C7 - Mid Engine !!??
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2002
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Cruise-In 11 Veteran
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'10
The mid-engine rumor has been around for years and has yet to come to pass. I don't expect it to be on the next Corvette either.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,813
Likes: 287
From: Toronto Ontario Canada
That's only because it was recently published in a magazine (exact wording and year) which tells me it is bull. Don't expect the C7 in '09. There were quite a few threads on this a couple of weeks ago.
The mid-engine rumor has been around for years and has yet to come to pass. I don't expect it to be on the next Corvette either.
The mid-engine rumor has been around for years and has yet to come to pass. I don't expect it to be on the next Corvette either.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 922
Likes: 0
From: Nova Scotia Canada
My dealer principle was very convinced it would be mid engine. GM wants to go "up-scale" in their thinking and create new excitement for the car. He was briefed it would be a mid 09 launch for the mid engine car as a 2010 model.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,813
Likes: 287
From: Toronto Ontario Canada
They made some big changes for 2008 and a lot of us are dumping our current C6 to have the latest and greatest. I suspect this will happen again with a new mid-engine model. Good marketing since it is the enthusiast crowd that keeps wanting the newest model and we will drop lots of money to make it this way.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,606
Likes: 88
From: Sammamish WA
The real advantage of a mid-engined design is pretty much only realized on the race track. Having owned at least a couple mid-engined cars during my driving lifetime, I would just as soon GM keeps the current front-engined design, at least for a while longer. I can't see any advantages in terms of regular daily use. Besides, a mid-engined car with Corvette HP could have the GM legal department and their product liability attorneys laying awake all night.
Finally, if mid-engine was the way to go, why did they discontinue the Pontiac Fiero?
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Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 82,175
Likes: 1,319
From: McKinney TX
St. Jude Donor '21-'22-'23-'24
Some of these threads say the C7 will be a mid-engine car. Take your pick. 
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1742967
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1743400
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1743476
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1744183
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1744571
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...post1560888339
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1756831
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1762205
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1742967
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1743400
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1743476
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1744183
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1744571
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...post1560888339
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1756831
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1762205
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,606
Likes: 88
From: Sammamish WA
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,056
Likes: 10
From: Wisconsin
Rest assured that I would NOT purchase one of the mid engine cars for several years after initial production. Let the problems begin.
Remember back in the 80's when Pontiac came out with their mid engine sports car.
There, got my 2 cents in.
Remember back in the 80's when Pontiac came out with their mid engine sports car.
There, got my 2 cents in.
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
Despite tradition and the virtually perfect weight distribution of the C6, I wouldn't be surprised to see a mid-engine C7. From a marketing innovation perspective, it makes sense. If the styling and performance were right, it might just be the most awesome Corvette ever. I'd look at it with an open mind.
If the C7 is mid-engine, that will cement my decision to keep my C6 when I buy the C7.
If the C7 is mid-engine, that will cement my decision to keep my C6 when I buy the C7.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 433
Likes: 1
From: Montreal
As I mentioned before, it is a possiblity when you compare car dimensions. The Corvette can be easily be transformed into a midengine due to its wheelbase. Heres chart I made showing various car dimensions.
Lets take note that GM will soon be releasing the Camaro, which will most probably come with a V6 and V8 powerplants and diffrent model range convertible hardtop, SS/RS.
With that said once the camaro is released it will probably be using the LS3 engine producing 436 HP and an SS or RS using an LS7 powerplant.
With that being said, many customers would think why should I buy a more expensive Corvette when I can have the same power, and more room in a Camaro and it would cost cheaper then a Corvette.
Perhaps GM intention is to stop this comparison by moving the Corvette more upstream, with the base Corvette being a 505HP and the top of the line Corvette being a mid-engined beast.
Thats my $0.02
If my memory is correct, there was a time when GM wanted to remove the Corvette from the Chevy banner and making the Corvette a division by itself.
It's anyones guess what GM is mapping out for Corvettes future.
Lets take note that GM will soon be releasing the Camaro, which will most probably come with a V6 and V8 powerplants and diffrent model range convertible hardtop, SS/RS.
With that said once the camaro is released it will probably be using the LS3 engine producing 436 HP and an SS or RS using an LS7 powerplant.
With that being said, many customers would think why should I buy a more expensive Corvette when I can have the same power, and more room in a Camaro and it would cost cheaper then a Corvette.
Perhaps GM intention is to stop this comparison by moving the Corvette more upstream, with the base Corvette being a 505HP and the top of the line Corvette being a mid-engined beast.
Thats my $0.02
If my memory is correct, there was a time when GM wanted to remove the Corvette from the Chevy banner and making the Corvette a division by itself.
It's anyones guess what GM is mapping out for Corvettes future.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,493
Likes: 809
From: West coast CA
...and back to front-engined about 12 years ago. All of Ferrari's GT cars have had the engine up front for over a decade now.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,606
Likes: 88
From: Sammamish WA
As I mentioned before, it is a possiblity when you compare car dimensions. The Corvette can be easily be transformed into a midengine due to its wheelbase. Heres chart I made showing various car dimensions.
Lets take note that GM will soon be releasing the Camaro, which will most probably come with a V6 and V8 powerplants and diffrent model range convertible hardtop, SS/RS.
With that said once the camaro is released it will probably be using the LS3 engine producing 436 HP and an SS or RS using an LS7 powerplant.
With that being said, many customers would think why should I buy a more expensive Corvette when I can have the same power, and more room in a Camaro and it would cost cheaper then a Corvette.
Perhaps GM intention is to stop this comparison by moving the Corvette more upstream, with the base Corvette being a 505HP and the top of the line Corvette being a mid-engined beast.
Thats my $0.02
If my memory is correct, there was a time when GM wanted to remove the Corvette from the Chevy banner and making the Corvette a division by itself.
It's anyones guess what GM is mapping out for Corvettes future.
Lets take note that GM will soon be releasing the Camaro, which will most probably come with a V6 and V8 powerplants and diffrent model range convertible hardtop, SS/RS.
With that said once the camaro is released it will probably be using the LS3 engine producing 436 HP and an SS or RS using an LS7 powerplant.
With that being said, many customers would think why should I buy a more expensive Corvette when I can have the same power, and more room in a Camaro and it would cost cheaper then a Corvette.
Perhaps GM intention is to stop this comparison by moving the Corvette more upstream, with the base Corvette being a 505HP and the top of the line Corvette being a mid-engined beast.
Thats my $0.02
If my memory is correct, there was a time when GM wanted to remove the Corvette from the Chevy banner and making the Corvette a division by itself.
It's anyones guess what GM is mapping out for Corvettes future.
Frankly, I don't think withthe current regime in place, GM will do anything that puts them at further risk of losing more market share. The scenario re the Camaro with the LS3, vis-a-vis the Corvette in the marketplace, makes sense, but I don't trust the mental giants at GM product planning to do anything that radical.
If anything they will find yet another way to compete with themselves and offer products like the Solstice and the Saturn Sky.
BTW, seems to me I read many years ago that GM was considering moving the Corvette to the Oldsmobile division to give Olds more performance image and to move the Corvette upstream into a higher price bracket.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 922
Likes: 0
From: Nova Scotia Canada
There is no doubt, after my discussion today with the DP that the mid engine is on the books. Will it slip a year I don't know but mid 09 looks feasible.
You don't need too much more power to be exotic and a mid engine redesigned Corvette will certainly compete in that category.
I suspect however that once the Camero is here and the C7 is unveiled, the price would be up by a good 10-15K at least.
Will it sell, hell yes.
You don't need too much more power to be exotic and a mid engine redesigned Corvette will certainly compete in that category.
I suspect however that once the Camero is here and the C7 is unveiled, the price would be up by a good 10-15K at least.
Will it sell, hell yes.
I'll believe it when I see it.