The above image is a Corvette Forum rendering of the mid-engine 8th generation Corvette alleged to be launching at the 2019 Detroit show in January. The front-engine Corvette has been a mainstay of the American performance market since the 1950s, and some models have been compared favorably to contemporary 911s throughout the years. Built in Bowling Green, Kentucky, General Motors’ ‘Plastic Fantastic’ fiberglass sports coupe is an undeniable icon, but it’s never been quite enough to draw faithful 911 fanatics away. As the 911 continues to grow larger, would a two-seat, mid-engine, American V8 sports coupe be enough to draw you away?
In recent years Chevrolet has really been stepping up to the plate with serious improvements to the Corvette. They now offer actually decent interiors, better assembled bodies, and world-class performance. Not only that, but they’re doing it at a much less expensive price point than basically any of the competition. The current base model Corvette offers a 450-horsepower direct-injected V8 and a 7-speed manual gearbox for the same price as a base 718 Cayman. The recently launched top-spec Corvette ZR1 features 755-horsepower and a 210 MPH top speed, putting it squarely up against Porsche’s GT2 RS (at least from a top speed standpoint) for a little under half the price.
GM’s Corvette team has essentially reached the nexus of front-engine performance capability. In order to make the next generation of Corvette handle better than before, Chevy has resorted to plopping the engine behind the driver compartment. This opens up huge possibilities for the future of Chevy’s budget supercar in regards to proper suspension setup and weight balance. By shifting that weight rearward, the Corvette can, perhaps, provide an even more dynamic driving experience. So, you tell us, would a mid-engine Corvette with Carrera-matching performance at a Cayman-ish price point steer you away from the Porsche dealer and into a Chevy dealer? We know our answer, but drop yours in the comments below and we’ll discuss.
