Corvette C8 Gets Sleek Split-Window Design In Unofficial Rendering

The iconic styling element returns.

By: Anthony Alaniz

Mar 2, 2021 at 6:07pm ET

Add Motor1.com as a preferred source in Google

Comment

The Corvette’s illustrious 68-history has bred some of the most sought-after sports cars ever, with the 1963 split-window Corvette Sting Ray standing above most. GM designers almost brought the styling feature backon the mid-engine C8 Corvette, though they decided against it. Thankfully, artists have to ability to create new things, and that’s what Rain Prisk did, adding a split-window design to the mid-engine ‘Vette.

The rendering revamps the Corvette’s engine hatch, completely eliminating it. Instead, the roofline now extends right to the rear end, emphasizing the fastback look. It gives the Corvette a bit more of a bulbous, Bugatti-like appearance from the rear-three-quarter angle. The longer roof also changes the Corvette’s B-pillar design, replacing the small piece of triangular trim with a pair of intake garnishes. The elongated roof is accentuated with a sleek spine arching from the roof to the CORVETTE letter at the rear, splitting the rear window and reintroducing an icon.

What do you think?

View

Comments

The Corvette’s rear is a bit cleaner in the rendering compared to the production car Chevy sells, though it is missing the high-mount brake light in the middle. That could be added elsewhere. When GM was designing the new C8, it tried to incorporate the split-window design. However, according to Chevrolet Performance Exterior Design Director Tom Peters, every attempt “came across as forced.” GM’s designers couldn’t get the split-window design to flow with the rest of the Corvette’s sharp-edged styling.

But maybe it’s a good thing GM left the split-window in the rearview mirror. The 1963 Corvette is an icon because it’s different. Chevy abandoned the split-window design in 1964 after a wave of complaints about rearward visibility, inadvertently creating an icon. The C8’s mid-engine layout helps negate some of those complaints as rearward visibility isn’t spectacular to begin with, though the car’s design just wouldn’t work with a split rear window. Maybe that’ll change with the Corvette C9.