Mid-engine Corvette for 2017?

[charlie8575]

I don't like the look, but the concept is interesting. Right now, it's pure speculation, but it's interesting speculation.

https://www.yahoo.com/autos/s/2017-mid-engine-corvette-american-super-coupe-160032314.html

Charlie Larkin

[om617]

This is a from a year ago

http://www.caranddriver.com/features/c8-chevrolet-corvette-exclusive-what-to-expect-from-the-heart-stopping-mid-engined-zora-feature

Cool quote

Lacking million-dollar computer-drafting tools, we instead conducted our packaging study in 1/24 scale with help from Sam Haase, a crack model builder from Belleville, Michigan. The small-block V-8 he pirated from a Corvette kit didn’t quite fit the hole intended for the Boxster S’s 3.4-liter flat-six (full-scale measurements reveal that the V-8 is 3.5 inches longer, 2.3 inches taller, but 6.0 inches narrower than the Porsche flat-six). This necessitated a 4.0-inch scale wheelbase increase, yielding a C8/Porsche mock-up about the same length as today’s Corvette but with a 5.3-inch shorter wheelbase.

[unclescott58]

I really doubt we'll be seeing this by 2017. Not with the present Corvette being so new. Plus General Motors has been looking at the idea of a mid engine Corvette since at least the 1960's. Most of their marking research over the years has shown that Corvette buyers prefer their all American sports car with the engine in the front, driven through the rear. These rumors come up from time to time. Until one rolls off the Bowling Green assembly line and into a Chevrolet showroom, I'm not holding my breath. Plus I like the latest Stingray. I don't know how well,it's doing. But, I've seen a few on the road, and not read about it being a failure.

Scott

[pharoah]

Yeah,in the 70's they were going to use a 3 chamber Wankel mounted behind the passenger compartment.

[Ace-Garageguy]

This is a from a year ago

http://www.caranddriver.com/features/c8-chevrolet-corvette-exclusive-what-to-expect-from-the-heart-stopping-mid-engined-zora-feature

Cool quote

Lacking million-dollar computer-drafting tools, we instead conducted our packaging study in 1/24 scale with help from Sam Haase, a crack model builder from Belleville, Michigan. The small-block V-8 he pirated from a Corvette kit didn’t quite fit the hole intended for the Boxster S’s 3.4-liter flat-six (full-scale measurements reveal that the V-8 is 3.5 inches longer, 2.3 inches taller, but 6.0 inches narrower than the Porsche flat-six). This necessitated a 4.0-inch scale wheelbase increase, yielding a C8/Porsche mock-up about the same length as today’s Corvette but with a 5.3-inch shorter wheelbase.

Very interesting.

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What I'd REALLY like to see from both Porsche AND Corvette would be de-contented cars without all the silly bells and whistles that get in the way of the pure driving experience.

An entry-level Porsche or stripped Corvette that were once again about driving as opposed to posing while you talk on the phone while sitting in rush hour traffic would certainly get my interest.

[PeeBee]

Roger that, Bill Engwer.

A couple of years ago Porsche rented one of the exhibition spaces at Grand Central Terminal (these spaces used to be the waiting rooms, filled with pews. In the '70s-'80s they became bunkhouses for bums, so the MTA removed the pews and they now rent out the space to exhibitors) to introduce the new Boxster (or was it the Cayman?).

Anyway, they brought along that million-dollar mid-engine Carrera thingy and an impeccably restored '50s 550 Spyder to display alongside the new model they were introducing. Guess which car was drawing the crowd? That 550 was jewel-like and sitting next its younger siblings it really made it apparent how heavy-handed and bloated modern Porsches have become.

PB.