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GM still considering mid-engine for next-generation Corvette
We reported back in August that GM had no plans to offer the long rumored mid-engined Chevrolet Corvette, even though it would offer better performance. The main reason GM allegedly moved away from the plan was because a mid-engined Corvette would move the model into a territory occupied by the Porsche 911 and Audi R8 and would move it out of the affordability range.

Well according to a new report by AutoObserver, plans are still being discussed at the highest levels of GM engineering, planning and marketing on the next-generation Corvette being moved... Read Article
GM still considering mid-engine for next-generation Corvette



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EnnNorakEnnNorak - 12/21/2007 2:46:20 PM
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Not a tough call at all -- DON'T CHANGE A PROVEN FORMULA!

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dlindlin - 12/21/2007 4:03:33 PM
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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 :)

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1995e341995e34 - 12/21/2007 7:40:06 PM
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awd would be a far greater bastardization of the corvette than mid engine or ohc engine ever could be.

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AlecAlec - 12/21/2007 11:55:10 AM
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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.

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bmwdrvrbmwdrvr - 12/21/2007 12:04:44 PM
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but at the same time Chevy had been putting out mid-engine concepts of the Corvette for years. So it seems the enthusiast should be prepared probably since its inception the mid engine configuration has been an option. I think it would make better sense to make a line of corvette cars, with maybe 3 models, the front engine, mid engine, and maybe a lower end car, a notch below the vette like a 2 seat roadster.


1995e341995e34 - 12/21/2007 7:45:58 PM
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a 2 seat roadster like a pontiac solstice?


bmwdrvrbmwdrvr - 12/22/2007 9:30:26 AM
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no more like the old corvette sting ray concept roadster from the early 90's, something between the sky.solstice, and the current corvette


SevorbeupstryIsBackSevorbeupstryIsBack - 12/21/2007 12:20:33 PM
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What? Are they serious?

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

tossers

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t_bonet_bone - 12/21/2007 7:19:48 PM
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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. :)

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EL34EL34 - 12/21/2007 1:54:52 PM
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It would look better than your lowered Honda.

How are those speed bumps?

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lewishamiltonpimplewishamiltonpimp - 12/21/2007 2:12:38 PM
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I wonder what Kraut actually drives. What an imbecile.

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EnnNorakEnnNorak - 12/21/2007 2:50:17 PM
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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.

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Htay7500Htay7500 - 12/21/2007 4:30:14 PM
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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.

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85bmw745i85bmw745i - 12/21/2007 6:01:47 PMView My AgentSpace
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Yeah with a behemoth engine roughly twice the size of its competitors

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85bmw745i85bmw745i - 12/21/2007 6:00:51 PMView My AgentSpace
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yeah, with behemoth engine toughly twice the size of the competitors.

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85bmw745i85bmw745i - 12/21/2007 6:03:03 PMView My AgentSpace
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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.

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1995e341995e34 - 12/21/2007 7:44:54 PM
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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.

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neutralneutral - 12/21/2007 8:35:58 PM
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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.

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germeezy2germeezy2 - 12/21/2007 11:41:26 PM
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Oh by the way, the Z06 is technically mid engine. Its front mid engine

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germeezy2germeezy2 - 12/21/2007 11:42:50 PM
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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.

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GeorgemiaGeorgemia - 12/27/2007 6:35:38 PM
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With the Solstice/Skye below, makes sense to me to take the Corvette further upmarket. After all, its' buyers are ageing, and the concept of a V-8 powered every-day car is probably on the way to extinction.

GM should make the car revolutionary, mid engined? Hybrid? Something that won't be just another continuation of a 1984 concept, but that will enhance the whole brand's image.

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motomoto - 3/27/2008 8:42:06 PM
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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.

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