SPIED! Chevrolet Going Straight For The Jugular With Next-gen, Ferrari Fighting Corvette

It's been a rumor for quite some time that General Motors' Chevrolet division was thinking about shifting the Corvette from a front-engine setup to something a bit different. That's right. It's going to go mid engine.

When the C7 came around, some were disappointed that this change didn't happen. Well, it seems as though you won't be waiting much longer, folks. That's because in recent months spy shots have crept up. 

But the best spy shots just exposed the all-new C8 Corvette. And it looks a bit different than we would have anticipated. 

That's because it has a distinctly Ferrari-esque vibe. Looking at the three spy shots, it's clear that this car is heavily inspired by the design of the Ferrari 458. Note the A-Pillar and greenhouse?

Where things will get interesting, from a design perspective, is its rear hips and how Chevrolet integrates what appears to be venting to let the mid-mounted motor breathe. As of now this is heavily camouflaged but it's patently obvious to anyone with eyes that it will have pronounced rear fenders. 

So, what do you make of it so far?

Click the "Read Article" link below to see the photos snapped by Jake Vandermoon. Great work by a citizen Spy!



Read Article

carloslassiter - 10/12/2017 8:19:34 AM

-6 Boost

Now all they'll need is a separate chain of dealerships so a guy buying this Ferrari fighter doesn't need to be in one of their for-crap showrooms standing next to the Impala display.

jameswisrik - 10/12/2017 7:54:12 PM

+1 Boost

1. lfa
2. nsx
3. Db9
4. Corvette...
5. LC500

no Italian / German POS in my garage!!!

MDarringer - 10/12/2017 8:29:28 AM

-3 Boost

Nice car, but even if it has a Corvette badge on it, it's not a Corvette.

Foncool - 10/12/2017 8:44:28 AM

+4 Boost

No, it’s still just a corvette!

MDarringer - 10/12/2017 8:52:05 AM

-5 Boost

Then I'm sure you'd say the same for a front-engined 911?

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 10/12/2017 9:15:38 AM

0 Boost

Agreed. Call it the Chevrolet Zora. Or Grand Sport or Monaco. or C8750. Maybe the Chevrolet Covfefe. But it is not a Corvette.

Foncool - 10/12/2017 1:55:39 PM

-3 Boost

No i’d Say it’s still just a VW.

Truthy - 10/12/2017 11:57:03 AM

+4 Boost

MDarringer, how is this not a Corvette?

And carloslassiter, part of the MO of the Corvette is Supercar performance at a value price. I don't care what is next to it in the showroom.

MDarringer - 10/12/2017 6:51:34 PM

-1 Boost

Corvettes are iconically front-engined just as the 911 is iconically rear engined. There is no need to mess with the formula.

groupracer - 10/12/2017 12:05:01 PM

0 Boost

So what's this the third or, is it the fourth time that the Corvette was going to be mid engined? I think they even made a prototype or three as well, but never followed through. Boring... As to being up against Ferrari, or any other supercar for that matter, is just a pipe dream at best.

TheSteve - 10/12/2017 1:45:18 PM

+2 Boost

Personal opinion: Chev should retain the classic front-engine/rear-drive 'Vette configuration, for the huge existing fan-base. This is already a noteworthy car at a relatively low price and maintenance (compared to a Ferrari).

Additionally, create a mid-engined variant to capture new markets, perhaps the one the NSX II was going for. Imagine, an immensely capable, relatively affordable, mid-engine supercar! That would be keeping in the spirit of the 'Vette.


BTW, I don't aspire to own a 'Vette. It's not my cup of tea. But I respectfully remove my hat for what GM has pulled off. It's noteworthy. The 'Vette delivers Ferrari-like numbers while costing a lot less to buy and operate. It breaks down less frequently than a Ferrari. And it's made in America, by Americans. It's also designed in America, by Americans. It's as much of an automotive icon as a Porsche 911.

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 10/12/2017 7:39:42 PM

+1 Boost

While we will need to wait until it is unveiled, from the mule we see here I don't expect it to look quite as put together as other rear engined supercars. From the renderings online it looks a bit Koenigsegg from the side profile. The rear may be too long and too wide with side mounted radiators. Time will tell.

MDarringer - 10/12/2017 8:11:16 PM

0 Boost

The sight of this has me thinking I should buy a Z06 before it's too late.

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 10/12/2017 8:38:46 PM

+2 Boost

I'd be happy with a 70's vibe 2017 Stingray in dark green with a tan extended leather interior. But you may be right about that Z06 purchase.

MDarringer - 10/12/2017 9:45:08 PM

0 Boost

@canadiancomments I've never understood the delight in a tan interior in a green car.

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 10/12/2017 10:00:34 PM

+1 Boost

@MD. I have never been a fan of black cars, black interiors or black furniture. Most people would get black with the green, but the tan is a classic old British sports car touch. On other days I would pick a white Stingray with an extended red interior. An homage to the original C1.

MDarringer - 10/12/2017 11:42:31 PM

0 Boost

@canadiancomments Believe me, I know the combo too well. One is on a Jensen Interceptor and the other a TVR Tasmin. Both are original and unrestored and if they weren't in such good condition, the beige would be replaced by a medium gray.

Agent00J - 10/12/2017 8:55:49 PM

0 Boost

Did anyone notice that there is a second mid engine corvette sitting in the back ground in a parking spot?

-00J

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 10/12/2017 10:04:18 PM

+1 Boost

Yep. And it has different wheels too. What does it all mean? Maybe it is a hoax and there is no C8 mid engine car. It is just panels attached to a regular front engine car.

carloslassiter - 10/13/2017 8:22:34 AM

+2 Boost

"I'd be happy with a 70's vibe 2017 Stingray in dark green with a tan extended leather interior. But you may be right about that Z06 purchase."

Unless you're going to mix up some custom colors you're outta luck - they don't make dark green anymore (nor do most car markers). On the other other hand, you can get about 6 different grays and 4 blues.

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 10/14/2017 11:50:32 AM

+1 Boost

@Carlos. You are correct. That green died with the 2014 model year on the C7 Corvette. A wrap is always an option for diehard fans of any colour or finish.