Former Corvette ride and handling engineer Jim Mero went on the Overcrest Podcast recently, where he talked about the upcoming new mid engine Corvette C8 and shared his thoughts on General Motors’ new mid-engine creation.
Mero caused a bit of a stir online when he said he worried about the mid engine Corvette C8, but he felt as though some of his statements were taken out of context, so he has now released a longer, written piece on the car to clarify what he said.
We will embed Mero’s full statement below, but he essentially sums up what he meant in this paragraph:
“When I said I was worried about the C8, every example I gave was for every mid-engine car I drove except the C8. I said I told my boss we would have to reinvent the wheel and do it better. I never alluded to the fact we didn’t,” Mero said.
Mero was basically saying that when work began on the mid engine Corvette C8, he and the rest of the mid-engine Corvette team knew they had a monumental task ahead of them. Not only would this new mid-engine product need to be better than the old C7, it would also have to be superior to mid- and rear-engine rivals like the Acura NSX and Porsche 911.
Mero also retired from GM while the car was still in development, so he hasn’t been able to see the nearly finished product his former peers are working with currently, giving him limited knowledge of the project and its progress.
One thing Mero knows for sure, though, is that the C8 will be better than the C7 – even if he believes the front-rear layout of the old car was still competitive performance-wise.
“In my mind, every generation of Corvette was better than the generation before, and the C8 will be no different,” he said.
Here’s the statement in full:
Hello everyone.
Originally, I was just going to keep my mouth shut relative to reports about my comments on the mid-engine platform in general and the challenges the C8 will need to overcome to be the best Vette yet.
I believe those who have listened to both podcasts realize that, in my mind, every generation of Corvette was better than the generation before, and the C8 will be no different.
On the Overcrest podcast, I will admit I could have used a better word than “worried”. But in an interview, you can’t cut and paste. Naturally, I listened to the podcast several times and until yesterday had no idea it would generate so much publicity. I’ll try to go through my thought process at the time of the Overcrest Podcast then forever hold my peace.
When I said I was worried about the C8, every example I gave was for every mid-engine car I drove except the C8. I said I told my boss we would have to reinvent the wheel and do it better. I never alluded to the fact we didn’t.
I also mentioned to Tadge when the conception of the C8 was in process, as far as I can recall, the C7 beat most if not all the mid-engine cars with comparable weight and HP it was pitted against. Again, the need to engineer the car better than its competitors, with no reference to the fact we didn’t.
During my 15 years on the Corvette, I’ve attended countless shootouts. One example was the 2017 Road and Track Performance Car of the Year with the C7 Grand Sport. The competition was stiff. It included:
- The Acura NSX
- Audi R8 V10 plus
- BMW M4 GTS
- Jaguar F-type SVR
- Lotus Evora 400
- Mercedes AMG C63 S
- Nissan GT-R Nismo
- Porsche 911 Turbo S
We were at the NCM racetrack. I can’t remember the drivers name, but he chose to drive the Grand Sport first. He did 2 or 3 laps, laid down a time and brought it in. Going first is an unfavorable position, because any driver will go faster the more laps he lays down. Nonetheless the Grand Sport beat every car except for the 911 Turbo S.
The 911 was the final car driven, let me tell you, I can’t remember how many laps he did, but 10 or 15 is not an exaggeration. He would run 1 or 2, then cool down and go back at it. Clearly, he felt the 911 Turbo S should theoretically beat the Grand Sport. Finally it did, by a few hundredths of a second.
I felt compelled to provide this example just to put into context my thought process leading to my opinion of having to engineer the C8 better than its competition. I will say again, never stating that it didn’t.
And…..Relative to the golf clubs, really, that’s just a personal preference for Jim Mero. It’s no different than saying I prefer a Silverado over a Colorado because it has better utility. It was not a dig on the C8, it was simply a statement of what I desire in a sports car for me. Nothing more, nothing less.
I’m not sure if this provided clarity for any of you. I would encourage you to listen to both podcasts, Overcrest episode 110 starting at about 53 minutes and Speed Secrets episode 123 starting at about 43 minutes. I hope then things will become clear.
I will reiterate one more time, each generation of the Corvette has been better than the generation before, and the C8 will be no different.
Thank you for your time,
Jim
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Source: Overcrest Podcast/JimMero.com
Comments
If nothing else, it’s been epic C8 free press coverage…GM should up this guys retirement!
Give me Corvette SUV and I’ll be happy. Sports car sales are slowing down rapidly and many car manufacturers cancelling models as result of that.
I agree the Vette needs an SUV and sedan variant to survive. As possiblity witnessed by the Camaro a impractical 2-seat sport car can’t survive by itself like in the 80’s. An SUV/sedan must be planned along with the 2-seat Vette.
This was close enough…you had your chance! 😛
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a15096665/2017-chevrolet-ss-manual-instrumented-test-review/
Corvette SUV for me please.
Are you really going to post under two usernames to make it seem like you are two people asking for the same thing? This was posted 3 minutes after “PERFORMANCE_SUV”
I think a Corvette SUV could be a good thing if done properly. This would mean a RWD platform like Alpha or Omega, and the same exact engines as the regular Corvette, so no corporate 3.6 or 2.0T. This has worked with both Porsche and Lamborghini and I don’t think those brands have been watered down. This would also mean Corvette would need to become its own separate brand which might leave room for an entry level Corvette similar to the Solstice.
With that said, knowing GM these days they would take the Blazer, give it “Corvette styling” and call it a day.
Jim Mero knows as much about the 2020 C8 Corvette as most people which means with the exception that it will feature a mid-engine layout, just about absolutely nothing else because Chevrolet hasn’t even leaked what type of engine or transmission that the C8 Corvette will have; thus trying to make any conclusion or analysis is a big guess at best and almost meaningless.
The C8 was already in development before the C7 came out, Jim Mero was the lead Vehicle Dynamics engineer for the C8 until he retired recently, so I think he knows a little more about the C8 than we do!
I still do not see why GM cannot sell both cars in tandem for at least a few years. The development for the C7 has been paid for, at this point everything is profit (one would imagine).
GM authority made a great point with the piece on “who would actually buy a mid-engine Vette”. I’m not doubting by any means that it’ll be a great car, but I too ask that question. I am pretty excited to see the actual car and what it is capable of, but I am also sad to see the current car lose most of what makes it the best. The current car is a performance monster that beats tons a high end mid-engine cars, and comes close to beating the likes of Lambo and Ferrari (while wearing a CHEVROLET badge), but it is also extremely practical. Its a great looking car, with decent cargo room and decent gas mileage (and an available manual trans). Now obviously, absolutely no one looks at these things when buying that class of vehicle, but they are all added benefits.
The problem is that it is tough to sell a sports car and even tougher to sell two sports cars when you are not a true sports car company.
Ideally selling both is a cool idea but from a business stand point it would be a difficult deal to pull of easily.
The C7 sales have already declined and the decline would accelerate with the presence of the C8. At best you would get 2 years before the plug would be pulled.
If you look at most sports cars sold by companies that are not sports car MFGs die in ten years or less. Only the Miata and Corvette have bucked the trend of 2 seat cars with their icon status.
Even with everything paid for it would bring in less money than the C8 models that will be in high demand and use needed plant space needed to meet demand.
The current car is a good car but as the present ZR1 has shown it is to the peak of performance and only to this level with tons of electronics.
The new car will be just starting and will be able to feature things the C7 could not package like AWD.
The new car will do well and will keep most present fans and will gain more new owners.
Even Porsche had to give up air cooled and other traditional things to move ahead.
To idle the Vette where it is at would only kill it.
Personally, I think that GM should have postponed the C8 a model year or two. Here’s my logic: They come out and say that Cadillac is going to be the “new” technology etc leader in GM. So, why not utilize the opportunity to do a Mid-Engine Cadillac “Super” car on this new platform first? Build a limited number and cash the check on the overpriced Novelty car. Then, switch the Vette to the Mid – Engine C8 platform. That gives those with the cash to buy the Cadillac version a GM mid – Engine sports car a year or two ahead of the rest of the buyers. Also, it gives the assembly plant time to dedicate to the low volume to work out assembly kinks before demand for the higher volume Vette.
My guess is, GM will do just the reverse. We will likely see a Cadillac version, even if it is an electric on the platform. Not putting Cadillac as their first foot forward on “New” tech. Just my opinion
Are we 100% sure that the mid-engine car will actually have high demand though??
Like GM Authority themselves said; who is this car actually for?
I’m positive it will be a great…..the best vehicle that Corvette has ever built, but the fact that the Corvette had its engine up front was the big differentiator in the segment. Most people who buy mid-engine cars will look for something high end. I agree with Luther in that GM should have waited for a few years to release the mid-engine Vette, and start out with the mid-engine Cadillac to compete with Acura and Audi and maybe even Lambo. As long as Cadillac doesnt put the 2.7T from the Silverado in it, and they utilize the same fantastic engineering/tuning team, it would be a gold mine! Name 1 non-luxury Mid-engine sports car. Exactly.
Chevy has very little room to tout “luxury” considering they also sell a $12k compact car and a pickup truck, however Cadillac sells the king of the road…..this would just add even more value to the company and could only help their image.
So the C7 Z06 was a upgrade of the C6 Z06 LOL ! Over heating and all ? The new ZL1 is better than the C7’s ! I like the 1st commint. I’m buying a new ZL1 1LE !
GM got to him.
They probably threatened his pension, so he had to regurgitate their spiel.
if corvette racing wanted to stay competitive they had to go mid engines as the cars they are racing aginst are mid engine. BMW was the other front engine car in the class and this is their last year because traction and handling is so much better with a mid engine. also the ford GT built a fire under corvette because they looked like they were falling behind in technology.
The old platform could be used for a entry sports car like Solstice and even use to make a more practical next Gen Camaro on a lengthened chassis.