Report Says 2019 Corvette Will Be Mid Engined - Are You Buying It?

It’s time for an updated report on the mid-engine C8 Corvette, and here’s the game plan as we understand it from our impeccable source: The 2019 Chevrolet Corvette (code name: ZERV, perhaps chosen as an homage to Zora Arkus-Duntov’s 1960s mid-engine CERV concepts) will bow in production form at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January 2018 with a version of today’s pushrod V-8 engine delivering 450 to 500 horsepower. Expect a base price of approximately $80,000.

When volume production begins, presumably later in ’18, today’s C7 Corvette will expire, although there should be remaining stock for those who prefer the traditional powertrain layout used for more than six decades. The C7’s final hurrah will occur at next year’s 2017 NAIAS, when a swan-song mega-power edition debuts, possibly wearing the illustrious ZR1 badge.
 

MDarringer - 5/16/2016 6:06:45 PM

+5 Boost

Given how well the Stingray is selling and how profitable it is. I seriously doubt they would do a mid-engined Corvette to REPLACE the Stingray. The Stingray handles with the best of the best and costs far less. It truly is the world's affordable supercar.

BUT

I could see them offering a Corvette Zora ABOVE the Stingray. GM can't afford to give up its current Corvette sales with a car that "wouldn't be a Corvette" to true Corvette enthusiasts because it's mid engined. Just like Porsche cannot do a front-engined 911 because that would not be a true 911, but it COULD do a 928 if it wants. Same idea here.

GM is trying to move Cadillac to stand alone stores and I feel that spinning Corvette off into a BRAND and putting it into premium Cadillac dealers would make tremendous sense. A Corvette Zora at $100K up would put GM into a very profitable niche.

TheSteve - 5/16/2016 6:39:23 PM

+2 Boost

Gotta agree with Matt. Today's Stingray is noteworthy by virtually any measure. I can't see GM doing a complete redo with a mid-engine version.

Truthy - 5/17/2016 11:09:35 AM

+2 Boost

You make a very good point. It is possible too that this new mid-engine car could become a Cadillac as the big luxury marks have such a halo car and this price point makes more sense as a Cadillac than a Chevy. A $150,000+ sports car buyer may buy another Cadillac, but maybe not another Chevy.

PUGPROUD - 5/16/2016 7:40:58 PM

0 Boost

Its not a redo its a new line to sit above Stingray...higher price point. Chevy insider I know told me that an insider list of GM management and favored customers has been started to jump the retail customers to front of the line. It is coming!

HenryN - 5/17/2016 2:11:43 AM

+2 Boost

The Zora is coming, the Zora is coming! That's what they have been saying since the Man passed 20 years ago.

MDarringer - 5/17/2016 8:51:08 AM

+1 Boost

If the Zora retains the value proposition that the Corvette has always had coupled with stellar performance that is now a given with Corvettes, the Zora will make the Ford GT look stupid.

Yes the Ford GT is amazing engineering, but at its price point it needs to be.

Amazing engineering at a "value" price ($100-150K) would make the Zora a game changer.

valhallakey - 5/18/2016 12:56:52 AM

+2 Boost

I would like to see it, agree with the posters above…makes sense for Caddilac… Chevy will keep the current one going….they have been saying the mid engine vette is coming.. for… well forever….

40flash - 5/20/2016 9:14:35 PM

+1 Boost

At 64 I've been around long enough to have heard the flap about a mid-engine corvette for as long as I've had a drivers licence. I've seen endless proto-types that never make it to production. Not saying it won't happen this time. I hope it does and agree that it should not replace the C7 that outsells all others in class.