Mid Engine Corvette
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 22
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Mid Engine Corvette
GM wanted to make the C7 a mid engine car, but the FG took over, and with the cost savings the mid engine was postponed for better days.
What do you think about this concept? The mid engine will improve the traction at the rear tires, thus improving the 0-60 and 1/4 mile times. The improved balance will make the Corvette much more of a drivers car, with better handling.
But, how will the customers react to this change? We are talking about 60 years of tradition front engine rear wheels, it is not easy to say good bye to such heritage.
Your thoughts?
What do you think about this concept? The mid engine will improve the traction at the rear tires, thus improving the 0-60 and 1/4 mile times. The improved balance will make the Corvette much more of a drivers car, with better handling.
But, how will the customers react to this change? We are talking about 60 years of tradition front engine rear wheels, it is not easy to say good bye to such heritage.
Your thoughts?
Last edited by CorvetteMacedonia; Jul 20, 2012 at 04:05 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 10,776
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Now is that the silly mid-front definition you want to discuss or the real mid-engine design that GM won't ever do? Talk about ruination of a brand!!
The idea that the mid-engine design was put off because of the "FG" is laughable.
The idea that the mid-engine design was put off because of the "FG" is laughable.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Mid engine is the next logical step. The heavy engine on the front produces low grip on the rear tires, the corvette spins them easily. But if you look at a Porsche, it has tremendous grip at the start. I know Porsche is not a mid engine car, but you could see the result when the engine sits on the tires. The Porsche has better grip on the start with the rear engine, but its not so balanced in the corners. The mid engine would be slightly worse at the start but much more balanced in the corners.
Also the front engine makes the Corvette's heavy nose dive on hard braking. This will be much improved with mid engine. Everything is FOR a mid engine Corvette, except for the pedigree. Corvette's has always been the american formula FR. Can they brake the formula? Varcix thinks they can.
@BlueOx
I don't fully understand what are trying to say.
@are8see
You think so? I am new here I wouldn't know
Also the front engine makes the Corvette's heavy nose dive on hard braking. This will be much improved with mid engine. Everything is FOR a mid engine Corvette, except for the pedigree. Corvette's has always been the american formula FR. Can they brake the formula? Varcix thinks they can.
@BlueOx
I don't fully understand what are trying to say.
@are8see
You think so? I am new here I wouldn't know
Team Owner
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 23,480
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From: East Meadow NY
St. Jude Donor '12
I doubt a rear mid configuration will ever happen. There may be some advantages to the rear-mid configuration, but they generally suck for maintenance, cooling system is harder to design, cargo capacity and passenger room (not as big of a problem for 2 seat cars). If you do start to lose it, they can be harder to recover because of the extra inertia coming from the ear.
Last edited by chaase; Jul 20, 2012 at 10:33 AM.
Race Director
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Not sure what you don't understand.
GM has been harassed to do a true mid-engine design for most of it's history but has refused. This has nothing to do with the FG being involved or not.
Some have said that the Corvette is already a mid-engine design but it clearly is not in GM's thinking.
I think a true mid-engine Corvette would be far more likely to 'ruin' the Corvette brand than AWD. It would clearly require a complete separate redesign of the chassis AND drivetrain whereas AWD would not. Both AWD and RWD cars could potentially be done with a single chassis design.
Of course, it is all speculation...
GM has been harassed to do a true mid-engine design for most of it's history but has refused. This has nothing to do with the FG being involved or not.
Some have said that the Corvette is already a mid-engine design but it clearly is not in GM's thinking.
I think a true mid-engine Corvette would be far more likely to 'ruin' the Corvette brand than AWD. It would clearly require a complete separate redesign of the chassis AND drivetrain whereas AWD would not. Both AWD and RWD cars could potentially be done with a single chassis design.
Of course, it is all speculation...
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 838
Likes: 81
From: Yorba Linda CA
I would guess that GM will always keep the Corvette a Front Engine Rear Drive platform. At least for the forseeable future.
It's easy enough to revive an old name or make a new model that shares parts with current production vehicles. Maybe even the Caddy brand could take on the 'exotic' version.
Why mess with something that's rock solid in the performance and profit categories?
It's easy enough to revive an old name or make a new model that shares parts with current production vehicles. Maybe even the Caddy brand could take on the 'exotic' version.
Why mess with something that's rock solid in the performance and profit categories?
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Safety Car
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From: GA (some days)
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2012
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As far as I remember the mid design was clearly in GM's thinking in the past decade, but financial problems were always an obstacle. When FG took over, they just scraped the mid engine plans and decided to use the C6 as a basis for the C7, which is not a bad idea at all.
@redvette77
I did, and it gave 0 threads about it!
@redvette77
I did, and it gave 0 threads about it!
Melting Slicks
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From: Kentucky
Race Director
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It depends on how the AWD system is designed. If you look at an example of the FF, for instance, it would appear that both an AWD and RWD version could be done with one chassis design, based on how similar it is to the C5/C6 drivetrain.
Last edited by BlueOx; Jul 20, 2012 at 11:15 AM.
Safety Car
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From: GA (some days)
The engine has to be either raised to get the front drive unit under it, causing a significant increase in the front profile (along with a higher overall CG) and leading to design issues with the remaining structure aft of the taller engine compartment, or the engine has to be shifted to the rear to allow room for the the drive unit in front of the engine, causing design issues with the passenger compartment and with the overall drivetrain routing and design (additional weight and complexity vs the higher engine option).
Melting Slicks
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St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14, '16
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The engine has to be either raised to get the front drive unit under it, causing a significant increase in the front profile (along with a higher overall CG) and leading to design issues with the remaining structure aft of the taller engine compartment, or the engine has to be shifted to the rear to allow room for the the drive unit in front of the engine, causing design issues with the passenger compartment and with the overall drivetrain routing and design (additional weight and complexity vs the higher engine option).
Also not necessarily. The wheelbase could be lengthened, which it looks like it already has been in this early spy shot.
Race Director
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The engine has to be either raised to get the front drive unit under it, causing a significant increase in the front profile (along with a higher overall CG) and leading to design issues with the remaining structure aft of the taller engine compartment, or the engine has to be shifted to the rear to allow room for the the drive unit in front of the engine, causing design issues with the passenger compartment and with the overall drivetrain routing and design (additional weight and complexity vs the higher engine option).