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AN: 2014 'Vette: a case of Viper envy?

13K views 67 replies 34 participants last post by  UN4GTBL 
#1 ·

One of the most eagerly awaited presentations at the North American International Auto Show has to have been the 2014 Corvette. For weeks, speculation, spy shots, sketches and renderings have been flying around the Internet. Today, the wraps came off, the embargoes were lifted and the 2014 Corvette made its debut. One of the things that struck Mopar fans was the number of styling cues shared between the new 'Vette and the new SRT Viper that just went into production at Chrysler's Conner Avenue Assembly Plant. In fairness, some of the shared details could be simply a common problem, i.e., air flow management, requiring a common solution.  But others, especially when the cars are viewed from the front, raise questions. Of course, it's said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and the Viper is definitely a vehicle worthy of emulation. Viper fans should thank Chevrolet for the..

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#5 ·
It looks to me like a GM mimics Viper, The Vette is not a bad looking vehicle but I like last version of the Corvette better. Maybe in the Next gen GM could be more original.
 
#8 ·
I do see a lot of Cadillac influence in the rear quarter of the thing, Also I am not quick to throw it under the bus, you have the same thing with the mid-size Eco boxes. To achieve areo results there are some body-lines that are very specific and therefore appear on many cars.

Common areo designs, but still 2 different cars.
 
#12 ·
The problem is with photographers that lately have taken to shooting pictures from the perspective of a dog pissing on a lamp post! I truly HATE that; I want to see the car in pictures like I was standing in front of it, not laying down in the middle of the street.

Anyhow, IMO they did a great job with that car. I'm still not keen on the plasticky interior with the 80s layout. Once you see it in person I think you'll realize that the proportions are right, and it looks great. They did rip off the Aston Martin Zagato V12 in the rear quarter window and rear hatch treatment (down to the twin bubbles on the roof), but it works nicely and it's different enough to be able to claim "inspiration" instead of all out robbery.
Is the rear is a bit overworked? Probably. Are the vents a bit too vulgar? Sure. But overall they pulled it off and technically speaking I suspect that the level of sophistication is going to be well ahead of the Viper.

Must give credit where it's due.
 
#13 ·
The Internets are already filled with such observations - with some armchair designers gladly pointing out how "they stole this from the Viper, and that from the 370Z, and that from this other thing" - because their ability to recognize rudimentary shapes makes them qualified to do so.

So now not only with the Europeans dismiss it as "too American", the Americans will now dismiss it as "too European."
 
#15 ·
RVC said:
But overall they pulled it off and technically speaking I suspect that the level of sophistication is going to be well ahead of the Viper.

Must give credit where it's due.
Is the Viper supposed to be sophisticated? I don't think it is. Otherwise it would be set up as a GT car, which is much the same as the Corvette. It isn't. Compare the ZR1 and Viper when they get that into the next generation model...if they make one off the C7 that is...
 
#17 ·
evh5150vanhalen said:
I don't see how people can say the front end's are not similar.....
There are similarities all across the automotive design spectrum.

It is asinine for some armchair stylist to state "Chevy stole that front-end design from the Viper." No more than the last-gen Viper stole it's front-end design from the last-gen 'Vette. The cars have similar goals, are of similar layouts, and thus have similar requirements overall.
 
#18 ·
Sir Moses Wellington said:
Is the Viper supposed to be sophisticated? I don't think it is. Otherwise it would be set up as a GT car, which is much the same as the Corvette. It isn't. Compare the ZR1 and Viper when they get that into the next generation model...if they make one off the C7 that is...
Actually the VIper has that GTS version that strangely enough could be construed as being...GT-ish?But that's not what I meant when I said sophisticated. I was talking about the technical solutions they adopted and how those will likely translate to both track and daily driving scenarios.
SOPHISTICATED - Adjective(of a machine, system, or technique) Developed to a high degree of complexity.
 
#21 ·
Stratuscaster said:
sorry, mistake, didn't mean to quote.
There are a lot of things the Chevy designers could have done to set the front view apart from the Viper. The lower "mouth" has a very similar sort of grimace. Not much can be done about the shape of the hood and fenders. The lights could be very different. The general shape of the eyes, and the relationship of them to the "mouth" is very Viperish. As an example, the Callaways have always found a way to look great without imitating.

Personally I was hoping for more C3, Mako, Stingray1 DNA. Not a copy, or anything, just a few cues. As it always has in the past, Chevrolet has chosen to follow, rather than lead. One of the many reasons I have always preferred Mopars. I am sure that the 'zines will lavish praise upon it, regardless of whether it deserves the praise or not. I suspect it will be a true Corvette tho'. I have driven many.

They are all like the classic jock, able to accomplish stunning feats of athletisism, but darned inept in social situations. The Viper makes no such pretensions about being sociable. Take a Viper to a wine and cheese party, it's going to sit there and stare at you like the "Stig", then not so politely, ask for directions to the paddock area. Vettes are like Jezza; take one to a wine and cheese party and you sit there looking at it, waiting for it to open its big mouth, and make an [I should have my mouth washed out with soap for using such terms] out of itself.

It really needs a better interior than in past models. I suspect this one will be on par with where Vettes have always been in the marketplace. Vettes are Vettes. I hope GM surprises me. I really dislike design and engineering being sacrificed on the altar of the bean counters, as so often happens over at GM.
 
#22 ·
i like them both...but some where down the line (previous generation for both) the corvette and viper started trying to emulate each other. as for the viper looking more, corvette-ish i blame daimler generation viper. it was more angular and less curvy. that said im glad gilles took the viper back to the curvy look and im glad the new corvette is more angular....but yeah, that vette front end sure looks viper-ish haha
 
#23 ·
The styling lock would have probably occurred well before the new Viper debuted. Anyways, the front fascia is clearly based on the previous C6 Vette.

In my opinion - Chevrolet have nailed it. The C6 didn't look bad, but it was just kind of a bland wedge shape. This car looks fantastic. It looks muscular, it looks fast, it basically looks like it's ready to tear up road. It looks like a proper modern sports car. The only thing I'm not sold on is the crease in the center of the power bulge, and the chrome strip across the grille.

Should SRT be worried? I'm not sure. I think the C7 might be a bit too wild looking for "traditional" Vette buyers, but at the same time I don't think it'll appeal to Viper buyers. It seems to be aimed squarely at the European exotics.
 
#24 ·
moparbob said:
EXACT QUOTE from Twitter to Ralph Gilles from Geoff Johnston:

"Your Viper called the 2014 Corvette. Wants its front fascia back..."


I Laughed my A$$ off!
I LOVE RALPH!!! Best exec EVER!!

I think the new Corvette looks very sexy actually...

The interior is pretty good too, design wise, it's great. Material wise - good, but not as good as the Viper GTS, or if we're comparing base-car to base-car, the Viper SRT either. That just reminded me, this car is almost half the price as the Viper.
 
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