Mid engine Corvette

[Walter F.]

I have been hearing that the next Corvette maybe a mid engine design. Personally I think this would kill the car we have come to love for over 50 years. Is GM's goal to build a super car for the wealthy as the Ford GT? The base Corvette is still reachable for the middle class car owner, and the newest version is certainly fast enough break any speeding laws in a matter of seconds. It also handles better then or equal to most foreign cars costing thousands more. Maybe the better idea is to keep the existing platform and offer it in an AWD version. Please GM don't kill the American dream of many car owners..

[Terry D.]

Re: Mid engine Corvette

I think GM is trying to get above the middle class buyer. Look at the difference in price in 1962, a Corvette was only 25% more money than an Impala. Today it is more than double, comparing base models. Just my 2 cents

[Michael J.]

Re: Mid engine Corvette

I really don't think GM wants the Corvette base car to be out of reach of the middle class buyer, they still need to sell cars and volume matters in every car they sell. I can see them doing something special, like the just announced C7 ZR1, which will likely be priced just above the C6 ZR1, at $120K+, and I could see a C8 ZR1 being mid-engine and priced well above that to appeal to the buyers who want something special in their Corvette and have the cash to buy it.

[Jaime G.]

Re: Mid engine Corvette

I really don't think GM wants the Corvette base car to be out of reach of the middle class buyer, they still need to sell cars and volume matters in every car they sell. I can see them doing something special, like the just announced C7 ZR1, which will likely be priced just above the C6 ZR1, at $120K+, and I could see a C8 ZR1 being mid-engine and priced well above that to appeal to the buyers who want something special in their Corvette and have the cash to buy it.

I agree MIchael, you are spot on.

[John M.]

Re: Mid engine Corvette

I think GM is trying to get above the middle class buyer. Look at the difference in price in 1962, a Corvette was only 25% more money than an Impala. Today it is more than double, comparing base models. Just my 2 cents

The big run-up in Corvette prices in inflation adjusted dollars happened between the late 1970s and late 1980s. By 1980, the base price of a Corvette was already over twice that of the base price of an Impala.

[Steve M.]

Re: Mid engine Corvette

Price point aside, my understanding is that for eternity Zora had pushed for a mid Engine. If that is true then it just seems right. My understanding as well is that "Zora" has been reserved by GM is some trademark fillings....

[Terry M.]

Re: Mid engine Corvette

At the National Corvette Museum (NCM) Anniversary celebration over last Labor Day the Corvette Assembly Plant Manager, Kai Spande, spoke about some of the changes to the assembly line that were then underway. His Power Point presentation showed pictures of wheeled platforms that are guided by wires buried in the floor. These platforms will carry Corvettes on a pre programed route. There is no more chain driven assembly line like we used to see. He spoke at length about how these devices (there is a fancier technical term for them, but I have forgotten it) are adaptable to different vehicle platforms. My guess would be they are now able to build RWD/front-engine and RWD/mid-engine on the same assembly line. And maybe some day we will see Zora's dream of an AWD/mid-engine. Stay tuned folks Corvette is about to become a whole lot more interesting. Your future choices are about to be more extensive than Coupe/Convertible and engine size.

And some of us just can't wait for it.

[John M.]

Re: Mid engine Corvette

Price point aside, my understanding is that for eternity Zora had pushed for a mid Engine. If that is true then it just seems right. My understanding as well is that "Zora" has been reserved by GM is some trademark fillings....

My wife and I have noted that, too. The appeal of a Zora worthy of the name would be notable to us.

[Walter F.]

Re: Mid engine Corvette

If GM wants to build a mid-engine sports car, and exotic like the Ford GT, I just hope they do not call it a Corvette. For myself, a follower of the original car most of my life, anything but a RWD or AWD front engine vehicle just would not seem like a Corvette to me. I remember when some of the misguided brass at GM wanted to make the Corvette a FWD V6. Such a move I believe would of finished the icon off. Remeber the complaints from Corvette owners when they made the headlight stationary on the C6 ? Imagine putting the engine in the middle ? What about the roadster ?

[Paul H.]

Re: Mid engine Corvette

The mid engine Corvette will likely be introduced in January of 2019 and be available later as a 2020 model. It's just getting too difficult to put the power to the ground with all the horsepower in the current configuration. More weight over the rear wheels will help. GM knows they need to keep the mid engine at a price point that will appeal to it's loyal customers and I believe they will. The higher horsepower variants will cost a bit more (Z06/ZR-1). Count me in as a fan of the mid engine. I plan to own one. Love my old Vettes. but the new technology is hard to beat. I think we should be pleased that the Corvette brand lives on and can compete with the greatest performance cars in the world at a much lower price point.

[Steve M.]

Re: Mid engine Corvette

My 54 has a 6 cylinder and fixed headlights. My 61 has fixed headlights as does my 2016 Z06/07. (Anyone remember the butthurt about the tail lights on the C7?) My SWC caused the "purists" to almost have a stroke when it first came out. And the big block hood on my 66 wasn't liked by everyone when it first came out.

My point is this. Every generation had supporters and detractors. But say what you will, the people at GM have found a way to not kill the corvette yet. My relative, Clare MacKichan (head of design studio)was instrumental in the first 10 years of the Corvette putting him in the Corvette Hall of Fame.

i know if he was still alive he would be all over the midengine because him and his buddy Zora loved cutting edge stuff like the Corvette SS protype they developed generations ago.

[Terry D.]

Re: Mid engine Corvette

You guys might be right but a mid engine with a price of 120,000+ is not appealing to the middle class, at least not in my state. Every hobby is complaining of decreased numbers in membership, and price is a BIG factor, as prices of new Corvettes go up so do used Corvette prices. I bought my first Corvette a 1962 in 1966 as a graduation present to myself. I worked after school since 7th grade. I don't think a teenager today could pull that off. What kid is going to be able to save 28,000 dollars in a few years? Unless we figure out some way to get the younger generations involved this and other hobbies will pass on. Again just my old 2 cents!

[Donald O.]

Re: Mid engine Corvette

So what is your definition of mid-engine?

Behind the driver?

Between the axles?

Something else?

[Walter F.]

Re: Mid engine Corvette

Maybe you should check the numbers on the Porsche Turbo AWD and the Nissan GTR AWD. Nissian is doing it all with a front engine V6. Technology is in AWD . That is where I believe GM should be looking instead of a mid engine and more horsepower. Making a Mid Engine Corvette is like Porsche making the 911 a front engine sports car. And you know what the folks at Ford are going to say. Its Chevrolet's version of the Ford G.T. Lets hope somebody writes a letter as I recall was once done before in saving the Corvette, that speaks some sense into the people at Chevrolet, should this mid engine thing be real.

[Russ S.]

Re: Mid engine Corvette

Just try to imagine the wining and crying if the corvette stood still and didn't advance with technology. It would have been dead long ago.

The mid engine Corvette will likely be introduced in January of 2019 and be available later as a 2020 model. It's just getting too difficult to put the power to the ground with all the horsepower in the current configuration. More weight over the rear wheels will help. GM knows they need to keep the mid engine at a price point that will appeal to it's loyal customers and I believe they will. The higher horsepower variants will cost a bit more (Z06/ZR-1). Count me in as a fan of the mid engine. I plan to own one. Love my old Vettes. but the new technology is hard to beat. I think we should be pleased that the Corvette brand lives on and can compete with the greatest performance cars in the world at a much lower price point.