BlueOx

Assuming you like how the C6 handles and that the base C7 would handle similarly...which would more negatively change the driving dynamics of the C7 more...Mid-engine or AWD?

Let's hear your thoughts.

jackhall99

Make it a poll.

Michael A

Your thread title doesn't match the question inside your post.

Title: "Which would change the driving dynamics of the C7 more"

Post: "which would more negatively change the driving dynamics of the C7"

Two different questions.

Michael

Jinx

Maybe driving dynamics aren't the only significant consideration.

John T

I drove a 997 Porsche last night- no where near as exciting as my 08 ZO6 ,felt entirely different but very , very well made... As for AWD, cool but don't do more harm to the steering feel which already doesn't feel as good as the 997

JoesC5

Who cares. You aren't going to see either one in a Corvette.

93Rubie

None of the above.
Low C of G, well balanced 50/50, front to rear, and side to side.

As neutral as possible in cornering balance, none of this built in understeer crap. Flickable, tossable car. Subaru BRZ has this in spades.

The nose should tuck when I lift, and the tail should rotate with a little throttle but not spin tires or spin the car. Neutral balance.

If I wanted more snap oversteer at the limit I'd buy a mid-engine or a 911.

If I wanted it to push/understeer like a truck and I had to use HP and traction to turn, I'd get a AWD.

None of this will matter because only about 5% (maybe 10% if your feeling generous) of all Corvette owners actually ever drive the car at the limits. Taking a on ramp or corner or similar is NOT at the limits.

Auto-x/road course is. So why the concern? Unless, you drive it like you should?

LS1LT1

I don't know.

Which would change the seating comfort of the C7 more, wider tires or more bass in the stereo system?

Notch

Mid-engine platforms offer a very different driving experience. Since the vast majority of owners don't track their cars, the way the car delivers the driving experience on the street can be important, and a mid-engine design definitely provides a different experience than the front-engine design.

Racer X

AWD will definitely change the driving dynamics more negatively than going to Mid-engine with the engine behind the passenger compartment (the Corvette is already mid-engine, just with the driver behind the engine). Apparently the OP forgets this fact.

AWD deadens steering feel, adds torque steer to the front, increase rotational mass, increases the polar moment, increase steering heaviness. It adds a front weight bias.

Rear mid engine placement removes weight from the front tires for lighter quicker steering, allows more more desireable slight rear weight bias which allows for a 50/50 weight bias under braking for more balance braking; and a rear weight bias for better traction under acceleration. It allows allows a better use of the friction circle of the tires to allow the steering tires to focus their friction on steering and driving tires to focus their friction on acceleration.

Notch

A good synopsis. Additionally, the mid-engine (behind the driver) also presents a unique feel for the driver; you body feels like it is the center of mass on directional changes and in the corners. It's a very "connected" feel that, along with the things you pointed out above, make the experience different than any other engine placement design.

JoesC5

Even though it's a SAE paper from 50 years ago, it is based on engineering knowledge. Very interesting reading.

http://corvetteactioncenter.com/spec...3/1963-SAE.pdf

They say that a F/R weight distribution of between 47/53 to 40/60
is best, not 50/50.

JoesC5

The Ford GT, that is a mid-rear engine car and is an awesome car, but try and do a 12 day cruise through our National Parks with it. Open the hood and you will find storage space of 1 cubic foot. Pack 12 days of stuff in 1 cubic foot. That's way a mid-rear engine Corvette will never be made. For every Corvette that sees serious track duty, there is a thousand Corvettes cruising around with it's 22 cubic feet of storage space(coupe, Z06 & ZR1) or 11 cubic feet(Vert with top up. 7.5 cubic feet with top down) being used.

Tell your wife that the two of you are going to the Black Hills Corvette Classic event for a week, and she has to get everything she wants to take along in a box 12" X 12" X 12".

Notch

That's one of the best reasons why less storage space is a good thing; making the wife pack less.

Notch

Exactly.

There are lots of people who misunderstand static weight distribution, and even more that confuse it with polar moment.

Notch

There are plenty of people who road tour in mid-engine cars.

Notch

BTW, that's not representative of what a car like the 458 will hold.

This is the front trunk with a roll-aboard suitcase showing that there is room for it and more in the front trunk:





Here is more luggage space behind the front seats, showing the Ferrari luggage stowed there:

MitchAlsup

Agreed, and the reason?

You have bigger tires on the rear! So you want more weight on the bigger tires. This helps take load off the front tires in cornering (less understeer) and braking, and also increases forward traction under power.

The rearward weight bias also allows the driver to rotate the car with the throttle pedal {a)when the driver is skilled, b) when the turn radius is small}.

The lessened weight on the front improves steering feel.

93Rubie

Hence my point, why do we need a mid-engine when the C5/C6 are basically mid engine cars. They almost feel just like one.

Not disagreeing the the very good description of a mid-engine car.
I think that in practical terms of packaging, layout,etc...the C5/C6 front mid engine layout is best. That and I'm traditional like that.

93Rubie

wow, great link. I've never seen this before. I wonder if some exist for C4's and up?