The California Corvette Concept is the second of three Corvette studies GM has teased this year. It follows a UK-based concept that featured dramatic elements like gullwing doors and a split windshield. But while the UK version leaned into aggressive, edgy design, the California version is all about openness and sunshine — a direct tribute to Southern California’s laid-back, sun-soaked culture.

Instead of a traditional roof, the California Concept features a removable, front-hinged canopy that completely transforms the car’s appearance and driving experience. When attached, the car looks like a sleek, modern sports car. When removed, it turns into a head-turning open-air machine designed to offer an exhilarating track-day vibe.

This “duality of purpose,” as Brian Smith, director of GM Advanced Design Pasadena, puts it, is a key part of the vehicle’s identity. With the roof on, you’re ready for street cruising. Take it off, and it’s all about pure, raw performance.

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Bold New Interior for a New Generation

Step inside the California Corvette Concept, and you’ll see an evolution of the C8’s distinctive dual-cockpit design. This isn’t just an interior update — it’s a full-on futuristic makeover. Gone are the dozens of buttons that fill many modern sports cars. Instead, you get a clean, streamlined cabin that feels like a cross between a race car and a luxury concept from the future.

Even without a roof, safety hasn’t been sacrificed. A rollover protection structure is built between the seat headrests, resembling safety elements from high-end racing series like Formula 1 and IndyCar. The driver interface is also ultra-modern. A minimalist digital display sits just ahead of a unique yoke-style steering wheel, which channels the same ribbon-style tachometer design found in the current Corvette — even though this new concept doesn’t have a traditional engine.

And yes, the team at GM has taken notes from other automakers. While Tesla’s yoke-style steering wheels have been hit or miss, GM is expected to refine this idea for real-world usability, ideally, allowing drivers to reach full turning lock with less than 180 degrees of wheel rotation.

Other touches like a steering wheel-mounted display and an inductive phone charger in the center console show that, even in a futuristic design, comfort and convenience are still a priority.

No Engine? No Problem — It’s All Electric

One of the biggest surprises about the California Corvette Concept is what’s not there — an engine. That’s right, this new Corvette design is fully electric. But unlike most EVs that use floor-mounted battery packs, GM’s design team in Pasadena went retro-futuristic with a T-shaped battery pack — a nod to the original Chevrolet Volt’s layout.

However, this isn’t just a case of recycling an old idea. This updated T-pack uses modern prismatic battery cells, which are likely to be part of GM’s Ultium battery platform in the future. This configuration allows the car to have a lower floor height, helping lower the seats for a true sports car feel and improving aerodynamics by allowing for features like a tunneled underbody made from carbon fiber.

The aerodynamics don’t stop there. The California Corvette Concept is equipped with active aero components, including a rear spoiler that doubles as an air brake, further enhancing both performance and safety.

High-Performance Design with Supercar Presence

Visually, this concept has a presence that’s impossible to ignore. The wheel setup is staggered, with 21-inch wheels in the front and massive 22-inch wheels in the rear, giving it a stance worthy of any modern supercar.

GM hasn’t revealed full drivetrain specs yet, but design clues suggest a multi-motor all-wheel-drive setup. The aggressive rear bodywork hints at a rear driveshaft tunnel, and there’s a good chance that the front also houses a motor — or even a pair of them — to handle the front axle. Some enthusiasts believe GM may be considering a three-motor configuration, similar to what we’ve seen in other high-performance EVs, with dual motors at the rear and a single front motor for precision torque vectoring.

Whatever the exact layout may be, it’s clear that the California Concept is all about performance, and it shows that GM sees a bright — and fast — future for the Corvette as it transitions to electric power.More photos: Click Here

Why This Concept Matters

While this may just be a design study for now, the California Corvette Concept sends a powerful message: GM is taking the Corvette into the electric future without losing the spirit that has defined this legendary American sports car for over 70 years.

This concept is not just about looks or performance numbers. It’s about rethinking what a Corvette can be in a world that’s shifting toward electrification. It’s about maintaining that driver-first experience even when the gasoline engine is gone. And it’s about embracing innovation while staying true to the brand’s racing roots.

Whether or not this exact design becomes the foundation of the next-generation C9 Corvette, there’s no doubt that elements of it — from the advanced battery design to the striking open-roof concept — will influence the Corvette’s evolution in the coming years.

Final Thoughts: The Electric Corvette Is Coming — And It Looks Incredible

GM’s California Corvette Concept is more than just a design experiment. It’s a bold statement about the future of American performance cars. With stunning visuals, thoughtful engineering, and a focus on driver experience, it paints an exciting picture of what the electric Corvette might become.

As the automotive world continues to evolve, one thing is certain: the Corvette is not being left behind — it’s racing ahead into the electric era.
Stay tuned.

The electric revolution has officially arrived in America’s most iconic sports car