GM "There is no mid-engine in the plans."

[Apex Motorsports]

Karl Stracke, General Motors VP of global engineering, has unequivocally denied the recent rumors about a mid-engine version of the next-generation Corvette with a wet-dual-clutch transmission. Stracke spoke with editors at Automotive News and Autoweek and addressed the latest batch of rumors. For decades, speculation about what will be done with a next-generation Corvette invariably pops up almost immediately after a new model is introduced.

For example, a mid-engined Corvette has reportedly been on the cards since at least the mid-60s, thanks in part to a string of concept and experimental models of that configuration. The last Corvette-badged mid-engine concept was the 1990 CERV-III, but that hasn't stopped the speculation – especially in recent years as the Corvette has gained increased respect among the ranks of high-end sports cars. According to Stracke, "There is no mid-engine in the plans."

The same goes for a the story revealed by a Saab engineer about development of a wet DCT. Automakers are increasingly moving away from wet-clutch gearboxes to dry-clutch units because they are less expensive and more efficient. While Stracke shoots down the wet DCT, no mention is made of a dry-clutch unit... if Chevrolet follows Ferrari and Porsche down the dual-clutch path, that is almost certainly the type we will see.

Stracke also put the kibosh on a V6 Corvette. GM has already announced a direct injected small-block V8 is coming soon for its full-size pickup trucks and the Corvette will no doubt follow. Stracke did acknowledge that a hybrid is a possibility for the sports car and since competitors are going that way it wouldn't be out of place.

[305pride]

one guy here told me that the corvette was already technically a mid engine car because the engine was in the middle. like in the middle of the wheels or some shit lol i forgot who it was. some one with a lot of posts i think. anyways. i dont think you could put a v6 or a mid-engine in a corvette and still call it a corvette.

[Mr. Wyndham]

I'm beginning to like Stracke...he reminds me of Lutz....taking rumor head-on, and shooting all of them down...

Originally Posted by 305pride

one guy here told me that the corvette was already technically a mid engine car because the engine was in the middle. like in the middle of the wheels or some shit lol i forgot who it was. some one with a lot of posts i think

I think I've said it once or twice...but I'm not taking credit...could have been anyone. Technically speaking, the Vette could be considered Mid-Front as opposed to Mid-Rear engined like a Porche. If the engine is between the two axles, as opposed to be being over one of them...it could be argued that its a Mid-engined vehicle. I've got to find the writeup I saw that in.....such a long time ago.

(The 4thgen Fbody was riding that fine line, too...)

[305pride]

ive seen a 4th gen mid rear engine drawing before on a camaro magazine. pretty cool idea.

[Allen@TC]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

I'm beginning to like Stracke...he reminds me of Lutz....taking rumor head-on, and shooting all of them down...



I think I've said it once or twice...but I'm not taking credit...could have been anyone. Technically speaking, the Vette could be considered Mid-Front as opposed to Mid-Rear engined like a Porche. If the engine is between the two axles, as opposed to be being over one of them...it could be argued that its a Mid-engined vehicle. I've got to find the writeup I saw that in.....such a long time ago.

(The 4thgen Fbody was riding that fine line, too...)

You can't believe everything you read. Maybe it was some writer that isn't really a car person. Any person that's a car person would instantly think of a Ferrari a Porsche or the GT40 for that mater when thinking Mid Engine. "Engine & transaxel in the rear.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Wikipedia...NOT the best source for reliable information...but it sure is the quickest.

I didn't read it originally from here, but this is the jist of what I read:

FMR (Front Mid-Engine Rear-Wheel): Where the center of mass of the front-mounted engine is to the rear of the front axle. Like the Vette.

EDIT: I'm not arguing the Corvette is mid-engined, by the way...just to clear that up. The engine is absolutely up front. This is just a technicality I always found kinda neat.

[lil_chef]

well Aston martin consider's there One-77 Mid-engined even though it is technically in the front. my definition is it has to be behind the front axle in front of the rear axle anywhere in between there and it is a mid-engined car, be it in the front or the rear

[Sax1031]

when I think of mid-engine I think of the engine being actually in the middle. The benefit being a great bit of control on weight distribution.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by Sax1031

when I think of mid-engine I think of the engine being actually in the middle. The benefit being a great bit of control on weight distribution.

Most do. Think about it, though...it's really impossible to TRULY be mid-engined unless you place the driver over one of the axles. That's where all the sub-categories came from.

(I still really like the Corvette teams answer to weight distribution: Put the engine behind the front axle, and the transmission on the differential. Vuala! Perfect 50/50! )

[305pride]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

Most do. Think about it, though...it's really impossible to TRULY be mid-engined unless you place the driver over one of the axles. That's where all the sub-categories came from.

(I still really like the Corvette teams answer to weight distribution: Put the engine behind the front axle, and the transmission on the differential. Vuala! Perfect 50/50! )

sounds good to me

[Apex Motorsports]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

Most do. Think about it, though...it's really impossible to TRULY be mid-engined unless you place the driver over one of the axles. That's where all the sub-categories came from.

(I still really like the Corvette teams answer to weight distribution: Put the engine behind the front axle, and the transmission on the differential. Vuala! Perfect 50/50! )

Its a very good solution.

"Mid engine" is referring to rear mid in this instance. That is the the arrangement that "mid-engine" is typically used to convey.

[LostInMoscow]

I never figured that there would be a mid-engined 'vette, but I'm dismayed that GM is not developing a DCT. Shoot, you can get one in a freak'n VW Golf, but not in a GM vehicle. Wake up GM!

[DGthe3]

So the rumour dies for another 5 years or so. Until the C8 comes closer to production when it will resurface again.

Originally Posted by Sax1031

when I think of mid-engine I think of the engine being actually in the middle. The benefit being a great bit of control on weight distribution.

If its on or ahead of the front axle, its front engined. On or behind the rear axle, rear engined. Between the axles, mid-engined. Few (if any) mid engined cars have the engine in the actual middle of the car. Usually its just ahead of the rear axle (the most common exception is when its just behind the front axle)

[Stingr69]

Front engine - In front of the driver
Rear engine - Behind the rear axle
Mid engine - Behind the driver but in front of the rear axle

Seems pretty easy to me.

-Mark.