?> Mid-Engine Corvette: Everything We Think We Know<?
?> Mid-Engine Corvette: Everything We Think We Know<?
Mid-Engine Corvette: Everything We Think We Know
Is a mid-engine C8 Corvette coming in 2018? Here's all the evidence supporting that rumor.
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BY BRIAN SILVESTRO
JUN 30, 2016
The mid-engined version of everyone's favorite American sports car, the Chevrolet Corvette, is coming. Or at least, a lot of auto industry folks think it's coming, thanks to all the rumors, leaked info, and test mules that have been spied recently. After decades of speculation and renderings, this is what we know so far about the most fervently anticipated American sports car in history.
(Shown above, an unofficial, speculative rendering of what a mid-engine C8 Corvette could look like)
It's Been a Long, Long Time Coming
There have been rumors about Chevrolet developing a mid-engine Corvette for half a century. Indeed, Chevy has built a number of mid-engine concepts through the years, only to abandon them somewhere in development.
The first official prototype was revealed all the way back in 1970, and it was nearly production ready. In 1986, GM showed off the Corvette Indy, complete with a mid-mounted twin-turbo V8 and all-wheel-drive. Then, in 2002, Cadillac revealed the stunning Cien concept at the Detroit Auto show. In between the Cien's axles, behind the passengers, was a 7.5L V12 with 750 horsepower. It wasn't branded as a Chevy, but industry watchers took it as a sign that GM wanted to do something big.
In 2004, it was decided that the Corvette had reached the limit of grip with the traditional front engine, rear-wheel-drive layout. As Bob Lutz explains, the design team got as far as constructing two full-scale clay models, a Corvette and the equivalent Cadillac XLR, both with the engine in the middle. Sadly, the recession of 2008 (and GM's eventual government bailout) caused the automaker to put a hold on, and eventually cancel, this mid-engined Corvette project.
Now, development on the C7's replacement has begun, and rumor has it, a mid-engine variant is in the works. Mark Reuss, head of Global Product development, says that the C8 will be "revolutionary." To some Corvette watchers, that can only mean one thing: a mid-engine Chevy supercar.
If it Happens, It's Going to Cost More
One of the key factors behind sales of the Corvette is it's outstanding value. With a starting MSRP of only $55,400, the current C7 represents a great deal for those who want fun and performance without having to drain their kids' college funds. Obviously, the mid-engined variant would cost more—probably a lot more, since it would require an all-new platform redesigned from the ground up. $150,000 seems to be the most popular number floating around, which is nearly double the starting price of the current Corvette king, the Z06. While that number undercuts the Ford GT's MSRP of $450,000, that's still quite a bit of money for a Corvette. It's been suggested that there will still be a cheaper front-engined variant sold alongside the new mid-engined car, so as not to alienate any loyal fans or prospective buyers. Since it is still a Corvette, expect a V8 to be present (perhaps something more modern than the traditional pushrod layout), though some wild rumors suggest a turbocharged V6 option could also be offered to bring the price down.
The Design Would Be Pretty Different
Since the engine is going to be sitting behind the cabin, the car will look quite different from the traditional Corvette layout. Our friends at Car and Driver recently snagged the above spy shots of what looks like a C8 Corvette prototype testing, with several design cues that indicate a mid-engined layout. The cabin is far forward, with a longer rear section. There's also a set of flying buttresses present, a popular aerodynamic feature on new mid-engined cars, such as the McLaren 570S and Ford GT. Although it'll bear the Corvette name, the hypothetical mid-engine C8 will be radically different from the car it replaces.
The Performance Will Be Even Better
The only reason the Corvette would switch to a mid-engined layout is for performance. Engineers at GM understand that there is a limit to how much power a front-engine supercar can put down, and how much cornering grip it can achieve. Although the current Corvette Z06 is a fantastic sports car, it's inherently held back by its front-mid-engine layout. With the engine in the middle, the car's weight distribution can be optimized, with turn-in and corner holding capabilities benefitting as a result.
The mid-engine Corvette has long seemed like a fantasy, a daydream promoted by automotive journalists, Corvette loyalists, and those who want to see an American automaker finally build a direct competitor to the likes of Ferrari and Lamborghini. Recent evidence suggests that this wish could finally come true. While we're hesitant to call it a sure thing, we think there's a strong likelihood it could happen. And we can't wait to get our hands on it.
Is a mid-engine C8 Corvette coming in 2018? Here's all the evidence supporting that rumor.
MORE FROM ROAD & TRACK
WATCH IN TERROR AS A BONE-STOCK KAWASAKI MOTORCYCLE HITS 249 MPH ON PUBLIC ROADS
YOU CAN BUY THIS RIDICULOUS AND RARE SMART CROSSBLADE RIGHT NOW
PORTABLE DVD PLAYER FOUND IN TESLA INVOLVED IN FATAL AUTOPILOT CRASH
BY BRIAN SILVESTRO
JUN 30, 2016
The mid-engined version of everyone's favorite American sports car, the Chevrolet Corvette, is coming. Or at least, a lot of auto industry folks think it's coming, thanks to all the rumors, leaked info, and test mules that have been spied recently. After decades of speculation and renderings, this is what we know so far about the most fervently anticipated American sports car in history.
(Shown above, an unofficial, speculative rendering of what a mid-engine C8 Corvette could look like)
It's Been a Long, Long Time Coming
Road & Track Archives
There have been rumors about Chevrolet developing a mid-engine Corvette for half a century. Indeed, Chevy has built a number of mid-engine concepts through the years, only to abandon them somewhere in development.
The first official prototype was revealed all the way back in 1970, and it was nearly production ready. In 1986, GM showed off the Corvette Indy, complete with a mid-mounted twin-turbo V8 and all-wheel-drive. Then, in 2002, Cadillac revealed the stunning Cien concept at the Detroit Auto show. In between the Cien's axles, behind the passengers, was a 7.5L V12 with 750 horsepower. It wasn't branded as a Chevy, but industry watchers took it as a sign that GM wanted to do something big.
In 2004, it was decided that the Corvette had reached the limit of grip with the traditional front engine, rear-wheel-drive layout. As Bob Lutz explains, the design team got as far as constructing two full-scale clay models, a Corvette and the equivalent Cadillac XLR, both with the engine in the middle. Sadly, the recession of 2008 (and GM's eventual government bailout) caused the automaker to put a hold on, and eventually cancel, this mid-engined Corvette project.
Now, development on the C7's replacement has begun, and rumor has it, a mid-engine variant is in the works. Mark Reuss, head of Global Product development, says that the C8 will be "revolutionary." To some Corvette watchers, that can only mean one thing: a mid-engine Chevy supercar.
If it Happens, It's Going to Cost More
One of the key factors behind sales of the Corvette is it's outstanding value. With a starting MSRP of only $55,400, the current C7 represents a great deal for those who want fun and performance without having to drain their kids' college funds. Obviously, the mid-engined variant would cost more—probably a lot more, since it would require an all-new platform redesigned from the ground up. $150,000 seems to be the most popular number floating around, which is nearly double the starting price of the current Corvette king, the Z06. While that number undercuts the Ford GT's MSRP of $450,000, that's still quite a bit of money for a Corvette. It's been suggested that there will still be a cheaper front-engined variant sold alongside the new mid-engined car, so as not to alienate any loyal fans or prospective buyers. Since it is still a Corvette, expect a V8 to be present (perhaps something more modern than the traditional pushrod layout), though some wild rumors suggest a turbocharged V6 option could also be offered to bring the price down.
The Design Would Be Pretty Different
2019 Chevrolet Corvette C8: The Mid-Engined Beast Spied Testing! - Future Cars http://bit.ly/299C2hj
Since the engine is going to be sitting behind the cabin, the car will look quite different from the traditional Corvette layout. Our friends at Car and Driver recently snagged the above spy shots of what looks like a C8 Corvette prototype testing, with several design cues that indicate a mid-engined layout. The cabin is far forward, with a longer rear section. There's also a set of flying buttresses present, a popular aerodynamic feature on new mid-engined cars, such as the McLaren 570S and Ford GT. Although it'll bear the Corvette name, the hypothetical mid-engine C8 will be radically different from the car it replaces.
The Performance Will Be Even Better
The only reason the Corvette would switch to a mid-engined layout is for performance. Engineers at GM understand that there is a limit to how much power a front-engine supercar can put down, and how much cornering grip it can achieve. Although the current Corvette Z06 is a fantastic sports car, it's inherently held back by its front-mid-engine layout. With the engine in the middle, the car's weight distribution can be optimized, with turn-in and corner holding capabilities benefitting as a result.
The mid-engine Corvette has long seemed like a fantasy, a daydream promoted by automotive journalists, Corvette loyalists, and those who want to see an American automaker finally build a direct competitor to the likes of Ferrari and Lamborghini. Recent evidence suggests that this wish could finally come true. While we're hesitant to call it a sure thing, we think there's a strong likelihood it could happen. And we can't wait to get our hands on it.
Everyone wants 2 know what U think ?
Member's, what do you think ?
Is there a market for one ?
Would you want one ?
Do you like the above ones ?
Do you like the present one ?
What Corvette is your favorite one ?
Member's, what do you think ?
Is there a market for one ?
Would you want one ?
Do you like the above ones ?
Do you like the present one ?
What Corvette is your favorite one ?
I love the split window coupe with present update engine/trans/etc.
Last edited by BeachBumMike; Jul 2, 2016 at 06:58 AM.
Auto Art Beauty 2 me : )
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 6,460
There's a couple of points I don't agree with in there:
1. That its going to cost $150k. They certainly might be able to pull that for an ultra premium version (ie zr1 / c7 zo6/z07), but that can't be the starting point. Their bread and butter sales that keep funding this thing are mostly made up of base models so it would be insane to cut out that market completely.
2. That they're going to offer a front engine variant as a cheaper model. The only way I see this working is if they continue to offer a c7 with minor tweaks (ie simple/cheap facelift). They can't possibly design a car to have both front and rear engine choices in the same chassis/body or theyll end up with all kinds of extra cost and compromising to allow it to accept either.
IMO switching the corvette entirely over to rear engine (mid engine, whatever) is playing with fire right now. There are still too many older people that are nostalgic for the 60s and early 70s car since that what they grew up with.
Im also still not convinced that it's the right business route to go. The current layout is proven to work and sell. Sure they can go faster by moving the engine, but I don't see how they do that and keep the entry price similar. They also risk moving into unfamiliar territory and ending up with something that doesn't work as well as the current car does for the majority of users. By that I mean, the bulk of users aren't pushing their car to the absolute limits on the track. Many people daily drive them or just cruise on the weekends. So I don't really know that the average corvette buyer / user really cares that much about squeezing out a few percent better performance.
1. That its going to cost $150k. They certainly might be able to pull that for an ultra premium version (ie zr1 / c7 zo6/z07), but that can't be the starting point. Their bread and butter sales that keep funding this thing are mostly made up of base models so it would be insane to cut out that market completely.
2. That they're going to offer a front engine variant as a cheaper model. The only way I see this working is if they continue to offer a c7 with minor tweaks (ie simple/cheap facelift). They can't possibly design a car to have both front and rear engine choices in the same chassis/body or theyll end up with all kinds of extra cost and compromising to allow it to accept either.
IMO switching the corvette entirely over to rear engine (mid engine, whatever) is playing with fire right now. There are still too many older people that are nostalgic for the 60s and early 70s car since that what they grew up with.
Im also still not convinced that it's the right business route to go. The current layout is proven to work and sell. Sure they can go faster by moving the engine, but I don't see how they do that and keep the entry price similar. They also risk moving into unfamiliar territory and ending up with something that doesn't work as well as the current car does for the majority of users. By that I mean, the bulk of users aren't pushing their car to the absolute limits on the track. Many people daily drive them or just cruise on the weekends. So I don't really know that the average corvette buyer / user really cares that much about squeezing out a few percent better performance.
Monte Of The Month -- January 2013
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,612
From: London, Ontario
Not many driver's would have the skills to push a new (current) C7 to it's limits. How could you / why would you ask for more? And what Chev has works and works well. To switch to a mid-engine platform would be starting all over essentially and going back to the drawing board when they already got the winner. They'd be putting back in all the bugs they had worked out over the years.
Plus it's way to hard to tinker or service mid-engine cars
Plus it's way to hard to tinker or service mid-engine cars
>Thanks<
Hi Guys, love the input on this Mid Engine Corvette Topic.Thanks for posting/sharing your thoughts & opinions. I know your words and thoughts can now be viewed by all around planet earth and also from Space.
To me it's going to be interesting to see what direction that GM Divisions decide to create and produce in all their automotive adventure directions. I'm sure the icon's will continue, but I do hope that they keep the dream alive for those that seek to purchase and own their life's dream sports car.
I'm just thankful that they are creating and not eliminating
Thanks again member's for your input & helping keep the MCF diverse & active in it's automotive topic's posted online for all to view *^%*()& comment...
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