVALUATION.