The mid-engine Corvette is continuing to drop its camo, with the latest spy shots revealing that that at least two body styles will be offered. With GM executives are beginning to publicly acknowledge the model’s existence, it should be safe to say that development of the supercar is nearing completion. And that brings us to the question of when Chevrolet will debut its supercar.
Potential Launch Events
As we look ahead, three possibilities present themselves as potential venues for the mid-engine Corvette’s debut:
- The LA Auto Show in November 2018
- The NAIAS (North American International Auto Show) in January 2019
- A private event at an unknown point in the future
If we had to put money on it, we’d bet that there will be a private, media-only reveal in the days leading up to NAIAS – which is exactly what Chevy did in unveiling the C7 Corvette. It would be fitting to introduce the revolutionary Corvette in Detroit, which continues to be the epicenter of the domestic auto industry.
Notably, the mid-engine Corvette was recently seen proudly displaying its American heritage while blitzing around the Nürburgring, further emphasizing this vehicle’s relevancy to the domestic market… though we should note that the sticker was probably mandatory for the car to drive on EU roads.
For the time being, we’ll continue to patiently wait for Chevy to drop the curtain on the highly-anticipated mid-engine Corvette.
About The Mid-Engine Corvette
As we eagerly await the arrival of the mid-engine Corvette, we can only imagine how the final product will turn out. That said, we are equipped with a solid collection of information that we’re fairly certain about.
First up is the most notable and obvious change – the switch to a mid-engine layout, which represents a significant departure in engineering compared to the first seven Corvette generations, which had a front-engine layout. The transformation is believed to be a result of engineers looking to deliver an even better driving experience and handling characteristics than the current model, especially at the limit. In that regard, a mid-engine layout allows for a higher performance envelope than the front-engine configuration.
The mid-engine Corvette is expected to be powered by several new gasoline engines mated to a dual-clutch automatic transmission. An electric or electrified variant is possible, potentially called Corvette E-Ray, which GM has already trademarked. One of the models will likely be called Corvette Manta Ray (also trademarked) and another Corvette Zora (trademarked as well) as a tribute to the first Corvette engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov. Nicknamed “Father of the Corvette”, Arkus-Duntov is credited with pioneering the idea of a mid-engine Corvette.
Recently, we’ve gotten a (small) taste of the interior, we’re quite certain that the model will be available as a hard-top convertible variant along with a targa-top model with a removable roof, and that it will have an advanced aero-improving spoiler. There’s also a C8.R Corvette in the works for racing duty.
Discussion
Discuss the mid-engine Corvette in our Chevrolet forums.
News
Stay tuned to GM Authority for ongoing coverage of mid-engine Corvette news, C8 Corvette news and general Corvette news.
Comments
One would think the perfect time would be next January 12th at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan and given how a number of European car companies have said they would not be attending.. it would mean the Mid-Engine C8 Corvette would be the car to see.
Not going to be at Detroit.
Coming soon to a theater near you.
How about launching it at a special private event held on Christmas Day at the National Corvette Museum. Christmas Day is the birth date of Zora Arkus-Duntov and the NCM is where his ashes are interred.
If the car is indeed named after him, as is widely believed to be the case, it would be fitting to launch it at the place where his remains are held and where so much of his life’s work is displayed and celebrated. The launch of a mid-engined Corvette christened as ‘Zora’ in his midst, and amongst his creations, on the day he was born seems to be the perfect setting. It would also lead-in nicely with a more public unveiling to follow at the NAIAS a few weeks later.
Neat idea but who will cover it?
The general media will be home and a few bitter automotive writers will hav3 to attend a cold Kentucky press brief vs being home with the family.
Now if it was in Maui well that could mak e it all better.
“Neat idea but who will cover it?”
^this^
The press cycle winds down at the end of the year, and except for the usual annual bump in ‘X of all time’ listicles, any product launch would wait until the next quarter.
I don’t disagree with Ci2Eye, as hosting the next Corvette launch event at that time and place would be rich with symbolism, but the rest of the world is preoccupied with the week long slog between Christmas and New Year Eve.
I don’t disagree with the reality of who would cover it and even if they did, people are pretty much tuned out to the news of the day then anyway so I agree that there’s surely a downside to the plan. It’d be a fitting place and time though given that the car is the fulfillment of a 50 year old dream of Zora’s.
Of course there’s always the possibility that with so much of the world in pause-mode that day, and so little going on, that any news would be big news and there would be little competition from other media events. GM could hype it too so everyone knows in advance and do the big reveal in the evening when people are sitting around in ‘now what?’ mode which is usually what comes after the excitement of the morning hours and mid-day have begun to wane.
Maui
So Zora was the second coming of Christ?
The launch of the C8 would certainly be up there with it.
The recent history is a private event before the public showing.
I expect Detroit and Sept production.
They will do a long release over the summer lead up at tracks and out on the road.
With some of the projections I’ve seen, it’s looking to look like a cross between a Corvette and a Ferrari. If so, that would be amazing.
I just completed a 3200 mile road trip in my 2016 Stingray convertible. I have always enjoyed sufficient luggage capacity for two in the convertible—- even when keeping the trunk panel in place to allow the top to go down.
Does GM Authority have any ideas as to what the luggage capacity will be for the C8.
I hope the fact that it is mid engine will not mean very limited capacity . Also if it will be a hard top convertible that may impact capacity.
I’m glad that apparently the front engine Stingray will stay in production.
The C8 will come with an optional trailer.
https://orig00.deviantart.net/4926/f/2009/204/4/a/corvette_and_trailer_1_by_smithy9.jpg
Imagine GM had a mid engine car in the 1980’s called a Fiero (own 3 ) GM politics finally either retired or worse. Praise change. GM has always had the engineering but refused to do the right things to dominate the car markets and had no vision. A very proud American moment in automotive history! Go GM, Go Corvette!