Stop the presses! Mid-engine Corvette in development; confirmed by Saab engineers?

Should GM launch a mid-engined Corvette?

  • Yes, as long as it will make the car faster and handle better

    Votes: 10 18.2%

  • Yes, change is good

    Votes: 4 7.3%

  • Don't care

    Votes: 11 20.0%

  • No, it will ruin the Corvette's tradition

    Votes: 24 43.6%

  • No, I like the car how it is already

    Votes: 6 10.9%
  • Total voters
    55
jet1991
There was actually a mid engined race car in the late 70`s or early 80`s with a mid mounted V8 and a V6 in some races. Didn`t look like a corvette at all, but I think GM had something to do with it. Looked like a Le Mans prototype. Can`t find a picture on google but I`ve seen some on a Corvette enthusiast page.
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Think you mean the IMSA Corvette from the mid-eighties.:)

vemp_0610_09_z+early_corvette_turbos+imsa_gtp_prototype.jpg
 
A twin turbo SBC would make at least 800hp unless they did something wrong.
 
I wouldn't expect too much north of 700 tbh. Although I bet a properly intercooled twin turbo setup on the ZR-1 would make 700 very easily at the same boost level as the factory supercharger.
 
Don't forget they're adding direct injection and variable valve timing, I actually wouldn't be suprised if a twin turbo Corvette factory setup were to have 800hp. The new Mustang engines get over 500rwhp on just 6-7psi with a supercharger or single turbo. If that's the way engine tech is going.......:eek:
 
Something about both the Motor Authority and included Motor Trend links... Heavier rear cowl offsetting the theoretical gains of power and weight?

Someone mind explaining to me how having an MR car will be heavier than an FR car despite there being less drivetrain related weight? Or if that's not the case, explain how more rearward weight distribution hurts fuel economy.
 
You know, we practically already have a mid-engined Corvette:
mosler1.jpg


From the styling to the engine, it's about as mid-engined Corvette as it gets.
 
Paulie
A twin turbo SBC would make at least 800hp unless they did something wrong.
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Is it wrong if I say that I don't want them to?

I mean, I'm all about GM doing a balls to the proverbial wall C7, but that would be entirely ridiculous. Assuming that, once again the C7 loses a few pounds to its predecessor, anything more than 600 BHP is pure overkill.
 
Hey, maybe now the Corvette won't be drift happy unless you put a spoiler on it. But seriously, I think this is a good idea. Corvette is making a name for themselves in the road racing world and a Mid-engine Vette would fit well in this...and it'd get rid of that stupid, ugly engine window on the hood. I think this would be where Viper and Vette go their separate ways. I don't think a mid-engine Viper would work.
 
50:50 weight distribution with an MR drivetrain wouldn't provide anymore grip than 50:50 with an FR drivetrain. It also wouldn't handle any better, or provide any real benefits at all, strictly speaking.
 
Toronado
50:50 weight distribution with an MR drivetrain wouldn't provide anymore grip than 50:50 with an FR drivetrain. It also wouldn't handle any better, or provide any real benefits at all, strictly speaking.
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He's got it right there. Unless it adds weight though. I hope they release it as a Cadillac. I remember I have a personal drawing of a car I labled Cien-V *goes to rummage through collection of personal automobile drawings*
Found it. The design in my drawing is a lot sharper,with bigger wheel arches and looks significantly smaller. Just try to imagine that.
 
0217082002_Cadillac_Cien_Concept_1024x768_03.jpg


Here you go your Mid engine GM car now leave the Vette alone.
 
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That looks suspiciously similar to the Corvette we already have. :P

Edit: Nevermind, he changed the picture. :ouch:
 
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jet1991
Have you ever driven a c3 corvette? My car doesn`t have suspension like a wet sponge or plod (is that a word?) like a Cadillac. Actually it does pretty good on the crappy almost eastern block standard roads here in Norway.

And my car says it doesn`t want to see a mid engined corvette.
IMG_4279.jpg


There was actually a mid engined race car in the late 70`s or early 80`s with a mid mounted V8 and a V6 in some races. Didn`t look like a corvette at all, but I think GM had something to do with it. Looked like a Le Mans prototype. Can`t find a picture on google but I`ve seen some on a Corvette enthusiast page.

EDIT: The suspension is completely stock like everything else except the engine on my car.
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God your car is beautiful. This is the last proper Vette generation as far as I'm concerned. The C5 was ok, but the C1-C3 (C3 > all) is the business.

Radracing
0217082002_Cadillac_Cien_Concept_1024x768_03.jpg


Here you go your Mid engine GM car now leave the Vette alone.
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Can GM just build that anyway? The Cien and Sixteen are the cars that GM should of built. They are and always will be retarded and brain dead by not building them.
 
Well, Cadillac has considered putting the Sixteen into production several times, in fact, they're considering it again now. As for the Cien that served no other purpose but to display the NorthStar XV12.

In all honesty, don't expect to see either of the two before you're dead though. When it comes to things US automakers should build, it's either "Too European" -cough- Ford GT90 -cough- or they use bits and pieces of it and put them into an inferior platform that usually gets canned during it's second year.
 
Terronium-12
Well, Cadillac has considered putting the Sixteen into production several times, in fact, they're considering it again now. As for the Cien that served no other purpose but to display the NorthStar XV12.

In all honesty, don't expect to see either of the two before you're dead though. When it comes to things US automakers should build, it's either "Too European" -cough- Ford GT90 -cough- or they use bits and pieces of it and put them into an inferior platform that usually gets canned during it's second year.
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Actually, the boys at Cadillac aren't going to put the Sixteen into production, more along the line of just a "high class Cadillac". That doesn't mean Sixteen. They still need a platform for it, too. I think they want to use the platform off of the Chinese version of the STS, the SLS. (SLS? Aww Cadillac has now ruined the name in my eyes.) I just can"t remember the name of the platform...!
 
The XTS (replacing the DTS) is a go based on the stretched version of the already stretched Epsilon II platform that sits beneath the Buick LaCrosse. Word is now that GM has cooked up a "Premium Zeta" platform for a range-topping Buick completely different than the Chinese Park Avenue, all of which will find its way under some kind of range-topping Cadillac that will take on the 7-series and S-class. That was the word as of last week. I'm sure it will be different at the end of the month.
 
I wonder what this Premium Zeta entails, surely it's not bigger than the Holden Statesman/Caprice which is gigantic enough for luxury.
 
I'm disappointed that they dispelled the idea of a V6 Corvette, that would have been awesome. At least there is a C4 out there somewhere with a GNX turbo V6.
 
I'm sure a hybrid option will go over about as well as the mid-engine idea did, if not worse. I don't want it either, strictly speaking.
 
Toronado
I'm sure a hybrid option will go over about as well as the mid-engine idea did, if not worse. I don't want it either, strictly speaking.
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I always wondered why hybrids are purely marketed as "environmentally sensible" ( which ofcourse is the reason they are build, whatever the actual impact which is debatable I guess ) as a regular Corvette owner isn't that bothered by it I suppose.
Especially big hybrid American saloons and SUV's ( of the Cadillac and Lincoln variety ) could focus more on the silent ( comfortable ) qualities when driving in a city.
Maybe even a quality which can be useful when you want to sneak up upon a criminal opponent ( which can be accentuated through movies and subsequently translate into public perception as a "cool" mob or gangster association ), or as a police vehicle ( "turn on the hybrid mode Frank" ).
At least adding to more luxury or any gangster-aspiration beats the tree-hugger image, especially for these sort of cars I guess.:)
 
Glad the mid-engine and v6 idea are dead.

Unsure of the hybrid, seems like it will add cost and weight. Unless it improves mpg considerably (30%+) it won't be a big seller. The Corvette line already gets darn good mpg for their power/performance.
 

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