Test Drivers Scramble to Cover the New 2019 Mid-Engine Chevrolet Corvette C8 After Photographers Spot it on the Streets!
There have been rumors of a mid-engine Corvette for since all the way back in the 1960’s, but it certainly seems like GM might actually be pulling the trigger on the layout change for its flagship car. This would obviously be a major change for the ‘Vette, which has been front engine/rear wheel drive configuration since its release back in the 50’s.
The obvious reason for the change would be balance, putting the weight of the engine, which serves as sort of the pivot point around which the car’s center of gravity rotates, further back should make the car more stable and easier to drive to the edge of its performance capabilities. Lamborghini, Ferrari and most other high end supercar manufacturers have been using this configuration for generations and we see how well those cars perform, so hopefully GM’s engineers are able to take what they can learn from those companies and put their own brand of flair to build a car that’s truly special and worthy of the Corvette badge. While it will never be a Lambo, there’s no denying that when it comes to domestic cars, the Corvette name carries a lot of weight and has earned the respect of enthusiasts around the world, putting up lap times at the Nurburgring – among other world class facilities – that rival those of the much more expensive and finicky exotics.
A lot of hardcore Vette fans may have a problem with this move, but it seems almost inevitable for the lay form to keep evolving and to push performance to the next level. We can’t wait to see the production model mid engine Corvette roll off the assembly line and onto showroom floors, hopefully sooner than later. Until then, we’ll keep an eye out for more spy shots and information about the overhaul.