GM’s Electric California Corvette Concept Redefines the Future Vette

What if the Corvette of tomorrow went fully electric—and looked like a hypercar? GM’s California studio has imagined just that with the stunning new California Corvette concept.

Born in Pasadena, this bold electric vision fuses future tech with Corvette heritage, offering a sleek preview of what a 2040 Vette might look like.

A New Era for an American Icon

Redesigning a legend like the Corvette means walking a fine line between honoring tradition and innovating boldly.

After GM’s U.K. design studio revealed their Corvette concept earlier this year, the Advanced Design California team steps in with their futuristic take: the California Corvette.

Dubbed the “C10” Behind Closed Doors

Although GM says the car won’t go into production, it proudly wears a “C10” badge on the fender, referencing the Corvette’s generational naming.

Internally, the design team used the C10 nickname, imagining it as two generations ahead of today’s C8, possibly hinting at the Corvette of 2040.

Fully Electric Powertrain

The biggest shift? It’s all-electric. While technical specs are scarce due to its concept nature, GM revealed that it uses a T-shaped prismatic battery pack. This setup enables a lower seating position compared to typical EVs with flat floor batteries.

Designed by Airflow

Aerodynamics guided every design detail. Air channels are sculpted into the body, funneling wind under the nose and through a massive rear diffuser for downforce. An active rear spoiler doubles as an air brake, echoing Formula 1 technology.

Low, Wide, and Ready for the Future

• Length: 182.5 inches
• Wheelbase: 109 inches
• Wheels: 21-inch front, 22-inch rear
• Over 7 inches lower and 10 inches wider than the C8

The narrow cockpit and tapered rear channel Corvette DNA through a futuristic lens.

Bold Two-Tone Styling

The design features a red lower body housing the drivetrain and suspension, while the gray upper shell appears to float above it. The top section is imagined as removable, turning the concept into an open-cockpit track car.

Virtual Cockpit Experience

Though the interior isn’t physically built, GM showcased it through a VR experience. Highlights include:

• Front-hinged canopy entry
• Fixed seats mounted to the carbon tub
• Adjustable steering wheel and pedals
• Augmented reality HUD with racing line projections

Built in 90 Days, Driven in VR

In just three months, the Pasadena team turned their sketches into a full-scale model and digital simulator. While the driving physics were still under development, the concept felt lightning-fast thanks to its virtual electric power delivery.

The Future Is Electric—And Bold

No, the California Corvette won’t be built—but it proves that GM is serious about the electric future of performance. Between its dramatic silhouette and cutting-edge tech, this concept shows Corvette can evolve without losing its soul.

Stay tuned: A third and final concept from GM is expected later this year, joining the U.K. and California visions for what the next-generation Corvette might become.

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