What if the C8 follows the trend of the latest supercar
 

By blocking access to the engine. Many supercar manufacture are now preventing/blocking access to the engine for their customer. They can only be service at the dealer.

Yeah, because they're just going to cover this entire piece of glass in shag carpet and call it a day:toetap:
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https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...4209bde4c5.jpg
Also, the only company really covering the engine is McLaren. So, if the only supercar manufacturer was McLaren, then you could say that most supercars have an enclosed engine. Lamborghini, Ferrari, Bugatti, etc all have it either open or a nice cover for the engine and the C8 looks like it will too.

The C8 will be a Corvette, not a supercar. Corvette customers expect to be able to work on their own engines, and GM wants to sell a lot of Corvettes, unlike Supercar makers who only want to build a few and have excess customers.

Edit: yep, accessable.


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...4881715c28.jpg

Exactly. Although this is a huge change, GM knows what they must do to keep the Corvette alive. They know this is a major switch for many of their customers, they are not going to go ahead and cover the engine too.

Are you talking about physical access to the engine compartment or are you talking about the ECU?

Great point. If you can't access the ECU then you can't do any mods anyways that need tuning (which is everything outside of catback exhaust and maybe intake)

What would be the point of all the venting around the rear window if the engine is covered?

PC

I know I've seen this pic before, but just now think about it - it opens the wrong way for a Corvette! :(

The lid in front is the one that'll be opening "the wrong way" for a Corvette.

The C8 will not be a true 'supercar' in the context of the high end exotics that the thread starter is referring to. Like all NEW cars, it will be difficult to fiddle with it for a while but, in time, the die-hards will figure it out.

There will be a after market 6 speed manual and decent non DI cylinder heads for the push rod engine immediately after the C8 release. A programable ECM also. It already exists. What ever is in there, is coming out on mine.Trust me.

Yeah, I want to be able to change the points, plugs, and condenser myself....oh, and adjust the carburetor .. In all seriousness, packaging dictates engine access and most work on modern cars can't be done without special tools and diagnostic equipment that's beyond the reach of most home mechanics. The plastic covering engines is used to help quiet the "clacking" associated with direct injection.

There is always Motec..........