When driving a hot performance car, who needs to be low to the ground?
Certainly not some Wall Street analysts.
During General Motors’ third-quarter earnings call Tuesday, one analyst asked GM CEO Mary Barra: How about a Corvette SUV?
Barra, unruffled, tactfully replied, “I appreciate that you think our Corvette franchise is very strong,” but she backed off discussing future product plans.
GM is focused on launching the 2020 Corvette Stingray, said Barra. It’s the first-ever Corvette with its engine mounted behind the passenger — a midengined layout. GM was supposed to start building it next month, but as the Free Press reported, that will be delayed because of the UAW’s nationwide six-week strike.
An SUV variant of a Corvette would be a first — sort of. Other performance brands are venturing into that space.
Ferrari is reportedly working on its first SUV. The vehicle is code-named Purosangue, which according to a Google Italian-to-English translator means “thoroughbred.” You’ll need a well-bred bank account to buy the Purosangue when it arrives in 2022. It starts at about $350,000.
Ford said it will unveil a “Mustang-inspired” electric SUV in mid-November. That new beauty might deflate Tesla’s production of a new, smaller, lower-priced electric SUV, the Model Y, next year.
Porsche, of course, has offered the Cayenne SUV for years, with up to 541 horsepower available in case you are late for soccer practice. The 2020 Cayenne starts at a modest $66,800.
With all this evidence at hand, Barra likely did not want to slam a sleek, sports car door on the idea altogether. She closed out the question with:
“We look at a variety of things as we go forward and we recognize the strength of the Corvette brand.”
More: Ford hopes ‘Mustang-inspired’ SUV will shock Tesla, electric vehicle world
More: 2020 Corvette isn’t just super-fast; it’s luxury-car quiet and smooth
Contact Jamie L. LaReau: 313-222-2149 or jlareau@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @jlareauan. Read more on General Motors and sign up for our autos newsletter.
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