big al1

I will just wondering if the General will ever produce a mid-engine supercar? I think that times are changing and the younger buy with money would buy an American made mid-engine supercar.I would like some feedback.

uxojerry

Ford is going to reincarnate the Ford GT. It would be nice if GM got into the mix. They could use the heritage of the Chaparral.

goatts

GM supposedly shelved the idea after banckruptcy.

Jinx

Unlike Ford, GM already has a high-reaching halo car. Really, Corvette's success gets in the way of a mid-engined supercar. How do you justify it? The business case is far from assurred. GM's problem is similar to Porsche's with the 911, except without Porsche's deep well of brand loyalty among the very rich who can support supercar side projects, and without the same need for the brand to reinvest in a high-end sports car identity.

If GM builds a mid-engined supercar, it undercuts the Corvette. It begs the question, couldn't you make your old formula work anymore? Was it really not good enough all this time? Not just in terms of competing as a performance car, but serving as a corporate halo.

.Jinx

Almost There

i think part of the Daytona prototype car is to show the world that a mid-engine car can still look like a corvette.

LS1LT1

jackhall99

For the third time!!

I think GM shelved the idea a long time ago when they killed the CERV III in 1990 or so. Zora developed earlier rear mid-engine cars and GM would never go for it, and that was back in the "flush" days. I just can't see them approving that cost today.

rcallen484

Having achieved 50/50 front/rear weight distribution with the current form factor, is there any advantage to be gained with mid engine design?

LS1LT1

There could be yes, especially in the area of straight line traction (more weight over the drive wheels etc.).
Many high end super cars are mid-engined for a reason, but there are advantages and disadvantages to every design.

Racer X

They already have. The C4, C5, and C6 Corvettes are all Mid-engined and they all had top notch performance. The C$ held a number of speed records. The C5 Z06 kicked Much tail, and the C6 ZR1 removed all doubt.

Nitrous Oxide

Zat iz ze qwestion!

I prefer mid engine cars. But I have no rational reason behind it.

LS1LT1

Good point. Though the motor in the C4/C5/C6 is in front of the driver, the cars really aren't 'truly' front engined.
And that mid-front engine design does in fact bring the Corvette's weight distribution much closer to 50/50 (in fact, a dead on 50/50 in some models during some years) than any mid engined/rear engined car.

Almost There

50/50 is not the ideal weight distribution. Especially if aerodynamics are at work. To be frank, it amazes me that the GTE-pro vette and m3 do so well; but if I am correct I believe they are still allowed to use traction control.

LS1LT1

Also true, otherwise Formula One cars would be an exact 50/50 and they're usually not (but they can be close to it, especially on certain tracks/set ups).
But in a high performance street/sports car that's being piloted by both average laymen (housewives holding cell phones up to their ears...drivers who've never driven 'over the speed limit' their entire lives etc.) and very skilled drivers alike, the Corvette's 'near' 50/50 (51/49) might be the better combo.

jackhall99

Very well said. A lot of folks lose sight of the real use of more than 95% of Corvettes and who is driving them.

Almost There

Yes, but with traction control whats the difference. GM would never again have released something as tricky as an early corvair or 911, but now whats the caveat (besides slightly limited storage) to a higher-limit mid-engine car if its reeled in by advanced TC systems? None I say.

Senna1994

Jinx, as usual great post and right on the money.

Endeka

This. If you watch high frame-rate video captures of Corvette launches, particularly high powered Vettes like the Z06 and ZR1, the car initially lurches backwards as the power locks in, and its that jolt, and a sort of micro-bounce through the chasis, more than the rotation of the tires, that seems to break the car loose. If you have the engine squatting on the back wheels, you can achieve a better RWD grip and possibly a faster launch.

Also, lets face it, rear-mid engines are like gull wing doors-tough to live with, tough to work on, but insanely cool.

JustinStrife

Maybe I missed the boat somewhere, only being 31 and all, but what exactly is cool about rear-mid engine setups?

hig4s

Actually, by FIM rules F1 cars must be +/- about .5%: 54.1% rear 45.9% front.

Ferrari Enzo is 44% front 56% rear. and they claimed that was ideal.
Lambo Gallardo is 43% front 57% rear and they claimed that is perfect.