Either there is a God or Santa Claus, but this is excellent news for GMnumberone4ever. I am pleased as apple pie that this is happening for him and his people.

Chevy needs to forget about low production anything and get back to improving their bread n butter models.

CADILLAC CIEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

leave it the way it is

Leave it the way it is, and produce the limited-production mid engine model. Don’t fix something that’s not broken.

“A mid-engine Corvette would most likely cost more than the existing model. What’s more, some purists would almost certainly decry such a major change, considering its impact on handling and exterior styling.”

- just shows how smart their purists really are. Why would a mid-engine layout hinder the handling of the car? Having the engine in the middle would keep the center weight of gravity in the middle improving handling. Look at the Cayman/Boxsters, Lotus Elise/Exige/Esprit, etc.
Someone please tell me im just reading that statement incorrectly, because it looks stupid to me.

You are reading it incorrectly Andre, it says “impact on handling” not “hinder the handling”.

Andre Neves — I don’t think they mean it will hinder its handling. I think they fell it will just alter it, big time. Probably for the better, but those Vette fans do not like too much change.

Stylewise it will impact it no doubt. I myself would like to see them do it.

Ahhh got it, lol it wasn’t making sense when I read it, thanks for clearing that up guys.

Wow, that would own.

Leave it as it is, work on refining the thing, revamp the interior….IMHO.

Wow, lets ruin the Corvette to compete with the now extinct Ford GT. What the heck is GM thinking. Why not just design a completely new model and leave the Vette a Vette?

cein.

Retain the original and build a mid-eingine model.

From the reviews I’ve seen, the corvette is already a great handling car. And I thought the whole point of the vette nowadays is to have an “affordable” super car. So I dont see how mid engine could benefit that much. It will probably piss off the vette fans. Until they actually drive it.

GM would be the biggest idiot ever if they changed the Corvette to MR, no-body in the demographic that the Corvette is geared towards would buy it just becaue of that change. GM should stick to tradition of keeping the ‘Vette as an FR car. If the car is still selling as is then don’t bother changing it. However, if GM really wants to make a MR car then they should friggen’ bring back the Pontiac Fiero for their “Excitement Division”.

I agree with joseph, improve interior quality & materials.
The question is, if they make any further improvements to it, then you’ll be seeing dealer markups surpassing previous ones. That’s the only two problems I see in the car. If only there was a way GM could stop these dealers from taking advantage anytime something with potential comes into the showroom.

The engine is mounted back pretty far and the gearbox is already over the rear axle, why bother with a rear-mid layout? Instead, spend the money on developing better suspension.

I’m a huge Vette fan and I’m for it going mid engine. like that concept Indy Vette from the early 90s or so.

For all of the athiests out there, this is complete and total proof that there is a God, and he is a Chevy fan!

Personally, this has “Stingray” written all over it. If it’s a Cien, then they have to junk it up with all sorts of luxury specs. I’d rather see what the Vette team could do with a mid-engine layout. Although, I would not complain if this turned out to be a Cien. This would hardly be a Ford GT competitor, but rather something to tangle with the likes of F430s, Gallardos, and 911 Turbos.

GM is squandering the Corvette name on it’s one vehicle, I’m counting the non Z06 and Z06 as two versions of the same vehicle.
There’s no reason that GM couldn’t make Corvette a sports car brand.
Make a V8 version of the Solstice/Sky for an entry level vehicle.
Keep the current front mid engine one as a mid range offering.
Sell a rear mid engine all wheel drive vette for the high end.
..and please fix those bad interiors (think audi).

im 50/50 on this one, how about keep the vette the same, and do the cien or some other mr platform, limited production in a gm badge (they still need to redeem themselves for the stupid ass delorian). there is nothing wrong a real flagship from gm.

Why not make a mid-engine as a limited model and call it stingray

A front mounted V-8 with rear wheel drive is a characteristic of a Corvette and it will handle as such. Making a mid engine car would change the classic “Corvette experience” since the dynamics would change.

I take it the aluminum frame from the C6 Z06 enables this versatility.

I like this Stingray idea… very nice.

How about GM spends all their extra cash on ways tof making the Vette a better CAR. like a real trunk for weekend trips to the country, or club weekend / track time Maybe a spare tire wouldn’t be such a bad thing to find a way to fit in the damm thing either. So that an owner can pick any tire they want not just runflats.

I hate to say it but now the Bugatti will be rendered obsolete by the presence of a mid-engined Corvette. The current Z06 makes every single car ever made obsolete except for the Bugatti, which is just a little bit better than the Corvette. If the mighty GM Gods grant us this wish then even the Bugatti Veyron will not stand a chance. Valhalla I am coming!

I just realized something.
GM used to own Lotus. Lotus was obtained by Proton I believe.
So I check Wikipedia and found that Proton devolops & designs the 4cyl engines in GM’s Vauxhall, Opel, & Sky.
Now there are much rumours about another Espirit currently being devoloped to replace the previous model. It will be all new from the ground up while retaining the mid-engine layout according to many sources. Many spy shots of test mules can be seen circulating through the internet. http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid205/p294c4ef9206585532658869cd50a7d67/ef44c643.jpg

Does anyone here see a possible connection, or am I just jumping to conclusion?

Piablo, what do you think the Ford GT’s competition was?
It was the Gallardo, F430 etc.

This car is way to much of an american icon, leave it. The last time I hear something so rediculous is when Ford talked about making a 4 door Mustang. What the Hell?????

“Either there is a God or Santa Claus”

Comment by meanpants555, posted on January24 at 3:21 pm

God is Santa… for adults.

Why fix it, if it ain’t broke, GM. You’ve already reached the pinnacle of automotive engineering and design with the Corvette’s handling and exterior styling. I know it contradicts the tao of GM, but it’s time you coast on the achievements of previous generations.

Mr. Neves: Lotus has an aluminum platform called VVA that can be sold to other manufacturers and it allows for multiple engine layouts. The Esprit is delayed until 2009.

http://www.aluminum.org/ANTemplate.cfm?IssueDate=05/01/2006&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=9874

Good point Andre Neves. What goes around comes around.

do you guys remember the 70`s monstrosity called the aerovette?

Leave it how it is and make the limited run mid-engine… or build a full production mid-engine car.. but leave the corvette as it is.

yeah, this is very much similar to the four door mustang…..but hey, the four door charger happened, so who knows.

keep the vette how it is, but make a relatively affordable MR layout vehicle with the Ecotec turbo engine and call it the Corvair…

im with shizzy, leave the vette alone and bring the mid engine to pontiac. if they don’t do something serious to pontiac soon, it’ll be a damn shame. imagine, a division based on exctitement and youth, not being able to survive. don’t screw it up gm.

leave it alone

@CTS DRIVER–

It was a midengine concept named Astrovette. This teenager absolutely loved it. It turns out that there were several AstroVettes–not just one. My favorite was the 1976 XP882. You can find it here:

http://corvetteactioncenter.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/690/cat/526

Genius idea sampson

Keep the Corvette and stunning Z06 as they are. Push the engine to the back using the same Vette platform for cost savings. Greatly improve the interior, refine the suspension, change the look of the car and give it a totally new name. Already the Z06 can compete on the track with 911s, F430s and just about everyone else. Allow this morphed Vette to compete on ride and interior quality as well. This will still be a “bargain” super car, but this time with no compromises at all.

There is nothing wrong with change people, as long as it is for the better. And I don’t see this being a change for the worse. You can’t stick with tradition forever you know.
Wow, I guess in 200 years, if cars are Nuclear-powered and able to fly, the Corvette will still be the only one riding around proudly with it’s RWD pushrod V8.

Richard youre rite the 76 is bad ass i love the hell out of it, i only remebered the one with with the split front windshield, thats what i didnt like. dude the 76 is sooooooooooo friggin cool, thanks for the link, i love it i see a new screensaver in the near future. You sir are a true car enthusiast.:)

Build a prototype and let’s see it. I’m inclined to think they should leave it a RWD, front engine layout for historical reasons and create a new model. Does anyone know if Cien had AWD?

Sampson has it. Turbo, Rear Engine, ragtop Corvair. That’d be cool. Has to seat 4 however, like the origional corvair. GM doesn’t need a “halo” product, they need good products period. Leave Vette alone, keep it Front engine, 8-cyl, and RWD. A modern interpretation of Corvair would really be cool. However it’ll never happen, atleast with the Corvair name. GM is afraid of the Corvair/Nader Saftey stigma from the old days, and would never have the huavos to build a new one.

Emagine if the lmtd version was a mid engined version of the corvette… that would sell like crazy in europe… think of it this way, know how good the Lotus Exige handles? now picture the corvette, with 500hp handling like the lotus exige.
mwahahaha!

I believe that there is room in the Chevrolet stable for the current formula and an ‘upgraded’ mid engine model. One this is for sure though, mid engine will increase service costs considerably. Andre should know of this.

Fatstrat, I agree.

Screw that. Keep the Vette FR and make a Cien! Don’t puss out either, stick a 572 in that bad boy and S/C it!!!

I think they should spend their time updating and refining what they have now. The Corvette is a great high performance, Affordable, sports car. A big redesign (such as switching to MR) may boost the performance to a whole new level, but it would also bring the price to a whole new level.

Bah,
I remember the roar from the ‘traditionalists’ when the C6 finally ditched the pop-up headlights! If it were up to those yahoos, ‘vettes would still come with an automatic transmission as standard or upgrade to a 4-speed.
Every release cycle, they get their panties in a knot over something, and then guess what, they still buy it. So Chevy, make it mid-engine. While you’re at it, make it a DOHC turbo-6 and blow everything else into the dust. And guess what? You’ll sell every single one you make.

oh now we are going to see toyota hondas lexus bmw and acuras exploding in the streets and in michigan there isnt any car that isnt the great GM (oh crap im noy GMFAN)

seriously…..

making a mid engine plataform should be a good idea if the car can handle right now i think they can make a nice super car and perhaps call it with another name why you have to support an idea with a icon

There are times when you just don’t mess with what works. Until the Corvette becomes outclassed by its competition (911, Viper, etc) by a significant margin there is no reason to change something simply for the sake of change. Moving the Vette to an MR design would increase costs and that is something that Chevrolet shouldn’t want. The Vette is considered the poor mans supercar for good reason, it’s relatively cheap. I agree with those saying to make an MR car, but call it something else and maybe even give it to a different brand (Pontiac, Caddy, ?) but leave the Corvette alone.

Of course I’m a traditionalist and like the Corvette for what it is and love it for what it isn’t, so I might be biased.

“I believe that GM should expand the Corvette brand by including front- and mid-engine sports cars, a 2+2 coupe, 4-door sedan and sports wagon”…. oops, sorry, I was channeling Billy Ford again!

Wrong again deantj, the guy who owns a Z06 in my town is very wealthy. If he wanted a 911 he would have bought one.

Yes! I’ve even thought about this before! Thats funny, however, I’m gonna have to agree with Kenny W about leaving the Vette alone. Keep the Vette FR, make something else thats MR as long as its not the Vette.

Isn’t it funny that GMnumberone hasn’t posted his(moronic) ideas on this GM car

I would much rather have a MR Viper, but I don’t expect that will ever happen, but one can dream.

This isn’t the first time GM has pondered making a huge change in the vettes traditonal front engine V8 layout. In the late 80s and the early 90s, I dont remeber, but I think one was a midengined concept and the other one featured a small high reving turbo charged V8, and a turbo charged v6 has been talked about for awhile.
I think if GM were to build a high powered Mid Engined car it should go to pontiac, this divison is in desperate need of a true high performance car.

DON”T DO IT GM! DON”T DO IT!!!!!!

Seriously like some have said save the MR for a Cadillac of some freaked out bad-ass Fiero revival or something.

^^^^^^^ YAY!! CIRCLE JERK!!!!!

jonnycat – The GT is out or will be out of production very shortly. Two, the Z06 exceeds the GT already. I love the way the GT looks, but never had much respect for it’s performance versus cost.

S-60, how does it feel to know that a “Dumb piece of plastic” can kick your cars ass?

GM: Choose one or the other, but remember you already have a classic design, racing heritage and plenty of fans who know what the Corvette has always been.

I have a suggestion for a midengined GM car:

A) Bring over the Opel/Vauxhall Speedster

or

B) Build a new midengined FIERO and sell it for $25k

seems to make more sense to move the next-gen XLR to mid-rear than change the Corvette. they are already charging a premium for that model.

a bump up $10k-$15k on a mid-engine XLR make much more sense than converting the Vette… and increasing it’s price to that point.

this idea is for one reason only. the tards at GM say to themselves “how can we get more vette fans?” as if there arent enough. i like the vette and always will but those guys over there are trying to make one car support their entire company…
2006 callaway c16: $119k w/ 620 hp
2006 lingenfelter: $130k w/ 725 hp
2006 z06: $65k 505 hp
blue delvil will prolly have 650 and still only be charged at $100-110k (they claim it may come out.. who knows)
this conversation wouldnt be happening right now if GM made some profits. they make all these care with the vette logo on it, only to make more money from the GM name.

lets opt to get rid of the leaf springs suspension first

I say GM should stick to the FR layout. Use the development money for a better interior. Maybe shift the V-8 more into the center just like what Ferrari has done with its 599GTB. Replace the current pod headlamps into small slits powered by newly developed LED’s. This would finally appease the fans of the hidden headlamps. Maybe develop a bored out Northstar DOHC V-8 for the premium model. Wait a minute, these changes are better suggestions for the mid-cycle revisions for the current Vette!

If they are serious about a mid-engine supercar, they should restart development of the defunct DOHC V-12 and drop it into the Cadillac Cien.

Hey Guys-

GM Re-registered the Fiero name, maybe they are planning on bringing that out again, which would explain why they need a mid-engined Corvette. They’d need a Corvette that they can put a little more horsepower into that could then out perform the Fiero. That way the Corvette executives wouldn’t have to wine and cry because Pontiac has a higher performance car than them for a smaller price, like they did back in 88/89. I’m all for them bringing out a mid engined car, but I think it should have the Fiero badge on it. Even if people do associate it with fires, those are the people that aren’t in the target market for a mid-engined car anyway. I really think they should leave the Corvette as is, upgrade different things on it, but leave it a 2 seat front engine performance car, make it kick the Vipers butt and give it a better interior. Create a Fiero that can be had for around 25k base, up to 50k with some serious improvements and then a Z06 like dream car with an aluminum space frame, 500+hp engine you know that kinda stuff and charge like 70k for it.

+1

We dont need another Ferrari clone!! And besides 50/50 isnt the optimum weight balance of an FR.

We’ve been here before…

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/gallery/data/526/51990CERVIII.jpg

(Thanks to Richard for the link)

http://www.idavette.net/cars/cerv3.gif,

You beat me to it CTS, I was just about to post that pic.

Is there a limitation on LLN to how many comments you can post in a certain time period?

Messing with an icon always ends badly. A mid engine high priced car should go to Cadillac and Cadillac only.

If you have enough money for an import, and still want a Vette you probably own 5 Vettes.

I don’t know of any true Corvette fan who would ,mind the car going mid-engined. Chevy has toyed with the idea many times before, teasing us with the Aerovettes, Corvette Indy, Cerv III, etc and each time the concepts came out the Corvette diehards were drooling, not complaining.

Also, moving the Corvette slightly upmarket would allow some breathing for the Camaro to grow; the two cars could share the entire V8 engine range without fear of the top Camaros outshadowing the base ‘Vette.

If they can make a mid engine ‘Vette make sense, then why not go for it? One caveat though – I really hope Chevy would aim to keep the packaging as tight and compact as possible, like a Gallardo, R8 or McLaren F1 even, instead of creating something big and unwieldly to manage in day-to-day use (think Murcielago or Ford GT). A Cayman sized – and priced – entry level Corvette (with a 400+hp aluminum V8, natch) would make for an absolutely incredible car!

Here goes some more of my speculation. I know it might seem a bit farfetched, but the auto industry these days can be unpretictable so, ya never know.

According to WCF(wellknown credible source)

Lotus’ “MSC (mid-engined supercar) will be built around a new aluminium structure, which Lotus plans to adopt to other cars, too.” -WCF

Hmm, what other cars? Could they mean off-brand vehicles adopting their aluminium platform?

“It has been officially confirmed by Lotus that the new Esprit will not only become available as a coupe, but, for the first time, as a convertible/roadster, too”. -WCF

Convertible/Coupe aluminum frame might look tempting to GM as a future platform if they’re considering a mid-engine setup.

Again, this is just purely my speculation.

Nothing will replace the Corvette in GM but there is, I think plenty of room for a another top-tier sports car platform. It wouldn’t take much. Tthe Corvette frame is surprisingly flexible. More than a few MR’s have been built on it’s frame. An MR Caddy XLR would be easy to pull off I think. Maybe even toss it that V12 they said they developed for their Cadillac racing program and for the Cien, and a super Escalade, and use it then.

This car would not be a Ferrari wanna-be. Why anyone supposes it would be just because of engine placement is beyond me. America makes quite a few MRs currently, like the Mosler MT900s, possibly the lightest sports car with a V8 in the world, motorcycle quick, and as fast as anything going for twice as much. Then there’s the (Gag me) Saleen S7, looks cool but costs way too much and has no strong street cred, like the Viper. The Ford GT (GT-40 MkV) is going out but was the car to beat, though not live with (The Vette won that easily while staying tight on the GT’s bumper), those are the most obvious, I know I missed one or two.

But we are a NASCAR nation. FR is the order of the day. The Corvette won’t change. It shouldn’t change. If it does, it’ll be a disaster for GM. Giving the MR to another division that can use it, Pontiac or Cadillac, is the only choice, if for no other reason than to spread out the costs, a less expensive but more race ready Pontiac (GXR maybe) and a slicker, more comfy Caddy (No LIMITERS!!!).

Wow, apparently LLN has blocked WCF(abreviation) because i’ve been trying to post this for a while now, but the message would never go through. I took the address for WCF out and Vuala! I don’t understand why LLN would do that. oh well.
Im going to try to write it in a way where they don’t block my message…
w-o-r-l-d-c-a-r-f-a-n-s-.-c-o-m

type in “lotus esprit” without the quotes in the search bar uptop for the article I was referring to, since I can’t post the link.

isn’t the car already (technically) mid-engined? Dunno for sure

^yes, Lotus are mid engine vehicles.

This makes as much sense as a front engine 911.

Vinman, Are you referring to the Corvette having a Mid-engine placement? Technically yes it is a MF (Mid-front. Not the expletive). With it’s transaxle in the rear of the car there is more room to position the engine further back for better front to rear balance. I don’t quite recall but I think the Corvette’s engine still is not completely behind the front axle so is not actually MF.

The Dodge Viper is a real MF but is not as well balanced as the Vette overall. Strange but true. It relies on copious grip from the tires more than balance to stay planted and poised.

What none of you (that I could see) realize is what the powertrain configuration looks like on the ‘vette since the C5.

Think people!

Clutch in the back, inside a bellhousing. Transaxle in the back. Prop shaft from engine flywheel in front (in a bellhousing curiously similar to the one in the back….) to the clutch. Bellhousing front and back.

From C5 onwards, the genius of the politics played by the engineering team is that the powertrain has been mid-engine-ready.

As the owner of a Z06, it’s sad to see the namecalling of a machine that keeps its own with the $300,000 exotics.

Let’s see if GM has the gonads to make a chassis that takes the ‘vette’s mid-engine-ready powertrain and ups a notch against Viper’s 15 year old chassis configuration. A mid-engine reduces rotational inertia on a machine that has been perfectly balanced and rigged the past two generations.

Mid-engine, 600HP, please. And keep it under $60k.

I meant yaw inertia

leave the corvette as is, on the other hand just turn corvette into it’s own brand. It would create a lot of hype and publicity. If they can put a nice interior, with quality products, and prevent harsh dealer mark-ups, then they are in business.

How about they keep the original vette Fr and make a baby vette with a mid-engine.

Gumball, then where are you gonna put your stuff? One of the reasons for leaving the Corvette FR/MF is that you have a usable trunk. As much as we enthusiasts love the vette their aren’t enough of us at the price point to make the car as focused as say… a Lambo or Ferrari MR. Most Vette owners are not racers but are retired, or semi tired, or well-paid professionals who want some trunk space to cart around their golf clubs.

The Viper is a good example of a FR that is so much more focused that it barely has a trunk at all…

Besides aside from cost, some would simply not like the Vette because it is so big. The Corvette is huge compared to a 911. Think of it as trying to carter to compact car fans and those who want a real sports car but can’t foot the bill for a Vette, viper, or what ever. Makes a good alternative to the 350Z, MX-5 Miata, and RX-8.

The Fiero had a trunk but it as a barely big enough for a couple of briefcases, I know because a neighbor of mine had one. Leave the Kappas as FR, but I wouldn’t put it past someone to make an MR on that platform.

This is just a minor point of many against making the Vette MR.

I do like the idea of making the Corvette it’s own brand, and that could still happen in the future… especially if, by some slim to none chance, GM is brought piece by piece by other people or companies. Either way, it would free the designers hands to really get some really good work done… like that hasn’t happened already.

Thanks Blakkarr, i didn’t think of that,

well wouldn’t it be easier for GM and the fans/customers if they just leave the MR aside and focuse on FR vette. If they put more attention and money on making a one off MR corvette production then it’ll shove the traditional and famous FR corvette out of the limelight.

They don’t need MR, corvette is already as good as it gets, Itll be much easier Just refining of what they already have, as what many people have posted.

^^ I agree 100%, although I love MR cars, what you said makes a lot more sense.

some wackjob passed me last nite with damn dressor hanging out of the back of his vette, i was waiting for the rear hatch window to shatter, wish i had a picture i couldnt believe it. never thought of moving furniture with a sports car.