RocketGuy3

I can tell you if this was the C7 (and it still had an NA V8), I would not be buying a GT4 right now... An NA, mid-engined Corvette Grand Sport has everything I want out of the Cayman and more while likely costing $10-15K less. Only exception being that Chevy's performance seats are still not quite on the same level as Porsche's.

I've always wondered why Porsche is the only manufacturer remaining that makes a mid-engined car for anything less than $100K (other than Lotus, I guess)... and they're still stupidly overpriced. Is the demand for mid-engined performance really THAT low? Clearly plenty of people are ok with two seats, so why not two seats with the engine in the middle? And given how GM's lineup would be balanced out by more efficient, lower end cars (unlike Porsche), it seems likely they'd be able to keep an NA V8 if they so chose.

Please, please, PLEASE make this happen, GM. Do it, and I'm yours.

senah

Is the demand for mid-engined performance really THAT low?

only if the car also has less than 400 hp.

also, from fox news: While General Motors has not officially confirmed it is even considering a mid-engine Corvette or Corvette replacement, when asked about it at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show, GM product chief Mark Reuss told FoxNews.com to “stay tuned … the brand that sells more performance cars than anybody else in the world, we’re known for surprises.”

PUGPROUD

Corvette's stand for power, performance and value. I would expect 500+ horsepower and $125,000 for base rear engine Zora. Good competitive entry point with lots of upside for specialty models going forward.

WhoIsPat

Lots of people debating the implications of whether some yet-unannounced future machine is called a Cadillac, a Corvette, or something new. Does it really matter? They could call it the Pontiac Turd Sandwich for all I care. If it has a price that is appropriate for its quality, performance, features, comfort, style, and ease of ownership, then the PTS will be a perfectly likeable automobile.

jimmyb

In a straight line, on the street, with street tires, there is no question AWD is an advantage. On a road course, this advantage shrinks or becomes a disadvantage because of weight, vehicle dynamics, etc. The fastest 911 variant on a road course is the GT3RS (RWD), by a huge margin. Not my opinion....FACT.

Jimmy

DNAST1

If this is true, IMO GM better step up their game in craftsmanship, paint, and QC asking for that kind of money and limited production or it will be a FAILURE.

Solofast

If you want a 4wd car to run around in bad weather go buy one, they're all over the place.. If you want a performance car you don't want AWD. If you get the weight distribution right you don't need it, and as others have noted, the added weight just slows you down. And if you haven't run on the latest 200 UTOG rated tires you're way behind the curve. These are real street tires that you can get 20,000 mile easily out of and they stick like crazy compared to OE tires. One of the things that has kept the front engine/rear drive platform competitive for as long as it has, is improvements in tire performance. The advent of 600 hp engines in street cars finally overwhelmed the back tires and the front engine/rear drive layout became obsolete, but once you go to mid engine, you don't need or want AWD, that is unless you can't drive..

AWD just adds cost, weight, and complexity and things to go wrong, and as others have noted there it's just there to keep the ******* on the road.

20171LE

You've obviously never driven a 911 Turbo or Audi R8, or been to a 1/2 mile event.

20171LE

You must have missed the head of 911 admitting that the 911 Turbo is as fast as their GT counterparts on the same tire, at the same track.
Care to revise your post?

OnPoint

I think at this point Heidecker and his monster Ford GT (rear/mid engine/rear wheel drive) owns every 1/2 mile and standing mile record in the country. He certainly holds all the major ones.

We get that you like AWD.

We all also understand the simple act of moving the platform to rear/mid would be a significant benefit to off-the-line traction, and if balanced as well as the 488 and others, a joy on the road course.

I hope they build it. I think they will. I also think with the mighty ax of CAFE regs swinging down on them, that you'll get your wish for AWD - at least front wheel electric assist in the coming years on the rear/mid platform.

For me, I hope it starts out RWD only - or at least give me the option of buying one RWD only. I'm not interested in an AWD unit.

LifeInAVette

...

20171LE

I actually agree with you.
I think RWD should always be the base configuration, or at least the "track" option.
But, why do RWD ***** always want to deny those that want an AWD, the option of AWD?

Last time I checked, it's the Lamborghinis and GTR dominating 1/2 mile races, and they are both AWD.

I am hoping that GM will follow Lambos lead and offer a mid-engine AWD performance car,
with the OPTION of a RWD model like the Porsche's GT cars or Lamborghini's Balboni.

And, let's be accurate. "I" don't like AWD. It's PHYSICS that likes AWD.

LifeInAVette

Lol, what did you expect the head of 911 to say? "Oh no, we're not as good as them..." Sounds like a legit business plan to sell more cars.

OnPoint

I think GM will option for both, after an initial open with the RWD.

At least until the CAFE regs force them AWD fulltime as they'll have to eventually turn the ponies down on the engine - and make up for it with the electrics.

RocketGuy3

The 911 Turbo also has a crapton of horsepower and a rear-engine setup, putting all its weight on the rear tires... But no one's denying AWD will make you faster from a dig in a straight line.

All things being equal, RWD in a well-balanced car, though, just generally defeats AWD around a track. The added weight, the added drivetrain losses... Even if it was close, RWD is just more fun.

20171LE

You're wrong and obviously misunderstood the clear point that I made.
There is no "them". It's the same manufacturer: Porsche.

To repeat my point, the Porsche executive that runs the 911 program admitted to the press that Porsche's 911 Turbos are as fast as the Porsche 911 GT cars,
on the same tire, at the same track.

So, the assumption that the RWD Porsches are faster is WRONG.

In fact, the fastest track times posted by a production car in Porsche's history, and possibly history in general,
is mid-engine and AWD.

With all due repspect, you're wrong.
Please see above.

Although, I would never deny others the choice of a SLOWER "track edition" with RWD.

JoesC5

The photos show nothing of what the car might end up looking like. Remember when the C5 mules were Camaro bodies on the new C5 chassis.

20171LE

Yes. But, no one can deny these mules photographed are mid-engine.
Post like these sound like the ones from a few weeks ago denying the existence of a C7 GS.

Shaking my head.
I guess you've never heard of the mid-engine, AWD, Porsche 918 that RAPES Corvette on a track.

A Corvette and a Porsche are both production street cars.
Bringing up multi-million dollar F1 protoypes and PRO Dragsters that run a heated track tire, on a prepped track, removes any credibility your position might have had.

jimmyb

I guess Porsche should fit Pilot SS C2's to the Turbo then. Since they don't (and don't offer them as an option), that doesn't matter.

We are talking about street cars as they are equipped from the factory, right?

Maxie2U

"Not an opinion...fact..." I don't believe and would like to see your facts. An example of facts would be published track times in say a Lamborghini, Porsche or an Audi R8, lap times with AWD on, lap times with AWD off.

Anything less is no facts at all, just OPINION.