Corvette CX and CX.R Vision Gran Turismo Concepts Point to the Future of America’s Sports Car
Chevrolet has long defined the cutting edge of American performance. For more than seven decades, the Corvette name has stood as a symbol of speed, innovation, and cultural influence. At this year’s The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, Chevrolet unveiled two bold new concept cars—the Corvette CX and Corvette CX.R Vision Gran Turismo (VGT)—that are designed not as production models, but as bold blueprints for the next era of Corvette design.
These futuristic showpieces are part of a global design exploration across GM studios, representing the culmination of a series of Corvette concepts released throughout the year. Crafted at the Chevrolet Performance Studio in Warren, Michigan, the CX and CX.R VGT are testaments to the imagination and skill of Chevrolet’s design and engineering teams.
“While the shape of a Corvette has always been expressive and forward-looking, each crease and line has its roots in the generations that came before it. It is aspirational, it is cultural, it is the reason people want to come and work at Chevrolet,” explained Phil Zak, executive design director for Chevrolet. “The CX and CX.R Vision Gran Turismo demonstrate our design teams stepping away from the constraints of production vehicles and unleashing their creativity. Through this exercise, we’ve added to Corvette and defined the design direction for Corvette moving forward.”
Corvette CX Concept: A Street and Track Vision
At its core, the Corvette CX Concept is designed to be the ultimate expression of a high-performance street and track car. It takes familiar Corvette hallmarks and projects them into the future.
From the outside, the CX immediately signals its heritage. The long, low proportions, the sharp forward-lunging nose, and the dual-element taillights echo Corvette models past and present. The roofline sits at under 41 inches, giving it a menacing stance while enhancing aerodynamics. The pronounced horizontal chine line, separating upper and lower bodywork, pays homage to Corvette tradition while pushing forward a sharper, more futuristic silhouette.
The cabin is framed by a fighter jet-inspired canopy, emphasizing both aggression and elegance. Designed with input from the GM Motorsports Aero Group, the body is far more than an aesthetic statement—every line, every vent, and every channel is tuned for airflow management and downforce generation.
Aerodynamics Redefined
One of the most striking innovations is the Vacuum Fan System, which actively pulls air through open body channels to generate immense downforce. Unlike conventional aero systems that rely solely on wings and spoilers, this system refines balance in real time, optimizing stability whether the car is attacking corners or pushing down straights.
Complementing this are active front diffusers and a rear wing that adjust automatically based on driver inputs. Even the suspension A-arms are shaped like wings, reducing turbulence and improving airflow efficiency at the front of the car.
Powertrain: Electrification with Corvette DNA
True to Corvette’s ethos of relentless performance, the CX concept embraces electrification without compromise. An all-wheel-drive system powered by four independent motors delivers over 2,000 horsepower. This allows for precise torque vectoring, maximizing grip in corners and providing devastating acceleration in straights.
A 90-kWh lithium-ion battery, positioned low within the chassis, ensures a balanced weight distribution while lowering the center of gravity. The result is a car engineered to dominate on both road and track.
Interior: A Futuristic Driver’s Cockpit
Step inside, and the CX concept feels like a cockpit straight out of science fiction. The forward-opening canopy automatically rises as the driver approaches. Inside, Inferno Red ballistic textile wraps the seats, with bolstering designed to hold occupants firmly during extreme cornering. Premium materials such as silicone leather, forged carbon fiber, and milled aluminum elevate the atmosphere while maintaining a race-ready aesthetic.
The digital windscreen transforms the windshield into an immersive, heads-up display, projecting real-time performance data across the driver’s field of view. Controls are embedded within the steering wheel for minimal distraction. The interior embodies Corvette’s traditional driver-first philosophy, but pushes it into a new era of technological integration.
Corvette CX.R Vision Gran Turismo: Born for Racing
While the CX concept envisions the ultimate Corvette road car, the Corvette CX.R Vision Gran Turismo takes that foundation and channels it into pure motorsport. This is Chevrolet’s vision for the next generation of Corvette GT racing.
For more than 25 years, Corvette Racing has forged an inseparable bond between road cars and racecars, using lessons learned on the track to enhance production models. The CX.R carries that tradition forward, and while it won’t see a real-world track debut, it will live virtually in Gran Turismo 7, where fans can experience it firsthand.
Design and Aerodynamics
The CX.R adopts the CX’s aggressive exterior, but amplifies it. Its stance is lower, its lines sharper, and its active aero systems are even more pronounced. Downforce and grip dominate its design language, ensuring race-ready performance.
The familiar yellow and black livery pays homage to Corvette Racing’s storied endurance racecars, instantly tying the concept to its competitive pedigree. Weight has been pared down, with every surface designed for performance efficiency.
Inside, the CX.R is stripped of luxury in favor of function. Raw carbon fiber dominates the dashboard, while suede-wrapped foam seating provides maximum grip and support. The seats also include larger shoulder and headrest pads for safety during high-G maneuvers, underscoring the concept’s race-first priorities.
Powertrain: Hybrid Performance with Racing Flair
Unlike the all-electric CX, the CX.R concept blends electrification with traditional motorsport thrills. At its heart lies a mid-mounted 2.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, revving to an astonishing 15,000 rpm and producing up to 900 horsepower.
This V8 runs on renewable e-fuel, pointing to a sustainable racing future. It drives the rear wheels through an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission, while three additional electric motors—two powering the front wheels and one integrated into the transmission—contribute to an overall output of 2,000 horsepower.
This hybridized setup ensures blistering acceleration, instantaneous torque delivery, and the visceral sound and character of a high-revving combustion engine—a bridge between racing tradition and future technology.
Virtual Debut in Gran Turismo 7
While these cars may never roll off an assembly line, they are far more than static design studies. Chevrolet partnered with Polyphony Digital Inc., creators of the Gran Turismo franchise, to bring both the CX and CX.R VGT into Gran Turismo 7.
Every element—from drivetrain and suspension to aerodynamics—has been digitally modeled with engineering precision. Gamers and Corvette fans will soon be able to get behind the wheel virtually, testing the limits of Chevrolet’s vision for the future.
A Bold Future for Corvette
With the CX and CX.R Vision Gran Turismo concepts, Chevrolet has presented more than futuristic design sketches—it has painted a picture of what the Corvette could become. The CX demonstrates how electrification can elevate Corvette’s performance DNA, while the CX.R celebrates Corvette Racing heritage in a sustainable, hybridized package.
Though not intended for production, these concepts carry symbolic weight. They show that Corvette is prepared to evolve, to merge its heritage with cutting-edge innovation, and to embrace a future where road and racecars alike blend electrification, sustainability, and raw performance.
