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And my favorite mid-engine Corvette pic:
Don't forget that FRONT mid-engine is also a mid-engine layout - so long as the engine mass is between the axle centerlines. I suppose you could argue that the Corvette has been mid-engine since the C4. Certainly this oft-overlooked detail is significant to the models' performance pedigree.
Last edited by Palantirion; 06-09-2018 at 01:16 PM.
B) no it does not have the traction nor the balance of a RME.
-True. A small difference, but certainly true.
However I have found that there is a subtle benefit to the driver's seat being close to the rear axle - something I discovered when I bought my Z4 M Coupe. As the slip angle most concerning is the rear axle's, and the pivot point is most easily understood as the front axle, the further rearward the driver's seat the more clearly one feels any lateral movement of the rear axle. It's like having a longer sight radius on a gun (a rifle vs. a pistol). I was surprised how much more confidence and precision it gave me in controlling the car's balance. As ME cars have at-best a mid-wheelbase seating position, and usually forward of that, they do have a "driver's car" disadvantage.
This may sound like a petty argument but I think it highlights the real evolution going on, often unspoken, between GM and buyers with the C8 project. We will (most likely) see a shift from: Manual transmission, RWD, non-turbo power, and GT practicality to a ME car that will be statistically superior in every way. This will beg the question: What IS a Corvette? What SHOULD it be? What do buyers REALLY want. We will see.
Last edited by Palantirion; 06-09-2018 at 11:34 PM.
However I have found that there is a subtle benefit to the driver's seat being close to the rear axle - something I discovered when I bought my Z4 M Coupe. As the slip angle most concerning is the rear axle's, and the pivot point is most easily understood as the front axle, the further rearward the driver's seat the more clearly one feels any lateral movement of the rear axle. It's like having a longer sight radius on a gun (a rifle vs. a pistol). I was surprised how much more confidence and precision it gave me in controlling the car's balance. As ME cars have at-best a mid-wheelbase seating position, and usually forward of that, they do have a "driver's car" disadvantage.
This may sound like a petty argument but I think it highlights the real evolution going on, often unspoken, between GM and buyers with the C8 project. We will (most likely) see a shift from: Manual transmission, RWD, non-turbo power, and GT practicality to a ME car that will be statistically superior in every way. This will beg the question: What IS a Corvette? What SHOULD it be? What do buyers REALLY want. We will see.
One more in a long set of good arguments why Corvette owners/buyers/potential buyers would benefit from the brand expanded into two variants -- the traditional version with more of a "GT" marketing push, priced at or somewhat below today's range (and raced at the GT2 level or whatever it is now called by well-connected independents ala Porsche) and a mid-engined ZORA which is a top-dog Ferarri-hunter starting just under $100K and raced at IMSA's top sports car level under Fehan or his successor.
Now there are many good arguments why this might not work for GM, but that's not my interest as a fan of the cars and Corvette Racing!
One more in a long set of good arguments why Corvette owners/buyers/potential buyers would benefit from the brand expanded into two variants -- the traditional version with more of a "GT" marketing push, priced at or somewhat below today's range (and raced at the GT2 level or whatever it is now called by well-connected independents ala Porsche) and a mid-engined ZORA which is a top-dog Ferarri-hunter starting just under $100K and raced at IMSA's top sports car level under Fehan or his successor.
Now there are many good arguments why this might not work for GM, but that's not my interest as a fan of the cars and Corvette Racing!
06-06-2018, 12:46 PM
