Mid-Engine 'Vette?

[Otto Puzzell]

Over at Autoextremist.com, writer Peter M. De Lorenzo assures us a (rear) mid-engine Corvette is on the way in the next few years. Love 'em or hate 'em, 'Vettes have always have been looked askance at when compared to blue-blood cars with similar (or lesser) performance. De Lorenzo says that objection is about to go by the wayside, as his sources have convinced him the cost bogeys associated with transaxles, packaging and cooling have been hit.

What do you think - is a mid-engine Corvette the right way to go, or will GM alienate generations of GT loving fans?

[Stephen M]

I don't see the need for it, to be honest. They get excellent weight distribution with the current front engine + transaxle layout. The low profile OHV engine allows them sleek lines and a low hood without resorting to mid engined complications. And the performance of the current model is already on par with cars costing 50-100% more.

The big knocks against the 'vette in the autorag eyes are:

1) It's a Chevy.
2) Interior materials not on par with cars that cost a lot more (go figure)

Moving the engine to where god intended it to go won't change those.

My suspicion, not mentioned in the article linked, is something entirely different....Chevy is moving the engine mid-ships for another reason: To better differentiate between the Corvette and upcoming Camaro. For decades the Corvette's main advantage over the Camaro was a few extra ponies from the same engines, an independent rear instead of a live axle, and 200 or so fewer pounds. I suspect those distinctions aren't seen as enough to justify the premium the general wants to charge for the 'vette over the Camaro. Which in turns means that the new mid-engined Corvette is creeping upmarket. 

For my own interest, I'd love another mid-engined, accessible sports car from a major manufacturer. My MR2 has 184k on it now and will probably only last another 100k or so. With Toyota having abandoned sports cars in their entirety, I'd be happy to buy American again, in 2013 or so when these things start showing up used in my price range

My longer than intended $0.02,
-Stephen M

[Ultra]

My longer than intended $0.02,
-Stephen M

A Nickel, perhaps?

[Tifosi]

I wonder just where the XLR enters into the equation...as for the Camaro, is GM really expecting for it to steal a lot of Vette sales?  After the new wears off, I wonder just how important the Camaro will be to GM.  It'll be just another nostalgia car, like the PT Cruiser, IMO...the Mustang survives because it was[and is] a cultural icon.  I don't really see the Camaro or Challenger as being anything like the Mustang in that regard.  The Vette is another cultural icon, and I hesitate at the thought of  redefining it...Ford tried that with the Mustang, and it didn't work.

Maybe a mid engine XLR would be a better choice...a real "halo" car for Caddy and GM across tthe board...but then, it would eclipse the Vette.

I'll believe a mid engine Corvette when I see it.



Dan

[Otto Puzzell]

Perhaps, with the Camaro (and Dodge's Challenger) the Mustang is about to become seriously out-of-date. Both the newcomers incorporate serious power, the right bits underneath, and in Chevy's case anyway, a newfound appreciation for nice looking interiors. While the 'Stang was nice as a show car, the cost cutting (both visible and underneath) of the production model don't hold much appeal for me.

I don't see there being a huge advantage for a much more expensive BMW 3-Series M over these coming GT's. The fact that the styling of the "Detroit" resonates with a generation or two of American buyers won't hurt, either. Save 10k, get a lot of bang for the buck, and a back seat to boot.

If the Vette goes rear mid-engine, a lot of their core fans will be alienated. Something the more recent vintages have had in spades is lots of room for luggage and other stuff, which one needs when taking the trophy bride or mistress on a weekend jaunt. What will they do when presented with front-and-rear shoe-box size storage bins - rent a trailer?

[Ultra]

According to Ultradomus........   The odds of a mid-engine vette are 1in 7.

[Otto Puzzell]

Tell us more, please!

[Ultra]

Tell us more, please!

I could tell you, but then I would have to kill you.

[Otto Puzzell]

Gee - that's not very nice...

[Ultra]

Gee - that's not very nice...

Rules are rules! 

[Otto Puzzell]

Bully

[SeaLion]

Unlikely.

OK, GM like to beleave Corvette is a supercar and some supercars are indeed mid-engined. But they have allready shown several mid-engined Corvette concept studies in the past, and each time the real thing was front-engined.

I don't think GM can afford to gamble with the Corvette trademark, so if there ever wil be a GM mid-engined supercar it will be called something else. And then it would be either less super (as Pontiac Fiero was) or super-super (as a Cadillac Cien would be).