KICKIT

that would be great news!

MikeyTX

When it happens, it happens

WBT

I buy a new Corvette every 2 years. My main source at the dealer told me today that:
1) The C8 will be introduced at the Detroit Auto show in January 2019.
2) The C8 will be sold come the fall of 2019 as a 2020 model.
3) He thinks the base price of the C8 will be $65,000-$70,000.
We shall see if all this is true.

f-16pilotTX

Myself, along with many other forum members agree with those 3 points.

NemesisC5

I still maintain the C8 will be Front Engine platform assembled in the greatly expanded Bowling Green factory alongside a Mid Engine car. The ME will utilize greater volume of lightweight materials, employ more expensive technologies, come with higher horsepower DOHC V8 and will be faster around closed courses than Front Engine platform. Although the Front Engine C8 will arrive with 4.2L DOHC V8 you'll have to purchase the ME to get GM's hottest 5.5L DOHC V8 power unit with electric assist.

ALL pure speculation based on "what I think" would work for a sustainable profitable business model that supports upward mobility into a higher performance, more expensive and more exclusive ME platform. GM will promote and utilize the ME platform "halo car" to race against the Ford GT's and other European offerings in American Lemans Series and WEC events. GM will price to sell the Front Engine C8 in volumes similar to C7 and previous successful generations while the ME platform will be limited production commensurate to demand.

Just my $.02

tbrenny33

that’s a justified opinion and very well could be. However the forecast has the 5.5L building around 5k engines per year, so I’d say that the price point wouldn’t be too high or there’s no way they’ll build that many. It’s possible there could be a 5.5L and a 5.5L with electric assist that total around 5k. Does anyone know who sells the most sports cars (single model) over 125k and how many?

msm859

Well my little birdie told me the C8 will be ME as will a new "product" i.e. the Cadillac version. The C7 and C8 may be built together for a time.

ByByBMW

Racerdj

What model Ferrari? My 488 GTB is due in when shipped, status 40 November 13! Definitely will do the ME maybe not at first. I read a rumor of 850 hp available. The HP wars are on for sure!

JerriVette

I'm looking forward to the mid rear engine corvette ..the front engine c7 z06 is dam tempting ...but I really wanted my next sports car to be a little different than my past three corvettes..

Even if the front engine continues with its larger single rear trunk etc...which makes for a great daily driver.....

I've daily driven rear mid engine sports cars (turbo lancia scorpion back in the late 1970s and 1980s) with a single trunk and it wasn't a problem.

I've been driving about 40years and it would be cool to finally get to own the rear mid engine corvette that has been rumored since the early 70s...

I grew up as a teenager when GM started showing off rear mid engine corvette concepts...

I think it would be cool to finally own one ...although I believe we will see it in January 2019 at the show in Detroit.

I wish it would be shown in January 2018 in Detroit but I'd be shocked...

GM will continue the ZR1 in all its glory for at least a year on the show circuit and in production...it's a crowning achievement for the front mid engine corvette platform....and by all means if GM runs a front and a rear engined corvette for 2 years I'm ok with that...

GM really should expand the corvette sub brand in the Chevrolet dealer network...personally and I ve said this earlier in other threads...a battery electric only corvette hot rod four door small cuv that competes with Jaguars upcoming ipace would be a smart move unit volume wise as well as dollars and cents wise..

Much in the same way as the Porsche Macan does for the Porsche brand. I think it's set to be Porsche best selling model....and starts around 50 or 55 grand and climbs to 95 grand...

I think a front mid engine corvette, a rear mid engine corvette and a battery electric hot rod cuv would make for a nice profit center for Chevy dealers who also sell Silverado s, canyons , camaros , bolts, cruzes, malibus, trac, and equinoxes..

GM has to end the beautiful impala and the spunky little sonic and horrible little spark...unfortunately their time has come and gone. Dead in the showrooms these days any laying inventory...

Would be smart to leverage the corvette brand into three product categories at least for 2 years if they think they can sell the front engine c7 while the rear mid engine is offered.

Porsche offers rear engine 911s and rear mid engine vehicles and they make boatloads of cash on two Porsche cuv s and some wonky front engine sedan that no longer would be a path anyone should follow...the four door sedan market is kind of dwindling...where as cuv s are where the halo market is going....

Same for battery...it's the combo halo cool that launching in the corvette sub brand would make GM a cutting edge image for the entire Chevy lineup..

Sorry for the rant....all I want is the rear mid engine corvette so I can smile and remember back to all the car magazines of my youth ....as I hammer that new corvette with a hopeful 500 hp LT1 around the seven lakes!

elegant

For all those who are thinking next month at NAIAS is going to be the ME reveal, ask yourself why as BGA is going to allow Engine Build option through the Performance Build Center inside the Plant to resume starting next month (please note that the PBC critically has its own separate entrance other than through the Plant, and remembering that have seen on several occasions the windows between PBC and the assembly area covered over with opaque materials), but that the Buyers Tours are not going to happen again until January, 2019 .

What are they hiding within the Plant during 2018, that they are going to continue to need to hidden through through the January 13, 2019 ME reveal at NAIAS?

The ME is what needs to be hidden throughout 2018 in GM’s eyes — and that is why no Buyers Tours for 13 more months.

Sorry, while I too wish the ME were being revealed next month, that is a one-year-ahead-of-reality wish.

MikeyTX

^^^^ Spot On !

jagamajajaran

Additionally, GM started releasing teaser videos for the C7 1-13-13 reveal starting in mid-October of 2012. There will be no January 2018 surprise reveal of the ME.

PurpleLion

I am hoping for this January, but I am also worried about the implications of no Buyers Tours for 13 more months! As you say, this does imply that we have to wait one more year! Hopefully this is just a ruse by GM to help reduce C7 inventories.

I believe that I will give up on GM if I have to wait another year. Waiting for the ME Corvette is getting VERY old!

jagamajajaran

Not a ruse.

millpond

I expect you are right, Jag. I hope history repeats and dealer discounts are available in the spring of 2020. If so, I plan on a museum delivery in June of 2020.

lostsoul

its going to be hard waiting for the damn thing when there is 20-25% discounts all over for the next year. Damn GM.. They tease you like a Tijuana LEGAL age hooker trying to make you blow the first 5 minutes. ummm or something like that less graphic.

wv8090

I think there is a lot on the line for GM to keep the ME a secret.

The second that the ME debuts C7 sales are going to fall through the floor... It is obvious that this effect has already started with the current discounts on C7's.

PurpleLion

Agreed, but, isn't the secret already out?

NemesisC5

I agree 100% and that's why I think GM's plan will be to offer a front engine C8 for Corvette enthusiasts commensurate with current pricing structure and offer the Mid Engine platform at a higher price level. I think a Front Engine C8 will eventually have DOHC V8 at least as an option along with reduction in weight and other incremental improvements while the ME will have DOHC V8 as standard equipment with a host of other top shelf technology setting it apart. There's a good case for GM to keep the signature long front end shape of Corvettes much like Porsche has done with the 911 and continue to add technology advancements and incremental improvements to keep the car positioned exactly where it is ahead of everything in its price range and owner demographic. The C7 has been very successful and no reason to screw up a great formula, merely add a 'new from the ground up' Mid Engine platform above it that has more headroom for improved performance and sell at a higher price.