Just want to be sure we all caught this:

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-new-pics.html

 

Don't see a need for a Corvette with the engine behind the driver. If you want an exotic, just buy an exotic.

 

The mid-engine Corvette.
http://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/news/...age=AAmqf52|29

 

And another article here
http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars...te-spy-photos/

 

I heard that the other day and I'm pretty stoked. Although I'll not be able to afford one until they're ten years old I'm excited about the prospect of taking a ride in one!

 

I've been hearing that same story from popular mechanics and Motor trend since 1960... Although I left GM in 2001 and from the Corvette design studio.. that mid engine rumor has been just a joke ( in house )for the last 50 years. Along those same rumor mills say its going to be a DOHC engine. Also culturally and historically, poison for the Corvette Brand.

But who knows, I saw the Euro look being slowly introduced into the American heritage of what was once an American Icon, looks like they want to turn it into a multi national icon. IM happy I left GM when I did.

I never worked a day in my life while there.
Bill aka ET

 

my guess, the midengine car with the dohc engine will be Cadillac branded,to go with road racing program. Like ET said, the mid engine thing would be a vette killer.

 

Only one response, but should probably keep these threads all together:

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-together.html

 

say it ain't so, we're getting further and further away from our roots. One day we will wake up to the announcement GM will no longer produce a Corvette...

 

There maybe a Cadillac version but I bet Corvette is going rear mid-engine. I say bring it on. The C7 is at the limit for its configuration.

 

Seems like a bit more smoke but who knows if there is fire there?

I do like the idea of two, one super car not limited by price to compete apples for apples on the world stage and one "affordable" car with higher levels of the latter in between to keep all the super cars on there toes.

I really don't think it would kill the Vette to do it like this. The super car is not going to hurt the regular Vette as I think it is obviously a different market for the most part. It may prove to give the whole line a boost if it is a world beater.

And would that not be cool

 

I still don't think it will be a Vette. The obvious signs show they are working on something, but I think it will be a Cadillac branded car. It's a bit more plausible if they release a mid engine "super Vette" along with the other cars. Kind of like the ZR1 super Vette.

See, it already doesn't make any sense...

 

Super cars are much more money than a ZR1. It makes no sense to me GM would step on the vette to make a super caddie.

But who knows there was a Vette killing Buick in the 80's

 

All this hype with unknown and in most cases unverified insider information. Problem is they only want to sell magazines, and will offer " Alternate Facts" in an attempt to do so.

 

.... all good points! If there is a mid-engine "super car" (for millionaire types), can the C7 platform remain in place as a ZR1 and Z06 with improvements and or become the C8?

 

There is a pic of a mid engine car there, speculation is fun and harmless.

Selling mags or advertising on there web sight is for sure true.

$300k to $400k would sure take any handcuffs off to let them be a world class competitor, just look at what they can do with 1/3 of it. Not too shabby.

 

I can only speak as an insider... here is a fact, they made a quarter million C5's. they made 7,000 dollars a copy give or take..with an MSRP at 50,000 vs. cost to manufacture., they could have made the same car to compete with the 911, reduce to number in half and increased the cost to be still under the 911, and make 14,000 on a single unit.

Problem is, I know how GM works from the inside. The first thing they do ( did ) was to determine the demographic. the target market. they want the Corvette to be the flagship for the middle class who could aspire to own a corvette. There was never any drive to attain or go after the super rich or super cars. GM has the resources to make a 200,000 car. Ford has the F1 and its not a money maker. its the common man's exotic,, it does not really appeal to the supper rich.

The evolution of super cars comes from a lineage of super cars. Ferrari does not have a Malibu or a Cruise in their stable.

Unless there has been a dramatic shift in the mission statement and focus at GM and Corvette, I can't see them pushing the 200K market. They might be testing the waters with the 120K C7 full package Carbon Z. I cant see them jumping into a dramatic shift to a mid engine. Its Not GM and its Not Corvette. And Corvette, Like the FI is not a desirable car for the super rich.. You won't see any Corvettes in Dubai. It would be an embarrassment to the Son of a billionaire. BY and large Corvettes are 60K, sure you can spend more, but its a 60K car at entry.. Once the Corvette stable is at 100K entry to 150K, a mid engine might be in the evolution. I just don't think we are there yet. and to my knowledge no one at Corvette is supporting the notion of going away from push rods.

Push rods are reliable.. you will never get a DOHC V8 to be certified for 200,000 miles. DOHC cars run at twice the RPMs and are worn out at half the time. I don't think GM will give up engine reliability to appeal to a market that they have never wanted to be involved with

 

I know this is your wheelhouse, I agree it would be a complete departure from the past for GM to do this. I'm sure you are right but........if they were going to do it, it would not be for money (I don't think at least not directly) and two cars and platforms would would be the only way to make it work without loosing the current following and be able to keep the reliability of a pushrod engine.

 

Two threads going on this.


"It's coming"

 

When you are talking about the Ford F1 do you mean the Ford GT?

I think GM is going to go the mid engine route to have a car that can compete better in their racing programs. Porsche has been moving the engine in board more and more to make it a mid engine car (almost), Ford has the GT, Ferrari, Audi R10, the list goes on. The C7 has been a competitive package but I think it is nearing its limits. They had a hard time being in 4th at Daytona and couldn't qualify anywhere near the top.

I am not sure I would worry about DOHC and reliability. Other manufacturers have been making reliable DOHC engines for some time now. My SOHC Datsun motor is still running strong from 1973.

Engine platforms are changing. We are seeing smaller and smaller motors from all the manufacturers, with many of them using turbo chargers. Engine are being expected to be more efficient while producing less pollutants. I really think GM will be making these changes shortly.

Maybe I don't know what I am talking about. Wouldn't be the first time and I sure it won't be the last. But with the pictures above and information we have I would say we are closer to a GM mid engined car than we ever have.