Autoextremist: Corvette C7 Rumor

[Lichtronamo]

If they go ahead with both a front engine and limited run mid-engine car, then does "Corvette" start becoming less Chevrolet, but a brand onto itself?

[E. Haskell]

Originally Posted by uboys

The 911 is rear-engined.

911 is more super car. Carrera GT...now that is an exotic.

[mbukukanyau]

if they build a mid engined car.. Cien should be the car.. not covertte

Originally Posted by Lichtronamo

If they go ahead with both a front engine and limited run mid-engine car, then does "Corvette" start becoming less Chevrolet, but a brand onto itself?

GM does not need another North American Brand.. they might have proton by years end.. and Lotus comes with that

[E. Haskell]

base 'Vette(under 50k), Z06(under 80k), Sting Ray(under 100k), mid-engine 'Vette(under 200k). This is the lineup I'd like to see.

[Quickening]

Mid Engine should be the Cien just as everyone is saying.

[CobaltSScrazy]

Make both, a standard trim corvette front engine rwd setup and a 100,000$ car of Enzo/Mclaren F1 type performance in every sense of the world, and split the cost with Cadillac so they could have a Bentley/Aston Martin fighter above XLR. A Z07 would be amazing mid engine with optional awd and over 700hp!!! Use a gearbox like the ones found in ferraris where you only paddle shift and take a CTS08/STS-V interior level of refinement and materials and put it in Z07, that would take the Corvette heritage to the next level: from America's Sports Car, to America's World Exotic Car...i'm all for both versions, V8+ rwd/awd and call it a day.

CobaltSScrazy

[Michael_S]

Originally Posted by uboys

The 911 is rear-engined.

It's my understanding that the 911 is rear-engined for mostly historical reasons. I've read a few reviews that say the Boxter/Cayman (mid engine) Porsches actually have substantially superior handling.

I'm curious about this small V8 AutoExtremist talks about.

[zete]

If they're building a mid-engine sports car it should be a Cadillac, a Cadillac Cien. It fits in with Cadillac's attempt to go after Mercedes and BMW.

And if there's a debate, that's probably what it is: a car that will outperform the 'vette that's, well, not a 'vette. That old argument that only GM could have.

[Lichtronamo]

Originally Posted by Michael_S

It's my understanding that the 911 is rear-engined for mostly historical reasons. I've read a few reviews that say the Boxter/Cayman (mid engine) Porsches actually have substantially superior handling.

I've read the same thing that Porsche has to artifically limit the abilities of the Cayman especially so as not to surpass the 911.

[69Firebird400]

If they build a mid-engine Corvette, would it still be a Corvette? That's a significant deviation from the tried-and-true formula established over 50 years ago of front engine, V8, rear wheel drive, two seats. (Yes, the '53 and '54 had six-cylinders, but the 'Vette was still finding itself in those first few years).

There's no way in my mind that a mid-engine Corvette will look anything like the concurrently built front-engine version. It will likely have a completely different chassis and would basically mean GM would have to spend twice as much on engineering, to build two distinctly different cars. I just don't see it happening.

I'd much rather see the XLR replaced with a Cien-type mid-engine Super Cadillac.

[red_xtreme95]

it would be cool to have a corvette taht is affordable for the average guy....kinda like hummer h1,h2,h3

[68CoupeDeVille]

Yeah, I'm gonna have to agree that Caddy should get an uber-expensive mid-engine supercar before Chevy does. The Corvette is more than a performance bargain, it's classic heritage.

[elderon]

I agree with a Caddy supercar. I don't think the Vette should go mid or rear engine. It just wouldnt be a Vette anymore....

[E. Haskell]

With all the power the 'Vettes will likely be getting, they may be forced to go mid-engine and/or AWD at some point.

[New_Mexico_Sunset_on_Rt66]

Originally Posted by mbukukanyau

if they build a mid engined car.. Cien should be the car.. not covertte

I could see a Corvette Z07 AND a Cien. I think the name Corvette needs to be your highest performance model. Otherwise, it will take a beating in the re-sale (Barrett-Jackson) market.

The luster of 'Vette is that it is the quintessential American sports car. You can't have another GM product surpass the Corvette in performance sake. Equal, or just below, but not surpass in performance. That will tarnish the name Corvette and all that it represents.