Who’s Gonna Buy The Mid-Engine Corvette C8?
124
Sponsored Links
We’re just a few short weeks away from July 18th – the debut date for the mid-engine Corvette C8, one of the most highly-anticipated cars in the history of the automobile. And quite frankly, we’re a bit worried. Not about the car’s performance – after all, the mid-engine layout is sure to make the C8 a beauty on the track. But beyond all the nerdy engineering benefits and capability gains, there seems to be a deeper, more troubling issue. Namely: who – exactly – is gonna buy the new mid-engine Corvette C8? In other words, who is this product for?
Sure, we’ve seen loads of hype and anticipation is running high, but it will all be for naught if it doesn’t carry over into actual sales. And from where we’re standing, it doesn’t look like the mid-engine Corvette C8 is a product for the typical Corvette owner. We’ll explain.
For starters, the new mid-engine platform completely changes the car’s styling and proportions. The previous seven generations of the Corvette featured a traditional GT aesthetic – a long (very long) hood followed by a cab-back greenhouse. The design is striking, imposing, and gorgeous. It immediately catches the eye. The C8, by comparison, has none of those things. In fact, it can’t. With the engine placed in the middle of the car, the cab must move forward, thereby automatically making the hood shorter. As a result, the overall profile of the mid-engine C8 Corvette is more or less the same as any other mid-engine exotic.
Granted, the Vette has undergone some radical styling changes over the last few generations (remember the taillight brouhaha of the C7?), but the mid-engine Corvette C8 will be a total and complete departure from a styling standpoint.
The mid-engine Corvette is GM’s latest design exercise.
Then there’s the topic of interior comfort and practicality. The previous seven Corvette generations boasted a surprisingly comfortable and usable cabin, as any good Grand Tourer should. However, we suspect interior space will be at a premium with the mid-engine Corvette C8. Obviously, we don’t have specs or specific details, but when the cabin and engine are mounted in the same spot, the inevitable result is less space for people and things, and more space for the engine.
Mid Engine C8 Corvette Prototype at the NCM
And that brings us to the heart of the matter: we have absolutely zero doubt that the mid-engine Corvette C8 will be an exceptionally capable performer. Not only will it be best-performing Corvette of all time, but it will also be one of the most capable sports cars in the world. So the mid-engine layout makes sense from a performance perspective, but we’re not convinced it makes sense from a business perspective.
That’s because there’s absolutely nothing wrong with the performance of the current C7. In other words, we don’t believe that higher performance and more capability is something that most Corvette buyers are looking for. The performance envelope of the C7 is already so high that one can’t really appreciate it without going to a race track, and few Corvette owners actually do that. So while the C8 will catapult performance limits even higher than the already highly capable C7, higher performance is not something Corvette owners are clamoring for.
Instead, most are looking for a sports car that looks exciting, drives well, and makes good noises on the onramp while traveling from A to B in comfort and style. Going mid-engine doesn’t help those folks at all.
At the end of the day, we can’t help but feel like the mid-engine Corvette C8 is an answer to a question nobody ever asked.
Now, that’s not to say that GM should have canned the project outright. Rather, we think that the product that will launch as the mid-engine Corvette would work significantly better as a Cadillac, rather than as a Chevrolet. The Wreath and Crest brand needs a halo vehicle, and a mid-engine performance machine would do wonders to modernize and improve customer perceptions. Meanwhile, the next-gen Vette would stay front-engined. Heck, the C7 could even stick around for another decade with various updates here and there, something that would enable it to continue being a highly-competitive performer and Grand Tourer.
As it is, we hope the mid-engine Corvette C8 is a success, but something tells us that doing so would be difficult, unless GM can conjure up some 30,000 Zora disciples year after year. It’s almost as though Chevy is trying to create customers that don’t exist… or perhaps they know something that we don’t. Here’s to hoping for the latter.
Subscribe to GM Authority for more mid-engine Corvette news, Corvette C8 news, Corvette news, Chevrolet news, and 24/7 GM news coverage.
- Sweepstakes Of The Month: Win a Corvette Z06 and 2024 Silverado. Details here.
Sponsored Links
What he said below.
The Corvette has always been and will always be for short middle aged men with small pen * ises. That’s who!
Engine location is irrelevant.
You can label me all you want!!! Sign me up for one
They are just a bunch of idiots that probably drive a honda
Speak for your self. Not our fault that you drive a pinto.
Bill seems to be jealous and butt hurt that he doesn’t have the money to buy a corvette. Oh well, keep driving that yugo, buddy boy.
When I was a kid my favourite car was a Pinto. Saw a dark green one and the owner had put aftermarket wheels and larger tires on it. Lost my mind. Looking back it was obvious I had to get out of the basement more often lol. This Vette will be a world class machine. These days we speculate and theorize to the nth degree on upcoming vehicles. Sometimes it’s nice to just sit back and enjoy the products that make kids jump for joy. Remember that? Can you think of better performance cars than these. I also remember as a kid an older friend of th family had a 1976 Corvette. Went for a dream ride in it finally one day and it was noisy, shaken and wobbly but the greatest car I ever rode in to that day.
No, Bill those guys normally buy a Porsche!
I’ve always wanted to buy a Porsche after retirement, now would buy the C8 Corvette instead!
I’ve owned and driven more than 7 vettes in my life and there are pretenders out there galore but the true enthusiast and even euro snobs know this is the best performance value on the plant! Those of us who love car appreciate the Vette for what it is absolutely an absolute piece of automobile engineering excellence.
KMC&Z06
You need to go drive a real Porsche and not one from the 80’s.
Find me a Porsche that can outperform the Corvette…at the Corvette’s MSRP
They are great cars, no doubt…but they command a king’s ransom to obtain one.
Yea I’m an elderly guy who bought a 2017 C7 ’cause I couldn’t afford a Porsche. But after driving it a while decided I would not swap it for a 911 if I could. If I had money I’d buy some 2019 C7’s and put them in storage as an investment.
In all seriousness, If you do happen to buy a few C7’s for the future, please LMK!!
I love the current vette for the looks and the practicality (extremely good for the segment). I have ZERO interest in a mid engine model, nor the extra $30k it will command.
But if you have the money, IMO, considering the refinements and the overall experience, nothing even comes close. I just drove the new 911 and it makes the C7 feel very dated and clunky.
But having said that, I’m very curious to see if the bar has been raised in the C8.
In truth, if someone gave me 911 I’d be thrilled. Still, I really don’t like the looks of any Porsche.
A 35k difference in MSRP will buy you a lot of refinement.
And 90 LESS horsepower.
Depends on what you want…911 is more of a status symbol and is certainly track capable.
That’s the point, you can’t buy refinement. It’s there or it isn’t and is built into every piece of the car not matter how small or where it’s located.
That’s the thing about a 911S4, it can be used anywhere in all kinds of weather. Many people in Northern climates put snow tires on them and drive them all year long. The car also drives small and is as easy to drive in the city as a Honda Civic with excellent visibility.
In any case, 35K is peanuts these days and with the excellent PDK, that HP advantage quickly fades away.
But lets see how the C8 turns out.
“In any case, 35K is peanuts these days…”
Damn! A lot more peanuts than I you have. But mine is just a Stingray 3LT @ $55K, That 35K is ~64% more than poor old me had on hand (I’m also cash only). Would you like to make a donation so I don’t have to embarrass myself?
Did you consider & reject the Z51 pkg? I’m thinking of a ’14 LRG but have the notion Z51 is the way to go; what do you think? Thanks.
“Did you consider & reject the Z51 pkg?”
I did not reject the Z51 package, I just didn’t have any more peanuts. I wanted a new Corvette with leather and seat memory. I’m an old man and need a bit of comfort. The basic Stingray 3lt was all I could find for 55K that fit the bill. Still, the only option I sorely miss is the Mag Ride.
The 911 Carrera 4S starts at $120,600.00. My Grand Sport 2LT Corvette listed for just under $75,000.00. A $45,600 difference is more than peanuts these days. In recent magazine tests, the Grand Sport Corvette has been shown to out perform the S model 911 on a road course. You would have to move to a 911 GT3 at $143,600 or a 911 Turbo at $161,800 to only slightly outrun the Grand Sport on a road course.
There is not a Porsche on the planet that can outperform the corvette for the same money. Why spend 200,000 to go .005 faster. Get your head out of your ass
“Why spend 200,000 to go .005 faster.”
Good question but Up here in the mountains the AWD option would be very nice in the winter.
Bill _ Winner of the day’s most ‘Stupid’ comment award. Or, would that be ‘Really Stupid’ comment award.
What color is yours?
I mean the Vette?
Bill you are so funny, not. Grow up.
Ok bet you mine is bigger than yours. Chevy may be trying to create a whole new segment here, the mid engine revolution, where mid engine style is no longer for the hyper rich! There might be dozens who would buy a Ford gt350 or a Nissan gtr who will buy the Corvette due to its exotic look alone. Maybe that’s what their focus groups are finding!
No. Chevy owes this to America. The car belongs to us, exemplifies the best in American engineering and excellence. It’s a symbol of our greatness. That’s why the mid engine. Because we can.
Bill is just stup
Bill I am 6 2 and I would really like to kick your ass. But you are probably a little pu$$y. Ok, Let’s stick to the question. The question is who is GM targeting with the C8 and is GM trying to create a market that does not exist. ANSWER / ABSOLUTELY.
The market is the European and Chinese Market mainly. China is now the largest consumer of Ferraris and most other exotics. The Chinese will want these cars. At home the Demographics are a changing and they did so into the C7s with younger buyers. Porsche Boxster owners and entry level Porsche owners will buy these cars. It is going to be a very competitive car in the market if GM sells these cars for is believed to be the starting price for a base car $60,400.
“$60,000” Fat chance of that, more like twice that… if not three times $60,000.
It would be a miracle if the C8 is priced like a Porsche Cayman. And if it is, it would be a tough decision for me. The C8 would have to give me that special feeling that a Porsche gives me. A feeling composed of exquisite handling. That classic teutonic cabin atmosphere. And styling linking clear back to the beginning of iconic Porsche design. And as somebody said earlier, that ‘refinement’, that has been lacking in most iterations of the Corvette.
I love Corvettes, having bought my first one fifty years ago. And I’m a huge fan of the C7 Grand Sport. But… a Porsche is a Porsche, and like nothing else.
Wow!, took the words out my fingers!. You forgot the prostitute that he have as the passenger..
BTW it’s pronounced “D’ouchette”….
FFS an idiot here…
I’m old with a small penis. But if I could afford a C8 that’s what I’d get. Just to stick it up all the Ferrari dudes
Sounds like “Auto” envy to me !!!
You either haven’t driven a ‘vette or don’t like driving all that much, it seems. Plus you misspelled “penises,” especially because I’ve never before heard of a middle-aged man with multiple reproductive proboscii.
You guys need to get a sense of humour and stop taking yourselves too seriously. Or, perhaps my comment really hit home.?
I didn’t make this up. You can see it right in the dictionary:
TOP DEFINITION
Corvette D!cks3x
A small pen!s. Basically describes the genital size of the owner or the perspective owner of said car. Generally, the owner or of the perspective car seek the Corvette to overcompensate for their lack of bulge in their pants.
Man, that b!tch still turned me down. Damn Corvette D!ck does it every time!
#small#pen!s#micropen!s#corvette#shrinkdink#chevrolet
https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Corvette%20Dick
Ok I’ll take the bite!!!
How on earth is she going to know what you have in your pants just by looking at your car?
which car do you recommend to advertise big peni*s , or should I just take the bus like any strong independent man like urself !!
Bill–have you ordered yours?
I really appreciate the Engineering and Manufacturing processes that have gone into the design and build of the new C8 using a mid-engine design. The writer has asked a very important question with the article. As a first time Corvette owner, factory order for a 2006 C6 coupe, Z51, 6-speed manual, 3LT interior option, who lives in Wisconsin, cabin space, storage/travel space and daily driver use were key elements in my decision to purchase. And of course performance and durability!!! From what we know, the C8 will fall short in many of these areas. When reviewing sales of competitors mid-engine or rear engine products, those numbers fall far short of annual Corvette sales. If GM had made a decision to continue to build a front engine/rear wheel drive Corvette along with the C8, I believe they would have hit a home run for present and future buyers.
I want one. Cannot wait to put in my order.
First of all, it’s , June 8th. The reveal is, July 18th. More than just a few short weeks away from the reveal, unless you are using a different calendar from an alternate universe?
I’m not sure who will be buying this. There will be the faithful purists who will initially dismiss this as blasphemy. Then, some will look at it and drive it and convert. Other purists
(not all) will follow in due time because, even though they feel betrayed, still want a corvette, no matter the drastic transformation.
Also, I believe they will pick up a new and a younger demographic- especially initially- because it’s… well, new.
I believe the performance will not be matched by anything other than million dollar hyper-cars. So, “ bang for the buck” will continue to be the corvette’s historic calling card.
I still think it would have been a smarter decision to keep the C7 in production along side the C8 to see what the market bears, and to retain customers not willing to accept such a transformation.
Last I checked, six weeks (and less) is adequately described by the word “few”.
Respectfully, that doesn’t make it accurate. “A little over a month from now”, would have been more correct!
I’m really excited about the C8. Having a mid engined Vette is the ultimate poor man’s exotic. I think the change will brings lots of new people to the table. I’ve had a couple of Vettes in the past but have always had BMWs as my daily driver. I put a deposit down a month ago. I can’t wait to see the full reveal, and then drive the car myself. About time GM!
I was blessed to get a very early production ZR1. At my first show with it, I was asked to park it with the mid engine exotics- I obliged. Upon parking, I did what I always do – got my large folding chairs out of the trunk – I’m a big guy, and my wife is “curvy”…
I noticed none of the Ferrari or Lamborghini owners had gotten their chairs out yet…then it hit me….
Corvette folks like to take their cars on week long trips…without a chase vehicle…
First of all, thank you Jonathan Lopez, for your ‘spot on’ perspective, of the all new, but for who, C8 Corvette, from Chevrolet. Your comments are pretty much, what all my car guy friends, and acquaintances are saying.
I’m a life long car guy, who remembers when the first Corvette was unveiled, in the showroom, of the local Chevroleet dealership, surrounded by stodgy 6 cylinder family cars, and work horses…and the ‘ What, theirs no V-8 available??’
comment, from just about every curious show room visitor.
I feel their will be a lot of curious show room visitors, on introduction day, with ‘Who’s this for on their mind’…Your comments, and concerns are ‘spot on’, respected, appreciated and needed to be said…you must be a ‘Car guy’ ?
When the C8 was first talked about, up till a few months ago, many of my fellow Car loving friends, thought it was
going to be an extension, of the Corvette franchise, a super series, similar to the Ford GT, for the wealthy car lover…
We never thought that GM, would ever take away, our beloved RWD Corvette!!
I truly wish, I had room in my garage, and my budget, at the moment, to go to my Chevy dealer, in Carson Valley, and
purchase a new red, on red Stingray coupe with chrome wheels, because their going to become Collectible very soon.
The C7 Corvette, will be treasured, and missed, by those who have cars in their blood, by those young professionals who
have had a Corvette on their list of goals, by those of us who’ve worked since since the ‘split window’ had its debut, and
promised ourselves a new Corvette when we retire…
The C8 will sell, but in my humble ‘car guy’ thoughts, the majority will be a very different, limited buyer, which has never owned a Corvette before…he probably drives an Escalade, or German SUV as a daily driver, with an exotic, or maybe a Ford GT, at home, covered up in the garage.
I, in the meantime, I will continue to hope (and pray) that GM, will soon announce the continuation of the gorgeous, all American Corvette C7, for at least two years, for the rest of us to enjoy…their are a lot of RWD Corvettes, on bucket lists
out there.
A very good article that makes a lot of sense. I agree with others that posted before me in that…
1. I do believe this could bring in a younger demographic, though sub 40’s still not likely and if so in small numbers.
2. Other mid-engine cars don’t sell in the numbers that the current and previous gen Corvettes have. My guess is that GM HAS to know this and is still planning something else to fill that sales void. I really hope that is the case, unless they feel the Camaro is enough to get ‘er done?
3. On that topic, I wish GM would have kept the front engine layout for a Grand Sport Touring model and used this mid-engine as the new Z06/Z07-esque model. Once it adds some hybrid tech it would be a true halo car and fitting of a ZR1/Zora special model.
GM has been doing a lot of really terrible Marketing lately with how they rolled out the V-series and Blazer controversy. I hope they do this one well.
Chevrolet’s C8 Corvette could be the best selling Corvette ever as with a mid-engine layout, everyone who has wanted a Corvette will naturally buy this car as well as people who had considered an European model because it featured a mid-engine layout will buy the C8 Corvette; Chevrolet could easily sell out the entire year’s inventory before the end of the first model year.
I am amazed at the folks on here that are claiming the C8 is going to be a failure… poor styling, bad proportions, falling short on cabin space, storage, blah, blah, blah. When it’s these same people who have never even seen the car, never sat in one, never opened the hood or the rear hatch or even remotely know what the new car is. Bottom line, if you don’t want one, don’t buy one. There will thousands out there willing to take your place in line.
Well written article and hits the nail on the head. No doubt the C8 will handle the track better than the C7. But, that’s not why folks buy Corvettes. Looks, comfort and speed are the Corvette’s attributes. Exactly why I have ordered a C7 Z06
“We think that the product that will launch as the mid-engine Corvette would work significantly better as a Cadillac”, really?
“most are looking for a sports car that looks exciting, drives well, and makes good noises on the onramp while traveling from A to B in comfort and style. Going mid-engine doesn’t help those folks at all” there will be more the one model with different options for engine, chassis and interiors.
A link to this article should live on the GMA home page for a year or so we all can come back to it to comment on how
1. lame and wrong that it is. (ding, ding, ding, ding!!!
or
2. amaze our selves with clairvoyance and accuracy of it.
It’s a CORVETTE, it was created for the RACETRACK!
I have always found the Vettes to have cramped interiors with not enough headroom for my height. The C8’s roofline appears to improve on that. If it does, that may seal the deal for me. If not, I will just order another Mercedes.
I think they had to create this car to make room for the Camaro. They don’t need to front engine sports cars. This will allow them to increase the price and keep production numbers low on the vette, while also increasing the sales and model selection of their real bread and butter, the Camaro (which couldn’t get too much better without stealing sales from the ‘vette). The Corvette buyers will be those few in the market for exotic hypercars. Mostly, it will serve as marketing bling.
I think they had to create this car to make room for the Camaro. They don’t need two front engine sports cars. This will allow them to increase the price and keep production numbers low on the vette, while also increasing the sales and model selection of their real bread and butter, the Camaro (which couldn’t get too much better without stealing sales from the ‘vette). The Corvette buyers will be those few in the market for exotic hypercars. Mostly, it will serve as marketing bling.
I kind of agree. But, throughout their history, the Vet was always the small (halo) sorts car, and the Camaro-once it arrived in 67, was a muscle car. Two very different animals.
So now, the lines have blurred. And in terms of performance and handling, (something past generations of the Camaro did not address), I see the gap has been closed.
I still think their was room to differentiate the two, plus add the C8.
Maybe make the next C7 lighter and more “old school” sports car, while keeping the Camaro larger and cheaper, but with its current amazing handling capabilities.
Also, the Camaro has that enormous back seat…lol!
As a “Cadillac” No!
Continuing C7 production _ Yes!
“Short Weeks” There has never been a short week.
‘Customers’ _ Few and far between. The C8 is going to be expensive compared to the C7. It has to be.
Is it a Ferrari, McClaren, NSX….they all look the same and this C8 will also look like the rest. Yet another boring uninspired design..a design cop out. Why GM can’t get back to basics and design beautiful sports cars like the C1-C2-C3…but a modern inspired design…after those models its all been design by committee and nothing but uninspired ugly and soulless cars…I will not even call them sports cars.
If there werent buyers waiting for the c8 then the c7 wouldnt be selling so poorly right now. I have seen new grand sports advertised for 53k after discounts.
C7 sales aren’t down because of the C8, but rather because the C7 needs a thorough refresh consisting of updated looks, an updated cabin, and updated technology and new active safety features. A 10-speed auto to replace the sub-par 8-speed would be welcome, as would a suspension retune for some models.
Do all that, and the C7 gets another lease on life, along with a significant jumps in interest… giving existing owners a reason to upgrade their existing C7 models.
The current car is still very competitive, but it needs all those things, and more to be attractive to the current corvette customer base. No all-new model needed.
Actually Alex the C7 has had a very short life compared to most C models.
I agree C models start strong and decline but the decline of the 7 has been higher as the C8 arrival has come.
I disagree the styling is aged out already. It still look very current especially in GS and higher trim.
As for safety features it is a Corvette not a mini van. cross traffic alerts are not at the top of list of thing owners are asking for.
The 10 speed would be nice but it would not move the needle much on its own.
The tradition of a pending release C model release in correlation with the significant decline in present sales is right on schedule.
The next step is the new model will come and people will be paying stupid high prices for them for six months to be an early buyer. The media and hype will take this car and make it a must have for many while the remaining C7 models sit selling with generous rebates.
There are few models that do well once the new model come out as people want 5he latest and greatest.
We see the same on other products like the I phone. While the IPhone 9 is still a very good phone most calmer for the latest model just because it is the newest.
Once the new car arrives the C7 will become the model that will be in plentiful numbers and lower demand bringing some very good bargains on low mile models.
Not much GM can do to a 7 to make it more desirable yet more functional.
Try that 10 speed in any application. It would be a huge step up.
BTW iPhone 9 just like Windows 9 don’t exist.
BTW Nick the point is the latest product is that which is greatest demand nothing more or less.
BTW we will see a duel clutch set up here that will be gigantic step up than just a ten speed reprogrammed from a truck.