Models of the C8
 

OK, there has been more then a few vociferous pendants that have opinions on the impending models of the various C7's and C8's following the 2019 Detroit Auto Show. Personally, I believe the upcoming choices are about to increase, not decrease. Corvette, Stingray, Grand Sport, Z06, ZR1 and then who knows what will be available in C8 or mid engine. There is talk of 3 different engines. This may suggest 3 models of the mid engine or perhaps just a combination of many options that make up one model - (hypothetically - Zora). What are the thoughts on this topic?

I believe you are on top of this ltomn. I also believe the 4 models of the C7 will advance into 4 new C8 generations of the same Stingray, Grand Sport, ZO6, and ZR1 models. I'm also thinking that the new C8 mid-engined car will be named Zora. The Zerv leaks and some spy photo shots are showing two different rear window configurations on the mid engined car. One sloped back and one short vertical one that appears to be able to retract vertically. I think that one could be a retractable hardtop version of the car that is also a hardtop coupe. This makes all sorts of sense as each of the four front engined models have a convertible version only with a soft top though. The retractable hardtop will be on the high end mid engined Zora that can justify a more expensive roof and compete with Ferrari's 488 Spider. You can see the retractable version on Elegants Rear camera thread below and also view the 488 Spider that has the same shape as the Zora on the other link below.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ng-camera.html
http://auto.ferrari.com/en_US/sports...ge/488-spider/

I've been trying to figure this out for a while as well, and no one really seems to no. I think you are right though, 4 current models stay and continue, well the Zora comes in and has submodels 2 or 3. I was thinking one between the Z06 and the top model above the ZR1. I really am curious where they go though!!

That seems to be the prevailing thought but there are those that don't see that. Some continue to believe that even the introduction of a ME will spell the demise of age old standards. I am hoping that as the next 10 months unwind we'll see something appear.

There are as many theories on the C8 as there theories on who will sit on the Iron Throne.

Not for nothing, but if Zora had had his way, the Corvette would have been a mid engine car for the last 50 years. What would you all say about tradition then?

Once the driver is no longer looking over the engine to see the road in
front of the car, the height restrictions on the engine are relieved.

In addition if DCT is the only transmission option then the height problem
of the single clutch holding 700-odd lb-ft of TQ goes away, and the whole
engine can be lowered 4-odd inches and a real dry sump employed (that is a flat bottomed oil pan with only a 0.1-0.2 of an inch clearance from the con rod at maximum extent.

Both of these create opportunities to develop more power in the engines.

I think after 2020 the front engine car will be history..a friend who is an engineer for a parts company that supplies the C7 said no more contracts from GM after that. Either the car is dead or they are getting the parts somewhere else.....Make the mid engine car available with several engine choices and trim levels for a wide range of prices and make everyone happy. If you want one for $65k , 90 or 125 or more just check the appropriate box.

It likely will have 3 versions with today's equivalents: Z51 (490 hp), GS/Z06 (525 hp & 675 hp) and ZR1 (850 hp) with prices starting at $80k for the Z51, $95k for the GS, $110k Z06 & $150k for the ZR1.

There may be some merit to offering a base model (Z51) with lesser horsepower and fewer bells and whistles. I really don't think it's much of a possibility if they are going to make this the big splash that it's being set up to be. The accouterments shown on the ZERV leaks show a very elaborately constructed and uncompromising build. If that can be toned down, it will surely be a further display of expertise on GM's part. A model with less HP doesn't seem to fit into the scheme of details we've seen to warrant a price of $80k. Bluntly, even $95k and $110k sound a bit shy of what it appears it's going to take. The leaked info suggest a base price much higher and options that will bump it even higher. The lesser models may only come with restraint from options. But let me be very frank, I am not a car enthusiast with a background into builds and their costs. I'm guessing, just like everyone else. My guesses are based on what we've seen on other threads though.

You do remember GM's economy car, the mid engine Pontiac Fiero? The C8 does not have to cost mega bucks just because the other mid engine V8s do! The cheaper the cost of the base model, the larger the impact of the C8.

Let’s dissect this sentence into its two premises:

1) The ME is going to cost $150,000 to $200,000; and,
2) The ME is going to compete with cars that cost upwards of $1,000,000.

Re # 1: The starting price of the ME is going to nowhere near that expensive — probably having intro entry price of around $80K (though not many will disagree that the eventual year two, 800 HP ZORA might not cost in the neighborhood of $150,000).

Re # 2: Already from just one validation run on a late November day, the ZR1 beat the Ford GT’s VIR lap by over 1 second. Wait until the validation and fine tuning process is over, and then the ZR1 will easily take another half-second off that time.

Fast forward two or three years, the ZORA will similarly cut over a second off the ZR1’s time, and yes, successfully compete, and very often beat $1M cars — of course track dependent.

Glorious performance records are ahead for the ME in its ZORA format!

So your of the belief the C8 is going to be ME and FE is over? Or a few FE models will remain with the entry ME being 80k (500ish HP?)?

I think the mid engine will coexist with the front engine Corvette.

I have to agree with this. While the mid engine car will be "a" Corvette, it will not be "the" Corvette. The bulk of production and sales will centered on the traditional Corvette platform, while the mid engine will be a separate model geared more for the track enthusiast. The mid engine car will not be the C8. Evidenced by the thought that they will produce this car while still producing the C7. The C8 will be the new front engine car. The mid engine car will have a generational time line of it's own.

Exactly.




"The C8 will start at 150K!"

How many different drugs are people smoking, snorting, ingesting and injecting at the same time to even conjure such a ridiculous notion?