New Corvette Concept From GM’s UK Studio Could Signal What’s Next

GM just opened a brand-new design studio in the UK — and they brought something wild with them. A futuristic, Corvette-inspired concept car made its debut alongside the opening, and while it’s not officially confirmed as a preview of the upcoming C9, it has all the right vibes.

A New Creative Hub with Global Intentions

Located in Royal Leamington Spa, about 20 miles outside Birmingham, the new UK Advanced Design Studio brings together over 30 designers and creatives. It’s a key piece of GM’s global design puzzle, joining other centers in Detroit, LA, Shanghai, and Seoul.

GM’s Senior VP of Global Design, Michael Simcoe, explained the role of this new space: “Our advanced design team’s mandate extends well beyond creating production vehicles. While they collaborate within our global design network on production and concept vehicle programs, these teams are primarily tasked with imagining what mobility could look like five, 10, and even 20 years into the future and driving innovation for GM.”

Corvette-Inspired Concept: Blank Slate, Big Ideas

To celebrate the studio’s launch, GM unveiled a radical Corvette design study. While this concept isn’t slated for production, it’s clearly part of a broader internal project, as more Corvette-related concepts are expected to surface throughout 2025.

Simcoe confirmed this: “As part of the Corvette creative study, we asked multiple studios to develop hypercar concepts, which we’ll see more of later this year. It was important that they all pay homage to Corvette’s historic DNA, but each studio brought their own unique creative interpretation to the project.”

This one’s all about future vision — literally.

“Apex Vision”: A High-Tech Nod to Classic Corvette

The UK team’s showpiece brings futurism and heritage together with standout details like the “Apex Vision” design element. As studio lead Julian Thomson described:

“One of the most unusual and significant aspects of our concept’s design is a feature known as Apex Vision. A nod to Corvette’s centerline focus, and inspired by the iconic ‘split window’ 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray, this feature emphasizes a singular vertical central spine that is also a structural element, also providing a panoramic view of the road and surroundings.”

Translation? It’s not just about looks — the design is functional, structural, and seriously forward-thinking.

Aerodynamics Meets EV Performance

This futuristic concept is packed with next-level EV tech and active aero features. Dubbed “Aero-Duality,” the system adapts depending on road or track use. Expect active ducting, deployable fins, and a sculpted underbody that channels airflow without wings or spoilers.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the highlights:

• Additive manufacturing body structure for reduced mass and simplified production
• Wrap-around glass and powered wing doors
• Racecar-style pushrod suspension
• Fan-assisted ground effects for track performance
• Center spar windshield with augmented display interface

Key Dimensions:

• Length: 4669 mm
• Width: 2178 mm
• Height: 1033 mm
• Wheel setup: 22″ front / 23″ rear
• Seat height: 127 mm (pure race car stance)

Is This the First Glimpse of the C9?

While GM has made it clear this isn’t a production car, it’s hard not to speculate. Corvette fans have been hungry for a look at what’s coming after the C8 — and this concept car, along with others due later this year, might be laying the creative groundwork for the next-generation C9 Corvette.

Plus, with Corvette officially heading to Europe soon, this UK-developed concept could hint at GM’s vision of a more global, electrified, and exotic-looking Corvette lineup.

What do you think about General Motors’ advanced design concept Corvette?