I Hope Chevy Does Not Build a Mid-engined Corvette

"JR1" (type35bugatti)
06/30/2016 at 09:12 • Filed to: Corvette

The rumors are once again flying around the web that Chevy plans to dismantle years of history and heritage in the endless pursuit to build the ultimate sports car. And people seem to be happy about it...

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But why? What makes the internet so excited about the prospect of a mid-engine Vette? What is so wrong with the Corvette now? Today you can walk into any Chevy showroom and buy a car that your dad bought and his dad before him. The modern Stingray is all the car anyone should ever want or need. It was even good enough to beat a !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! And if the Stingray isn’t enough for you, then for the price of an entry level 911 you can have a 650hp monster that needs no introduction.

The modern day Corvette is a vehicle you can change your oil in, throw a weeks worth of luggage in the back, and set a new lap record at your local track all in the matter of a day. Let’s also not forget if the day is sunny enough every Vette comes with an standard targa roof too so you can work on your tan or enjoy the beauty of the road with endless headroom. The front engine Corvette is a do it all practical car with little compromise. A mid-engine Vette would change all that.

The engine placement would complicate otherwise easy backyard maintence, the owner would lose the practicality of the Corvettes signature fastback hatchback, and odds are the price would skyrocket and the magic of the blue collar Corvette would be no more. Sure you might get a faster lap time but what would happen to the rest of the car?

Our country often seems to forget its own history. Too often a historical building is taken down replaced with a modern and trendy structure that in a decade will be dated. I cannot help but to think a mid-engined Corvette would be the same. Sure it would be objectively better but once the engine is moved to the rear it no longer is a Corvette. And suddenly the countries longest running sports car, the American sports car, is dead. A vehicle only the same in name alone is not the same vehicle.

DISCUSSION (82)

Funktheduck > JR1
06/30/2016 at 09:17

I agree. I think it'll be a separate model. It makes no sense to kill the classic corvette sports car to try to make it a super car or something.

Ash78, voting early and often > JR1
06/30/2016 at 09:18

First, they shouldn't call it the Corvette. Come up with something else. Second, isn't the Vette already a front-mounted mid-engine car? I always thought the determinant was whether the center of the engine was behind the front axle line, which is most definitely is. IIRC, the entire engine block is behind the front wheels (or damned close).

BringBackTheCommodore > JR1
06/30/2016 at 09:18

I think a LOT of it has to do with the lingering effects of this prototype that was produced by GM in the late ‘60s:

Kinja'd!!!

http://www.corvettes.nl/gm_prototypes/…

The rumors are nothing new, just wishful thinking by a great many. In my humble opinion, if something like that were to materialize, I think it would be better off as a one-off, limited-production supercar vice a complete reconfiguration of the Corvette.

Berang > JR1
06/30/2016 at 09:20

Tradition is usually the worst reason for anything.

Nauraushaun > Funktheduck
06/30/2016 at 09:21

Damn right. It’s like a front engined 911. It’s just not a 911 anymore, at least call it something else.

Funktheduck > Nauraushaun
06/30/2016 at 09:25

I don’t know how they’d call it a corvette if they did kill CC (Corvette Classic) for a mid engine NC (New Corvette). (Like my Coca Cola reference?).

They’d be shooting themselves in the foot business wise anyway. Like Jarod said above, it’s a blue collar sports car/super car (sometimes) beater. It’d jack up the price beyond what most people can afford and they'd lose sales.

JGrabowMSt > Berang
06/30/2016 at 09:25

Tradition is the worst JUSTIFICATION for anything.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > JR1
06/30/2016 at 09:25

Thank you. It’s fine for Porsche to make a mid-engined car. It’s not fine to call it a 911. A 911 is a car with an apparently compromised layout that has become a finely honed instrument as a result, with defining characteristics that would otherwise not exist.

It’s the same with the Corvette. It is by definition a front engined car that punches WAY above it’s weight. Change that and you lose all the heritage. If GM comes up with a mid-engined design though, cool. But it will never be a Corvette.

CounterTorqueSteer > JR1
06/30/2016 at 09:26

Great write up. Perfect analogy of historical buildings.

Hammerdown > JR1
06/30/2016 at 09:26

Totally agree. I’m on board with it being a Cadillac though...

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > JR1
06/30/2016 at 09:27

Even if they do build a mid-engine Corvette, GM isn’t going to kill the front-engine Corvette. It would be a separate model.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Funktheduck
06/30/2016 at 09:28

Even if they managed to keep it cheap and still awesome, the magic of punching up is gone. And it would no longer be a cruiser either, just a car that can only be enjoyed on the track.

Wheelerguy > JR1
06/30/2016 at 09:29

Yup, it can’t be a Corvette. It has got to be an XLR.

crowmolly > JR1
06/30/2016 at 09:30

I disagree, and I’m usually the first one to jump up and defend Chevy heritage. If it’s time to go mid, it’s that time. The Corvette needs to keep up. It doesn’t have round taillights anymore, it doesn’t have pop-up headlights. The top dog engine needs a supercharger to be competitive.

If any car has had it’s heritage horse fucked it’s the Camaro ZL1.

vondon302 > JR1
06/30/2016 at 09:30

Trust me it’s happening. Brother in law works at gm. It’s real but he won’t go into much detail beyond that.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Hammerdown
06/30/2016 at 09:30

Because that’s a new model. It’s like Porsche making a new 968 vs making the next 911 front engined.

JR1 > CounterTorqueSteer
06/30/2016 at 09:31

Thanks. As someone who loves history it pains me when we let our heritage disappear.

JR1 > Wheelerguy
06/30/2016 at 09:31

I agree. Cadillac needs the car more than Chevy

JR1 > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig
06/30/2016 at 09:31

I hope so.

JR1 > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
06/30/2016 at 09:32

And it shouldn't be called a Corvette, even if they keep the front engined Vette. Let it be stand alone

JR1 > BringBackTheCommodore
06/30/2016 at 09:33

I agree. Cadillac could greatly benefit from something mid-engined

JR1 > Ash78, voting early and often
06/30/2016 at 09:34

You are right I think it is front mid-engined. All the more reason not to change the recipe

GenuineAlexReid - The Reidus > JR1
06/30/2016 at 09:34

They should just call it the Corvair.

JR1 > Berang
06/30/2016 at 09:35

I disagree. Tradition means heritage and history. Both of which are invaluable to culture

Sam > Ash78, voting early and often
06/30/2016 at 09:35

Only annoying hipsters refer to it as a “front-mid-engined car”. A car is front engined if the engine is in front of the driver. It is mid engined if the engine is right behind the driver. It is rear-engined if it is a 911.

Funktheduck > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
06/30/2016 at 09:35

Yeah. I know everyone argues it’s already mid engined because the engine sits behind the front axels but that’s not the same as a rear mid engined car. It's totally different handling and purpose.

CounterTorqueSteer > JR1
06/30/2016 at 09:36

Or intentionally push it away.

450X_FTW > JR1
06/30/2016 at 09:37

Easy fix, make a mid engine corvette, but don’t call it a corvette. Problem solved.

I’d say call it a GT41. Because GT40 is as high as Ford can go, once they’re at GT40 they can’t go any higher. Well Chevy’s supercar goes to GT41

JR1 > crowmolly
06/30/2016 at 09:37

Needs to keep up? It surpasses countless rivals at a fraction of the price. I would say the Vette is doing just find. Furthermore it is already a front mid-engined car. That's all the balance you need.

Hammerdown > Hammerdown
06/30/2016 at 09:38

Exactly

http://www.autoblog.com/2016/06/28/mid…

JR1 > vondon302
06/30/2016 at 09:38

Then I how it is a Cadillac. Not a Corvette

JR1 > GenuineAlexReid - The Reidus
06/30/2016 at 09:38

That would be kinda funny

JR1 > 450X_FTW
06/30/2016 at 09:40

Or better yet call it the Cien. Cadillac needs a brand defining halo car

Ash78, voting early and often > Sam
06/30/2016 at 09:41

Hahaha, hipsters only drive cars with straight eights. I’m not even being pedantic, but the driver’s position has nothing to do with the nomenclature. If the engine is between the wheels, it’s mid engine. Yes, most mid-engine cars tend to put the driver in front of the engine. Long story short, I just don't think shifting those two positions around will make any real difference in handling.

Berang > JR1
06/30/2016 at 09:42

It also mean hanging onto things that aren’t important. Is it important that a corvette have an engine in the front? Or is more it important that a corvette be the best sports car GM can build?

vondon302 > JR1
06/30/2016 at 09:43

crowmolly > JR1
06/30/2016 at 09:43

If that’s where they want the car to go to elevate the brand or it will allow GM to increase performance past where they currently are then I’m all for it. Doing it as a novelty would be a big mistake.

I am aware that it’s already front mid.

450X_FTW > JR1
06/30/2016 at 09:43

Needs more syllables. Supercars can’t have just one. Pretty sure Koenigsegg Agera has 15 syllables, which is why it’s such an amazing supercar

JR1 > vondon302
06/30/2016 at 09:45

Hope not how. Stupid auto correct. Sorry

shop-teacher > JR1
06/30/2016 at 09:46

I hope they build both a mid-engined and a front-engined Vette.

Dru > JR1
06/30/2016 at 09:47

Agreed. Chevy has been able to keep both the Germans AND Italians on their toes for some time without conceding to moving the placement of the engine in the name of weight distribution. It's the perfect troll. They also need to bring back this color.

JR1 > crowmolly
06/30/2016 at 09:48

I feel like they lose too much by changing it. Suddenly the Sunday afternoon cruiser is gone replaced by an exotic car that is less accessible.

vondon302 > JR1
06/30/2016 at 09:48

Ah gotcha. Me too. He said it’s gonna be a corvette but he’s skilled trades so who knows. It is real though vette or caddy.

JR1 > shop-teacher
06/30/2016 at 09:49

I just hope it is called Cadillac. I don't want two Corvettes. The front engined would get overshadowed I think

JR1 > Dru
06/30/2016 at 09:49

Lime Rock green makes me weak in the knees

JR1 > 450X_FTW
06/30/2016 at 09:50

You're right it should be called the George Washington. Bringing freedom to the aristocratic exotic super car world

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > JR1
06/30/2016 at 09:51

Exactly. Frankly, I say give it to Caddy and give them a halo car for the new “Northstar v2.0"

JR1 > vondon302
06/30/2016 at 09:51

Well I am hoping it is a Cadillac. Besides the Stingray hasn’t been around long enough to replace anyway

Danger > JR1
06/30/2016 at 09:51

While you’re at it, tell the kids to get off your lawn! But seriously, I kind of agree. The Mustangs getting IRS was OK, but moving engines around is a bit much.

450X_FTW > JR1
06/30/2016 at 09:52

Freeing those tires from the tyranny of traction!

BigBlock440 > Sam
06/30/2016 at 09:52

Mid engine cars don’t exist by that reasoning, if it’s in front of the driver it’s front engined, if it’s behind it’s rear engined.

crowmolly > JR1
06/30/2016 at 09:52

Yeah, it seems like it may lose its accessibility but I don’t know how the numbers would work out. Hey, the Fiero and MR2 exist and they weren’t exactly $$$$ during their time.

I am wondering if their business development team is seeing a lot of cross shopping between Camaros and Corvettes and they want to widen the gap. Or maybe they are tired of being pigeonholed as a value priced American redneck hot rod. But that’s just wild ass conjecture.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > JR1
06/30/2016 at 09:52

I think they'll build both, make Corvette a full on brand.

Urambo Tauro > JR1
06/30/2016 at 09:55

I hope they do build it, but DON’T CALL IT A CORVETTE

Kinja'd!!!

In fact, don’t even call it a “Zora Corvette” or anything else with the Corvette name. We don’t want another nomenclature mess like the Lumina & Lumina APV.

vondon302 > JR1
06/30/2016 at 09:56

Cadillac does make more sense. They need a halo car.

chaozbandit > JR1
06/30/2016 at 09:57

Because racecar.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Funktheduck
06/30/2016 at 10:03

Well, technically it is and enjoys many of the benefits already, but yeah it’s not the same.

RazoE > JR1
06/30/2016 at 10:03

Don’t make it a Cadillac, we’re still trying to forget the XLR. K TKS.

shop-teacher > JR1
06/30/2016 at 10:07

I could get down with that.

JR1 > crowmolly
06/30/2016 at 10:17

Maybe people are cross shopping the two. That is a good point. I am just hoping the other rumor is true and it is actually a Cadillac

JR1 > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
06/30/2016 at 10:18

I don't want two Vettes. 1 Vette and 1 halo Cadillac

JR1 > Urambo Tauro
06/30/2016 at 10:19

Totally agree. Call it a Cadillac or like someone mentioned a Gt41 just to troll Ford for the fun of it

JR1 > RazoE
06/30/2016 at 10:20

I loved the XLR that car was sharp

gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee > JR1
06/30/2016 at 10:26

Every single time it’s been discussed in the past, it’s always as a flagship corvette, one better than the zr1, sorta deal. Which in my mind makes sense. You’d still have your regular front-engine rear-drive Corvette, complete with all the hot versions, etc, but then above that you’d have the one that competes directly with Lamborghini. Not just in performance, but also in image and price point. No one shopping around for a Lamborghini or a Ferrari is going to look at a $70,000 Corvette, or even a $150,000 Corvette. But they might think twice about that battle axe of a $300,000 Corvette. Just like Lexus did with the LFA. In most markets outside North America, Corvette is it’s own brand, marketed separate from Chevrolet. It would be the flagship of the Corvette brand, not taking away from the history of the car, but adding to it.

As long as they don’t call it the ZR2. That would just be weird.

JR1 > gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee
06/30/2016 at 10:29

I suppose I could get behind that but I think it would take away from the draw of the Corvette a little bit as well. Suddenly the front engined Corvette isn’t a world beater it is just the little brother to the “Zora” Vette.

While it wouldn't be the right move imo to make it a Cadillac I think it would be a better move than making it a Corvette. John as chief of Audi when the R8 came out. So why not do it again at Cadillac?

GenuineAlexReid - The Reidus > JR1
06/30/2016 at 10:32

Why not bring the name back! It would be cool, and not infuriate people (as much).

WiscoProud > Urambo Tauro
06/30/2016 at 11:03

Good reference with the Lumina. My mom had a Lumina APV when I was growing up. To this day I do not know of another vehicle that made you feel like you were in a space ship compared to driving that in a snow storm. Not to mention it took an impressive amount of abuse (from me), including being driven with no coolant (It was -20 out so I opened the hood to make it "air cooled" until I could fix it a few days later).

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > JR1
06/30/2016 at 11:06

I can see that, it actually makes a lot of sense that way. A mid-engined Corvette isn't really a Corvette...front engine and RWD is kind of what makes it a Corvette.

Urambo Tauro > WiscoProud
06/30/2016 at 11:09

I’ve always liked the good ol’ dustbuster van.

Only the name irritates me. ...Even more so when they dropped the APV designation, giving a sedan and a minivan the exact same name. It was an even worse decision than Ford’s “Taurus X”.

BringBackTheCommodore > JR1
06/30/2016 at 11:21

Kinja'd!!!

Could not agree more.

WiscoProud > Urambo Tauro
06/30/2016 at 11:26

I completely agree on the name. Just dumb.

Mitch Moen > JR1
06/30/2016 at 12:52

I’m hoping it’s either a Cadillac or a super limited production run (ie. Ford Gt)… and way overpriced. I totally get what you are saying about the front engine making it an American muscle car. I guess a Corvette means something different to me. Super Car performance at 1/3 the price.

IanZ - limited-slip indifferential > JR1
06/30/2016 at 13:05

A lot of people have said that Corvette should spin off into its own brand, and I agree with them. That way, you could have your classic corvette alongside the new midengine one.

JR1 > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
06/30/2016 at 14:25

Just like a 911 is rear engined

JR1 > Mitch Moen
06/30/2016 at 14:27

I agree. It's an American sports car. Changing the recipe to make it mid engined should not occur. Let it be a Cadillac or a GT fighter. The Stingray is doing just fine without an exotic layout

JR1 > IanZ - limited-slip indifferential
06/30/2016 at 14:28

I think that would overshadow the front engined Corvette which means it is no longer a halo car

RallyWrench > JR1
06/30/2016 at 15:21

This is one of those times when “Because Racecar” is a real answer to the “why?” question. The C8 and its successors might be unable to reach the expected performance targets, especially relative to competitors (regardless of price), or keep up on an international racing stage if they remain front/mid engined. You know things are changing when Porsche moves the 911's engine to keep up with the Joneses.

I’ll miss the front engined ‘Vette too, because above all else it’s a great GT car with a huge performance envelope. I think it’d be cool if they kept developing a front engined car since the C7 is a basically new platform and it seems a shame to move on so quickly. What I wonder is if they’ll do that and make a mid-engined halo ‘Vette that would enable them to go GT racing on a level field. It’d be a great excuse to bring back the “Mako” name.

JR1 > RallyWrench
06/30/2016 at 15:24

I'm still against the whole idea but using the Mako name would be outstanding

IanZ - limited-slip indifferential > JR1
06/30/2016 at 18:12

That would kind of be the point I guess. The f/e Corvette would move down, and the m/e Corvette would take the top spot in the lineup.

Nauraushaun > Funktheduck
06/30/2016 at 19:47

I agree. Front-mid engined it is technically.

briannutter1 > JR1
06/30/2016 at 23:04

Boo power on understeer. hopefully no worse than 45/55.

200 Touring > crowmolly
07/02/2016 at 01:18

One to keep in mind about the Fiero and 1st gen MR2, the Fiero had the drivetrain and suspension from the Celebrity/6000/Century/Ciera in the back and the Chevette suspension up front, only came with 4 and 6 cyliner engines (and craptacular ones at that) and that the MR2 also had the FWD Corolla drivetrain and suspension in the rear with either a naturally asperated or supercharged 4 cylinder behind the driver. They were just parts bin cars that happened to have craptacular Transverse Front-Front drivetrains stuck in cars that had a Transverse Mid-Rear layout. If GM wanted to parts bin a mid engine Vette, they could likely mount the engine, trans, and rear suspension together then reuse the front suspension with appropriately tuned springs and shocks, then reuse as much of the lighting, glass, and interior possible, but would have to re-engineer the entire chassis, restyle body to work with the Longitudinal Mid-Rear drivetrain, then partially rework the back half of the interior, maybe the rear glass, retune the suspension, ect. That’s a lot of work for a limited run car.