LT4_CE

This is common sense, what you're saying. But doesn't it seem a bit more real this time? Especially since we have the so called spy shots of the mid-engine test cars?

Well, you seem to have all the facts to fill the void left by the General, who is conspicuous by its silence. What inside connection do you have to verify?


It does make sense to me, that a larger production run ME would not be a Corvette. A ME Corvette with low production numbers, like the Ford GT makes sense to me.

Seems right, since the Corvette has such a huge demo of old geezers that like front engine cars!

Yes, at some point the V6 will have enough power to run with the big dogs and that should make the ME more practical. Since the front engine / rear wheel design has supposedly pretty much hit the wall, technology-wise, we may all have to suck it up and accept the ME. Same is probably true for the manual transmission. All going the way of the Dodo.

jagamajajaran

I spend time with a wide variety of GM personnel through the year. Picking something up here and there and filling in the gaps is the name of the game. Continental Structural Plastics made a rather big mistake last year when seeking approval from the local planning commission for their expansion project. That story provides some key pieces of the puzzle. Some pieces of the puzzle I simply can't expound on. But like I always say, time will tell.

sunsalem

You are absolutely right, couldn't agree more.

It's coming, it's real...WAY too many hints have been dropped by people in the know.

To test the waters, perhaps the first production will be low.
However, I believe the plan is to eventually replace the FE with the ME.
FWIW, having driven the dazzling Ferrari 458, I'm all for an ME.
Shifting the majority of the weight rearward makes a huge difference in the driving experience.

F1 uses a hybrid V6 TT these days that is designed to last 6 races.
The power is above 1,000 hp.
The size of the V6 = 1.6L (that is NOT a typo!).

patentcad

Corvette Forum soothsayers RULE.

John Shiels

supposedly both frt & ME will be sold together with ME 150+ $

then they will all be ME eventually after a few years

brettmess24

Why not go after Fords GT?

pdiddy972

The C7 is already a mid-engine design (engine is behind front axle). Putting it in front of the rear axle doesn't seem worth doing.

joeybsyc

I believe GM is building a mid engine car, I also believe it's going to be a Cadillac.

b4i4getit

If GM does build the mid engine car and it is expensive it won't be made in Bowling Green. They will farm it out to a small builder like Ford did for the GT. There is just not enough sales to justify the cost of refitting the plant for a low volume product.

themonk

and it won't be called a Corvette.

pdiddy972

huh? Dodge Demon has front engine, rear wheel design and will do 9-sec quarter miles off the showroom floor.

rmorin1249

Driving fast in a straight line does not make a car very enjoyable IMHO. That said the FE V8 Corvette's days are numbered. What is needed is a ME TT V6 for under $75K. Can GM pull it off?

joeybsyc

I hope they can't.

sunsalem

Ahhh, good memories there...Johnny was the King.

The Ford GT is an Exotic ($400k +), not a Sportscar.

Uhhhhhh.....

The mostly likely reason is it is not planned as a low-volume vehicle.

The Demon is NOT a Sportscar.

jschindler

I'd be curious why you think it's days are numbered? First of all, how is a car with a 50/50 weight distribution really a front engine car? The current engine has a combination of horsepower, torque and gas mileage that no forced induction production car beats. What exactly is wrong? It's like GMs V8 truck engines versus Fords Ecoboost engines. Look at their specs and the ford engines really don't offer any significant real world advantages.

I do get that turbo engines are generally tuned for more low end torque, but with the new 9-10 speed transmissions even the low end torque is not as much of a factor.

The biggest reason for forced induction is that it simply allows auto companies to boost existing engines for big power rather than building all new bigger displacement engines. The reason the Corvette V8 model works so well is simply that they share basic engines with a gazillion truck engines they sell every year.

pdiddy972

If mid-engine (with engine in front of rear axle) is so great, why did the Grand Sport stomp all over the brand new mid-engine Acura NSX at Lightning Lap? That's a $200,000 brand new car.

Obviously. But the current Vette is, and it beats most mid-engine cars, regardless of price. So what's the attraction?

pdiddy972

For those who think the front-engine has reached its limits why do the Grand Sport and Z06 pull 1.2G on the skidpad (the highest ever recorded) and beat basically everything on a racetrack? What is it exactly you think is being fixed by moving the engine backwards? Isn't this really just folks wanting something "different" instead of better? Maybe they like the sound of the engine behind them, or they wants he Corvette to be like some more expensive cars? It doesn't seem to be performance you guys are after with this mid-engine lust.

2fastnow

I believe it will be based on the Pontiac Fiero chassis, tested, tried and true.

2fastnow

I here it's going to have a new twin turbo 4 cyl motor called the Eco-Burp and the name won't be Zora but Dorka.

LT4_CE

I see. These are informed inferences, which is cool, and perfectly valid. Maybe I need to follow the individual posters more, so I can get a feel for who falls into your category, vs. those just blowing hard (plenty of the latter around here!) My $0.02 would be to put some context with the info, to lend it more credence. Regardless, keep posting, and I'll sort through it all somehow.