The most recent spy shots of the mid-engine Corvette C8 show more details and features of the future Corvette, but one has seemingly gone unnoticed: the tires.
Specifically, the rear tires of the prototype car look nothing short of massive from a width standpoint. In fact, they seem roughly twice as wide as the tires on the front of the vehicle.
To note, the current C7 Corvette Z06 and 2019 Corvette ZR1 feature the following wheels and tires:
- Front: 19×10-inch wheels wrapped in P285/30ZR19 rubber
- Rear: 20×12-inch wheels wrapped in P335/25ZR20 rubber
That, however, is not an apples-to-apples comparison, since the C7 is engineered with a front-engine configuration, while the C8 will have a mid-engine setup, thereby changing key dynamics and traction properties of the vehicle, along with the requirements of the wheels/rubber.
And all that brings us to the question: just what’s powering the Corvette C8 to warrant those massive tires?
About Mid-Engine Corvette
Rumored for the past several years, the mid-engine Corvette has been spotted with increasing frequency undergoing testing with a heavy amount of camouflage. In the beginning of April, an attendee of Chevrolet national dealer meeting was cited as saying that executives showed images of the future Corvette mid-engine sports car, confirming the vehicle’s existence in Chevy future product pipeline.
The mid-engine Corvette C8 is expected to launch for the 2020 model year sometime in the 2019 calendar year. Stay tuned to GM Authority more Corvette news and Corvette C8 news coverage.
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Comments
The arrow is point the wrong way. 🙂
Better now?
It was right the first time it’s a midengine front wheel drive Corvette.
If the C8 ends up being a 500bhp+/550ft.lb torques beast, wide rubber just goes with the territory.
The only way “skinnies” can get grip is if the vehicle traction controls nanny you into a slow start!
The point is…….?
Gotta turn all that down force into traction.
Oversized tires are always a better choice!
No, actually, they aren’t.
Absolutely not. Larger can screw up a car’s handling. Any track person knows this.
Does this car have dual rear brake calipers???
It looks like it does. This car is going to be having incredible braking ability if this is a functional feature. I hope that the vents are able to keep everything cool.
I agree. It looks that way.
Or seperate caliper for the parking brake.
The more I learn about this car, the more I realize its more of a Ford GT fighter and less of a $60,000 corvette… 🙁
What makes you realize that?
It’s not. The production numbers and the fact that the car has to have a much wider appeal gives you the answer.
I’m very excited to see this. The rear image looks wonderful with a very aggressive stance and excellent proportions. Should be an amazing car that has been a very long time coming.
I still think this is CM1 rather than C8: “Corvette Mid-Engine 1” as opposed to “Corvette 8” which is the designation I expect to see for the successor to the current C7. I think Chevrolet is about to turn Corvette into a two model brand with both the new midship Corvette Zora and traditional Corvette Stingray.
I hope you’re right !! I’d love to see corvette become a 2 model brand…Stinray and Grand Sport front engine, Zo6 and ZR1 mid-engine.
DOES ANYONE ELSE NOTICE THE CAMERA ON THE ROOF OF THE CAR? POSSIBLY REAR VIEW CAMERA MIRROR ???
Anybody who understands rear or mid engine cars will tell you they require smaller front tires because the weight distribution shifts to the rear. For example the Audi R8 V10 + has the following sizes:
1. (front) 245/35R19
(rear) 295/35R19
2. (front) 245/30R20
(rear) 305/30R20
The picture is of a Chevrolet C8 Corvette prototype.. which means what is seen is what Chevrolet is allowing us to see and doesn’t mean what will actually be in the production vehicle.
RIP 911. Corvette going rear mid engine will force Porsche to transition the 911 from rear engine to mid engine….do it not and Corvette will eat your lunch. The handcuffs are off. The world is on notice.