The end is near

[935k3]

For the front engined. Chevy made it official the rear engined car will be released on July 18

https://www.foxnews.com/auto/mid-engine-chevrolet-corvette-confirmed-for-2020-will-debut-july-18

 

Edited April 12, 2019 by 935k3

[webestang]

And another "the end is near"........      https://www.motortrend.com/news/2020-ford-mustang-hybrid-what-to-expect/

[JJ Deuce]

eh.  i'm sure it's going to be a fantastic performance car, but it just doesn't seem like a corvette anymore.  

[Classicgas]

Don't like it at all. 

[Slimguy]

Wow...how long have they been talking about a mid-engine corvette?  40 years plus?  It is really going to happen this time.  I have owned several in my life, and it remains one of my favorite cars.  I am too old now to get a new one but I am certainly looking forward to reading about how this new one compares to the current car.

[The Junkman]

I recall a Road and Track cover story of a rear engine Corvette with a Wankel engine about 1971.  Some timelines just don't pan out.  Of course, the 1990 Mustang was supposed to be what was eventually released as the Probe, basically a Mazda 6 series under the skin.

Edited April 13, 2019 by The Junkman

[MrObsessive]

It'll be sad in a sense to see the traditional mid/front engine 'Vette go away.

I was hoping that GM would build both simultaneously so as to 'ease' us into the new platform.....at least hanging on to the old one until '22-'23. That's not going to be the case it seems, but it'll be very interesting to see this new 'Vette on the streets after hearing about a mid/rear engine one for decades now.

From what I've seen sans the camouflage (very close photoshop) the car is not bad looking at all if not slightly derivative.

[Spex84]

I've read a lot of articles that surmised the new mid-engine Corvette would be sold alongside the traditional-arranged version. It makes sense that they'd try to push it up-market considering they have the Camaro to fill in the lower-tier muscle-car space.

The design of the new 'vette is a solid yawn for me. Absolutely chunky and boring as heck. Looks like bloated version of the current car with tacked-on vents at angles that don't really seem to belong, like a bad aftermarket bodykit. I bet they'll prime the pump with this derivative and familiar "traditional corvette" shape, wait a few years and then move to an updated version with a full design refresh that pushes the car further in a "supercar" styling direction. Think current Ford GT40 versus the previous "retro" design. They don't want to scare potential buyers off by making something too unfamiliar, but I think they could have pushed a little harder!

I may eat my words when the camo-cladding comes off, but...the basic mass of the body is pretty awkward no matter what lines decorate it. I'd like to be wrong though!

Still...Mid-engine Corvette. Finally! That's pretty neat and I can't wait to see one out on the streets.

 

[unclescott58]

13 hours ago, Slimguy said:

Wow...how long have they been talking about a mid-engine corvette?  40 years plus?  It is really going to happen this time.  I have owned several in my life, and it remains one of my favorite cars.  I am too old now to get a new one but I am certainly looking forward to reading about how this new one compares to the current car.

More than 50 years! I like the present C7 better. Which is the first Corvette I've liked since 1973. The end of the chrome bumper Vettes. This mid engined one looks okay.  And it's aimed at people who buy Corvettes. Which isn't me. 

Mid engine Corvettes. Hybrid Mustangs. The times they are a changing. I may or may not like it. I can do nothing about it, other than buy the Corvettes and Mustangs I do do like. If I can afford them. Sadly I can not. Oh well. 

[Belugawrx]

7 hours ago, Spex84 said:

I've read a lot of articles that surmised the new mid-engine Corvette would be sold alongside the traditional-arranged version. It makes sense that they'd try to push it up-market considering they have the Camaro to fill in the lower-tier muscle-car space.

The design of the new 'vette is a solid yawn for me. Absolutely chunky and boring as heck. Looks like bloated version of the current car with tacked-on vents at angles that don't really seem to belong, like a bad aftermarket bodykit. I bet they'll prime the pump with this derivative and familiar "traditional corvette" shape, wait a few years and then move to an updated version with a full design refresh that pushes the car further in a "supercar" styling direction. Think current Ford GT40 versus the previous "retro" design. They don't want to scare potential buyers off by making something too unfamiliar, but I think they could have pushed a little harder!

I may eat my words when the camo-cladding comes off, but...the basic mass of the body is pretty awkward no matter what lines decorate it. I'd like to be wrong though!

Still...Mid-engine Corvette. Finally! That's pretty neat and I can't wait to see one out on the streets.

 

X2

Edited April 13, 2019 by Belugawrx

[MeatMan]

9 hours ago, MrObsessive said:

It'll be sad in a sense to see the traditional mid/front engine 'Vette go away.

I was hoping that GM would build both simultaneously so as to 'ease' us into the new platform.....at least hanging on to the old one until '22-'23. That's not going to be the case it seems, but it'll be very interesting to see this new 'Vette on the streets after hearing about a mid/rear engine one for decades now.

From what I've seen sans the camouflage (very close photoshop) the car is not bad looking at all if not slightly derivative.

I agree. This should have been a new model. This is the result of the Ford GT I believe.

I can't afford any of them anyway so whatever.

[MrObsessive]

I've been watching videos all over YT about this car. I made sort of the same statement in one of them and someone commented that GM would be extending C7 production for at least a year alongside the C8. That would be good if that's what they're planning.

It would also be nice to see the C7 have a sort of big send off perhaps in '23? That's the 'Vette's 70th anniversary and that might be a better time to offer a 'last edition' model and by that time us purists out here will be used to the mid engine car.

Time will tell..............

2 hours ago, MeatMan said:

I agree. This should have been a new model. This is the result of the Ford GT I believe.

I can't afford any of them anyway so whatever.

Yeah, I never quite warmed up to the C7. A nice car, but it always bordered on being just a bit too radical for me. If I ever get into buying a 'Vette, I'd be looking at the last of the C7's........a 2012-'13 model.

[Rob Hall]

One recent article I saw said that the C7 production would end by June and the last one will be auctioned off.  The C8 will likely attract a different buyer than the C7, will be interesting to see how it does..will be one of the cheapest mid engine sports cars on the market.   Supposedly the base trim C8 will have a 500hp V8 and dual clutch transmission.

https://www.topspeed.com/cars/car-news/with-the-mid-engined-2020-c8-corvette-set-to-debut-chevy-will-auction-off-the-very-last-c7-corvette-ar185178.html

Edited April 13, 2019 by Rob Hall

[lordairgtar]

For those who say this is a rear engined car, it is NOT. It will be a mid engined car. It will have a similar layout as the Ford GT and certain Ferarris and the NSX

 

[Richard Bartrop]

2 hours ago, Rob Hall said:

One recent article I saw said that the C7 production would end by June and the last one will be auctioned off.  The C8 will likely attract a different buyer than the C7, will be interesting to see how it does..will be one of the cheapest mid engine sports cars on the market.   Supposedly the base trim C8 will have a 500hp V8 and dual clutch transmission.

I was going to bring up the Toyota MR2, but I'm not even sure they make anything like that now.  In any case, on paper, the C8 looks like it's going to offer a whole lot of bang for the buck.

[Rob Hall]

30 minutes ago, Richard Bartrop said:

I was going to bring up the Toyota MR2, but I'm not even sure they make anything like that now.  In any case, on paper, the C8 looks like it's going to offer a whole lot of bang for the buck.

The MR2 has been gone from the US market for about 15 years.  The cheapest mid engined cars currently in the US are the Lotus Evora and Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman. 

Edited April 13, 2019 by Rob Hall

[larman]

It is the most logical progression. The car as it is, runs with the best in the world, and beats many of them at a fraction of the cost. The C8 may be a little awkward at first, but the bugs will be worked out and open the door for more chassis refinement and smaller, lighter motors that make tremendous power via turbos or supercharging. I remember in the 80's and 90's, the magazines would compare the Corvette to the Porsche .The Porsche always besting the C4. Now, no so much. With The Corvette going mid engine, I think the sights are now set to obliterate Ferraris and other high dollar super cars and do it at a Corvette price point. As a Corvette fan, I look forward to see where this goes.  

[The Junkman]

New Corvette price-$100K (+/-)?  Ford GT laughably above $500K with draconian re-sale restrictions.  Honestly, except on the track I don't see them competing head-to-head.

[1930fordpickup]

18 minutes ago, The Junkman said:

New Corvette price-$100K (+/-)?  Ford GT laughably above $500K with draconian re-sale restrictions.  Honestly, except on the track I don't see them competing head-to-head.

Steve this is a good question about the price of the Corvette.  With so many different models hard to tell. I think the fastest one a ZR1 or something like that is north of 130 loaded.  I just read a story from the fall on the price but can not remember what it said. Enough rambling  I am thinking the new model will all start north of 100G with the ZR whatever they call it being close to 200G. You have to pay for the design work. 

[Rob Hall]

5 hours ago, 1930fordpickup said:

Steve this is a good question about the price of the Corvette.  With so many different models hard to tell. I think the fastest one a ZR1 or something like that is north of 130 loaded.  I just read a story from the fall on the price but can not remember what it said. Enough rambling  I am thinking the new model will all start north of 100G with the ZR whatever they call it being close to 200G. You have to pay for the design work. 

Base C8 Stingray should start below $65k according to Car & Driver.  Z06 and ZR1 and other variations will of course be higher.  But still way below the NSX, Ferrari F8 (starts at around $275k),  Huracan, etc.   Should be interesting to see how it stacks up against the competition.  

[Classicgas]

So which car is the C8 in that article? There are 2 diffrent cars. Look at the front end of each. Either way I just don't like it. Nothing on it says Corvette.

[Rob Hall]

3 minutes ago, Classicgas said:

So which car is the C8 in that article? There are 2 diffrent cars. Look at the front end of each. Either way I just don't like it. Nothing on it says Corvette.

 The article linked by the original poster has several pics of a camoflaged C8...

[Rob Hall]

I wonder when Revell will have kits out of it...a year or two down the road.  Probably snap kits again they did with the C7.

[Classicgas]

Umm yes I know. That's what I said. My point is those are 2 diffrent cars. Look at the front end. Which one is the C8?

[Rob Hall]

3 minutes ago, Classicgas said:

Umm yes I know. That's what I said. My point is those are 2 diffrent cars. Look at the front end. Which one is the C8?

Those are all photos of C8 prototypes..maybe some different camo in some pics or different trims represented. 

Edited April 14, 2019 by Rob Hall