Exciting news for car lovers. The Detroit News is reporting that General Motors will be releasing a Mid-engine Chevy Corvette C8 in 2019.
If this is true it will be appealing to car enthusiasts for many reasons. Handling will be a big part of that according the the article:
With the engine located behind the driver and in front of the rear wheels, mid-engine sports cars are prized by performance-car fans for their balanced handling characteristics. The mid-engine format would make it more current with Corvette race-program competitors like the much-pricier Ferrari 488 and Ford GT.
The C8 is expected to be equipped with performance innovations like an active-aerodynamic system to enhance downforce, according to Car & Driver’s Don Sherman, who has been following the car’s development since 2014. The magazine says the next-generation Corvette will be powered by the tried-and-true small-block pushrod V-8 to keep costs down.
The mid-engine format would allow GM more flexibility to make performance variants — perhaps an all-wheel drive, plug-in hybrid model with electric motors driving the front wheels. That would put it head-to-head — at a more modest price — with cutting-edge, mid-engine hybrid supercars such as the Acura NSX and Porsche 918.
GM and Chevrolet last year trademarked the names Corvette E-Ray and Manta Ray. The names, some analysts believe, indicate the company is considering multiple vehicle variants.
This, if the article is correct, will be huge change up for the Corvette line. According to the The Detroit News that is because Chevy is concerned by the corvette’s aging demographic and wants to target younger buyers.
“The median age of the Corvette buyer got three years older while I was there, which scared the hell out of us,” says Tom Wallace, who was Corvette’s chief engineer from 2006 until 2008.
But we will, officially, have to take their word for it. A Chevy spokesperson wouldn’t comment.
If this story can be believed it looks like the Corvette’s brand refresh could lead to exciting changes ahead. We for one hope it is true.
Check out the well done article complete with pictures over at The Detroit News.
