Yup, inline six with a two speed automatic, (but I forgot all about her when the thing got a V-8 and became an icon)

 

Yeah, sorry for the poor wording. Ferrari WAS always doing beautiful front engine coupes before they started with the mid engine designs.
They have gone back for their big coupes again, while still doing the mid engine exotics, which most would agree are much less user friendly.
GM

 

The C6 is a sports car not a GT. Ferrari also produces front engined cars with a 40/60 weight balance.

I think that honda proved a mid engined car doesn't have to be less user friendly. I also think that GM doesn't want to rest on it's achievements with the C5-6 only to lose the market share it has been gaining in recent years. Going to a mid engined setup will dramatically increase the WOW factor for corvette. Given the compact dimensions of the LS series engines you would probably see the engine set up similiar to what porsche did with the cayman. A dry sump LS3 just in front of the drive wheels would offer a substantial improvement in braking and traction. Since this setup would have an all new chassis, the engine could be mounted much lower further improving vehicle dynamics. Having the engine behind the driver allows for a lower hood and dash lines with potentially improved aero as well.

If this actually takes place be prepared for endless threads about how everyone hates the new car. Once a few owners get thier hands on the thing the tide will turn and everyone will love them. For examples, go back and review the threads just before the C6 was released or do a search on "pop-ups".


GM will release a book detailing the design and development of the new car and the C7 will be worshiped and the C5-6 will be thought of as old tech and discarded like the C4.


Of course what GM will probably due is just throw on new body panels and add 50 HP......thread over.

 

I don't want this to devolve into an uninteresting semantic debate, and forgetting that the classic definition of "sports car" requires that it be a roadster, I think most would classify the C6 firmly in GT territory. Perhaps more to the point, the C6 is certainly what Ferrari would call a GT. So whatever the 550, 575 and 599 are, that's what the C6 is.
Which ones? The 456, 550, and 575 are nearly 50/50, but slightly front-heavy; the 612 and 599 are actually slightly rear-heavy.
The NSX interior and cargo capacity is tiny in comparison with the C6. The current rumors are that its replacement will be front-engined.
That's true, but that's about the only reason to do it: novelty.

 

I will bet you a case of beer that it will not.

 

on ferrari's second go 'round the 599 and 612. 40 front and 60 rear which is done because it provides superior handling dynamics. Placing the entire drivetrain just ahead of the rear wheels is even better.

 

Perhaps, but it would take a highly-skilled driver to exploit the handling advantages of a mid-engined car over a more conventional configuration. At least IMHO. I have had mid-engined cars and saw little in the way of advantages while scaring the snot out of myself a few times in wet or cold (icy) weather. Owing to the low polar movement of the design, there is little warning when the car wants to spin. I'd rather have that big hunk or aluminum hanging between the rear wheels and the rear bumper, as in my 911s, than a mid-engine.

As others have said, unless GM has somehow figured they could gain more cargo space, the only reason for a mid-engine configuration would be a means of showcasing their technical capability.

I really don't care if they do it or not, but I can assure you I won't be on the waiting list for one.

 

In addition to offering better handling, the mid-engine layout also makes it possible to have a low-profile, all-wheel drive car.

There has been talk that the C7 will try to match the C6Z for HP (as the C6 did the C5Z). A C6Z can be difficult to handle, especially in wet conditions - it is scary to think of a car with similar handling characteristics in rental fleets or in the hands of inexperienced or irresponsible drivers (with a lower price point and greater production numbers, this is bound to happen).

Unless gas prices derail the HP war, there will be, at some point, serious questions that need to be addressed regarding public safety. A mid-engine, AWD C7 may at least forestall those questions. And, incidentally, I think aesthetics and heritage will take a back seat to liability and marketing issues.

 

The 599 weight distribution is 47% front, 53% rear. The 612 weight distribution is 46% front and 54% rear. Source: Ferrari