We’ve called the mid-engine C8 Corvette the automotive industry’s worst-kept secret for a reason: the leaks just keep coming like a drippy faucet. And here’s another one.
A user published CAD images (computer-aided design) of the all-but-confirmed mid-engine sports car on Corvette Forum on Thursday, and the detailed images gave rise to many observations. We can thank Corvette Forum user “firebirdfan” for the massive list of observations listed below:
- “Coil springs (FINALLY).
- Magshocks (or spool valve, either way, fancy shocks).
- Upper front arms look to be similar to C5/6/7 with trunnions.
- Lower front arms look to be similar to C5/6/7 with camber eccentrics.
- Rear subframe is HUGE and is a very strange mix of cast parts and welded tube. Can’t tell if it’s welded or bolted together in the middle.
- Engine is an LT1.
- Looks like factory shorty headers instead of cast manifolds.
- Engine has alternator relocated.
- Not sure what the upper-right accessory pulley is for. Upper left is water pump, lower right is AC.
- Oil filter looks easy to get to.
- Oil cooler clearly shown above filter.
- Half-shafts look to be the “bolt on flange” style (no draining trans to remove shafts).
- That transaxle is BEEFY. Like, dear god. Can’t tell if it’s auto or manual. If I had to wager, that’s the automatic (guessing from shape of bottom of trans and what looks to be coolers hanging around it).
- Giant flat space above transaxle is more than likely for intake box/filter.
- No turbos shown.
- Frame looks to be similar to C5/6/7 with giant hydroformed rails (probably still aluminum). Disappointing. I was hoping for proper unibody. Hopefully with a fixed roof it’ll be stiffer.
- Brake rotors are 1 piece. Calipers are MASSIVE.
- Side skirts are mechanically fastened just like C5/6/7. Still going to be horrendously expensive to fix if damaged.
- Brake ducts clearly shown on front.”
The information and images above basically confirm this is, indeed, a Chevrolet Corvette and not a Cadillac sports car. Even the fact a 6.2-liter LT1 V8 is included in the CAD images backs up previous reports that the LT1 will probably remain an entry-level powertrain choice. The other two options will likely be DOHC designs.
Additional reports peg early 2019 for an on-sale date, which means a 2018 reveal may not be out of the question. Stay tuned.
Comments
Tick tock tick tock until this c8 hits my garage!
I just want it to be faster then the current ZO6 in base trim.
Just what.
“Just what.”
….are we looking at?
We’re looking at the realization of a dream over 50 years in the making.
The Dream is finally making clear sense…
With reports being that the Z06 & ZR1 will be sold until 2021
They will introduce the “base mid engine” with the NA LT1 probably pushing 500HP and sell it along the two front engine Z’s
Then by 2020 and 2021 they will pump out the TT 750 & 850 HP engines as the new Z’s to round out the line up.
Just my opinion but makes sense no?
The hydroformed frame rails are what turned the C5 Corvette into a world class sports car. Going to a ‘proper’ uni-body like the C4 would make the C8 into a flexible flyer like the C4 was and set the Corvette back 20 years. The 33 sheet metal panels that made up the C4 uni-body was the weakest structure in Corvette history. The chassis flex was part of the suspension tune. It had a stiff suspension to make up for chassis flex. The C5 and later Corvettes have a stiff frame and softer suspension to keep the tire in contact with the road without the rough ride.
Hydro form is stiff and if the plan to do a Spyder they will be needed.
It also helps control cost as this car will be around $70- 79k to start.
No one has complained with the present car of major cowl shake and it has made a good base for the suspension to work from.
We still don’t know anything except for one thing.. the primary mission of the mid-engine Chevrolet Corvette is to run rings around the Ford GT which suggests the new Corvette will still be relatively affordable and an absolute BEAST on the road that is superior than even the 2019 C7 Corvette ZR1 on the track.