GM Is Already Pouring Cold Water on Manual C9 Corvette Rumors

Chris Bruce has worked in the automotive industry since 2011 and has written thousands of stories about cars, motorsports, and motorcycles in that time. He has written for Autoblog, Autoviva, CarFax, Edmunds, Hagerty, InsideEVs, Motor1, and New Roads. He has also hosted hundreds of podcast episodes. As hobbies, Bruce enjoys building plastic models of robots and cars. He also enjoys video games, particularly the 16-bit variety. His dog keeps him busy. We added more information about AC Motorsport's Francesco Calzavara and his prior involvement with Michelotto.

The newly revealed Porsche Mission S mid-engine supercar platform is engineered to support a traditional manual gearbox alongside automated PDK options. Porsche leadership confirmed that offering a manual transmission in the production model will ultimately depend on market demand and buyer feedback. The retro-inspired Mission S concept features traditional driver-focused elements, like a physical key, signaling a commitment to mechanical engagement. The Porsche Mission S concept car that was recently revealed is meant to point the way towards the automaker’s future—one where a new flagship supercar above the 911 pushes the brand upmarket while strengthening ties to the company’s past. And that future, it seems, could include an old-fashioned row-your-own transmission. During remarks at the launch event in New York City, Porsche CEO Dr. Michael Leiters stressed that the new supercar has a flexible platform that’s compatible with multiple powertrains, and he specifically said that it could be powered by either pure internal-combustion engines or hybrid ones. More interestingly, it can also accept either manual or PDK-style automatic transmissions.

Before I had a job at Road & Track, before I made YouTube videos, before I ever called myself an automotive journalist, I found roads. As the co-founder of the New York Motor Club, I used early versions of Google Earth to find the best roads in our area for spirited weekend drives. Now I do the same job for R&T, planning the driving portion of our Experiences—events that you, dear reader, may come and enjoy alongside our staff. This story originally appeared in Volume 37 of Road & Track. When seeking the finest driving roads, it helps to have a strategy for where best to look. Tracts along and around mountain ranges are generally a good place to start browsing, as are areas with lots of lakes and rivers. Following this to its logical conclusion, where might we find the best of the best in driving roads? Around dams. You often find dams in mountainous regions, and dams turn cascading rivers into higher-elevation lakes. Their man-made, nature-conquering essence will almost always come with a garnish of fabulous driving roads. That’s the hypothesis, at least.

PhotosSee More Photos of the 2027 Chevrolet Corvette Grand SportThere are few better ways to scout new roads than behind the wheel of Chevy’s latest widebody ‘Vette. Photography By David LaiPublished: Oct 15, 2026David LaiRead the whole story behind these photos here. PhotosDavid LaiDavid LaiDavid LaiDavid LaiDavid LaiDavid LaiDavid LaiDavid LaiDavid LaiDavid LaiDavid LaiDavid LaiDavid LaiDavid LaiDavid LaiDavid LaiDavid LaiDavid LaiDavid LaiDavid LaiDavid LaiDavid LaiDavid LaiDavid LaiDavid LaiDavid LaiDavid LaiDavid LaiDavid LaiDavid LaiFrom The MagazineThe Satellite Phone and the End of NowhereExploring Idaho in the New C8 Corvette Grand SportFaroe Islands, American Cars: More PhotosA Passion for American Cars Thrives Far Faroe WayAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowMore Photos of the Honda Civic Type R HRC Rally XPCan a CTR Rally Car Build Interest In the Sport? See More Photos of the McLaren W1 in ItalyDriving the McLaren W1 in Ferrari’s Front YardOnly Diesels Allowed at Green Bank ObservatoryCrossing Australia by Car Is Still an AdventureDriving Coaches No Longer Need to Ride Shotgun The Dakar Rally Turns Nowhere Into WonderAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below

Helping a relative get out of jail, presumably, often comes with some hope that said relative’s circumstances will improve from there. According to authorities in Iowa, one family member instead found themselves almost immediately on the receiving end of another alleged crime, as the teenage relative they helped release is now accused of stealing their Chevrolet Corvette. One day after posting bond, he was headed back to jail following what authorities describe as a pursuit that exceeded 140 miles per hour. The Jasper County Sheriff’s Office says Braiden Billings, 18, of Newton, Iowa had been placed in jail on an assault charge before a family member posted his bond on October 11. The very next day, at around 5:00 p.m., that same family member reported their very own 2007 Chevy Corvette as stolen. Just under three hours later, police spotted the sports car traveling west on I-80 near mile marker 150—about 15 minutes from where the car initially was before the alleged theft. A deputy tried to stop the car shortly thereafter, but whatever chance there was to calmly manage a roadside stop turned into what police say was a 140-mph pursuit.

Joel was previously an editor at Autoblog for nearly a decade, covering cars from humble economy hatchbacks to high-end sports cars. He has extensive driving experience with plenty of track time, and even dabbles in motorcycling. Joel has shared his experiences in the car world not just in text, but also on podcasts and web videos.