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"Engine at the front, drive at the back. That’s been the staple of the Corvette since it was introduced in 1953. Alternatively, so has the idea of a mid-engined variant. Up until now, we haven’t seen said mid-engine Corvette reach the production line, but rumors have been swirling, and the idea is becoming more of a reality today than ever before.
There have been plenty of reports and even a few test mules spotted, but we won’t know whether a mid-engine Corvette is actually happening until we see one in the flesh. For now, we can only imagine. That’s where our ace rendering artist Hansen Art comes in.
The concept you see here is our interpretation of a possibly upcoming mid-engine Corvette. And it’s pretty radical, as it should be.
Design: From front to back, the new Corvette will get a massive makeover. Though, it won’t lose too many styling cues from the Stingray we know and love. The front end gets a huge boost in aerodynamics without that big engine in the way, and the grille will provide more downforce than the underlying Z06.
Engineers are also likely to also ditch many of the heavier fiberglass body panels in place of lighter, stiffer carbon fiber. Just like any good supercar.
Performance: Move the engine from the front to the back— sounds simple enough, right? While the idea may sound elementary, the engineering required in restructuring an entire vehicle could hypothetically take years. But thanks to a robotic frame fabrication tool GM cooked up for the C7 Corvette, stretching and shaping a new frame for the engine transfer won’t take rocket science. Just engineering science…and time.
With that reworked frame, Chevy will probably stick the same 6.2-liter V8 found in the current ‘Vette back there, albeit with a turbocharger or two. It’s relatively new, eeks out huge amounts of power when need be, and definitely worthy of powering a world-class Corvette hypercar. Expect somewhere north of 750 horsepower to be present.
The Final Product: When it’s all said and done, if Chevy does decide to move forward with the mid-engine Corvette project, it’s bound to be something special. A radical, American design paired with a powerful engine and a modern chassis should put cars like the Porsche 918 and McLaren P1 on notice.
After all, Americans can build world-class hypercars too."
my problem with buying a corvette like this, is the fact it looks like a base C7. When spending this kind of money, i want my car to look more exclusive
my problem with buying a corvette like this, is the fact it looks like a base C7. When spending this kind of money, i want my car to look more exclusive
It more than likely will look more exotic or unique... this was an artist's personal rendering. The essence that's more important and relevant is if/when GM finally or actually manufactures a mid-engined exotic/super sports car. We shall see... or not.
Come on, really? They paid some one to draw that. I should think that GM would put a better twist on it than that rendering.
I would bet that Cadillac would be a better home for GM's mid engine super car...or Pontiac could be resurrected. Kind of like Chrysler did with Dodge.
For my money, I think the best rendering is a car that GM already built. If GM is going to build a mid engine coupe it would probably look like the Cien.
I like that render better than the other ones. The Cien, not that great, IMO, the rear is too big, the proportions seems wrong. (tire stagger and rear quarter) That new Ford GT. That is a looker!
I like that render better than the other ones. The Cien, not that great, IMO, the rear is too big, the proportions seems wrong. That new Ford GT. That is a looker!
I agree. Since the 2nd generation, you could always find similarities between the Corvette and Ferrari. The Cien looks like they took the styling ques from Lambo instead of Ferrari.
why doesn't GM just come up with a separate model and call it something other than a Corvette or anything that has to do with a Corvette (Zora, ZR1, Duntov, etc...)?
The Mustang's got the Camaro covered tit-for-tat. I don't think GM can afford to let Ford GT, next gen. GT-R, and others rule the high end. That'd make the Vette window too narrow.
Of all cars GM makes that are ready to go upmarket (Cadillac cars are not among them), the Corvette, with its sustained excellence since the 1997 C5, is ready.
This will:
1) Give Camaro some more breathing room to go upmarket itself
2) Give Cadillac a platform to share for its halo down the road
3) Raise the potential much higher before tractability plateaus out (as the current front engine'd RWD layout is getting to)
4) Keep C7 and earlier resale values pretty good
Even if we're not ready for it by 2018, we will need it by ~2025. And Chevy should get one out by 2018, so that they can continue to optimize the newfound limits so that the 2025 2nd gen. mid-engine'd Vette becomes a hyper car force.
It will undoubtedly be a cool car if built, but other than maybe seeing one at a car show it will have no impact on me. Unless I win Powerball, it will remain solidly outside my price range.
my problem with buying a corvette like this, is the fact it looks like a base C7. When spending this kind of money, i want my car to look more exclusive
It's just a render. IE: Not the real car.
It's going to happen one way or another. But they'll offer it as a trim level I guess, since they plan on keeping the lower trim vehicles with the engine in the front.
04-14-2015, 01:35 PM
Article: 2017 Mid-Engine Corvette... An All-American Super Coupe
