Rahul Somvanshi
GM has opened a new advanced design studio near Birmingham, England, unveiling an electric Corvette concept that pushes traditional boundaries while honoring the brand’s heritage. This marks GM’s continued efforts to expand its European presence after selling Opel to PSA Groupe (now part of Stellantis) in 2017.
The 24,584-square-foot facility in Royal Leamington Spa employs over 30 designers under the leadership of Julian Thomson, an experienced automotive designer. The studio joins GM’s global network that includes locations in Detroit, Los Angeles, Shanghai, and Seoul.
“Our advanced design team’s mandate extends well beyond creating production vehicles,” said Michael Simcoe, senior VP of global design. “These teams are primarily tasked with imagining what mobility could look like five, 10, and even 20 years into the future and driving innovation for GM.”
The Concept: No Production Plans
The electric Corvette concept features several distinctive elements:
- Additive manufactured body structure reducing mass and part count
- Powered wing doors (gullwing style)
- Dual-aero system with fan assistance for both efficiency and performance
- Low height of just 1033mm (40.6 inches)
- 22-inch front wheels and 23-inch rear wheels
- A unique “Apex Vision” design element
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“One of the most unusual and significant aspects of our concept’s design is a feature known as Apex Vision,” Thomson explained. “A nod to Corvette’s centerline focus, and inspired by the iconic ‘split window’ 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray, this feature emphasizes a singular vertical central spine that is also a structural element, providing a panoramic view of the road and surroundings.”
GM emphasized that while there are no current production plans for this specific concept, it’s part of a larger creative study involving multiple studios worldwide, with additional Corvette concepts expected throughout 2025.
“As part of the Corvette creative study, we asked multiple studios to develop hypercar concepts,” Simcoe said. “It was important that they all pay homage to Corvette’s historic DNA, but each studio brought their own unique creative interpretation to the project.”
European Strategy
The UK design studio opening aligns with GM’s broader European strategy, which includes launching Corvette sales and expanding Cadillac’s electric vehicle business across the UK and mainland Europe.
This European focus comes at a challenging time, coinciding with ongoing trade tensions between the US and major automotive markets, including Europe. GM sold its Opel division to PSA Groupe in 2017.
The studio opening also previewed a GMC concept vehicle to be revealed later in 2025, developed with GM’s Detroit team, showing the company’s multi-brand approach for Europe.
Missing from GM’s announcement were specific details about the concept’s battery technology, motor configuration, performance specifications, charging capabilities, and software features—leaving room for future revelations as the company continues its electric vehicle push globally.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, GM has explicitly stated there are no current production plans for this specific concept. It’s described as an “advanced design study” intended to explore creative possibilities rather than preview a production model. The concept is part of a global design project that will produce several Corvette concepts throughout 2025.
The “Apex Vision” feature is a central vertical spine inspired by the iconic ‘split window’ from the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray. According to Julian Thomson, this element serves as both a structural component and provides a panoramic view of the road. It’s described as one of the most unusual and significant aspects of the concept’s design.
The UK studio is part of GM’s strategy to expand its European presence, particularly as it prepares to launch Corvette sales and expand Cadillac’s EV business across the region. Located near Birmingham, a hub for automotive design and engineering talent, the studio aims to bring fresh perspectives to GM’s global design network and provide insights into European customer and cultural trends.
GM hasn’t revealed specific performance details like battery capacity, motor configuration, horsepower, torque, or estimated range. The announcement focuses primarily on design elements such as the additive manufactured body structure, wing doors, and dual-aero system rather than technical performance specifications.
GM sold its Opel division to PSA Groupe (now part of Stellantis) in 2017, effectively exiting much of the European market. This new approach differs as GM isn’t re-establishing mass-market vehicle sales but instead focusing on premium segments with Corvette and Cadillac’s electric vehicles, suggesting a more targeted strategy for its European presence.
The announcement mentioned a GMC concept vehicle that was previewed at the studio opening, scheduled for full reveal later in 2025. Additionally, GM indicated that multiple design studios are working on various Corvette concept vehicles that will be revealed throughout 2025 as part of a global creative study exploring the future of the Corvette brand.
