My chop of a future Kappa-based Chevy

I posted a drawn version of this in an unrelated topic a few weeks ago, but I colored it and decided I'd show it off and see what people think.

It's my idea for a car that has exotic styling that fits on the Kappa-chassis. The Solstice and Sky look like Miata fighters, but how about a car that creates a new genre of cars? Or perhaps a genre that hasn't existed in many years?

So that was my idea, and of course, if the Camaro is going to return to its roots as a 5th gen, I'd like to extend the 4th gen styling into a small roadster style car. Perhaps you could see this as a Corvette's little brother, sort of like how Dodge was going to bring out the Copperhead to be the Viper's little brother in the late '90s.

As for competition, I think the Honda S2000 and Lotus Elise would fall into the same territory as this car.

This car would have a turbo or supercharged V6, probably the one used in the Grand Prix, and produce about 260 horsepower. No fancy doo-dads, just a radio, 2 seats, seat belts, windshield wipers, A/C, etc. It probably wouldn't qualify for current crash standards, but hey, if it is low production, it doesn't have to. Also, if I had my choice, the car's body would be made EXCLUSIVELY from the material that GM used for the 4th gen's doors, roof, and hatch. Unlike the other panels on the car, those panels are dent resistant muchlike a Saturn. Why make it out of this stuff? Because I'm sick and tired of door dings on our cars, and god knows this short little sports car would get them from every truck or SUV it was next to.

For comparison, here's a pic of a Solstice, I'm no expert, but I think my design would fit on the same platform pretty well. Of course, you would not be able to have giant wheels, it'd probably come with about 15 or 16 inchers.
http://members.aol.com/speedbbb/solstice.jpg
http://members.aol.com/speedbbb/brangetaz26-blue.jpg
For more colors of my concept, click this link (http://members.aol.com/speedbbb/brangetaz26-colors.jpg)
I think this car would make a great track car, or just a great car for zipping around town. If you don't like overhangs, then this isn't the car for you. If you like flat front ends... well... good for you :p, some of us don't.
http://www.texastoys.com//uploaded_files/car_images/big_1137112251.jpg

Comments?

ttt

comments? Good? Bad?

A little cartoonish, but I understand it's just a chop you know.
One, overhangs would kill a car like this. A larger car can have them like that but a small car needs to be able to handle, etc. and this just puts unnecessary weight past the front and rear axles. Maybe just shorten them up a bit.
I generally like the indents in the panels after the front wheels. Looks like a Corvette-esque cue that brings a little flavor to it.
I could go for shorter sideview mirrors.
Lastly, I understand the desire for "swoopiness", but bring that door glass up. :p

Overall, not bad. :)

FYI - the reason the ferrari has a short rear overhang and a long front overhang is the same reason that BMW's have short front overhangs and long rear overhangs. It's all about achieving 50/50 weight distribution - or close to it. Since the engine can't really be in the middle, you can "cheat" by moving the axles.

A long front overhang on a front engine car is bad for weight distribution.

You basically mentioned a few of my concerns. I think my main problem after doing all of those color variations is the bottom part of the window -- it is definitely too low. But... if I modified that, I'm afraid it would look too much like a C5 Corvette and I'd get those comments...

I like the way the rear view mirrors are on stalks/antennae, because it would look cool when the hood is opened (hood opens backwards like a Corvette's and the mirrors go with it).

The front overhang being a bit much could be true, but I think it is necessary for it to look how I want it to.

It's a shame that I'm not a better artist, and had more time, I'd really like to show the front and rear of this car as I've designed it in my head. Unlike most cars today, it would be pretty jagged and unconventional. For example: in order for the hood to swing up, the front-lower bumper would be shaped kind of like this when viewed from below:

/\______/\

FYI - the reason the ferrari has a short rear overhang and a long front overhang is the same reason that BMW's have short front overhangs and long rear overhangs. It's all about achieving 50/50 weight distribution - or close to it. Since the engine can't really be in the middle, you can "cheat" by moving the axles.

A long front overhang on a front engine car is bad for weight distribution.

You don't think a good weight distribution would work with a transversely mounted V6? Since the entire hood flips up, the engine would be pretty far back. Heck you could sit on the wheel to work on it lol. There wouldn't be any particularly heavy equipment in the front bumper either; no fog lights, I guess the radiator is there, and just a bunch of styrafoam for crash protection.

Other than that, since I didn't show where the seat is located (same place as the Solstice's) you sit pretty far back, and it is only a 2 seater, so the weight distribution shouldn't be too awful. Probably about 60/40 sitting still, and close to 50/50 under acceleration. Definitely not good for a drag car, but a lot of fun for chirping the tires around town :).

Bad perportion, that car wouldn't sell. Front over hang is waaaay too big even for those that don't mind overhang. Belt line is also too low.

When Speed Racer's little brother Spritle grows up, I can see him and Chim Chim driving that car.

When Speed Racer's little brother Spritle grows up, I can see him and Chim Chim driving that car.
:lol: I am a ... pretty big Speed Racer fan...

this looks like a sports car version of Homer Simpson designed car.

TONY

Chevy doesn't need to steal Kappa from Pontiac.

I'd rather have MotorTend's rendition of a Kappa-based Chevy Stingray.

Motortrend's version was nothing more than a Solstice with vents on it... :o

Motortrend's version was nothing more than a Solstice with vents on it... :o

It differentiates itself well from the Sky and Sosltice, IMO, not to mention a V6 and talk of a hardtop (both also rumored for Sosltice).

http://studenthome.nku.edu/~padgettj/fiero/stingray.jpg

Source: February 2006 MotorTrend

Motortrend's idea looks too similar to the Solstice. The only car it would be competing in sales with IS the Solstice, and you don't want that within your car company.

My idea looks nothing like the Solstice, so at least it wouldn't be competing for the same buyers.

I been rackin my brains about the car and what it looked like..found the real life version man..

http://www.iol.ie/~donohoer/Panoz_GTR1_Street_front_quarter.jpg

http://members.aol.com/speedbbb/brangetaz26-blue.jpg

http://www.uncrate.com/men/images/esperante-gtlm.jpg

that canopy is what it makes it look like..the front end is diffrent yea but the rest looks like the Panoz cars.

Oh wow, I see some similarities. However, I must admit, I do love the Panoz GTR-1 and Q9 (not so much the Esperante however), so I suppose that could come through in my design.

However, I definitely didn't base it on that car, I based it more on my memory of the StingRay III concept car from the late 80s or early 90s.

But you definitely are correct; I do like the GTR-1/Q9.

Actually, in all honesty, this is just my version of a 4th gen Camaro with some roadster touches. I didn't really have any other cars in mind when doing it, other than trying to make it kappa size.

This is the Stingray III by the way.
http://www.carstyling.ru/resources/concept/92chevrolet_stingray3_1.jpg
http://www.carstyling.ru/resources/concept/92chevrolet_stingray3_2.jpg
http://www.carstyling.ru/resources/concept/91chevrolet_stingray3_3.jpg
I didn't directly base it on this car at all, but I definitely do like certain parts of it, especially the front end.

You could probably say the California Camaro concept inspired me too... even though it has many many many ugly parts to it.
http://www.carstyling.ru/resources/concept/89chevrolet_california_camaro_1.jpg