by "RacinBob" (racinbob)
Published 09/09/2017 at 18:06
by "RacinBob" (racinbob)
Published 09/09/2017 at 18:06
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You might remember the epic fail that the gods of marketing caused when they decided we needed a “new” Coke. I wonder if Chevy is setting themselves up for a similar fail with the upcoming rear engine C8 Corvette Zora.
Towing to races gives me lots of time to observe what people drive. And on any given weekend I see a lot of guys driving their Vette’s . I have to wonder how many present Vette owners really lust for a rear engine car. Especially the guys having convertibles who will now have to settle on a “targa”. Chevy brand marketing might believe present Vette owners will “get over it” but will they?
Harley hasn’t messed with Vee twin. Porsche stepped back from the brink before retiring the 911. I have to wonder whether Chevy will end up with a new Vette that is only popular with people who won’t buy a Vette anyway.
Today I saw dozens of cruising C5/6/7 Vettes as I took the 90 mile drive back from the concert. Will any of those guys want a completely foreign layout car to replace their present Corvette? I gotta wonder.
If I were in Chevy leadership, I would have named the new rear engine car as a “Z1 - Corvette Zora” and continued the C7 Stingray at least until the market states a preference. If they did that, I suspect the “C” front engine formula would be around for a long time.
"CB" (jrcb)
09/09/2017 at 18:09, STARS: 0
I think, like all mid-engined Corvettes before it, we won’t have to worry because it won’t exist.
"ranwhenparked" (ranwhenparked)
09/09/2017 at 18:11, STARS: 1
They could blunt the impact by doing what Coca-Cola eventually did and just sell both versions side by side.
"TheTurbochargedSquirrel" (thatsquirrel)
09/09/2017 at 18:13, STARS: 0
Interestingly enough something like 80% of people preferred New Coke over Coke Classic in blind taste tests. People only hated it because it was different.
"FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem" (fuelstratifiedinjection)
09/09/2017 at 18:15, STARS: 0
I still hope it will be a future Cadillac.
"Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now)" (bman76-4)
09/09/2017 at 18:19, STARS: 0
First off, mid engine not rear. Second, 90% of Corvette owners buy the car because it has Corvette badges, so as long as it has decent performance credentials it’ll continue to exist. The only thing I worry about is them pricing themselves out of the market by going to a mid engine design.
"RacinBob" (racinbob)
09/09/2017 at 18:20, STARS: 0
Exactly my point.
"RacinBob" (racinbob)
09/09/2017 at 18:23, STARS: 0
Being right but being hated is a hard way to make money. Brand preferences (even irrational) are ignored at peril.
"RacinBob" (racinbob)
09/09/2017 at 18:26, STARS: 0
Agreed if Cadillac were to race it too in GT3. I wonder what would be globally more popular. A Zora GT3 as Cadillac or Chevrolet?
"Urambo Tauro" (urambotauro)
09/09/2017 at 18:27, STARS: 0
If I were in Chevy leadership, I would have named the new rear engine car as a “Z1 - Corvette Zora” and continued the C7 Stingray at least until the market states a preference. If they did that, I suspect the “C” front engine formula would be around for a long time.
I think I’d rather just leave the Corvette name out of the new car altogether. Calling it a “Corvette Zora” reminds me too much of the whole “Lumina APV” naming mess. Better off just giving it its own unique name.
"RacinBob" (racinbob)
09/09/2017 at 18:28, STARS: 0
You make a good point, if they bury the C7, what will the Vette guys buy if not a Zora. But, I know guys that buy a new vette every year. These guys are picky about their Vette’s. I have to wonder if they will make the jump....
"RacinBob" (racinbob)
09/09/2017 at 18:30, STARS: 0
Good point. Ford doesn’t call their’s a Ford GT Mustang.....
Somehow though I would want to create linkage to the Corvette racing legacy as it will be sold by the same guys to hopefully the same customers.
"Shoop" (shoopdawoop993)
09/09/2017 at 18:49, STARS: 0
They’re gonna keep a front engine version under the mid engined one for sure.
"FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem" (fuelstratifiedinjection)
09/09/2017 at 19:09, STARS: 1
Cadillac desperately needs a flagship plus a GT3 racecar would fit nicely in Cadillac’s target sport luxury image they’re targeting imo.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
09/09/2017 at 19:10, STARS: 0
I don’t see any need for a mid-engined Corvette.
"Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now)" (bman76-4)
09/09/2017 at 19:13, STARS: 0
I’m pretty sure as long as they stick some crossed flags on it somewhere people will buy it all the same.
"Urambo Tauro" (urambotauro)
09/09/2017 at 19:20, STARS: 0
“Ford GT Mustang” Ugh, that would be the most confusing thing ever haha.
I’m all for putting this thing into production, but not at the expense of cancelling the FR/FMR Corvette. Few buyers willing to pay $60k for a Corvette are going to be able to afford a Ford GT rival.
But as far as the name goes, maybe we’re getting all worked up over nothing. We’re still just speculating over spy shots and third-party renders, right? I don’t recall GM actually saying anything about that test mule yet. It did have some Corvette parts on it, but maybe the real bodywork still isn’t ready. Of course, what else are we gonna call it when we see ’Vette parts... I just hope that’s a red herring.
"RacinBob" (racinbob)
09/09/2017 at 20:03, STARS: 0
If Cadillac was really committed to the racing it in GT3, I think you are right. The question is where to race it. Cadillac already is in IMSA DPI and if I read correctly, DPI may be a LeMans class in 2020. If Cadillac also races the Zora in GT3, the the brand benefits because they race against Ferrari, Ford GT, Aston, Acura etc.
But the bad thing is they also race against the Vette C7 having arguably the same engine. It’s complicated.
"RacinBob" (racinbob)
09/09/2017 at 20:06, STARS: 0
"JR1" (type35bugatti)
09/09/2017 at 21:43, STARS: 0
I don’t think 90% of people buy the car because of the badge. It is because a front engined V8 all American sports car is something they have lusted after for decades or since childhood..
Change is bad and I hate it. Bring back carbs and bias ply tires
"NYankee1927" (nyankee1927)
09/09/2017 at 22:49, STARS: 0
“upcoming”
Ha... I don’t see this being a problem for chevy since they won’t ever launch it.
"Nauraushaun" (nauraushaun12)
09/11/2017 at 16:15, STARS: 0
I think it won’t happen since it’s been rumored for 40 years.
If it does they’ll keep both.
And it’ll be mid, not rear engined.
And here may sill be a convertible. Ferrari and Macca have done it with mid-mounted V8s, Chev can too.
I think you have a point about nobody buying it. Corvette owners won’t want it, and it’s not going to lure anyone out of a Ferrari. It will sell, but not in numbers anywhere near the current Corvette, and will probably get axed.