Mid-Engine GM Prototype Confirmed as the C8 Corvette? When It May Debut, And Possible MSRP Revealed.

"Random Commenter" (theemptykinja)
12/03/2018 at 20:36 • Filed to: None

In his latest YouTube video, the Louisville Chevy Dude, Mike Davenport, while speaking about why he believes that ZR1 will not be offered after 2019, states that:

“...the reason behind that is because they’re getting ready to announce the mid engine car.”

This seems to suggest that Mike Davenport, who sells many a ‘Vette, knows that the mid engine prototype we’ve all been assuming is a Corvette (because what else would it be (no, it’s not a Cadillac)) IS in fact the C8 Corvette. This would not be surprising, as it was reported by several outlets that GM revealed some info about the mid engine C8 Corvette to dealers back in April.

From there, he goes on to say that according to his sources, the C8 Corvette may not be debuting at the North American Auto Show in Detroit, due to some problems he won’t go into due to not wanting to “out” his source, and that it may instead be revealed at the Chicago Auto Show in early/mid February.

He then goes on to say that be believes that the base model of the 2020 C8 Corvette may cost $149,995, which is a fiver short of $39,000 more than the base MSRP of the 2019 Corvette ZR1. In my opinion, it’s got some pretty big shoes (performance-wise) to fill to justify such a huge increase in cost over the current Corvette Stingray’s base MSRP.

Whether this information turns out to be true or not, we won’t know until GM unveils the C8 Corvette, but I for one am hoping his MSRP estimate is inaccurate, because I think such a vast price increase will cause GM problems... it’s a big leap from the 2019 Corvette Stingray’s base MSRP of $59,950 to a base MSRP of $149,995 for the base model of the 2020 C8 Corvette. One has to wonder if it will still be the go-to “bang for buck” that the Corvette has traditionally been... it sure has to have a huge increase in performance to justify a price increase of over $90,000, in my opinion.

Here’s the video in its entirety... the relevant portion starts at the 12:39 mark, in case the video doesn’t start at the right spot.

DISCUSSION (38)

Phyrxes once again has a wagon! > Random Commenter
12/03/2018 at 21:43

If this guy’s cost projection is even close to correct that would put the Corvette at almost McLaren 570 (or other entry level exotic of your choice) money, which seems insane.

facw > Phyrxes once again has a wagon!
12/03/2018 at 22:00

I still think the most likely case is that they sell both the new one and C7 side by side. I don’t think the mid-engined one will be cheap, but I don’t think they want to leave such a huge price gap either.

For Sweden > Random Commenter
12/03/2018 at 22:24

(no, it’s not a Cadillac)

Except that it is a Cadillac

50ford500 > Random Commenter
12/03/2018 at 23:14

It really should be a Caddy but I have irrational dreams about a grand return of “The Golden One”

Frank > Phyrxes once again has a wagon!
12/03/2018 at 23:33

The McLaren starts at ~190, which is almost enough to buy this and a stingray, so not even close to the same. The entry level position of exotics is 200-250k.

Gabe > Random Commenter
12/03/2018 at 23:44

P eople for the love of sanity stop calling it C 8, it’s not going to be a C8. It is going to be a special edition just like the ZR1 is to the main line of Corvettes. They’re not going to drop the front engine base Corvette for $175,000 vehicle. I wish all these magazine editors that “ know so muchç would just call it a Zora and not C8

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Random Commenter
12/04/2018 at 00:07

RIP Pensioners, Uncles, Grandads, and Boomers who wanted a Vette and Medicare at the same time.

BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. > Random Commenter
12/04/2018 at 00:45

A: I would not be surprised by this being true.

B: what rationale does simply going mid-engined almost TRIPLE the price of a car, rather than front engined, rear-transaxle, as C7 is.

C: By what measure does CHEVY think they can go against supercar players, like the heart of Porsche territory, McLaren, Ferrari, and Lamborghini entry-level? Acura and BMW even have trouble justifying that sort of price tag on NSX and i8, respectively.

D: GM used to build mid-engined at an affordable level to the point that it had to cancel it, to avoid embarrassing the C4 Corvette. FIERO.

Random Commenter > Gabe
12/04/2018 at 02:14

Dude... the amount of evidence against what you just said is quite substantial... In addition to that substantial amount of evidence, the video I provided is from a Chevrolet salesman who sells a lot of Corvettes... who was likely at the meeting where GM “teased” the mid engine Corvette back in April. This isn’t the word of a magazine editor, it’s from, if my memory serves me right, one of the biggest Corvette sellers in the country. If he’s calling it the C8 Corvette, which I’m fairly sure he has in previous videos, he’s probably right.

And sorry, but I don’t buy that GM would spend the money to develop an entirely new mid-engine platform, and reportedly 2 entirely new engines for a limited run mid-engine S upercar.

Seems to me that it’s more likely than not to be the C8 Corvette.

That said, I have read that the mid engine car is still being built with a fiberglass body on an aluminum spaceframe, so, there is a possibility that Mike Davenport has made an assumption on the base MSRP, as he probably doesn’t know for sure. M anufacturers don’t decide what the MSRP is going to be until developmental testing is completed, as until that is complete , they d on’t know exactly how much it’s going to cost them to build them... after all, something could surface during testing that requires additional development time/costs.

Random Commenter > 50ford500
12/04/2018 at 02:19

Sorry, no offense meant, but I think the idea of it being a Cadillac is absurd. It would make no sense at all. Sure, the C ie n was a cool concept car, but even whey they made and unveil ed it, Cadillac made it clear that the Cien was simply built to celebrate Cadillac’s 100th Anniversary, and that it wouldn’t be built because it didn’t fit Cadillac’s ethos.

Random Commenter > For Sweden
12/04/2018 at 02:25

Except that it looks nothing like Cadillac’s design language, and would make absolutely no sense as a Cadillac. It being a Cadillac makes as little sense as it being a Buick, or a Holden.

I have no idea what makes you think it’s a Cadillac. It was seen testing with other Corvettes at GM’s Millford Proving Grounds... and I’m pretty sure that the Millford Proving Grounds allots time by development team... meaning that if the Corvette Development Team is using the proving grounds, a Cadillac design team wouldn’t be. If that’s the case, then the fact that it was being tested at Millford at the same time as the ZR1 was (which it was seen testing there with) proves that it’s not a Cadillac.

It’s not a Cadillac.

Random Commenter > Phyrxes once again has a wagon!
12/04/2018 at 02:27

Well, if it’s not faster than a current Stingray, yeah, it’s insane... but, if it can keep up with a 570s? Not so much... but, it would still be disappointing, as that would mean that the Corvette would lose a lot of its “bang for buck” cred.

Nauraushaun > Random Commenter
12/04/2018 at 03:15

Man your title can’t say it’s confirmed then end with a question mark. The same crap we’ve been dealing with for decades on this project.

Still hasn’t ever happened

Cccharlie > Random Commenter
12/04/2018 at 07:39

GM can build a midengine Vette for the same price as a frontengined Vette. Now that Stability Control is mandatory, the lawyers will let them do it.

Thunderwasp > For Sweden
12/04/2018 at 08:23

There might be a Cadillac version planned, but THIS is first and foremost a Corvette and will debut as a Corvette. I know this for a fact. I have no idea why some of you people are hell bent on declaring this a Cadillac when it's not.

Thunderwasp > Gabe
12/04/2018 at 08:26

This IS the C8. But the base is going to be around $70,000, this info is wrong . Trust me, this is no “special edition” it is without a doubt the evolution of the Corvette and the successor to the C7 “ aka” the C8.

Thunderwasp > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast.
12/04/2018 at 08:28

The Corvette has a much more loyal consumer base than any of the brands you mentioned and they have been spanking them in racing for decades. Just because it's a Chevrolet means nothing. This will be a bonafide supercar. If Ford can sell the GT for $400,000, Chevrolet can easily sell one for half that with better performance.

Nibbles > Random Commenter
12/04/2018 at 09:50

What else are they going to do with that newly-orphaned 4.2TT?

Racer Boy > Random Commenter
12/04/2018 at 10:02

This guy has no clue...none of his information is even close to being correct.

Dave > Random Commenter
12/04/2018 at 10:09

I would think a $135k base price would be solid with a top level $175k if they can make it handle. Knowing what the front engine can do, it only makes sense if the new chassis base tops the front engine ZR1.

Bill Lee > Random Commenter
12/04/2018 at 10:41

Oh, come on. They may come out with a supercar at supercar pricing for the highest end 'Vette, but they will need to come out with a $70K version or they won't sell enough to bother continuing the model. The number of people who could and would spend that kinda dough is SEVERELY limited.

TommyRocker > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast.
12/04/2018 at 12:33

I've always wondered that, too. What stops companies from making attractive and/or mid engine cars for similar prices to unattractive front engine cars? I get that 2 seaters have limited market but attractive cars don't have to cost significantly more than boring cars.

Nibbles > Random Commenter
12/04/2018 at 12:36

The greatest trick

GM ever pulled

Was convincing enthusias ts

That this isn’t a Cadillac

Random Commenter > Nibbles
12/04/2018 at 14:15

I don’t know where you people get the idea that this car is a Cadillac... it makes literally no sense to think it’d be a Cadillac... that makes as little sense as it being a Buick or a GMC. I’m starting to think you “it’s a Cadillac” people are just trolls.

Random Commenter > Nibbles
12/04/2018 at 14:19

What does that have to do with anything I said? It’s not a Cadillac. The idea of it being one makes no sense.

Nibbles > Random Commenter
12/04/2018 at 14:30

(Kinja has ate my photos. Ironic)

[Pictures of Cadillac-branded MR-vehicle key fobs here]

I don’t know who you (people?) are, but I’ve been on the “It’s a Cadillac” bandwagon since the car’s inception

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Maybe you’re a tad off if you don’t see the appeal of a halo car for GM’s luxury and performance brand

Nibbles > Random Commenter
12/04/2018 at 14:43

How does it make no sense? Cadillac has a rear-engine IMSA car. Cadillac has an orphaned high-feature twin-turbo V8. Cadillac needs a home for said engine, as it’s not being discontinued like the (only scheduled) vehicle it was supposed to go in. Cadillac needs to compete with other vehicles like BMW M8, Lexus RC, Acura NSX (lol), AMG GT.

The corresponding fob(s) which have been circulating show two things. A ground-down, molested unit with a hastily-attached Corvette logo, and a finished, polished unit with the Cadillac crest. Other than the related fob(s), there is no proof one way or the other. Given the evidence, it’s more likely to be a Cadillac than Corvette.

Tapas > Random Commenter
12/04/2018 at 14:53

ALLL of you are wrong. This is the 2020 El Camino .

Hear me out - Chevy alread y went all big, square and look-at-how-much-i-can-carry-and-tow with the Silverado.

They know they’re going to miss the enthusiasts who want a small, light and fast hot-rod truck by a mile with that. So they thought of what an El Camino on steroids would look like today and bam!

That “engine bay” is merely a very taut camo sheet stretched from the cab roof to the tail lights, with some glass to make it look like the Corvette .

Random Commenter > Nibbles
12/04/2018 at 15:16

And?

So... you’re saying that GM started developing a mid engine sports/super car 5+ years ago to create a car for an engine that was developed afterwards, that just became orphaned? Are you on drugs?

You do understand that GM often uses the same keyfob across several brands, right?

The idea of it being a Cadillac is absurd... and the body of evidence in relation to the mid engine prototypes points towards it being a Corvette. I know, because I’ve been paying attention to this thing since day 1, and I’ve read just about every single bit of information there is out there in regards to this mid engine prototype. One Cadillac logo on a keyfob and the fact that Cadillac races a mid engine car doesn’t change a thing... don’t forget that there was a mid engine Corvette in Daytona Prototype racing.

I’m telling you right now, it’s not a Cadillac.

Nibbles > Random Commenter
12/04/2018 at 15:25

Things that happen: engine designed for car, not car designed for engine.

The fact that the CT6-V is the only car that is scheduled (publicly) to get the V8, yet the engine lives on through the CT6’s death, suggests it will be used for a different model. Where else in Cadillac’s lineup would that engine be a good fit?

You may very well be right. However I’m not changing my stance until proven otherwise. I’ve said since day one that it’s a Cadillac and, until a preponderance of evidence proves otherwise, I’m sticking to it. I’m not a fan of backpedaling.

Random Commenter > Nibbles
12/04/2018 at 15:43

How many mid engine Cadillac Halo car concepts has GM produced?

The Cien doesn’t count, btw, because Cadillac clearly said it was made specifically to celebrate Cadillac’s 100th Anniversary, and that it was never intended for production.

Nibbles > Random Commenter
12/04/2018 at 15:50

So what you’re saying is, and let me make sure I have this right, is that since Cadillac hasn’t done something in a while, they’ll never do it again?

Let me spin your statement real quick.

How many mid-engine Corvette concepts have turned out to be complete cockteases?

Saracen > Random Commenter
12/04/2018 at 19:49

There may be a Cadillac sister car coming later with the 4.2TT V8...but it sure as hell isn’t this prototype. That’s %100 Corvette design language. This being a Caddy makes as little sense as it did when people were claiming that the GT-R was being branded as an Infiniti.

BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. > Thunderwasp
12/04/2018 at 20:08

They have a loyal consumer base at their price point.

Triple that price point, and we’ll see how loyal that is.

Racing has almost nothing to do with it, as most race cars are not street cars, and most street cars, even sports cars, don’t see much, if any serious track time... and street cars are purchased by people based on what they can afford to buy.

NSX had loyal fans, too... but isn’t selling well at a price point north of 160 grand, when having to compete with things more exclusive and bespoke.

If I had more money to spend on a car than the value of my HOUSE, I would buy a McLaren instantly over a Corvette, a Porsche Turbo S second, and a Lamborghini Huracan third, before even shopping for a 160k Corvette.

That is b ecause McLarens are built by McLaren the way McLaren builds cars, such as the 720S, and the F1. Corvette is built by Chevrolet the way GM builds cars, like the C4 and C5.

Random Commenter > Nibbles
12/06/2018 at 18:12

Cadillac has produced a single mid engine concept car in it’s over 100 year history, and when it produced that one, they clearly said it was never intended for production, and that a mid-engine supercar does not fit into Cadillac’s ethos.

No, I ask you, how many Chevrolet mid engine concepts have made it to road testing, and nurburgring testing? Oh, wait, just this one? And you think that doesn’t signal that it’s going to production?

A mid-engine Corvette is much more likely than a mid engine Cadillac.

There’s literally no reason to even entertain the idea of it being a Cadillac. None. “But the Keyfob!” So what... that’s probably just GM’s new Keyfob, and I’m guessing it’ll be used on all of the GM brands.

So just stop. It being a Cadillac makes no sense at all, and none of you “it’s a Cadillac” people can provide a single reason to believe it is one.

Random Commenter > Nibbles
12/06/2018 at 18:15

The evidence out there says it’s a Corvette, and has said it was a Corvette from day one. The fact that it has been seen undergoing testing with other Corvettes (ZR1/ZR1 w ZTK) proves it’s a Corvette. They wouldn’t be testing a Cadillac with Corvettes... as they are being developed by two different teams.

Nibbles > Random Commenter
12/07/2018 at 10:41

Not stopping, thanks.

If it’s “...probably just GM’s new keyfob” then why does the Cadillac branded unit have the same mid-engine silhouette as the Corvette unit?

A being more likely than B does not prove B is not going to happen. S aying over and over that the Cien isn’t this or won’t that doesn’t matt er. Of course the Cien didn’t fit their model back in 2002; do you even remember what Cadillac was pumping out back then?

So just stop trying to convince me. You have yet to bring any concrete evidence

Random Commenter > Nibbles
06/22/2019 at 05:56

So, uh... yeah... I know it’s been a while, but... I gotta point it out... like I said... not a Cadillac, lolz.