Is there demand for a mid-engine Corvette?
10-29-2018, 01:59 PM
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Is there demand for a mid-engine Corvette?
Just curious if this is just an evolution of the Corvette or if in fact there is a bunch up pent up demand for a mid engine version of the car? The idea of a more affordable Ferrari, Audi R8, etc. sounds enticing but I just wonder how much of the Corvette community actually wanted such a design? Is it something the Corvette designers wanted to build for a long time but just never did so?
Popular Reply
10-29-2018, 03:25 PM
To me, as a 26 year old who can actually afford it, I love the idea of a mid engine Vette. I have always loved Vettes but they have kind of always been perceived as an "old man" car, or at least the base model has.
The ability to have an American v8 with radical mid engine looks, I think will appeal to a newer audience of younger people like me who want something new and fresh.
The ability to have an American v8 with radical mid engine looks, I think will appeal to a newer audience of younger people like me who want something new and fresh.
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10-29-2018, 03:22 PM
#4
Racer
Every Corvette engineer has said that we're reaching the limits of the front engine car for performance and handling. Zora wanted to build one decades ago. How can ANYBODY be surprised that it is finally a reality? The new ZR1 is a graphic demonstration that the capabilities of the drivetrain exceed the capabilities of the vehicle.
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10-29-2018, 03:25 PM
#5
To me, as a 26 year old who can actually afford it, I love the idea of a mid engine Vette. I have always loved Vettes but they have kind of always been perceived as an "old man" car, or at least the base model has.
The ability to have an American v8 with radical mid engine looks, I think will appeal to a newer audience of younger people like me who want something new and fresh.
The ability to have an American v8 with radical mid engine looks, I think will appeal to a newer audience of younger people like me who want something new and fresh.
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10-29-2018, 03:28 PM
#6
Drifting
To me, as a 26 year old who can actually afford it, I love the idea of a mid engine Vette. I have always loved Vettes but they have kind of always been perceived as an "old man" car, or at least the base model has.
The ability to have an American v8 with radical mid engine looks, I think will appeal to a newer audience of younger people like me who want something new and fresh.
The ability to have an American v8 with radical mid engine looks, I think will appeal to a newer audience of younger people like me who want something new and fresh.
10-29-2018, 03:46 PM
#7
Melting Slicks
Dave McLellan, former chief engineer of Corvette: "High level interest from the press definitely helped stimulate the marketplace. But what has surprised me over the years, when experimental mid-engine cars have been displayed at gatherings such as Mid America’s Corvette Funfest, was Corvette owners’ lack of interest in moving from the traditional layout."
Meanwhile one year ago, the C7 was named one of the most popular cars on the market: Corvette has just been selected as one of the 10 most satisfying vehicles by Consumer Reports. CR surveyed owners of more than 500,000 vehicles, asking subscribers the ultimate question: If they had it to do all over again, would they definitely buy or lease the same model? Owners also rated their cars in six categories: driving experience, comfort, value, styling, audio, and climate systems. Corvette ranked third overall in the survey behind only the Tesla Model S and Porsche 911.
So is Mary Barra really going to dump the most popular car GM makes? Seems doubtful.
Meanwhile one year ago, the C7 was named one of the most popular cars on the market: Corvette has just been selected as one of the 10 most satisfying vehicles by Consumer Reports. CR surveyed owners of more than 500,000 vehicles, asking subscribers the ultimate question: If they had it to do all over again, would they definitely buy or lease the same model? Owners also rated their cars in six categories: driving experience, comfort, value, styling, audio, and climate systems. Corvette ranked third overall in the survey behind only the Tesla Model S and Porsche 911.
So is Mary Barra really going to dump the most popular car GM makes? Seems doubtful.
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10-29-2018, 04:50 PM
#8
To me, as a 26 year old who can actually afford it, I love the idea of a mid engine Vette. I have always loved Vettes but they have kind of always been perceived as an "old man" car, or at least the base model has.
The ability to have an American v8 with radical mid engine looks, I think will appeal to a newer audience of younger people like me who want something new and fresh.
The ability to have an American v8 with radical mid engine looks, I think will appeal to a newer audience of younger people like me who want something new and fresh.
10-29-2018, 05:04 PM
#9
Drifting
Simple...
1. Corvette has almost been canceled more than once.
2. DECADES of mid engine rumors that don't become reality.
3. GM appears to be a company that is shy of taking risks.
4. GM appears to often not understand what the consumer wants (4 cylinder Camaro, FWD Olds Cutlas 442, Aztec, etc.)
For those reasons I am not surprised, but rather SHOCKED that GM is finally doing this.
Lets hope GM gets it right and is rewarded well.
1. Corvette has almost been canceled more than once.
2. DECADES of mid engine rumors that don't become reality.
3. GM appears to be a company that is shy of taking risks.
4. GM appears to often not understand what the consumer wants (4 cylinder Camaro, FWD Olds Cutlas 442, Aztec, etc.)
For those reasons I am not surprised, but rather SHOCKED that GM is finally doing this.
Lets hope GM gets it right and is rewarded well.
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10-29-2018, 05:19 PM
#10
Melting Slicks
GM wants a car that can beat any Porsche at the track. The Zora will do that at half the price of a Porsche.
Not all that surprising given how important racing wins are, especially internationally where Zora will be a big player.
Not all that surprising given how important racing wins are, especially internationally where Zora will be a big player.
10-29-2018, 05:41 PM
#11
Race Director
Dave McLellan, former chief engineer of Corvette: "High level interest from the press definitely helped stimulate the marketplace. But what has surprised me over the years, when experimental mid-engine cars have been displayed at gatherings such as Mid America’s Corvette Funfest, was Corvette owners’ lack of interest in moving from the traditional layout."
Meanwhile one year ago, the C7 was named one of the most popular cars on the market: Corvette has just been selected as one of the 10 most satisfying vehicles by Consumer Reports. CR surveyed owners of more than 500,000 vehicles, asking subscribers the ultimate question: If they had it to do all over again, would they definitely buy or lease the same model? Owners also rated their cars in six categories: driving experience, comfort, value, styling, audio, and climate systems. Corvette ranked third overall in the survey behind only the Tesla Model S and Porsche 911.
So is Mary Barra really going to dump the most popular car GM makes? Seems doubtful.
Meanwhile one year ago, the C7 was named one of the most popular cars on the market: Corvette has just been selected as one of the 10 most satisfying vehicles by Consumer Reports. CR surveyed owners of more than 500,000 vehicles, asking subscribers the ultimate question: If they had it to do all over again, would they definitely buy or lease the same model? Owners also rated their cars in six categories: driving experience, comfort, value, styling, audio, and climate systems. Corvette ranked third overall in the survey behind only the Tesla Model S and Porsche 911.
So is Mary Barra really going to dump the most popular car GM makes? Seems doubtful.
10-29-2018, 05:49 PM
#12
Melting Slicks
Yup. The ME's mission is to beat Porsche at the track, which it will do, but the price is going to be steep.
The FE's mission is to sell the most sports cars of any auto maker on the planet, which it will do if the price is affordable and it offers outstanding performance, style and features superior to the competition in the price range. Corvette obviously has a loyal following that is very satisfied with the FE. The completely new ME will have many problems initially so abandoning the FE would be suicide.
The FE's mission is to sell the most sports cars of any auto maker on the planet, which it will do if the price is affordable and it offers outstanding performance, style and features superior to the competition in the price range. Corvette obviously has a loyal following that is very satisfied with the FE. The completely new ME will have many problems initially so abandoning the FE would be suicide.
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10-29-2018, 07:06 PM
#13
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To give an opinion on OP's question, maybe there really IS a pent up demand for an ME Corvette. If the ME comes into being soon, we'll find out, and not just the usual first-year sales.
But, while GM and Corvette have been in/on/thru hard times several times during its 60+ years, it hasn't always been bad times. Which makes one really wonder: over the decades, the money was there for Corvette to build an ME---but did the GM market feasibility staff know something about what the market wants even as the ME was being touted by engineers salespersons, biz execs, etc.? Are they betting the brand now on the wishes of a "younger" demographic or cohort which may sometimes have fleeting wants and wishes?
And surely, to answer an unasked question of those who are younger than the publicized age of new Corvette buyers, what will happen if the ME becomes an older Corvette buyer's car to buy---just like the FE Corvettes? Will the younger gen abandon all desire for the ME Corvette? It could be---because perception is sometimes stronger than reality.
Wait a few months, we will see who buys, who likes it, and if the ME becomes all the predictions made on these electronic pages!
But, while GM and Corvette have been in/on/thru hard times several times during its 60+ years, it hasn't always been bad times. Which makes one really wonder: over the decades, the money was there for Corvette to build an ME---but did the GM market feasibility staff know something about what the market wants even as the ME was being touted by engineers salespersons, biz execs, etc.? Are they betting the brand now on the wishes of a "younger" demographic or cohort which may sometimes have fleeting wants and wishes?
And surely, to answer an unasked question of those who are younger than the publicized age of new Corvette buyers, what will happen if the ME becomes an older Corvette buyer's car to buy---just like the FE Corvettes? Will the younger gen abandon all desire for the ME Corvette? It could be---because perception is sometimes stronger than reality.
Wait a few months, we will see who buys, who likes it, and if the ME becomes all the predictions made on these electronic pages!
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10-29-2018, 07:32 PM
#14
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IMO, yes. It needs to be obviously a Corvette and not some carbon copy of another ME, but if they can pull off the WOW factor at a good price I believe it will open the floodgates for new and old buyers alike.
Last edited by mschuyler; 10-29-2018 at 07:32 PM.
10-29-2018, 07:48 PM
#15
Burning Brakes
Totally agree with this. Just look at how many threads there are in the C8 section on the subject and we haven't even seen it!! I have spoke to countless people who are extremely interested in the ME corvette. Some who are into cars (mustang, bmw, porsche, etc.) but said to me they've never been interested in the Corvette until now. If price is marginally increased (I believe we'll see 10% or less price increase) the demand is going to be huge. It's absolutely going to appeal to a much wider and younger group of enthusiast.
10-29-2018, 09:04 PM
#16
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I think the engineers have stated that the C7 is about as far as you can put the limits of a Front Engine car. So, to take the next step it has to be mid engine or you are just going no where better than before.
Given a step up in performance vs no improvement in performance at all, the C8 will be more in demand than if they did nothing.
Is there really pent up demand for a mid engine Corvette? Maybe. But more than what they've produced before? I doubt it. A lot has to do with the MSRP.
Given a step up in performance vs no improvement in performance at all, the C8 will be more in demand than if they did nothing.
Is there really pent up demand for a mid engine Corvette? Maybe. But more than what they've produced before? I doubt it. A lot has to do with the MSRP.
Last edited by Sin City; 10-29-2018 at 09:05 PM.
10-29-2018, 10:52 PM
#17
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
I think the engineers have stated that the C7 is about as far as you can put the limits of a Front Engine car. So, to take the next step it has to be mid engine or you are just going no where better than before.
Given a step up in performance vs no improvement in performance at all, the C8 will be more in demand than if they did nothing.
Is there really pent up demand for a mid engine Corvette? Maybe. But more than what they've produced before? I doubt it. A lot has to do with the MSRP.
Given a step up in performance vs no improvement in performance at all, the C8 will be more in demand than if they did nothing.
Is there really pent up demand for a mid engine Corvette? Maybe. But more than what they've produced before? I doubt it. A lot has to do with the MSRP.
10-30-2018, 12:10 AM
#18
Burning Brakes
To me, as a 26 year old who can actually afford it, I love the idea of a mid engine Vette. I have always loved Vettes but they have kind of always been perceived as an "old man" car, or at least the base model has.
The ability to have an American v8 with radical mid engine looks, I think will appeal to a newer audience of younger people like me who want something new and fresh.
The ability to have an American v8 with radical mid engine looks, I think will appeal to a newer audience of younger people like me who want something new and fresh.
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10-30-2018, 09:02 AM
#20
I agree that the strategy here is to attract an entirely new pool of Corvette buyers, who never seriously considered it before. The Corvette demographic is old and will be dying off quickly over the next decade. Sure, there will be "traditionalists" who won't like it, but I think they will more than be replaced by new buyers if GM gets it right and prices it under anything else comparable, as they've always done.
Last edited by Foosh; 10-30-2018 at 09:05 AM.