Mid-engine C8 in 2018: C&D is at it again
05-15-2016, 12:18 AM
#61
Team Owner
Incorrect. Bob Lutz stated in an interview in Road and Track a few years ago that, during the dark days leading into GM's bankruptcy, Tadge had done a lot of work on a mid-engine platform (the C7 would probably have been mid engine were it not for the bankruptcy). Lutz states in the interview that Tadge said the mid-engine platform would be about $5,000 RETAIL higher than the C7 we have now is.
Jimmy
Jimmy
05-15-2016, 02:01 AM
#62
Race Director
Don't shoot the messenger, just telling you what Lutz said.
As far as C&D's prognostications, frankly (to me, at least) they don't make sense. To have the first mid-engine car be shown in January 2018 with production beginning fall 2018 (as a 2019 model)....well, there's the C8, which means the C7 ties the C2 for the shortest generation. The volume at this point with the C7 would be awfully hard to walk away from, especially with the sales bump in 2017 because of the GS. Also, I don't think GM would be so flippant with the Corvette sales volume to price a "base" C8 at $80,000 (current Z06 starting price).
The original C&D GUESS from 18 months ago made more sense....mid-engine ZR1/Zora/Whatever comes out in 2018 or 2019, followed by the "normal" mid-engine C8 in 2020/2021. This makes sense in one big way: How the faithful (us) accept the mid-engine layout, which by very nature, takes away one of Corvette's big sales points, it's ability to be a daily driver, with actual trunk space.
But....don't listen to me, I didn't think there was ANY way they would do a C7 GS, so clearly, I ain't got a clue.
As far as C&D's prognostications, frankly (to me, at least) they don't make sense. To have the first mid-engine car be shown in January 2018 with production beginning fall 2018 (as a 2019 model)....well, there's the C8, which means the C7 ties the C2 for the shortest generation. The volume at this point with the C7 would be awfully hard to walk away from, especially with the sales bump in 2017 because of the GS. Also, I don't think GM would be so flippant with the Corvette sales volume to price a "base" C8 at $80,000 (current Z06 starting price).
The original C&D GUESS from 18 months ago made more sense....mid-engine ZR1/Zora/Whatever comes out in 2018 or 2019, followed by the "normal" mid-engine C8 in 2020/2021. This makes sense in one big way: How the faithful (us) accept the mid-engine layout, which by very nature, takes away one of Corvette's big sales points, it's ability to be a daily driver, with actual trunk space.
But....don't listen to me, I didn't think there was ANY way they would do a C7 GS, so clearly, I ain't got a clue.
Last edited by jimmyb; 05-15-2016 at 02:09 AM.
05-15-2016, 04:21 PM
#64
Team Owner
Don't shoot the messenger, just telling you what Lutz said.
As far as C&D's prognostications, frankly (to me, at least) they don't make sense. To have the first mid-engine car be shown in January 2018 with production beginning fall 2018 (as a 2019 model)....well, there's the C8, which means the C7 ties the C2 for the shortest generation. The volume at this point with the C7 would be awfully hard to walk away from, especially with the sales bump in 2017 because of the GS. Also, I don't think GM would be so flippant with the Corvette sales volume to price a "base" C8 at $80,000 (current Z06 starting price).
The original C&D GUESS from 18 months ago made more sense....mid-engine ZR1/Zora/Whatever comes out in 2018 or 2019, followed by the "normal" mid-engine C8 in 2020/2021. This makes sense in one big way: How the faithful (us) accept the mid-engine layout, which by very nature, takes away one of Corvette's big sales points, it's ability to be a daily driver, with actual trunk space.
But....don't listen to me, I didn't think there was ANY way they would do a C7 GS, so clearly, I ain't got a clue.
As far as C&D's prognostications, frankly (to me, at least) they don't make sense. To have the first mid-engine car be shown in January 2018 with production beginning fall 2018 (as a 2019 model)....well, there's the C8, which means the C7 ties the C2 for the shortest generation. The volume at this point with the C7 would be awfully hard to walk away from, especially with the sales bump in 2017 because of the GS. Also, I don't think GM would be so flippant with the Corvette sales volume to price a "base" C8 at $80,000 (current Z06 starting price).
The original C&D GUESS from 18 months ago made more sense....mid-engine ZR1/Zora/Whatever comes out in 2018 or 2019, followed by the "normal" mid-engine C8 in 2020/2021. This makes sense in one big way: How the faithful (us) accept the mid-engine layout, which by very nature, takes away one of Corvette's big sales points, it's ability to be a daily driver, with actual trunk space.
But....don't listen to me, I didn't think there was ANY way they would do a C7 GS, so clearly, I ain't got a clue.
In the end, none of us has a perfect crystal ball, so we shall see when the time comes.
Last edited by JustinStrife; 05-15-2016 at 04:22 PM.
05-15-2016, 09:58 PM
#65
Race Director
Not sure why you doubted a GS either to be honest. It made perfect sense for the C7. It was a perfect home run for the C6 and cost GM very little. They are in it to make money. Period.
In the end, none of us has a perfect crystal ball, so we shall see when the time comes.
In the end, none of us has a perfect crystal ball, so we shall see when the time comes.
Anyhow, as you said, we'll all find out soon enough. In the mean time, it is fun to speculate.
Jimmy
05-16-2016, 01:23 PM
#66
No it didn't. They only made 14,022 of them total, for the whole world. Do the math, obviously the US wasn't getting every car sent here.
Last edited by Zerski; 05-16-2016 at 01:24 PM.
05-16-2016, 05:04 PM
#68
Race Director
You are correct, my bad. For the fun of it, is it fair to assume that half the Gallardos came to America? That would make it 7,011 units in the Gallardo's 10 years.
05-16-2016, 05:32 PM
#69
A lot of people assume that the mid engine talk is about the new Corvette. I'd bet if there is a new mid engine car it's a low production "halo" car to go up against the Ford GT and NSX. The Corvette stays front engine because the success of the Corvette has a lot to due with its ability to be an everyday car. Mid engine cars have some inherent problems, primarily limited cargo space.
05-19-2016, 10:18 AM
#72