What Should We Expect From A Mid-Engine Corvette?

Rumors of a mid-engined Corvette date back to the early years of the American sports-car legend -- which happens to be celebrating its 63rd birthday today -- but several recent developments suggest that we're closer than ever to a 'Vette with this layout.

The latest batch of spy photos clearly shows something mid-engined polishing at GM's Milford, Mich., proving grounds in the company of a C7 Corvette and a Cadillac sedan. The photos purport to show a prototype with a long tail wearing some C7 Corvette body panels, sans the rear glass cover. The visible proportions, of course, suggest that this prototype keeps its engine just ahead of the rear axle, with the glass panel removed during testing to help cool the engine.

The last time anyone not working on that specific GM project saw a mid-engined mule was over a year ago, when a peculiar car with Holden Commodore body panels and something in its long trunk was spotted by spy photographers. Even back then, the mule was suspected of testing components for a mid-engined sports car, with the list of candidate nameplates within GM's lineup being short.

ricks0me - 7/1/2016 1:56:36 PM

+2 Boost

Bring It On ... Can't Wait

garysandiego - 7/1/2016 4:39:40 PM

+2 Boost

I like that taillight treatment.

xjug1987a - 7/1/2016 5:10:49 PM

-1 Boost

What would be cool is if they incorporated some of the 63 Split Window into this car. A glass hatchback that shows the exposed engine with body color stripe down the middle. I think they can make these stripes but you can still see through them? Anyhow, I'm talking something similar in style to that look. Could be sweet!

MorePower - 7/1/2016 10:47:03 PM

+1 Boost

Things to expect from a Mid-engined Vette:

1. Car collectors and high-value customers will buy out most of the 1st year.

2. Chevy dealers will still charge a $10k - $30k tax for the first 2 - 3 years.

3. Performance driving schools will see an increase in attendance.

4. Insurance rates will increase because a lot of these cars will be totaled in stupid crashes.

5. Some bad drivers will show no respect for the car and die in wreck.

6. Automotive press will say it's the car they have been waiting for, but will still buy a Porsche.

MDarringer - 7/2/2016 9:45:25 AM

0 Boost

I'm hoping that the mid-engined Corvette is a model above the Stingray and sold in addition to it.

While there have always been mid-engined Corvette rumors and concepts, taking the standard Corvette mid-engined would be like making the next 911 front-engined and rear wheel drive.

Chevy could very well have a "928" situation on their hands where they create a much better car with the engine in a different place and the rank-and-file enthusiasts reject it vehemently.

Keeping the Stingray in the $50-100K range and placing a Zora above it at $100K+ is a better move than full replacement of the C7.

skytop - 7/2/2016 7:59:04 PM

0 Boost

It appears that Chevy will be producing only one model of Vette which will be the mid engine model. I wouldn't be surprise if they produce an 'entry priced' model that sports a V-6 engine.

MDarringer - 7/3/2016 10:12:29 AM

0 Boost

Massive mistake about to be made...