The Corvette faithful have already started the countdown: in 82 days, at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show, the C7 Corvette will make its first public appearance. General Motors has done an exceptional job of keeping the car secret, and despite a few leaks (like the front end, which appeared in a supplier video) much of the information on the internet will likely turn out to be disinformation.

Here’s what we know to be true, based on Corvette heritage and evolution: the C7 will be faster and better-handling than its C6 counterpart, it will pack a pushrod V-8 under the hood, sending power to the rear wheels (likely via a transaxle to improve weight balance) and it will be available in coupe and convertible forms. Eventually, we expect to see Z06 and possibly even ZR1 variants, but probably not for a year or so after launch.

To build the anticipation, Chevy has released the first (of many, we’re sure) teaser video of the C7 Corvette. Don’t expect a lot of detail, but the brief clip does give you a sense of what the mirrors, emblem, exhausts and wheels will look like when the car is unveiled in Detroit. Future teasers will probably deliver other detail clues, but Chevy won’t reveal the car’s shape or proportions prior to the big launch.