Corvette Stingray Concept AKA Autobot SIDESWIPE Unveiled in Chicago

Styling exercise impressed Michael Bay enough to get a spot in the movie

By Christopher Jackson
February 12, 2009 1:01 AM
Filed Under: American, Chevrolet, Concept Car, Movies

The identity of the "mystery" Transformer seen in spy photos on the set of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen has finally been revealed. The vehicle, which will play the character "Sideswipe" in the movie, is a design study called the Corvette Sting Ray, according to GM Global Design Vice President Ed Welburn.

Welburn introduced the car at the Chicago Auto Show. The Sting Ray concept hasn't been seen before now. It's an extreme styling exercise that combines elements of the current Corvette and the classic 1963 split-window Corvette Sting Ray. Extravagant, shoulder-like fender flares and extreme curves make this car into what Welburn calls "an exercise in exploration for the Corvette." The influence of the '63 model can be seen in the Sting Ray's split rear window and rear silhouette, as well as in the update of the stylized Sting Ray badge.

Since photos from the Transformers set have been leaking onto the web, the Sting Ray concept has created quite a bit of stir as auto spies and Corvette fans alike traded rumors as to what the vehicle might be.

Alas, there are no plans for production. Transformers director Michael Bay reportedly toured the GM styling studios looking for new characters for the movie, saw the Sting Ray concept, and was so impressed by the car that he created a character for it, just to get the car into the movie.

Source: GM

Comments

hitar_potar
February 12, 2009 1:18 AM
wanna be the first to write about this beayty... daaaamn it's gorgeos. absolute beast, too bad it's not gonna be in production... cause GM would kill the fish with this car. ferrari, lambo, sports mercs, bmws, audis, etc. etc. - crap compared to this one. and to keep in touch with the futuristique design, it sholud be a hybrid... :) something like a twin-turbo LS7 with 800-1000bhp + for example a 200bhp electric engine. haha, then i could call it my dream beast. :P

NardoW12
February 12, 2009 2:05 AM
I thought the Z06/ZR1 design was good, now this is so much better. If they make a production version of this, I may actually get a Corvette....damn! but I think they need to change the rear end of it a little bit..

Motor_Yakuza
February 12, 2009 2:26 AM
Ok GM do something smart for a change, send this car in to production.

sub39h
February 12, 2009 3:18 AM
nice to see what GM is spending the US taxpayers' money on! why not try developing a car that'll appeal to the masses so you actually sell something for a change?

trinity
February 12, 2009 3:48 AM
This does appeal to the masses :D they should make it electric instead of the volt and they might actually make profit sometime

Motor_Yakuza
February 12, 2009 4:17 AM
I doubt that will work, the Volt paltform(batteries) is to big, and weak for a supercar, maybe they should buy Tesla and profit by there electric know-how.

WildMaverick1200
February 12, 2009 4:57 AM
The current Corvette is swell but getting a bit old...... Yet, this has got to be the most amazing car I've ever seen from Chevy. It looks phenomenal!! They have to be brain-dead if they don't throw it into production.

GK27V6
February 12, 2009 5:43 AM
If this car were to go into production, it would be the new Lambo Contach of bedroom posters.

v6s_stink
February 12, 2009 7:16 AM
It would also have more blind spots than the news media.

v6s_stink
February 12, 2009 7:00 AM
I have to dissent. I think this car would wear thin quickly. It is overdone and sports too many protuberances. The homage to the 63 split window is kind of nice, but not nearly as nice as the original. It sort of has some camaro morphed in with all of the other vette touches. I tried to be objective in spite of seeing the name "stingray" which I have always thought of as one of the most tacky cars in history.

Some of the touches are nice but there are just too many of them and they don't match each other to add up to a cohesive design. It sort of ends up being a c5-c6-63-69-74-79 vette, 2010 camaro, bat mobile, lambo, transformer, marine fish, jumbled together cartoon car. It does not in anyway look like an R8, though. Speed Racer yes, R8 no.


Edited by user on February 12, 2009 at 7:05 AM
Aesthetics
February 12, 2009 7:39 AM
did i hear coup????? or coupé????

arash84v
February 12, 2009 11:03 AM
It looks like a Citroen GT (that concept car)by some angles man!!!!! Couldnt bleave Chevy would copy French!!!!!

eas722
February 12, 2009 12:11 PM
i like it but it reminded me(especially the front) of cadillac's cien concept which also took place in the movie "the island".

jagervw
February 12, 2009 4:29 PM
The proportions are all wrong! Lame design.

shima0080
February 12, 2009 5:47 PM
Wow What the hell is that. Someone already said it the just mashed other cars in to one and didn't do a good job. Why would anyone buy that. Would you like to see that everyday.Why did they put the Camaro grill on the front and turned it upside down. If i was a running GM that would have never been made i would make good looking cars not pieces of crap. And it does look like that Citroen gt(don't remember name)

varzaparu
February 12, 2009 6:08 PM
hehe, a Citroen with a Corvette sign on the bonnet. aint that cute?

alexyn
February 12, 2009 10:06 PM
Fantastic design. Although its square shapes and the grille reminds me a Cadillac.

roadkill
August 30, 2009 6:29 AM
The perfect fusion of retro styling and futuristic design!!!

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