No mid-engine Corvette?
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Joined: Jan 2014
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Who said anything about "offroad"? There are plenty of things that can be done to make things lighter and faster for the track enthusiasts. It doesn't even need to add more power, 650 is more than enough on a track.
I'm sure others could think of other ideas here. Make this model of the car car less of a GT car, more of a performance focused car. They don't have to sell a ton of them, these costs are subsidized by all the base C7's being sold anyways. Just like the Z/28 was never meant to be some huge seller. It was built because they could build it.
I'm sure others could think of other ideas here. Make this model of the car car less of a GT car, more of a performance focused car. They don't have to sell a ton of them, these costs are subsidized by all the base C7's being sold anyways. Just like the Z/28 was never meant to be some huge seller. It was built because they could build it.
You could make these changes yourself cheeper than GM could deliver them. Even if you factored in the value of the warranty and resale, (less resale value on mods.) you would at least break even. Some things GM could do that would be difficult for the owner to have done is gearing optimized for the track. changes in suspension geometry or tune if MRC, and making the chassis stiffer and/or lighter. Making the engine NA might be a problem, but there are after market alternatives already. Can you think of any thing else that would be a difficult change the owner could make.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,559
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From: North Dallas 40 TX
So they had a mismatch between market expectation and execution.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Houston TX
You could make these changes yourself cheeper than GM could deliver them. Even if you factored in the value of the warranty and resale, (less resale value on mods.) you would at least break even. Some things GM could do that would be difficult for the owner to have done is gearing optimized for the track. changes in suspension geometry or tune if MRC, and making the chassis stiffer and/or lighter. Making the engine NA might be a problem, but there are after market alternatives already. Can you think of any thing else that would be a difficult change the owner could make.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,409
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From: NC
The Fiero failed because people expected a sports car and got a commuter car. People didn't want a two seat commuter car. As a sports car it had several failings notably the original suspension. the rear was the front end of a citation and I think the front end was from a Chevette. Neither known for their handling prowess.
So they had a mismatch between market expectation and execution.
So they had a mismatch between market expectation and execution.
Actually the Fiero's handling and braking wasn't the problem.
It was the choice of two lumps that it had for an engine. GM repeatedly tried to sabotage the Fiero to protect other brands in the lineup. There were turbo 3.8 concept cars that would kick the living snot out of the corvette, and camaro.
Unfortunately, GM decided that they should kill the Fiero by saddling it with a 2.8 V6 (the third worst engine GM ever built in my opinion) and a 2.5 L4 (the second or first worst engine GM ever built in my opinion..it's kind of a toss up between the 2.5 L4 or the 307 V8...) rather than upping the game of the Vette and Camaro.
Last edited by MavsAK; Mar 13, 2015 at 11:31 AM.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Dallas, TX
But back to the point is that if Ford can make a GT, then GM can make a mid-engine car.
And if profitability and sales volume - not car enthusiasm - are the driving factors, GM should simply kill the Corvette, eliminate all the associated engineering and production facilities, and make more SUV and utility cars, just like Toyota.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 3,698
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From: Houston TX
The wine and cheese crowd that Porsche caters to likely would not consider a product so beneath their discriminating tastes anyway.
Well, Ford proved us wrong. People adore the Ford GT, look at the values continue to rise.
I just meant that GM is capable of the same thing.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 812
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From: Dallas, TX
Yes. And if they make 250 a year I bet they sell above that number. Over the past year the market absorbed about 2000 P1s, 918s and LaFerraris and there is no reason the GT can't be near that level of performance if they don't kowtow to the "must be hybrid" mentality and use carbon fiber for its intended purpose, light weight. Make a 700 hp car at 2700 lbs and modern aero and it could be amazing
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,574
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From: Springfield TN
I agree with what many of you have been saying about Corvette's future:
I have said on this board many times Corvette should be its own brand with a full line of cars.
I would suggest maybe 40 dealers nationwide, all of whom have great customer service, nicer facilities, and at least 2 Corvette techs; and a GT Corvette front engine, mid-engine GT and mid-engined track car, which will be the prototype for the ALMS/Tudor car and for customer turn-key race cars, the way Porsche does it (aka, the Porsche 911 Cup car, and Porsche actually makes money selling turn-key race cars).
I would love to see GM really take Porsche head-on and meet their competition at several price points, front- and mid-engined, and on track both as a factory team and as a maker of privateer race cars.
I have said on this board many times Corvette should be its own brand with a full line of cars.
I would suggest maybe 40 dealers nationwide, all of whom have great customer service, nicer facilities, and at least 2 Corvette techs; and a GT Corvette front engine, mid-engine GT and mid-engined track car, which will be the prototype for the ALMS/Tudor car and for customer turn-key race cars, the way Porsche does it (aka, the Porsche 911 Cup car, and Porsche actually makes money selling turn-key race cars).
I would love to see GM really take Porsche head-on and meet their competition at several price points, front- and mid-engined, and on track both as a factory team and as a maker of privateer race cars.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,529
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From: Arlington VA
I disagree with a lot of posters on here. I think the C7 will have a long run, longer than the C6 even. The car has very modern looks and has upped its refinement game to match and exceed its competition.
I also think they will make quite a few variants of it, including a grand sport luxury touring type version, and a 1LE type NA pure track version.
I also think they will make quite a few variants of it, including a grand sport luxury touring type version, and a 1LE type NA pure track version.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,191
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They still could be doing a mid-engine corvette but Tadge at this stage will never admit to it. If they do come out with one in a few years and people say wait a minute you said they wasn't going to be one? Tadge could just say "I lied". 
I like to maybe see an all wheel drive Corvette.... That should produce some interesting 1/4 mile times.
I like to maybe see an all wheel drive Corvette.... That should produce some interesting 1/4 mile times.
Thread Starter
Naples FL
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,383
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From: FL
I agree with what many of you have been saying about Corvette's future: I have said on this board many times Corvette should be its own brand with a full line of cars. I would suggest maybe 40 dealers nationwide, all of whom have great customer service, nicer facilities, and at least 2 Corvette techs; and a GT Corvette front engine, mid-engine GT and mid-engined track car, which will be the prototype for the ALMS/Tudor car and for customer turn-key race cars, the way Porsche does it (aka, the Porsche 911 Cup car, and Porsche actually makes money selling turn-key race cars). I would love to see GM really take Porsche head-on and meet their competition at several price points, front- and mid-engined, and on track both as a factory team and as a maker of privateer race cars.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,109
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The Z28 from a sales standpoint has not done well. They dealers I talk to don't want any more there hard to sell and have to be discounted. I predicted early on that the Z28 wouldn't sell well a $76K Camaro with no amenities. Chevy won't build a stripped out race Corvette not enough market for it.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,257
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From: Bluffton,SC
I don't know if changing to a mid engine design would be good for the Corvette. Everyone saw the reaction when GM just changed the shape of the tail light, can you imagine if they moved the engine to the middle.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 135
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From: Florida
The Z28 from a sales standpoint has not done well. They dealers I talk to don't want any more there hard to sell and have to be discounted. I predicted early on that the Z28 wouldn't sell well a $76K Camaro with no amenities. Chevy won't build a stripped out race Corvette not enough market for it.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 743
Likes: 283
From: Michigan mi
Of course Tadge has to deny the claims of a mid-engine ZR1.
As I said in another thread, I was on a business trip and some GM engineers were sitting in front of me. They were talking about the mid-engine frame and the "Zora" name.
Yes, it's coming.
As I said in another thread, I was on a business trip and some GM engineers were sitting in front of me. They were talking about the mid-engine frame and the "Zora" name.
Yes, it's coming.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,475
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From: Port Arthur, Texas 77642
I disagree with comparisons of a track optimized C7 to a track optimized Camaro. Keeping all things the same except the players (Camaro/Corvette) I'm confident a track optimized C7 would have sold out with a limited production run. Although the Z28 is a very good track car it is still a $76k Camaro which is great for Camaro lovers or the Jay Lenos of the world. That is why the Z28 sales numbers are less than hoped for, period. With the same task starting with a C7 Corvette the demographics are different and literally comparing apples to oranges on both the business and performance end.
I'd like to know how a 1LT C7 Z51 would perform against Z28 with sticky tires, aero and better rotors/pads....
I'd like to know how a 1LT C7 Z51 would perform against Z28 with sticky tires, aero and better rotors/pads....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,303
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From: Bartlett IL
Wasn't the C5 FRC an attempt at a stripped down Vette? How well did that work. Millenials and younger consider OHV/V8 low Tech and unsophisticated. GM needs to do something else for them, the Vette isn't it. I bought my first Vette(new) at 22. No way anyone can do that now.
So Corvette needs to stand on its own, go upmarket and proliferate what is arguably the most recognized brand in this country. GM has to capitalize on that.
So Corvette needs to stand on its own, go upmarket and proliferate what is arguably the most recognized brand in this country. GM has to capitalize on that.