GM’s UK Studio Redesigns the Corvette Legacy
“This studio is about imagining the future without limits.”
General Motors has opened a groundbreaking Advanced Design Studio in Royal Leamington Spa, England, marking a bold step in its global design strategy. Announced this April, the studio’s debut showcases a stunning Chevrolet Corvette EV concept, reimagining the iconic sports car for a future driven by electric innovation. This sleek prototype, crafted under the leadership of renowned designer Julian Thomson, blends aviation-inspired aesthetics with cutting-edge electric vehicle (EV) technology, signaling GM’s ambition to redefine automotive design.
The Corvette EV concept is the first of three planned design studies set to roll out in 2025, with subsequent reveals expected from GM’s Los Angeles and Detroit studios. Unlike production models, this concept prioritizes visionary design over practical constraints, featuring clean, muscular lines and a structure that integrates the battery into the vehicle’s core for enhanced performance. Its bold, restriction-free approach hints at what the Corvette brand could become in decades to come, pushing boundaries while honoring its legacy as America’s premier sports car.
Beyond the Corvette, the UK studio teased a forthcoming GMC concept, developed in collaboration with GM’s Detroit team, slated for reveal later in 2025. This dual focus underscores the studio’s role as a hub for diverse, forward-thinking design, catering to both performance enthusiasts and rugged utility fans. The Royal Leamington Spa facility, nestled in a vibrant creative community, is poised to attract top talent, fostering innovation in GM’s global portfolio.
Led by Thomson, whose resume includes iconic designs for Lotus and Jaguar, the studio aims to blend European design sensibilities with GM’s American heritage. “This studio is about imagining the future without limits,” Thomson said, emphasizing the team’s mission to explore bold ideas. The facility’s opening aligns with GM’s broader push into electrification, as evidenced by a 94% surge in EV sales in Q1 2025, driven by models like the Cadillac Lyriq and Chevrolet Equinox EV.
As GM eyes a potential return to the European market, the UK studio positions the automaker to compete on a global stage. With its futuristic Corvette concept and ambitious design agenda, GM is not just designing cars—it’s shaping the future of mobility.
