How Will Mid-Engine Affect Corvette's Affordability?
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CorvetteForum Editor
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How Will Mid-Engine Affect Corvette's Affordability?
Affordability factor will play a major role in shaping the future of next-gen model.
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With all due respect, posting an article that presupposes that the 8th Gen Corvette is GM's mid-engine vehicle is a disservice to the credibility of this forum. Those who speculate that the ME is the 8th Gen Corvette are wrong. GM would be utterly foolish to knock out tens of thousands of Corvette buyer's by offering only a ME platform car. It's not going to happen. 
Racer
Joined: Jan 2014
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From: Tampa Bay area Florida
What a mess this mid-rear engine car has caused. I have read countless threads that had a lot of controversy and it continues.
In my opinion it isn't a difficult issue to resolve.
Right now, there are 3 iterations of the Corvette:
1. Base model with or without Z51
2. Grand Sport
3. Z06
Options to satisfy the masses (some of the ideas have already been previously suggested as stated below)would be keep a minimum of one, or all of the iterations as front engine of course, and introduce the Euro-competition model as a new model.
It could be a Chevy or just a new (GM only) model.
Call it the Z06, ZR1, or Zora. Do not affiliate it with the "Corvette" even though it may share many parts. Make it mid/rear engine. Use the newly designated DOHC engine.
If the Corvette Z06 is dropped as an option for the Corvette, the new car could take it's place at it's price point if GM could make and offer to sell the car at that price point.
If it were up to me, I would drop the Z06, and the Z51 option package.
Have either the base Corvette or "Grand Sport" package at the same affordable price point (Front engine).
Make the rear engine car a new model hopefully starting at the present Z06 price point.
Just my opinion
In my opinion it isn't a difficult issue to resolve.
Right now, there are 3 iterations of the Corvette:
1. Base model with or without Z51
2. Grand Sport
3. Z06
Options to satisfy the masses (some of the ideas have already been previously suggested as stated below)would be keep a minimum of one, or all of the iterations as front engine of course, and introduce the Euro-competition model as a new model.
It could be a Chevy or just a new (GM only) model.
Call it the Z06, ZR1, or Zora. Do not affiliate it with the "Corvette" even though it may share many parts. Make it mid/rear engine. Use the newly designated DOHC engine.
If the Corvette Z06 is dropped as an option for the Corvette, the new car could take it's place at it's price point if GM could make and offer to sell the car at that price point.
If it were up to me, I would drop the Z06, and the Z51 option package.
Have either the base Corvette or "Grand Sport" package at the same affordable price point (Front engine).
Make the rear engine car a new model hopefully starting at the present Z06 price point.
Just my opinion
Last edited by LSRX; Apr 10, 2017 at 09:32 PM.
Race Director
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St. Jude Donor '16-'17,'22,'24
With all due respect, posting an article that presupposes that the 8th Gen Corvette is GM's mid-engine vehicle is a disservice to the credibility of this forum. Those who speculate that the ME is the 8th Gen Corvette are wrong. GM would be utterly foolish to knock out tens of thousands of Corvette buyer's by offering only a ME platform car. It's not going to happen.
I'd like to point out that there are some recent indications that the ME car will be a Cadillac, not a Corvette. Additionally, if there is a ME Corvette down the road, there is every indication the front end engine will be continued. Other than unverified magazine articles and speculation by some on these forums, there is no indication the C8 will not be a front engine Corvette.
How long will the front engine Corvette continue? As long as it continues to put profits in the GM coffers.
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With all due respect, posting an article that presupposes that the 8th Gen Corvette is GM's mid-engine vehicle is a disservice to the credibility of this forum. Those who speculate that the ME is the 8th Gen Corvette are wrong. GM would be utterly foolish to knock out tens of thousands of Corvette buyer's by offering only a ME platform car. It's not going to happen.
......... yeah, sure.........and in 1962 I'm sure there were a lot of people who drag raced their Corvettes saying, "IRS? Screw that.......I'll never buy a Corvette with a euro-design IRS!"If GM goes with a middle of the car engine........it'll be to stay RELEVANT and competitive.........if we go way back.......I'm sure their were horse drawn carriage people who said "noisy" cars will never be appealing vs. classy carriages for transportation.
Welcome to "change" people always look skeptically at the "next thing"........yet it happens anyway and the complaints rarely mean much in the way of stopping in it.
This probably will be no different if and when it comes.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Bluffton SC via Canton Oh
Gee folks got bent out of shape with the taillights on the C7. This will rock their boats! One thing for sure some type of hybrid performance car will emerge eventually.
Perfect platform for that drivetrain.
Perfect platform for that drivetrain.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,299
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From: Long Island New York
It certainly won't brought to market to compete with the Cayman/Boxster or Alfa MP4, which are just a little more expensive, but considerably down in performance to the current GS and Z06; and also sell very poorly.
The current rear mid-engine cars it will compete with are the Audi A8, Acura NSX, Ford GT, Ferrari 488, Lamborghini Huracan & Maclaren 570 - the cheapest of those start at $160,000. Even at a 20% discount, that would place the mid-engine Corvette at a starting price of $130,000.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2013
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......... yeah, sure.........and in 1962 I'm sure there were a lot of people who drag raced their Corvettes saying, "IRS? Screw that.......I'll never buy a Corvette with a euro-design IRS!"If GM goes with a middle of the car engine........it'll be to stay RELEVANT and competitive.........if we go way back.......I'm sure their were horse drawn carriage people who said "noisy" cars will never be appealing vs. classy carriages for transportation.
Welcome to "change" people always look skeptically at the "next thing"........yet it happens anyway and the complaints rarely mean much in the way of stopping in it.
This probably will be no different if and when it comes.
I predict the realibity and cost of a ME corvette will make them NOT a Corvette...
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
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Affordability factor will play a major role in shaping the future of next-gen model.
Read the rest on the Corvette Forum homepage. >>
Pro
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 515
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From: San Diego CA
It has to be all wheel drive and mid engine , this would push the driver forward a bit . Get some robotic factory with human tuning to build them competitively . Or hyundai will build it for $38 K 600 hp 35 mpg 8 sp 200 mph top speed .
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 936
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From: Post Falls ID
I've only ever driven Italian mid-engine cars, never an American mid-engine car. It would be fun.
However, for me, the C7 C8 etc will be beyond my financial reach, possibly for the rest of my life. So it makes no difference to me, other than what cars I cheer for in the races.
However, for me, the C7 C8 etc will be beyond my financial reach, possibly for the rest of my life. So it makes no difference to me, other than what cars I cheer for in the races.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: CA
By the way, this rendering is off. There is no place for the engine.
I hope they do release an affordable version of the ME car. I've been waiting my whole life to buy a mid-engine American V8 car. C'mon Zora, you promised us!
Michael
Last edited by Michael A; Apr 13, 2017 at 01:07 AM.
