Of Chevrolet’s vast model lineup from the past to the present day, you might be thinking that the Chevy Camaro and Corvette are the only true icons of the American automotive brand.
With cars like the Chevy Chevelle, which remains a great classic American car purchase or basis for a drag racer, many forget that this was once one of the most popular muscle cars of the 1960s and 70s. Despite many brands resurrecting older names, the Chevelle has yet to make a comeback.
Thanks to HotCars digital artist Rostislav Prokop, we can gaze into an alternate universe where the exclusive render speculates on the return of the iconic Chevrolet Chevelle.
UPDATED February 2023: We updated this article and refreshed it with new information about this iconic sports car, with an update on new 2023 muscle cars, new Chevy cars coming out, and if there will be a new Chevy Chevelle in 2023.
The Custom Chevrolet Chevelle Pony Car For Today
It’s an exclusive render, yet the car in all its modern digital glory looks cohesive and well-put-together – similar to a Chevrolet Camaro, in fact. Chevy’s mid-sized Chevelle car doesn’t have to remain in the Camaro’s shadow however and this could be the car that sets itself apart as a pony car with a difference.
The sporty second-generation Chevy Chevelle certainly has iconic status and with a selection of powertrain options including a 7.4-liter V8, the awesome ‘SS’ performance trim, and the ‘El Camino’ pickup body-style. With that in mind, this new render has the makings of an automotive legend.
Like the classic Chevelle, the new Chevy Chevelle concept has double white stripes over black in a nod back to the SS trim. It also features a long front hood and short back just like a lot of the original Chevelle models.
Crafting A New Chevrolet Chevelle For 2023
Up front, the quad LED headlamps combine with the quad rear lights to subtly evoke the classic pony car. Aside from that and the ‘SS’ badges, there’s little else to go on if you’re not already familiar with the original.
Interestingly, the quad exhausts, hood scoop, grille, and more suggest – loudly – that this is an internal combustion engine-powered muscle car. If made today, it could be a cool addition to the current Chevy Camaro lineup as a Chevelle trim level one of the Chevrolet's many V8 power plants.
Another thing to consider is the fact that Chevrolet is unlikely to release another ICE pony car – there won't be another Camaro at least for now, and the C8 Corvette now has a hybrid version called the E-Ray.
So, the next best thing for this Chevelle would be to remove the exhaust pipes and implement an electric powertrain to take on the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT in the next life.
Is Chevy Coming Out With A New Chevelle?
In short, no - the Chevelle won't be returning for now despite the great idea that presents itself here in the render. It would either compete with or replace the Camaro and that latter pony car won't get replaced directly after this generation.
In 2022, the US company Trans Am Worldwide released a celebratory vehicle based on the Chevelle SS (Super Sport) called the '70/SS'. Engine choices include a base 450-hp LT1, a 396 cu. in. 900-hp V8, and a limited edition twin-turbo LS6 454 with 1,500-hp. This "new" Chevrolet Chevelle from Trans Am Worldwide has a starting price of $150,000.
Aside from that custom car, the Chevelle remains a historic nameplate and sometime-drag-racer, while the 1970 Chevy Chevelle SS now has a value of around $80,000 with an average low price of $50,000 to more than $150,000.
The Chevrolet Chevelle got replaced by the Chevrolet Malibu, another downsized, compact car that perhaps lacked the style and charisma of its predecessor, especially the Chevelle SS from the 70s.
With the car industry moving away from gasoline-powered muscle cars, an official Chevelle revival from Chevy is highly unlikely. Chevrolet turning their Corvette into an SUV has a stronger chance of becoming a reality. With that in mind, Dodge is moving to EVs for future muscle cars, so anything is possible.
Source: Trans Am Worldwide