Since the C2 Corvette, every generation of the sports car has featured a removable roof of some sort, be it T-tops or a targa-style roof, and it appears that the mid-engine Corvette will also adhere to the tradition, as the latest spy photos show cutlines on the roof that give away the presence of a removable targa top. We spied this feature back in May, and the latest photos make it clearer than ever. They also further confirm the presence of a rear-facing camera that will enable the Rear Camera Mirror that’s proliferating across the GM vehicle lineup.
The latest mid-engine Corvette prototype, spied undergoing testing in Germany just outside the Nurburgring, is missing the bulky camouflage of prior testers, giving us a chance to finally see some of the production styling that will find its way to the first mid-engine Corvette in production. But it also shows that Chevrolet isn’t abandoning with Chevrolet tradition, at least not when it comes to the roof.
One interesting question about the removable roof is where the panel for the C8 Corvette would be stored when removed. The C7’s targa roof stores neatly under its liftback, but the mid-engine Corvette will naturally boast different levels of cargo capacity compared to the current model.
We suppose that engineers have some form of a clever solution that would involve storing the roof panel in the trunk hood new frunk of the mid-engine Vette. However, if the next Corvette will one day feature a 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 engine paired with a hybrid powertrain, then it might the available space in the frunk limited, as that’s where the electrification hardware will likely be placed.
Editor’s note: an earlier version of this story showed photos of what we have since discovered to be the hardtop convertible version of the mid-engine Corvette. See more on the hard-top convertible Corvette.
Comments
The roof has not been a mystery.
As for storage the bonnet is the best bet.
The real thing to be watching for is the future spyder. Half of corvette sales are drop tops and the C7 roadster will remain till the future drop top comes..
Anyone notice the rear camera? Will display on the big screen inside. Good visibility. 360 car cameras too.
Yes we have seen the camera. 360 is expected.
Word that it may even have a camera in the front air dam to prevent accidental damage in parking and low ground clearance situations.
Expect the rear view mirror to be the new mirror that flips to the screen like the Bolt and trucks.
As for storage we could also see a rear truck much like the Fiero too depending on how they package it. The rear it tall enough to store a roof section.
The roof-mounted camera is for the Rear Camera Mirror, which we covered before:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2018/05/what-is-this-small-black-circle-on-the-roof-of-the-mid-engine-corvette/
The technology is already available in most Cadillac models, the 2019 Camaro, and a few others. The output is not “on the big screen inside”, but instead in the actual rear-view mirror:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/gm/general-motors-technology/gm-safety-technology/gm-active-safety-technology/gm-rear-view-camera-technology/
Note: the camera for the rear camera mirror does not actually take part in the 360 degree view. It’s a dedicated system with a specialized lens that only does one thing – replace the rearview mirror.
I’m quite sure that the above pictures were taken at the “Star” gas station at Dauner Straße 31, Kelberg, Germany
https://www.google.de/maps/@50.2844379,6.9113679,17z
Entry to the station from the north-west exit of the roundabout. The Nürburgring is some kilometers north-north-east from there.
Those pictures have been replaced in this articles by others taken somewhere else.
See this Editor’s note to the article:
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an earlier version of this story showed photos of what we have since discovered to be the hardtop convertible version of the mid-engine Corvette.
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Where are now the images from the gas station?