Mid Engined C8

[Gripenfelter]

http://www.carbuzz.com/news/2016/5/15/A-Mid-Engine-C8-Corvette-It-s-Happening-And-Here-Are-The-Latest-Details-7733547/


Over a year ago, we heard that Chevrolet is finally going to pull the trigger and build a mid-engine Corvette. Obviously nothing has been confirmed and I even asked the Corvette’s chief engineer, Tadge Juechter, about this subject at Geneva last March. Of course he denied any knowledge, but today our colleagues at Car and Driver have managed to dig up additional information about the mid-engined C8. First off, it’s happening. Second, it’ll debut in production form at the 2018 Detroit Auto Show.

Power will initially come from the C7 Stingray’s 6.2-liter LT1 V8 with an output between 450-500 hp. Expect a base price of around (seriously?!) $80,000. The C7, meanwhile, will remain in production through 2017. So yes, the C7 and C8 will be built and sold together but only for a short time. In order to give the C7 and, not to mention, the traditional front-engined Corvette, a proper send off, C&D claims a new ultra high-performance edition will be unveiled, possibly to be called ZR1. Heading into 2019, the C8 will receive a new four-cam, 32-valve V8 that’ll push its price tag above $100,000. In 2020, expect to see the hybrid E-Ray Corvette debut featuring electric front-wheel propulsion.
Don’t be surprised if it’s also called the Zora, named for Corvette godfather Zora Arkus-Duntov. We’ve also learned that Chevrolet is benchmarking the C8 against the likes of the Ferrari 458 Italia, Nissan GT-R, Porsche 911 Turbo, and the BMW i8. So there it is. A mid-engined Corvette is clearly happening though Chevy sources continue to deny it. What are your thoughts?

http://db.carbuzz.com/images2/570000/1000/300/571398.jpg

[01RedDX]

.

[bjstare]

How exactly is it "clearly happening"? So far, we have a couple mid engine corvette renderings, and word of mouth. Basically the same shit we saw pre-C7 release about it being mid engined. Will believe it when it's released officially, until then :whocares:

(note that I think a mid-engine C8 would be awesome. Even though I won't be a buyer, I like the idea of making the corvette more exotic)

[vengie]

Originally posted by 01RedDX
So say goodbye to the "affordable" Corvette in a couple of years?

ThIs exactly... Kind of disappointing

[corsvette]

Mid-engined Vette rumors have been around since the C3. There have even been concept cars that looked almost production ready. This time, I think it's a real possibility for the C8. Chevy knows to take the car to the next performance level it need's to be mid-engined. Unless they find a way to make the current layout AWD, they're at max power with being able to hook up and handle.

The other rumor (the one I hope is true) is the Stingray continues on in the current layout/price, and Chevy will offer a top dog model (named ZR1 or Zora) that will be the six figure supercar slayer.

A mid-engined Vette will be :drool:

[Gripenfelter]

It's possible the Corvette will continue on and this will be more a competitor for the Ford GT, Audi R8, NSX, etc as a NEW halo car.

[revelations]

Originally posted by Gripenfelter
It's possible the Corvette will continue on and this will be more a competitor for the Ford GT, Audi R8, NSX, etc as a NEW halo car.

These are my thoughts as well.

[Maxx Mazda]

A fucking mid engined Corvette??

Bye Felicia....

[BokCh0y]

I'm a huge fan of mid-engine vehicles :love: :love: :love:

[heavyD]

This is going to happen. Chevy's performance team has reached the limit for a front engine, rear drive platform.

[b_t]

Have they though? Recent tests show the Viper ACR is faster, and it is apparently much easier to drive than the Z06.

A mid-engined Vette is awesome and it'd be great to see Chevy in that space but I'd still prefer for them to stay traditional front engine/RWD with the Vette and resurrect one of the greatest looking concept cars of all time and let it be GM's halo product

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cadillac_Cien

This concept car is almost 15 years old and still looks like it's from 5 years in the future. One of the biggest styling home runs the world has ever seen IMO

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6f/Cadillac_Cien_%28front_angle%29.jpg/1280px-Cadillac_Cien_%28front_angle%29.jpg

[Hallowed_point]

I don't know why this is such a surprise. I mean, it's great news. The corvette has always been the super car killer for the working man. The corvette has also evolved substantially with each generation on basically no budget. All corvettes are red is a great read into the struggles with launching the C5 in a depressed 1990's economy. It's not so much GM, they have a lot of talented people such as Tadge it's those goddamn bean counters.

[Sentry]

:confused:

http://www.spykercars.com/media/sample-exterior-12.jpg

:D

[JustinL]

Every time there's a generation change this rumor rears its head. Would be cool to see and would sort of make sense to market alongside the DP program which are racing mid engined "Corvettes" already.

[94boosted]

Originally posted by 01RedDX
So say goodbye to the "affordable" Corvette in a couple of years?


Originally posted by vengie


ThIs exactly... Kind of disappointing


A 500HP Mid Engined Sports car for 80K is expensive? I'd say that's more so the bargain of the century. Ferrari 458 Performance at Porsche Cayman S pricing :eek:

Not to mention it sounds like it won't replace the affordable C7 Stingray but more so run in parallel.

[Kloubek]

I love mid engined cars, but IMO the Corvette has a certain heritage to live up to, and that includes long nose, short rear deck. That's the way it has always been and always should be.

[Hallowed_point]

Originally posted by Kloubek
I love mid engined cars, but IMO the Corvette has a certain heritage to live up to, and that includes long nose, short rear deck. That's the way it has always been and always should be. I do agree with you there. It doesn't look distinctly corvette now to my eyes.

[962 kid]

why does it have to be more expensive ? Pontiac Fiero ,Toyota MR2 , Fiat X1/9, Porsche 914, Lancia Monte Carlo were all affordable mid engine sports cars

[Kloubek]

...not that gm ever made money with the Fiero. I think development costs tend to be through the roof, as it's a dedicated platform that isn't likely to be shared through a brand's lineup.

[corsvette]

Originally posted by 962 kid
why does it have to be more expensive ? Pontiac Fiero ,Toyota MR2 , Fiat X1/9, Porsche 914, Lancia Monte Carlo were all affordable mid engine sports cars

Because this mid-engined Corvette will have to match/exceed the performance of the world's best exotic cars, to do that it's going to cost more money.

It won't be in the exotic price territory. Hopefully full on performance of any exotic car at less than 1/2 the price.

[Mitsu3000gt]

Originally posted by corsvette


Because this mid-engined Corvette will have to match/exceed the performance of the world's best exotic cars, to do that it's going to cost more money.

It won't be in the exotic price territory. Hopefully full on performance of any exotic car at less than 1/2 the price.

Do you really think it's going to match/exceed cars like the McLaren P1, Porsche 918, LaFerrari, etc.? I have a lot of trouble believing Chevy can build a car like that (or better) and not even be in "exotic" price territory, let alone less than half price.

[riander5]

Originally posted by Mitsu3000gt


Do you really think it's going to match/exceed cars like the McLaren P1, Porsche 918, LaFerrari, etc.? I have a lot of trouble believing Chevy can build a car like that (or better) and not even be in "exotic" price territory, let alone less than half price.

They were like what 18 seconds slower with last gen zr1 and it was like 100-120 k USD? (7:19 or close to that)

18 seconds is no small task, but im sure the zr1 is / was as fast as the new 675, and those are like ~375-400 k USD.

So maybe a good estimate is same performance for 1/4 of price :clap:

[Mitsu3000gt]

Originally posted by riander5


They were like what 18 seconds slower with last gen zr1 and it was like 100-120 k USD? (7:19 or close to that)

18 seconds is no small task, but im sure the zr1 is / was as fast as the new 675, and those are like ~375-400 k USD.

So maybe a good estimate is same performance for 1/4 of price :clap:

18 sec is pretty huge on the ring, and I think it was more - just googling, the 918 was 6:57 and the ZR1 was 7:19:63, so almost 23 seconds behind and also behind the similarly priced standard Nissan GT-R from the same list. The P1 apparently did an "unofficial" 6:47, which would be well over 30 seconds faster *if* that is true.

The comment was "match or exceed" the "worlds best exotics" so I really don't think that is going to happen at such "low" price points, but if they do, good on them. If Chevy makes a P1/918 killer for a fraction of the price and takes 20-30 sec off their ring time I will be shocked. I don't think it's going to happen.

[Kloubek]

Originally posted by Mitsu3000gt


Do you really think it's going to match/exceed cars like the McLaren P1, Porsche 918, LaFerrari, etc.? I have a lot of trouble believing Chevy can build a car like that (or better) and not even be in "exotic" price territory, let alone less than half price.

That's what people thought with the C4, C5, C6, and C7 as well. So far, that's exactly what Chevy has proven since 1984. Or, at least, 1985 when they got rid of that awful cross-fire injection.

I think now it is perhaps becoming a bit more difficult, due to the use of expensive materials like entire bodies made from carbon fiber. But from at least a technical standpoint (engines, suspensions, etc), Chevy has matched the best for 3 decades now.

[Mitsu3000gt]

Originally posted by Kloubek


That's what people thought with the C4, C5, C6, and C7 as well. So far, that's exactly what Chevy has proven since 1984. Or, at least, 1985 when they got rid of that awful cross-fire injection.

I think now it is perhaps becoming a bit more difficult, due to the use of expensive materials like entire bodies made from carbon fiber. But from at least a technical standpoint (engines, suspensions, etc), Chevy has matched the best for 3 decades now.

I'm not sure I follow - nothing they make right now even comes close to the world's best exotics (relatively speaking of course - they are all very fast). This new car would have to take 20-30 seconds off it's ring time (an eternity around the 7 min mark) and I don't see that happening for $200K or whatever they would charge for it. They aren't even close to matching the best exotics at the moment and I wouldn't expect them to with the price gap.

[riander5]

Originally posted by Mitsu3000gt


I'm not sure I follow - nothing they make right now even comes close to the world's best exotics (relatively speaking of course - they are all very fast). This new car would have to take 20-30 seconds off it's ring time (an eternity around the 7 min mark) and I don't see that happening for $200K or whatever they would charge for it. They aren't even close to matching the best exotics at the moment and I wouldn't expect them to with the price gap.

4 year difference between the cars though. Also the best corvette is still stuck with FR layout.

I think if they finally ditched FR they could compete. Wont know unless it happens

[Kloubek]

Originally posted by Mitsu3000gt


I'm not sure I follow - nothing they make right now even comes close to the world's best exotics (relatively speaking of course - they are all very fast). This new car would have to take 20-30 seconds off it's ring time (an eternity around the 7 min mark) and I don't see that happening for $200K or whatever they would charge for it. They aren't even close to matching the best exotics at the moment and I wouldn't expect them to with the price gap.

Well firstly, it's not about what they make right now. If that was good enough, they wouldn't be redesigning it, nor spending copious amounts of money for a mid engine format.

What I was getting at is that everyone seems to be constantly underestimating the Corvette, yet they manage to quell the pundits every time.

But regardless, I'm not really certain the Corvette is designed to be direct competition with the "best" exotics. Never really has been. Those are all-out supercars, and someone who has the money to buy something like that isn't interested in a Corvette at 1/10th the cost. So I'm not sure comparing it to those vehicles is really a fair or even relevant conversation.

I think they are more geared towards those who want the car that offers the very best performance at the best price. So we can talk about it beating the ultra-exotics, but at the end of the day even if Chevy doesn't achieve that level of performance (and they probably won't) they are still likely to be putting out a product that comes at least extremely close... all at fraction of the price.

Note, by the way, that if we must compare to the ultra exotics, we're not actually talking half the price or even a quarter of the price. The very cheapest of those three is the Porsche, and it's still a million bucks. So really, we're looking at somewhere between 10-15% the price. I think I'd happily give up a few tenths for a 850g discount...

[b_t]

Originally posted by Kloubek


That's what people thought with the C4, C5, C6, and C7 as well. So far, that's exactly what Chevy has proven since 1984. Or, at least, 1985 when they got rid of that awful cross-fire injection.

I think now it is perhaps becoming a bit more difficult, due to the use of expensive materials like entire bodies made from carbon fiber. But from at least a technical standpoint (engines, suspensions, etc), Chevy has matched the best for 3 decades now.

the fast Corvettes are too much of a handful to be called real competitors to anybody. I doubt any of those guys are sweating when they see the numbers a new Vette puts up because they know what the car is like to drive

[InRich]

weird question for you fellas

anyone like the last gen c6 body (z06) better then the new body c7 equivalent?
The more I look at my car and the new body style, the more I like the c6. Of course I know I can't compare interior or power, but, just wondering if anyone shares my opinion on exterior styling alone.

There's something just... off about the new c7.

[Kloubek]

I think the C7 looks good, but doesn't seem as cohesive of a design as prior generations.

I think I might actually prefer the C5 design over the C6, in fact. (Interior excluded, of course).

[b_t]

hardtop C5 Z06s look really awesome, but the widebody C6 (Z51 / Grand Sport) is where it's at

[slinkie]

C6 grand sport is my fav too if I were to grab one, no way I'm buying a vette with no targa. It seems they are still in demand too, the grand sport and 2010+ Z06 are about the same price range used

As for the C7, I like everything about the design except for the rear. The interior is miles better than the C6 though

[Darkane]

C6 Z06 with the centennial package is my favourite.

7:22 at the ring with only 505hp.

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

The C5 Z06 was the pinnacle of Corvette exterior design for my personally. I will continue dreaming of owning one.

[InRich]

Originally posted by Twin_Cam_Turbo
The C5 Z06 was the pinnacle of Corvette exterior design for my personally. I will continue dreaming of owning one.

nah the pinnacle was the c4. for corvette anyways. What'a change!

[Sugarphreak]

...

[corsvette]

C7 makes the C6 look almost bland in comparison, they just have a presence that previous Vettes can't match.

Styling is totally subjective, but imo Chevy nailed it with the C7.

[SKR]

As far as looks go, I don't like the regular C7 very much. The C7 Z06 looks really good though. I'd still lean toward a C6 Z06 or ZR1 though, if I had my choice.

I'd rather have a C4 than a C5. Again, based just on looks.

I'd like to see a mid engined Corvette, just because I'd like to see what GM could do with the Camaro and no front engine, rear drive car in front of it. Dodge and Ford don't have that problem with their Challenger and Mustang.

[94boosted]

Originally posted by slinkie
C6 grand sport is my fav too if I were to grab one, no way I'm buying a vette with no targa. It seems they are still in demand too, the grand sport and 2010+ Z06 are about the same price range used



Yup. Had I not spent a pile of money modding the crap out of mine I could have easily listed (sold?) it for the same price I paid for it in early 2012, at least based on what similar mileage/option ones are listed for.

[Darkane]

Originally posted by SKR
As far as looks go, I don't like the regular C7 very much. The C7 Z06 looks really good though. I'd still lean toward a C6 Z06 or ZR1 though, if I had my choice.

I'd rather have a C4 than a C5. Again, based just on looks.

I'd like to see a mid engined Corvette, just because I'd like to see what GM could do with the Camaro and no front engine, rear drive car in front of it. Dodge and Ford don't have that problem with their Challenger and Mustang.

Dodge does/did with the viper. But guess what they didn't give a fuck.

707hp in a 30k rental car.

[SKR]

Originally posted by Darkane


Dodge does/did with the viper. But guess what they didn't give a fuck.

707hp in a 30k rental car.

The Viper was a V10 though. GM has two V8 RWD cars, and if one is going to be better, it's always going to be the Corvette.

I don't think they've officially said what the ZL1 is going to have for power, other than "at least 640hp". Maybe it'll end up higher than the Z06, but I would guess it'll follow the official unofficial rule that nothing can make more power than the Corvette. Shitcanning that rule would work for me too. All I want is a 700+hp ZL1.