Up Next a Mid-Engine ZR1?

[mlee]

This should be interesting...

http://gmauthority.com/blog/2014/08/...e-mid-engined/

[Hulkamaniac]

ALRIGHTY THEN, the new Chevy Fiero.

[BRCC]

I doubt there will ever be a Mid-Engine Corvette, be it a C7+ or C8. Too much investment and research on GMs part and highly doubt it would increase sales to the average consumer of Corvettes, not to mention future EPA requirements.

[TommySS]

Where are my golf clubs going to go?

[mlee]

[purpleRac3r]

Why would GM spend the likely several hundred million to develop a mid engine chassis from scratch? And for a car that would likely sell less than 3500 units a year? Mid engine layouts work well now for Porsche, Ferarri and Lamborghini because they've been developing the layout for decades. How good do you think GM could possibly do on their very first attempt? Reasonably well, sure, but no where near what it would take to seriously compete in that rather small market.

GM has done spectacularly well with the C7. But does anyone really think they've wrung the absolute best performance possible out of the car already, only a year into production? I say NO. There is plenty more to come without taking a left turn down the dark mid engine path. I suspect we'll see performance gains every model year for the generation, enough to keep the competition sweating, and yet keep the prices at a bargain level (comparatively speaking). A mid engine Corvette would become one with Unobtainium just like the highest models from those listed above. I personally would rather see GM spend the development money on alternate fuel sources, such as a high performance hybrid electric.

[goldbug]

Originally Posted by mlee

1. Why would there be a long hood and hood "bulge" if there's no engine underneath (why obscure visibility for no reason)
2. This is a stingray concept from 2011.

[CodemanC7]

As a "newbie", gathering information, as to the C7 I will order, I could not agree more. Interestingly enough, the 'Tesla, Model S, is one of the few cars that come in a close second, to the C7. A 'Mid engine', C?, would be very intrigueing, but at what cost?? I will look forward to getting my C7 and just reading the great posts that occur here.

[mlee]

Originally Posted by goldbug

1. Why would there be a long hood and hood "bulge" if there's no engine underneath (why obscure visibility for no reason)
2. This is a stingray concept from 2011.

Just a pic from the magazines nothing more... Seems a few sites are talking this one up.

[New C7]

Originally Posted by purpleRac3r

Why would GM spend the likely several hundred million to develop a mid engine chassis from scratch? And for a car that would likely sell less than 3500 units a year? Mid engine layouts work well now for Porsche, Ferarri and Lamborghini because they've been developing the layout for decades. How good do you think GM could possibly do on their very first attempt? Reasonably well, sure, but no where near what it would take to seriously compete in that rather small market.

GM has done spectacularly well with the C7. But does anyone really think they've wrung the absolute best performance possible out of the car already, only a year into production? I say NO. There is plenty more to come without taking a left turn down the dark mid engine path. I suspect we'll see performance gains every model year for the generation, enough to keep the competition sweating, and yet keep the prices at a bargain level (comparatively speaking). A mid engine Corvette would become one with Unobtainium just like the highest models from those listed above. I personally would rather see GM spend the development money on alternate fuel sources, such as a high performance hybrid electric.

Agree 100%.

I would add two points:

1) The prime advantage of mid-engine is balance weight front to back. As the current 'Vette has a 50/50 weight distribution, which to some is perfect, going to a mid-engine would move that to 40/60 or possibly more rear bias. I doubt it would improve handling very much. I doubt they could produce it on the current production line, so that would require a whole new one which is not cheap.

2) The last couple of years, the ZR1 only sold a few hundred per year. I doubt GM was impressed with so few sold if you consider the cost to provide marketing, post-sales support, and warranty. If they plan to sell 3500 which I would guess would be the absolute minimum to build a business case. They would have to price is in the $130,000 to $150,000 range. That is a tough range to compete with a Chevy and relatively low-tech drive train.

[Melor]

Originally Posted by New C7

Agree 100%.

I would add two points:

1) The prime advantage of mid-engine is balance weight front to back. As the current 'Vette has a 50/50 weight distribution, which to some is perfect, going to a mid-engine would move that to 40/60 or possibly more rear bias. I doubt it would improve handling very much. I doubt they could produce it on the current production line, so that would require a whole new one which is not cheap.
.

Just a quick point. 50/50 is nice, but the closer to the center ( front to rear ) the easier the car will turn. Imagine a pipe with a 5 lb weight on each end and turning it in your hands. Next imagine the same pipe with a 10 lb weight in the middle and turning it with your hands. Polar moment.

Paul