Mid Engine C8 Corvette

[954Stealth]

What are your thoughts on a mid-engine Corvette?

R&T:
"
This is the mid-engine Corvette that all of you called BS on when that that story broke back in October.

Well, it's obviously not the final car, but it's officially our favorite cobbled-together test mule ever C7 passenger cell, with flared-out Holden ute bodywork around it. Why make the mule a Vetteamino? Well, that engine's got to go someplace.

Here's the test car

[pgviper]

I think its going to be an absolute monster. Chevrolet is punching into a whole different weight class with this thing.

As far as the test mule, definitely the best Frankenstein car I have seen haha. I bet someone had fun doing this!!!

[954Stealth]

Here's a cool render.
How about this C8 vs new Ford GT

[Nitrousbird]

I don't like the idea of a mid-engine Vette. Call it something else. Or make Corvette more of a brand and make the mid-engine a variation on that brand - don't kill off the front engine, rear drive layout.

Of course there have been mid-engine rumors, prototypes, show cars, test mules, etc. since the 70's...

[fecurtis]

Rumors about a mid-engine Vette always come around when people talk about next gen Vettes.

I'll believe it when I see it.

[hellrotm]

Next gen ZR1 is rumored to get the mid-engine C8 chassis early.

The Camaro is going continue the front engine sports layout. The next gen Camaro will be smaller and have considerable weight loss. Rumors upper trim level Camaro's performance could surpass C7 Corvette performance. Giving GM even more reason to move the Corvette up market a bit and use a more exotic mid engine layout.

[quagmire]

Originally Posted by Nitrousbird

I don't like the idea of a mid-engine Vette. Call it something else. Or make Corvette more of a brand and make the mid-engine a variation on that brand - don't kill off the front engine, rear drive layout.

Of course there have been mid-engine rumors, prototypes, show cars, test mules, etc. since the 70's...

Rumors are the current C7 Stingray will be produced alongside the C8( for how long who knows though).

[ShocknAwe]

Oh man. Not a huge fan of mid engine cars. Cool that they are doing this though. Agree that it's not a Corvette though, this is something else and should be named appropriately.

That mule is awesome!

[BMWX1-35i]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Oh man. Not a huge fan of mid engine cars. Cool that they are doing this though. Agree that it's not a Corvette though, this is something else and should be named appropriately.

That mule is awesome!

I agree. I have many Vettes and they should call it something other then a Corvette.

[pgviper]

The mustang is punching into vette territory which means that for the camaro to stay competitive, GM needs to increase the capabilities of the corvette. Moving it to a mid engine is the first step in doing so.

[ShocknAwe]

Originally Posted by pgviper

The mustang is punching into vette territory which means that for the camaro to stay competitive, GM needs to increase the capabilities of the corvette. Moving it to a mid engine is the first step in doing so.

Change the format, change the car. Mid engine is not corvette.

[pgviper]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Change the format, change the car. Mid engine is not corvette.

which is exactly the controversy. I dont see anything wrong with these changes and kedping the name. IMO corvette means top of the line performance from chevrolet. No specific configuration to how that is achieved.

[Blindside_137]

Originally Posted by pgviper

which is exactly the controversy. I dont see anything wrong with these changes and kedping the name. IMO corvette means top of the line performance from chevrolet. No specific configuration to how that is achieved.

True. GM has nailed it lately I'm sure it wouldn't disappoint.

As others said though I'll believe it when I see it.

[Golden Arrow]

Originally Posted by Nitrousbird

I don't like the idea of a mid-engine Vette. Call it something else. Or make Corvette more of a brand and make the mid-engine a variation on that brand - don't kill off the front engine, rear drive layout.

Of course there have been mid-engine rumors, prototypes, show cars, test mules, etc. since the 70's...

GM has trademarked the name "Zora," as in Zora Duntov. Look him up if you don't know who he is in relation to the Corvette brand.

I believe they will call the mid-engined car either the Corvette Zora, or just the Chevy Zora.

[aajami]

Makes sense from a product separation standpoint.

C7 Stingray is about on par with the C6 Z06.

C7 Z06 is about on par with the C6 ZR1, including the addition of a supercharger.

Where does the next ZR1 go from here? How does it gain separation from the Z06? How does it build on the success of the previous ZR1?

By defying convention and not building on the previous ZR1 at all. All-new chassis, mid-engine layout, and real separation from the Z06 in a way that will leave absolutely no ambiguity about where this car sits in the Corvette hierarchy.

Plus it gives Chevy a competitor to the Ford GT.

[CirrusSR22]

I'd guess price is the biggest issue on how the models get sorted out. Let's say a base mid-engine Corvette starts at $80,000 (probably a low estimate?). That's a huge gap between that and a V8 Camaro starting around $35,000. Only gets worse if a new engine Corvette starts closer to $100,000.

[pgviper]

Originally Posted by CirrusSR22

I'd guess price is the biggest issue on how the models get sorted out. Let's say a base mid-engine Corvette starts at $80,000 (probably a low estimate?). That's a huge gap between that and a V8 Camaro starting around $35,000. Only gets worse if a new engine Corvette starts closer to $100,000.

Top of the line camaro zl1 ($56k) matches just about base stingray pricing...

Top of the line stingray pricing ($100k) will most likely match base zora pricing...

Just my estimate

[Golden Arrow]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Change the format, change the car. Mid engine is not corvette.

The front-engine, rear-wheel drive Corvette is all tapped out. If you look at the MotorTrend review of the new Z06 compared to the newest Nissan GT-R (see link below), the GT-R wins because of its ability to put its power down more effectively.

http://m.motortrend.com/roadtests/co...mo_comparison/

A mid-engined Corvette, regardless of its name, will allow for huge increases in useable power on the track, without resorting to AWD.

[Mingwan]

I hope it doesn't end up looking like that render. Looks like a fake lambo.

[Bingobimmer]

This would be another positive step for American automakers. Imagine a mid-engine vette with the z06 engine and awd

[fecurtis]

Originally Posted by Golden Arrow

The front-engine, rear-wheel drive Corvette is all tapped out. If you look at the MotorTrend review of the new Z06 compared to the newest Nissan GT-R (see link below), the GT-R wins because of its ability to put its power down more effectively.

http://m.motortrend.com/roadtests/co...mo_comparison/

A mid-engined Corvette, regardless of its name, will allow for huge increases in useable power on the track, without resorting to AWD.

Turns out there was an issue with that specific Vette.

http://m.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupes/1503_2015_chevrolet_corvette_z06_track_retest/

[Golden Arrow]

Originally Posted by fecurtis

Turns out there was an issue with that specific Vette.

http://m.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupes/1503_2015_chevrolet_corvette_z06_track_retest/

I'm aware of the alignment issue, but it doesn't change the fact that if GM wants to battle the big boy supercars, they have to make a mid-engine, V8 powered car. Whether it's branded as a Chevy or a Cadillac is still up in the air...