4 Minutes
Student reimagines Firebird as an electrified grand tourer
A South Korean design student has released a striking digital concept that reimagines the legendary Firebird name as a modern Chevrolet sports car — and it isn't just another retro study. Created by Juheon Lee (known online as heoni_ju) as a BA thesis at Kookmin University's Transportation Exterior Design program, the proposal pushes the Firebird brand into a near-future, electrified grand tourer role.
The renderings — shared widely via car.design.trends and social platforms — show a low-slung, extra-wide two-door that trades Pontiac's classic motifs for a jet-age, aerodynamic silhouette. Its deep purple paint grabs attention at first glance, but the design's proportions, sharp surfacing and integrated aero details are what make it feel like a credible, modern sports coupe.
Why this matters
The concept arrives in a moment when the Detroit automakers have pared back their passenger-car lineups. General Motors today effectively markets the mid-engine Corvette (C8) as its flagship passenger car, after discontinuing the Camaro and popular sedans such as the Malibu. Ford similarly sells only the S650 Mustang as a mainstream car in North America, while Stellantis focuses on models like the Dodge Charger and a shrinking sedan portfolio. That vacuum has left many enthusiasts hungry for fresh passenger-car concepts from US brands — and digital designers often fill that gap.
Design, heritage and an electrified hint
Lee's project isn't a faithful Pontiac revival. Instead, it asks GM to resurrect the Firebird nameplate under the Chevrolet badge, nodding to the marque's prototype lineage by referencing a so-called Firebird IV. Because this is an unofficial concept, the designer had free rein to "reinterpret the Jet Age into a Vision Sports Coupe," producing a look that is futuristic rather than retro.
Key highlights from the project:
- Distinctive wide-track stance and low roofline, aimed at grand tourer proportions
- Clean, minimalist front end with slit-style lighting and integrated aero
- Bold color choice (deep purple) that amplifies the surfaces
- A mention in the presentation of Firebird IV and an electrified concept at the end of the video
- A physical 1:3 clay mockup created for the graduation show, underlining the student's commitment to the design
Performance and packaging — speculation only
The project provides no official specs. The final frames of the presentation suggest electrification, which would align with GM's broader EV strategy and could position a Firebird-conceived model as an electric grand tourer aimed at buyers who want style and performance beyond the Corvette's mid-engine pedigree. Whether it would be a two-seat performance EV, range-focused GT, or an innovative hybrid remains open to imagination.
Fans and industry watchers should treat this as an exploratory concept — a design-grade calling card and a cultural nudge rather than a factory preview. Still, projects like Lee's matter: they show where young designers see demand, how heritage names can be reinterpreted, and how clay modeling and digital rendering together keep automotive creativity alive.
Quote-worthy takeaway: the Firebird concept shows that even in an SUV-dominated market, thoughtful design and electrified performance concepts can rekindle interest in passenger cars and legacy nameplates.
Source: autoevolution
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