GM still considering mid-engine for next-generation Corvette

Not a tough call at all -- DON'T CHANGE A PROVEN FORMULA!

— EnnNorak (View Profile)

Posted on 12/21/2007 2:46:20 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

They don't need to switch to mid-engine as that will be too expensive.

Let's fact it. Corvette's got too much power for RWD and typical drivers. Considering Corvette's still very light, I'll say keep the power and install NISSAN's ATTES AWD system and you'll get something faster than GT-R :)

— dlin (View Profile)

Posted on 12/21/2007 4:03:33 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

awd would be a far greater bastardization of the corvette than mid engine or ohc engine ever could be.

— 1995e34 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/21/2007 7:40:06 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

The affordability is what makes this a popular muscle car. I think taking it away from consumers just for a supercar image would probably ruin the credibility. As a automotive junkie, let the execs ruin or save the image. As a muscle car enthusiast, keep the Vette the way it is. Changing it majorly is going to piss off 50 years.

— Alec (View Profile)

Posted on 12/21/2007 11:55:10 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

What? Are they serious?

Great, let's just destroy over 50 years of heritage.

tossers

— SevorbeupstryIsBack (View Profile)

Posted on 12/21/2007 12:20:33 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

I think the small engine in front, and max power electric in the back, is brilliant. And that's exactly what GM ought to do, to get way ahead of the curve.

I'll probably get some de-boosts for supporting you. :)

— t_bone (View Profile)

Posted on 12/21/2007 7:19:48 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

It would look better than your lowered Honda.

How are those speed bumps?

— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/21/2007 1:54:52 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

I wonder what Kraut actually drives. What an imbecile.

— lewishamiltonpimp (View Profile)

Posted on 12/21/2007 2:12:38 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

Kraut probably drives a 10-foot-high modified unicycle powered by a 2-cycle hedge trimmer engine until he is old enough to drive a monster truck.

— EnnNorak (View Profile)

Posted on 12/21/2007 2:50:17 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

no no no no no. the corvette has always been FR and should still REMAIN FR after its famed legacy in the past half-century. congrats on breaking its legacy.

— Htay7500 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/21/2007 4:30:14 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Yeah with a behemoth engine roughly twice the size of its competitors

— 85bmw745i (View Profile)

Posted on 12/21/2007 6:01:47 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

yeah, with behemoth engine toughly twice the size of the competitors.

— 85bmw745i (View Profile)

Posted on 12/21/2007 6:00:51 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

Sorry for the double. Yeah the corvette is a car for us Americans to be proud of, but it lacks the finesse poish and overall fit and finish and driving dynamics of the others. Still not bad especially for the price.

— 85bmw745i (View Profile)

Posted on 12/21/2007 6:03:03 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

why not just make a mid engined supercar. porsche has a carrera gt that is above their 911, and i'd argue that the 911 means far more to porsche than the corvette means to chevy. making a separate supercar satisfies everyone. make it mid engined. give it carbon fibre. and for god's sake, give it an ohc engine. just don't make it awd. sports cars are not tractors.

— 1995e34 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/21/2007 7:44:54 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

This new damn fuel economy bill is a piece of s***. GM might have to develop a DOHC, smaller displacement V8 with direct injection, VVT, etc to get a decent power rating while still maintaining fuel economy.

Just think if GM put their 3.6L Direct Injection motor into the corvette......Sure it'd only be 300hp (I can't believe i'm saying "only 300 hp") but with low weight and so aerodynamic.....wouldn't be surprised to see city/highway of 20+/30+ mpg.

— neutral (View Profile)

Posted on 12/21/2007 8:35:58 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3   

Oh by the way, the Z06 is technically mid engine. Its front mid engine

— germeezy2 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/21/2007 11:41:26 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

And since when will you import morons learn that displacement does not mean large size. The LS7 is much lighter and smaller than comparable 500 hp engines. Plus its more durable and more fuel efficient.

— germeezy2 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/21/2007 11:42:50 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Before the birth of many readers on this site, the Corvette and other American cars used to race against European powerhouses Porsche and Ferrari, sometimes scoring a win or two by sheer power and gutsy driving. At that time race cars were almost always modified production cars, the Europeans always had a weight advantage. With increased power & reliability, the mid-engine European cars soon left behind everyone in their dust. So Americans concentrated on large oval track racing (Indy and Nascar) -- perfect for heavy front-engine cars, while European car manufacturers focused on F1, manufacturers cup series, Le Mans, and WRC -- races that require light, nimble cars.

Fast forward 20 years. Most race rules keep different cars from having to compete head-to-head, except for example ALMS GT classes. Corvette enters ALMS to take on non-factory sponsored Porsche teams, as well as factory teams from Ferrari and later Aston Martin. We see that front/mid engine is almost as good as rear/mid engine, and the Corvette scores some impressive wins. Yet in the big leagues, Chevy is nowhere to be found. Could a mid-engine Chevy compete in LMP classes now dominated by Audi, Lola, Porsche, Peugeot, etc.? We won't know until Chevy steps up.

Back to the street, where popular opinion hints that a balance of performance is far less important than bragging rights of a 0-60 sprint time. If that's all Corvette fans want, then there's no reason to go mid-engine. But if GM intends to ever enter the big leagues (and charge the price for it), then Ferrari's F430 remains the car to beat. Remember, before Ford ran out of cash, it showed that there is no shortage of people ready to buy a mid-engine American sportcar with world-class performance. Their GT40 easily eclipsed the Corvette without much effort by virtue of its superior mid-engine layout. But Ford botched the electrical system and suspension, then soon axed the whole program. Perhaps GM, which still has some cash in the bank, should pick up where Ford left off -- an American supercar that performs like an F430 at half the price. Call it whatever you want, there's no other easy way to improve on the current Corvette's performance without going to hyper-exotic materials.

— moto (View Profile)

Posted on 3/27/2008 8:42:06 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1