Rear mid engine would require heavy bracing to keep the engine in the rear in a frontal impact. A 200 mph car would require a lot of heavy bracing. The current layout performs really well as is. Oversteer and understeer are not really a problem.

 

Absolutely no way. Let's not forget that GM is only 3 years away from bankruptcy, and still owes the US a tremendous amount of money. So where does GM get the huge investment required to change from RWD to AWD? Moreover, I don't see where Vette owners have been clamoring for AWD. Sounds like a high risk low reward undertaking to me. I would much rather have GM invest their limited funds into making the interior of the C7 best in class. I would expect that most C7 buyers would chose an outstanding interior over AWD, if only one of the two options were possible.

 

I doubt heritage would get in the way. Many people have dreamt of it. I'm sure I would be delighted to see this happening. If you can build it at the same cost and reliability, go for it.

 

I hardly think it is a choice between a great interior OR an AWD option. An outstanding interior should be an obvious expectation and AWD should be an expensive option, just like a ZR1 is.

 

The motor belongs up front where it has always been. Period.

 

 

Under ideal circumstances I agree, but in GM's current financial state I'd be happy if they could just get the interior issue resolved. Read C6's car reviews for the past few years and they all have a similar theme: great performace at a reasonable price, but the interior is similar to that of an economy car. Moreover, adding an AWD option is not an inexpensive undertaking. Porsche has offered AWD 911s for a very long time, and it's still about a $4K option. I would have to believe that GM would have to charge at least $5K for AWD even if they allowed at least 2 - 3 years to recover their costs.

My guess is that no more than 10 - 15% of C7 buyers would have any interest in AWD, and that number could be decreased significantly depending upon its price. Bottom line is that the AWD option is high risk, low reward for GM since I doubt that Corvette's sales will increase significantly by offering AWD. On the other hand if the C7 has an interior equal to or exceeding that of an Audi, BMW or Porsche, GM will very likely take some market share from its sports car competitors.

 

I apologize to the OP for going on a tangent: mid-engine to AWD. Nevertheless, the financial hurdles would still be there in either case, but if GM could offer a mid-engine C7 without raising prices significantly, it would be awesome. If you can find a Porsche Spyder on a Dealer's lot, please test drive it, especially if there's a winding road nearby. It's the best handling car that I have ever driven.

 

If GM wanted, I believe they could easily make the Corvette a mid-engined car by modifying its existing chassis and keeping the exact wheelbase dimensions. The transaxle would be mounted to the engine directly. Something similar to the De Tomaso Pantera.

See below chart dimension and pictures of the Pantera.



Pantera Images



Seeing as the engine bay is laid out, it will make it harder for the DIY to service their own cars, UNLESS the rear end opens up as whole clamshell type like the C4 Corvette hood.

However the Corvette wheelbase is 6 inches longer and I believe that the transaxle is somewhat more compact then the Pantera's ZF Transmission.

GM could easily convert the Corvette into a mid-engine car, but are the Corvette owners willing to sacrifice the ease of maintenance and trunk space for a sexier looking Corvette?

 

It could be done, but not "easily". There is a certain amount of practicality in the C6 that (most, probably) owners need and use. I certainly do, especially on trips. I would not want to see that practicality severely diminished. It would hurt sales to a greater extent than the change of engine position would augment sales, I think.

Could GM change the engine layout and still retain practicality?

 

I was about 10 years old when my cousin took me to a sprawling home across his street in Towson, Maryland around 1969. The guy had a chain of gas stations and he just bought a De Tomaso " Mangusta ", the predecessor of the Pantera .The car was gorgeous and really ahead of it's time but had a lot of teething problems.

 

The Pantera is a sight to behold, both on the freeway or at a car show.

 

Sorry, I used the term "easily" in reference that a corporation like GM does have the resources to make it happen.

I do agree with everything you say, its why I ended my comment with a question mark, if Corvette owners were willing to give up ease of DIY maintenance and truck space for a lower (5.7 inches) looking corvette.

I love its current layout as it is.

 

John T, I was 12 years old when I first saw the Pantera in 1972. It was left in a VW car dealer service lot was Yellow with a black interior. Till this day I can remember every detail from that car. You had to mention the Mangusta

When I was in my mid 20's (mid 80's) there was one abandoned at a gas station. French Canadian Gas station owner was just asking for $5000 cash for it to get it off his lot. It had caught on fire nothing serious, body and engine bay was okay naturally some work had to be done to the engine and body other then that everything seemed fine.

I recall asking the gas station owner are you sure you want to sell it at $5000 thinking he probably made a mistake? The guy had no idea what he had in his possession and his response in French was he had no money to waste fixing an Italian engine & car. I kept quiet.

Till this day I never forgave myself for hesitating too long in buying it. I had 3000 cash and asked for a bank loan of $2000 to pay the difference. As soon as the bank told me it was approved I called the guy to say ok I'll buy it, and he responds back it was just sold 30 minutes ago

As SanDiegoBert mentioned They are sight to behold, both on the freeway or at a car show. 41 years later they still look great!!!

 

Now just go build yer own and forget about it!
http://www.factoryfive.com/kits/gtm-supercar/

 

I've heard all kinds of rumors about a supercharged six cylinder mid engine corvette.
Our beloved American sports car would not benefit from trying to copy its European competition. The American muscle v8 is huge part of the car's heritage and cool factor.

 

It's deja vu all over again.

 

 

I feel your pain John R, I have consistently made similar mistakes my whole life!

 

I think it's already here guy's, take a close look at the 2012 Corvette Daytona Prototype that they are now racing in the Grand-Am Road Race Series, It wouldn't surprise me if we were looking at the C8 in 5 or 6 years, it already has the Corvette front area, coke bottle shape with vented fenders and 4 Corvette tail lights. Check it out on line to see what i mean.