Mid Engine likely for c7
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,858
Likes: 1
From: Burlington County NJ
Mid Engine likely for c7
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,890
Likes: 1,198
From: Ft. Myers FL
Deja vue all over again. They talked about this in the 80's. Too expensive for one. Cooling & maintainance is another problem. Plus Chevrolet wants to keep the price accessible for an average person to buy. If I'm wrong I'll switch to lite beer.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 21,841
Likes: 140
From: When all is said and done... there is a hell of a lot more said than done. Riverside,Texas
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '26
The handling of a mid-engined car is not so forgiving as the current design. The "average Joe" could get into some serious trouble pretty quickly. I don't think you'll ever see it in the "standard" vette.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 8,205
Likes: 40
From: Tucson AZ
Dave Hill told me they would never do this, in part, for the reasons given above. Of course, he is retired now and the new thinkers may be a bit less conservative...
Who would ever guess that GM would consider a $100,000 sports car????? 
Who would ever guess that GM would consider a $100,000 sports car?????
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Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Mill Creek WA
The two major undisputed advantages are: (1) better traction on accleration, and (2) better braking. A third advantage is improved cornering due to greater traction at the rear wheels, allowing for earlier application of power. The issue that the handling is not as safe at the limit needs to be addressed. Most of the bad handling at the limit (think 911s before the 996 model) is directly traced to improper rear suspension geometry allowing for toe-out during lift throttle. Toe-out induces loss of traction and "over steer." I think that proper rear suspension design (think double A-arm suspension like the C5/C6) would solve that problem.
Race cars since the early 1960's have demonstrated the advantages of rear mid-engine/rear wheel drive. You don't see ANY front engine/real wheel drive purpose-designed race cars. The disadvantages for street cars with rear mid-engine/rear wheel drive are: (1) the car is usually limited to 2-seats only (not a problem for Corvetttes), and (2) more limited luggage space. The limitation on luggage space is, I think, the only real disadvantage for Corvette owners.
Race cars since the early 1960's have demonstrated the advantages of rear mid-engine/rear wheel drive. You don't see ANY front engine/real wheel drive purpose-designed race cars. The disadvantages for street cars with rear mid-engine/rear wheel drive are: (1) the car is usually limited to 2-seats only (not a problem for Corvetttes), and (2) more limited luggage space. The limitation on luggage space is, I think, the only real disadvantage for Corvette owners.
Last edited by Silverton; Aug 24, 2007 at 03:53 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: Sayre PA
I do not think the cost would be prohibitive, the Acura NSX only cost 90,000, with out dealer mark ups, I would imagine the corvette would much less to manufacture than the nsx with its hand welded aluminum body.
I know this would has been debated a bit, so no use in speculating.
I picture in my mind an NSX with vette power and price of admission, I would buy it in a heart beat.
I know this would has been debated a bit, so no use in speculating.
I picture in my mind an NSX with vette power and price of admission, I would buy it in a heart beat.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 18,396
Likes: 169
If GM does go for a 'limited production' mid-motored Corvette, it's just anothe example of GM brass following another companies lead. Do you think that the Camero would be coming if Ford had not re-made the retro Mustang? No. A mid-motored Vette is nothing but GM's answer to the GT500. I'm short on time here, but most of GM's new designe are proceded by either Ford, Chrysler, Nissan, or some other company doing it first. If I ran GM, I'd fire their complete design team, and hire some people with some brains and original design ideas. Not a bunch of copycats!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,040
Likes: 0
From: North Liberty IA
St. Jude Donor '07
I don't think it will ever happen.
Has there ever been a generation of Corvette where the rumor wasn't "the next generation will be mid-engined".
It's just not a Corvette if they do.
I'd bet good money the C7 will be front/rear.
Has there ever been a generation of Corvette where the rumor wasn't "the next generation will be mid-engined".
It's just not a Corvette if they do.
I'd bet good money the C7 will be front/rear.
