Mid-Engine C8 Corvette Mule Spotted

[tahdizzle]

Originally Posted by DAEMANO

The new C7-ZR1 competes with nearly everything at the "world level". Mid-engined or not. Only major engineering feats such as a hybrid powerplant seem to make a difference in speed now. See my post above.

WTF is a c7 "ZR-1"?

[Sideways&Smiling]

Just saw this posted on S2KI... reposting here...

"Interesting post in Corvette Forum just now:

1. Late in the C6 life cycle there were posts of rumors of the C7 being a short run. A stop-gap measure for the pending C8. Rumors that the C7 isn't what they originally wanted it to be due to GM's bankruptcy and funding issues.

2. A contact I trust told me in early 2013 at a NCRS show, "There will be the Singray base car, a hi-po model probably called the Z06 again, and then something special which will pave the way for the C8." That's all he could say.

3. Regarding the above quote... it's all coming true. The Z06 was introduced, and now we're seeing test mules for the Zora/C8 whatever they want to call it.

4. The mule clearly has a C7 cabin/roof/dash/a-pillars. The cabin is too close to the front wheels to have a front engine mounted longitudinally. The rear pickup bed is genius... it's the perfect body work for testing a mid-rear engine/driveline setup. Just remove that huge access cover and everything is there to tinker with. Clearly there are intakes on the wing uprights and the lower sides of the body work.

5. GM has trademarked stuff like "Zora" and "L88" again.

6. The C5/C6 frame had continues frame rails on each side. The C7 has modular rails. It appears easy to retain the center cabin structure but put new front/rear frame sections on it and have your mid-rear engine layout. This jives with the rumor that much of the C7 development was done to be mid-rear engined to begin with.





7. My question is the timing/production of it all. Will it be built in a separate line in BG? Last I heard the new engine build center took over the old 2nd line where the XLR was made alongside the C5. Will they call it a Chevrolet Zora a la Ford GT, or will it be the Chevrolet Corvette Zora? Will it be a special separate high line car, or will it truly pave the way for the C8 with the base C8 being a $60k mid engined car?

8. Chevy has done a masterful job perfecting the front-mid engine/rwd platform, but it's about as good as it can get. Can't put any more power down. Also, Euro crash standards are creating the mandate for fat/chunky front ends. A mid-rear engine car can still be sleek and meet the pedestrian crash rules. Also, the weight over the drive wheels results in better traction and more driveline efficiency. Also, it frees up room for an AWD setup. Currently there is no way to stuff this all in a front-mid engined platform.

9. GM has been campaigning the C6 and now updated body work C7 Daytona Prototype cars for a couple years now. So they have an idea how a mid-rear engined modern C7 could look with that layout.

I can't wait to see what they come up with!"

[Ganthrithor]

That thing (the thing in the concept art, not the mule) is hideous.