will there ever be a mid-engine supercar?
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will there ever be a mid-engine supercar?
I will just wondering if the General will ever produce a mid-engine supercar? I think that times are changing and the younger buy with money would buy an American made mid-engine supercar.I would like some feedback.
Le Mans Master
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From: Oakland, CA
Unlike Ford, GM already has a high-reaching halo car. Really, Corvette's success gets in the way of a mid-engined supercar. How do you justify it? The business case is far from assurred. GM's problem is similar to Porsche's with the 911, except without Porsche's deep well of brand loyalty among the very rich who can support supercar side projects, and without the same need for the brand to reinvest in a high-end sports car identity.
If GM builds a mid-engined supercar, it undercuts the Corvette. It begs the question, couldn't you make your old formula work anymore? Was it really not good enough all this time? Not just in terms of competing as a performance car, but serving as a corporate halo.
.Jinx
If GM builds a mid-engined supercar, it undercuts the Corvette. It begs the question, couldn't you make your old formula work anymore? Was it really not good enough all this time? Not just in terms of competing as a performance car, but serving as a corporate halo.
.Jinx
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From: Short Hills, NJ
Unlike Ford, GM already has a high-reaching halo car. Really, Corvette's success gets in the way of a mid-engined supercar. How do you justify it? The business case is far from assurred. GM's problem is similar to Porsche's with the 911, except without Porsche's deep well of brand loyalty among the very rich who can support supercar side projects, and without the same need for the brand to reinvest in a high-end sports car identity.
If GM builds a mid-engined supercar, it undercuts the Corvette. It begs the question, couldn't you make your old formula work anymore? Was it really not good enough all this time? Not just in terms of competing as a performance car, but serving as a corporate halo.
If GM builds a mid-engined supercar, it undercuts the Corvette. It begs the question, couldn't you make your old formula work anymore? Was it really not good enough all this time? Not just in terms of competing as a performance car, but serving as a corporate halo.
Le Mans Master
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St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
I think GM shelved the idea a long time ago when they killed the CERV III in 1990 or so. Zora developed earlier rear mid-engine cars and GM would never go for it, and that was back in the "flush" days. I just can't see them approving that cost today.
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Many high end super cars are mid-engined for a reason, but there are advantages and disadvantages to every design.
Le Mans Master
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They already have. The C4, C5, and C6 Corvettes are all Mid-engined and they all had top notch performance. The C$ held a number of speed records. The C5 Z06 kicked Much tail, and the C6 ZR1 removed all doubt.
Melting Slicks
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From: Cali for ya Republic
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Though the motor in the C4/C5/C6 is in front of the driver, the cars really aren't 'truly' front engined. And that mid-front engine design does in fact bring the Corvette's weight distribution much closer to 50/50 (in fact, a dead on 50/50 in some models during some years) than any mid engined/rear engined car.
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50/50 is not the ideal weight distribution. Especially if aerodynamics are at work. To be frank, it amazes me that the GTE-pro vette and m3 do so well; but if I am correct I believe they are still allowed to use traction control. 
Team Owner
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From: Short Hills, NJ
But in a high performance street/sports car that's being piloted by both average laymen (housewives holding cell phones up to their ears...drivers who've never driven 'over the speed limit' their entire lives etc.) and very skilled drivers alike, the Corvette's 'near' 50/50 (51/49) might be the better combo.
Le Mans Master
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St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
.... But in a high performance street/sports car that's being piloted by both average laymen (housewives holding cell phones up to their ears...drivers who've never driven 'over the speed limit' their entire lives etc.) and very skilled drivers alike, the Corvette's 'near' 50/50 (51/49) might be the better combo.
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Yes, but with traction control whats the difference. GM would never again have released something as tricky as an early corvair or 911, but now whats the caveat (besides slightly limited storage) to a higher-limit mid-engine car if its reeled in by advanced TC systems? None I say.
Burning Brakes
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From: Alpha/Coopersburg NJ/PA
There could be yes, especially in the area of straight line traction (more weight over the drive wheels etc.).
Many high end super cars are mid-engined for a reason, but there are advantages and disadvantages to every design.
Many high end super cars are mid-engined for a reason, but there are advantages and disadvantages to every design.
Also, lets face it, rear-mid engines are like gull wing doors-tough to live with, tough to work on, but insanely cool.
Team Owner
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This. If you watch high frame-rate video captures of Corvette launches, particularly high powered Vettes like the Z06 and ZR1, the car initially lurches backwards as the power locks in, and its that jolt, and a sort of micro-bounce through the chasis, more than the rotation of the tires, that seems to break the car loose. If you have the engine squatting on the back wheels, you can achieve a better RWD grip and possibly a faster launch.
Also, lets face it, rear-mid engines are like gull wing doors-tough to live with, tough to work on, but insanely cool.
Also, lets face it, rear-mid engines are like gull wing doors-tough to live with, tough to work on, but insanely cool.
Burning Brakes
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From: Saint Johns Florida
Also true, otherwise Formula One cars would be an exact 50/50 and they're usually not (but they can be close to it, especially on certain tracks/set ups).
But in a high performance street/sports car that's being piloted by both average laymen (housewives holding cell phones up to their ears...drivers who've never driven 'over the speed limit' their entire lives etc.) and very skilled drivers alike, the Corvette's 'near' 50/50 (51/49) might be the better combo.
But in a high performance street/sports car that's being piloted by both average laymen (housewives holding cell phones up to their ears...drivers who've never driven 'over the speed limit' their entire lives etc.) and very skilled drivers alike, the Corvette's 'near' 50/50 (51/49) might be the better combo.
Actually, by FIM rules F1 cars must be +/- about .5%: 54.1% rear 45.9% front.
Ferrari Enzo is 44% front 56% rear. and they claimed that was ideal.
Lambo Gallardo is 43% front 57% rear and they claimed that is perfect.
Last edited by hig4s; Feb 13, 2012 at 02:23 PM.