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This is not the craziest idea in the world. It seems everyone is worrying about getting at the engine for repairs, but not every mid engine cars offer engine access from the top anyway. Take a look at the convertible photos of the c8 as an example.
As a matter of fact, the McLaren's currently out, have a comically small access panel that accesses only the dipstick. The Ferrari 360 although having it's engine visible and exposed from the top, service was done through a panel behind the seats. Prior to that, they had to drop the engine from the bottom to do service. And then there was the Renault Clip V6 (think VW Golf with the motor in the back seats), which just placed a cover over the engine behind the front seats.
So is this thing actually feasible? YES.
Do you roughly double the amount of total cargo capacity? Yup.
Does a hatchback make everything better? (I know I'm only a member for 2 weeks, but I know a Corvette group gets behind the merits of a lift back). OH HELL YEA!
Am I going to be the one to throw r & d money at this project? Um... Not at this time.
Yes, I understand the engine is amidships. Yes, that would seem to defeat the purpose of the hatchback. Further, the top side vents are designed to duct hot air out at low speeds, and when stopped.
I still think it's an interesting design concept. The low CG of the engine might provide for a few feet of cargo space over the top. But, need to duct those vents out somewhere. heck, ah doan know...
If a shooting brake is what you want (rather than a ME layout look), you might consider the Callaway AeroWagen. There is one that runs around my area of town, and while I would never own one myself, seeing it live does seem to appeal to me more than in pictures.
Just take them a C7 plus "$14,990, inclusive OEM color paint and installation."
I do enjoy myself a shooting break, but the engine defeats the purpose for myself.
