Mid-Engine Corvette - Maybe Not?
12-01-2016, 06:28 AM
#1
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Mid-Engine Corvette - Maybe Not?
GM has announced the 2017 Daytona Prototype will be a Cadillac, and that the Corvette DP is no more.
How sure can we be the mid-engine new GM vehicle is a Corvette and not a Cadillac.
I thought from early on the mid-engine car would be a Cadillac for multiple reasons, and I think this further supports my theory: it will allow it to be priced much higher and sold in much lower volumes than it would as a Corvette.
http://www.foxnews.com/auto/2016/11/...s-daytona.html
How sure can we be the mid-engine new GM vehicle is a Corvette and not a Cadillac.
I thought from early on the mid-engine car would be a Cadillac for multiple reasons, and I think this further supports my theory: it will allow it to be priced much higher and sold in much lower volumes than it would as a Corvette.
http://www.foxnews.com/auto/2016/11/...s-daytona.html
Last edited by LIStingray; 12-01-2016 at 06:32 AM. Reason: Link to story added
12-01-2016, 07:36 AM
#2
Well, for one thing, Corvette Racing needs to counter this threat in the WeatherTech IMSA series > http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/i...rsche-911-rsr/
12-01-2016, 07:41 AM
#3
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It could go either way. But something is coming out for Chevrolet and specifically, Corvette. And it's going to be sooner than a C8 intro which is still many years out.
12-01-2016, 07:45 AM
#4
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One thing's for sure - that's a badazz looking Caddy.
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sunsalem (12-01-2016)
12-01-2016, 08:10 AM
#5
Le Mans Master
Look up some of my older posts, I have been saying the mid-engine will be a CADDY for several years. Simply because Cadillac has a void in its lineup. The XLR was a short run sports car, that Caddy does build sportscars every blue moon, and are very high end and technically advanced.
The XLR did not get the response that Caddy thought it would, and production was cut back then ended. This left a big void in the line up, and Caddy has been searching and plotting for a few years.
Caddy won the battle for the mid-engine several months ago, thus we see Corvette pushing ahead with the ZR-1 version, remember when the mid-engine was being testing by Chevrolet, you heard nothing about a ZR-1 being produced. This is another sign from above, the ZR-1 will be the next nameplate Corvette, and the Mid-engine will be released at the Detroit Car show 2018.
When Caddy goes racing it will need a car for Monday morning, and the mid-engine is that car. Chevy has the Corvette, and will always have the Corvette. If anything happens radical in the next few years, Corvette will be separate for the Chevrolet Division and go on its on nameplate, independent of Chevrolet. In that case Corvette will add to its line up of models.
Too expensive for Chevrolet to keep Corvette and the mid-engine, building and future redesigns. Just fits in with Cadillac.
FYI, what you see in the conceptual picture from the OP, is close to what will be the actual mid-engine, however most of the lines will be toned down, and back end will be different.
The XLR did not get the response that Caddy thought it would, and production was cut back then ended. This left a big void in the line up, and Caddy has been searching and plotting for a few years.
Caddy won the battle for the mid-engine several months ago, thus we see Corvette pushing ahead with the ZR-1 version, remember when the mid-engine was being testing by Chevrolet, you heard nothing about a ZR-1 being produced. This is another sign from above, the ZR-1 will be the next nameplate Corvette, and the Mid-engine will be released at the Detroit Car show 2018.
When Caddy goes racing it will need a car for Monday morning, and the mid-engine is that car. Chevy has the Corvette, and will always have the Corvette. If anything happens radical in the next few years, Corvette will be separate for the Chevrolet Division and go on its on nameplate, independent of Chevrolet. In that case Corvette will add to its line up of models.
Too expensive for Chevrolet to keep Corvette and the mid-engine, building and future redesigns. Just fits in with Cadillac.
FYI, what you see in the conceptual picture from the OP, is close to what will be the actual mid-engine, however most of the lines will be toned down, and back end will be different.
Last edited by 1KULC7; 12-01-2016 at 08:20 AM.
12-01-2016, 08:15 AM
#7
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GM has announced the 2017 Daytona Prototype will be a Cadillac, and that the Corvette DP is no more.
How sure can we be the mid-engine new GM vehicle is a Corvette and not a Cadillac.
I thought from early on the mid-engine car would be a Cadillac for multiple reasons, and I think this further supports my theory: it will allow it to be priced much higher and sold in much lower volumes than it would as a Corvette.
http://www.foxnews.com/auto/2016/11/...s-daytona.html
How sure can we be the mid-engine new GM vehicle is a Corvette and not a Cadillac.
I thought from early on the mid-engine car would be a Cadillac for multiple reasons, and I think this further supports my theory: it will allow it to be priced much higher and sold in much lower volumes than it would as a Corvette.
http://www.foxnews.com/auto/2016/11/...s-daytona.html
Never understood why they put a Caddy engine in the prior model, looked like more work that necessary. Most Caddy owners may never open the hood or care if it were just a rebadged Vette engine! However it fits my speculation of why a mid engine Vette/Caddy. Nothing to do with racing or better polar moment of inertia, it's meeting the new EPA requirements. Sure the marketing folks will hype the racing benefits but it's driven by the corporate average mpg requirement, lMO! Can't put a 4 valve per cylinder, double overhead cam V6 engine in a front engine car! Would stick out of the hood like a 671 blower!
Just a question of time before the Vette and it's variants have a 3 Liter dual turbo V6 to get better EPA mileage in their dictated driving cycle that never uses full throttle! We'll see!
Last edited by JerryU; 12-01-2016 at 08:28 AM.
12-01-2016, 08:16 AM
#8
Le Mans Master
12-01-2016, 08:18 AM
#9
Le Mans Master
Chevrolet engineers designed and built it, the Caddy Engineers took over control of the project over a year ago, and they are testing and revising the design, especially the interior and electronics, to fit the Caddy nameplate....
12-01-2016, 08:28 AM
#10
Melting Slicks
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Don't know. Caddy had the XLR which wasn't a big success. Not sure they would repeat that move and expect a different result.
Surprised no one has thought the "Zora" could be it's own animal. Neither a Chevy nor a Caddy. Marketed as a separate mid-engine supercar in select GM dealerships.
Marketing it in this way, the Corvette brand stays the same (front engine reasonably priced sports car). Caddy remains a luxury brand w/ some GT influences. and the "Zora" allows GM to compete against the likes of Ferrari, Lambo, Prosche, Mclaren and others w/ a low volume higher priced offering.
Certainly a reasonable business model to enter the supercar market w/o upsetting two profitable car lines.
I think GM could figure a way to use an existing manufacturing facility to produce the car along side either the Corvette or the Caddy.
Just something to consider
Surprised no one has thought the "Zora" could be it's own animal. Neither a Chevy nor a Caddy. Marketed as a separate mid-engine supercar in select GM dealerships.
Marketing it in this way, the Corvette brand stays the same (front engine reasonably priced sports car). Caddy remains a luxury brand w/ some GT influences. and the "Zora" allows GM to compete against the likes of Ferrari, Lambo, Prosche, Mclaren and others w/ a low volume higher priced offering.
Certainly a reasonable business model to enter the supercar market w/o upsetting two profitable car lines.
I think GM could figure a way to use an existing manufacturing facility to produce the car along side either the Corvette or the Caddy.
Just something to consider
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Red1990VT (12-02-2016)
12-01-2016, 08:50 AM
#13
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For sure it will be built along with the mid engine Vette in that 5 times more space than needed "new paint line."
Just a question of time before the V8 and standard trans are gone! That is why I'm getting a GS with an M7 while I still can! Fun to speculate.
Last edited by JerryU; 12-01-2016 at 09:01 AM.
12-01-2016, 09:04 AM
#15
Team Owner
Cadillac, Chevrolet Corvette, really does not matter you like the car, you have the bucks buy it.
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rmorin1249 (12-01-2016)
12-01-2016, 09:07 AM
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12-01-2016, 09:09 AM
#18
Le Mans Master
Just a question of time before the V8 and standard trans are gone! That is why I'm getting a GS with an M7 while I still can! Fun to speculate. [/QUOTE]
Just posted, I think you will see future Corvettes as Hybrids or V-6 Turbos/Supercharged. I think the V-8 is on the way out, because of its weight, gas consumption, and cost.
[/QUOTE] Just posted, I think you will see future Corvettes as Hybrids or V-6 Turbos/Supercharged. I think the V-8 is on the way out, because of its weight, gas consumption, and cost.
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Gonzo (12-03-2016)
12-01-2016, 09:11 AM
#19
Le Mans Master
Same here
-Charge more for it
-Halo car for GM
-brand image fit
-Better dealer experience than Chevy: higher class customers, no acres and acres of Silverados and Malibus.
Predicitons
C7 will get a Zr1 as 2018 model
C7 will carry on till 2020 minimum
-Charge more for it
-Halo car for GM
-brand image fit
-Better dealer experience than Chevy: higher class customers, no acres and acres of Silverados and Malibus.
Predicitons
C7 will get a Zr1 as 2018 model
C7 will carry on till 2020 minimum
