In an interview with Henderson, AutoWeek was able to ascertain certain details about the next-generation sports car, namely that it would arrive sooner rather than later (whatever that means) and it'll be based on further development of the current-gen C6 platform, which itself is derived from the C5 Corvette. Henderson wouldn't elaborate too much on the car other than stating that the C6 is already a superb car and that they (GM) aren't looking to radically advance the engineering of the C7. Could this potentially mean that we'll get a C6.5 before a completely new model in the near future? It's likely, given GM's current financial position. We're just pleased to hear they haven't given up on one of the only exciting products in their lineup. [via AutoWeek]

Autoweek goes on to look into their crystal ball and imagine a time when the C7 will actually bow as early as 2014 — yikes. Unfortunately, this doesn't sound terribly far-fetched to us. Considering the madness happening in Detroit these days, this kind of thing has to be expected, but these kinds of rumors always come as a shock. We love the current Corvette, but that's a long time to wait for the next iteration. [Autoweek]

Is it a new Autobot logo? Is it a new Corvette logo? Nope, it's a stingray, baby. What this means — only time will tell, we're sure.

Some say he has a tattoo of a Saleen S7 on his rear end. Others tell us he was born with a penchant for oil rather than his mum's milk. All we know is he's called the Auto Insider and he's always ready to provide the scoop from the other side of Eight Mile.

GM's Corvette Centennial Design Concept coincides, as you'd expect, with GM's 100-year birthday party. The concept's meant to be a means of merging design elements of the past with the next century of GM design. As such, the concept car is expected to hearken back to a number of key design elements from GM power cars but not, as some have speculated, be a first-look at the design of a new C7 Corvette.

Although the concept will have long, sweeping Corvette-like lines, all it takes is one look at the front end's Camaro-like wide open mouth to see it draws inspiration from something more than just a Corvette Stingray. Coming around to the back, and the very non-Corvette-like rear end lacks any of the obvious cues you'd expect from a next-generation Corvette. The concept has a very distinct four-pipe exhaust in the center of the back end, and a sharp concave taillight housing — both are nothing like any Corvette ever seen.

Except for those rear haunches. They will be, as we've already seen in our exclusive spy photos, almost cartoon-like in their size. They're Corvette-like, but only inasmuch as they're caricatures of it. But, they'll be necessary to house the ginormous rear tires the Corvette Centennial Design Concept's sporting.

No, anyone thinking this design's a showcase of what the next-generation Corvette will look like needs to get their glasses checked. It's so much more than that.

Some say he has a tattoo of a Saleen S7 on his rear end. Others tell us he was born with a penchant for oil rather than his mum's milk. All we know is he's called the Auto Insider and he's always ready to provide the scoop from the other side of Eight Mile.

"It was already supposed to be a done deal that the seventh generation of the Corvette would arrive in its current, front-engined, rear-wheel-drive configuration - albeit slightly smaller, lighter and with two engine choices. There was serious talk of an extremely limited production mid-engined "super" Corvette (fewer than 500 units), which would be built as an adjunct program to the traditional car, but that had not been decided. That's the way we reported it many weeks ago, and that was the assumption by many in the business as to how it was going to go down - until now. But after my conversations late last week with executives at the top of the company (who shall remain nameless for obvious reasons), I can tell you that the "idea" of a mid-engined "C7" Corvette has not only progressed far beyond the initial planning stages, the engineering on the car is well underway."

"...the next-generation mid-engined Corvette will make its debut - on the street and at Le Mans - in 2010."

"The word from inside sources intimately familiar with the next-generation Corvette is that a final "go" decision for the mid-engined C7 will be made by the first week in September, and given everything I've learned and everything I've pieced together on the timing, I'll bet the farm right now that the next-generation mid-engined Corvette will make its debut - on the street and at Le Mans - in 2010."

OK, so the spy photographer who snapped those pictures of the Corvette powertrain mule and posted them all over the internet is NOT in jail, and our sources at the General now confirm they've taken no legal action "themselves" against anyone. The General also hasn't pushed for anyone to take down their photos — which is good, because as you can see in the photogallery below, we weren't planning on pulling them down any time soon. But since speculation is what the name of the game is about on this whole Super-Duper (blue) devil of a Corvette — we figure we should be spending some time speculatin' about the next gen of the 'vette — the 7th. Motor Authority is claiming that in this next issue of MotorTrend magazine (which we've not confirmed as we've not yet received), they've got an exclusive interview with GM's veep of global product development Jim Queen, who they're claiming says:

"the next-generation C7 Corvette will retain a naturally aspirated V8 engine but will develop up to 700hp in flagship form. Also, rumors of an AWD version are said to be false..."

"...The major focus of the project will be to increase the efficiency of the drivetrain. "We're working hard to get that power onto the pavement," Queen said, adding that weight and weight distribution are the keys. Most of GM's upcoming large RWD cars are moving to its new Zeta architecture, however, the new Corvette and its Cadillac XLR sibling will be based on a unique platform. "

Next-gen C7 Corvette gets 700HP

Related:
Corvette SS Spy Photographer Now NOT In Jail?; Corvette SS Spy Photographer Now In Jail!; Spy Photos: I Am The Corvette SS Powertrain Mule [internal]

Sweet Peet D. has pronounced that with the C7, the Corvette will diversify — with the regular edition getting lighter and scoring a smaller-displacement V8 option in addition to evolutions of the current mill — but the real pants-kicker is that they're apparently considering a hyper-limited mid-engined model. According to His Sweetness:

"Then look for an extremely limited production run (less than 500) of an advanced, mid-engined Corvette that will play in the plus six-figure category - and deliver blistering performance that will surpass exotic sports cars from around the world costing hundreds of thousands more. This will be the technological 'statement' car from GM that the 'True Believers' within the corporation have long been waiting for."

On the Table [Autoextremist]

Related:
Autoextremist on the Detroit Auto Show [Internal]