IF The All-new, Mid-engine C8 Chevrolet Corvette Leverages The CT6 V-Sport's 550 HP V8, Will It Be The 'Vette YOU Always Wanted?

As I noted during a previous thread comparing the all-new Jeep Wrangler JL to the JK, there's only so many iconic vehicles that are on the market today. Aside from cars like the Porsche 911 and Wrangler, there's also the Chevrolet Corvette.

And, really, there's two schools of thought when it comes to that high-performance Chevrolet.

First, there's the purists. They want the Corvette to always remain a naturally aspirated, front-mounted V8 with rear-wheel drive. There's nothing wrong with that but these are also the same folks that flipped out when the C6 reintroduced fixed headlights — nevermind that the original Corvette had fixed headlights and that the 80s/90s trend was dead as a door nail.

Second, there's those folks reading the writing on the wall and understand the Corvette needs a revolution. This is where the nameplate appears to be going. That means an all-new, exotic look a la Italian supercars and a mid-engine layout.

Now, I've got to ask: If the all-new C8 Corvette goes mid-engine and leverages the all-new, 4.2-liter forced induction V8 with 550 horsepower as the 'Vette's base motor, is THIS the Corvette you always wanted?

What say you, Spies?

MDarringer - 3/25/2018 9:59:04 AM

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The answer is no.

I'm sure it will be lovely, but for me a Corvette has the engine up front.

Agent00R - 3/25/2018 10:59:08 AM

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Yeah, well, times are a-changing and a new sheriff is coming to town...

MDarringer - 3/25/2018 11:45:21 AM

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I thought you said that was the NSX.

Agent00R - 3/25/2018 3:47:30 PM

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I never was behind the second-gen NSX.

So, not sure where you got that from...

MDarringer - 3/25/2018 4:15:28 PM

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I was referencing how in your world of "agent" reporting "The [insert car of the moment here] is next latest bestest". If Porsche did a front-engined 911 would you say "...times are a-changing and a new sheriff is coming to town..."?

Agent00R - 3/26/2018 8:03:09 AM

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No but if Porsche did a mid-engine 911, along the lines of how Porsche has repositioned the motor with its race cars, yes then a new sheriff would be coming to town.

MDarringer - 3/26/2018 9:14:55 AM

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I suppose it would depend on how much you feared getting ostracized from the Porsche press junket.

valhallakey - 3/25/2018 11:22:32 AM

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They should continue to make front engine Vettes and either make the mid engine car or have different Corvette lines. Maybe make the mid engine models the stingrays and the front engine ones the sharks???

MDarringer - 3/25/2018 11:46:10 AM

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A two-pronged approach would allow the Stingray to go down in price and for sales to go up.

sethm - 3/25/2018 11:50:46 AM

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What is the vehicle behind the vette? I dont recognize the hood shape

MDarringer - 3/25/2018 11:55:08 AM

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It has the massive panel gaps of a Corvette or a TVR LOL

Agent00R - 3/25/2018 3:48:07 PM

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It was another Corvette owner. I'd guess C5.

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 3/25/2018 12:26:41 PM

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Here is a look at what an insider's rendering of the upcoming C8 looks like. I doubt it will be able to take 2 golf club bags in the frunk, but if it is as wide as a lane, who knows.

https://www.hagerty.com/articles-videos/articles/2018/01/12/mid-engine-corvette-coming

TheSteve - 3/25/2018 12:29:31 PM

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Some mid-engine cars can accommodate an overnight bag or two in the frunk. Others have a hard time with a large handbag.

MDarringer - 3/25/2018 12:31:51 PM

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Making Corvette a brand and retailing it with Cadillac in stand-alone dealers would be a proper move.

TomM - 3/25/2018 7:45:44 PM

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THere is not a chance in hell that you could convince me that the Corvette should be under the leadership of one DeNysschen.

Sorry - the Corvette is and should always be a CHEVROLET. IT is far more "rough" than any sports car from Cadillac ought to be.

MDarringer - 3/25/2018 8:07:07 PM

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Hitting the Jack Daniels a bit early @TomM? Tell me exactly where I said to put De Nysschen in charge. I'm waiting.

As for your comments about the Corvette being rough, you've clearly not be in one in decades. It is very much a premium sports car.

TomM - 3/26/2018 6:27:20 AM

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Even YOU know that Cadillac is run by DeNysschen - Matt - you have already posted enough to prove that.

Posting that Corvette should be a Brand with Cadillac says all I need to say. Corvettes do not belong in Showrooms with Cadillac Salespersons - period.

MDarringer - 3/26/2018 9:12:30 AM

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@TomM Either your dementia is advancing rapidly or you're being stupidly contrary.

Fact: Corvette is already run like a separate company of sorts given that all things Corvette run as a division within Chevrolet. The Corvette is not engineered by the people who do the Spark.

Fact: The Corvette price point is well beyond that of a typical Chevy and the monied people considering a sports car in the Corvette's price range may not be thrilled shopping among people coming for the blue-light specials on the Malibu and Equinox.

Fact: Co-branding Corvette with Cadillac in stand-alone dealers would in no way involve de Nysschen. All it would involve is floor space.

As for you @Aspergers11 Many people think of Corvette as a separate entity. People speak of Corvettes NOT Chevrolet Corvettes.

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 3/25/2018 6:06:36 PM

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Who would wager that it will be wider than the epic rear end on the C5?

MDarringer - 3/25/2018 8:25:44 PM

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That's the downside of mid-engined cars. Their asses are ten feet wide, but their handling advantage is nonexistent.

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 3/25/2018 9:03:29 PM

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@MD Agreed. The racing Corvettes have won their classes and had huge success on the race course. Vipers have been successful too. Neither is mid-engined. I am unsure of the rationale for this car. Ferrari sells the 812 Superfast for huge dollars and it has its engine in the front. For Chevy's sake, I hope it meets its sales targets. I still do not see a Lamborghini or McLaren or a Ferrari buyer cross shopping a C8.

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 3/26/2018 9:11:32 AM

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@Apsy11 - I think the word you are looking for is mid-front mounted. The 812 and I think the DB11 have their motors pushed right up against the firewall / as close to it as possible. Not quite the middle, not quite up front. In contrast, the Continental W12 is more over the front axle than behind it.