Mid-Engine Corvette C8 Rear End Leaked Before Reveal
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We’re now just ten days away from the official debut of the mid-engine Corvette, which is set for July 18th. Having brought you the inside scoop about the base engine in the Corvette C8, we just got our hands on a photo showing the upcoming sports car’s rear end without any camo.
What we see is very much in line with previous Corvette C8 spy shots, and represents an evolution of the design seen on the current Corvette C7. It all starts with the spoiler, which features two larger cutouts at each end, along with a thinner cutout in the middle.
The tail lights, meanwhile, are very reminiscent of the units on the C7. They also happen to be more aggressive and have a significantly more three-dimensional treatment.
Below each tail light is a vent with intricate surface development; the vents likely integrate with the upcoming sports car’s aerodynamics and powertrain cooling systems. A license plate cutout capable of accommodating any format of license plate is positioned between both of the vents.
Below all that goodness sits a diffuser and quad exhaust pipes at each side, representing a significant departure from the current Corvette’s centered quad-pipe exhaust treatment. The rear valance, meanwhile, seems to be feature a shiny piano black finish.
The entire design of the leaked Corvette C8 rear end exudes athleticism and is rather aggressive, qualities that are right at home on a modern Corvette. We’re liking what we’re seeing thus far… are you? Talk to us in the comments.
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One has to imagine that what appears to be vents at the rear bumper are functional to pump out engine heat and not just decoration.
Here is my comment. No matter what someone will complain.
If it was front engine again, people would complain that once again they did not make a mid-engine model. Or active aero, or whatever… like this is the only trim level of Corvette to be coming from the factory in the next 10 years.. Hey I don’t like the “boy racer” wing on the back of a current ZR-1 either.. I don’t care about downforce on it.. to me it looks like some teenager saw the fast and furious and bolted a spoiler from JC Whitney catalog on the back I don’t care what it cost.
People keep talking about the Camaro tail lights.. or that it is not traditional and they said that about the C-7.. Did the Camaro have round tail lights also back in the day? Yep it sure did.. where were those complaints? So no.., even the Camaro does not look like a Camaro.. Well the C-2 does not look like a C-1, and a C-3 does not look like a C-4… oh they don’t have “round lights”.. well the C-5 had oval lights and half of C-4 production had squared off round lights. Or it doesn’t have hidden headlights… well neither did the C-1..
In fact if they were truly to make a vette traditional.. it would have round headlights, a six cylinder engine with a two speed transmission. Two tail lights and a exhaust pipe that comes out of a chrome bumper and only come as a convertible. Please enough with this “tradition” stuff.
I think a C-7 is a gorgeous car PERIOD. And I am sure the C-8 will be worthy of more than a second look. I remember when the C-7 first came out in 2013 and the complaints… then I saw it in person. and it burnt my eyeballs as it was so attractive to me and I would say most people. I still look at them and how nice they look… for some reason the round tail lights is not an issue. And people are complaining how ‘ugly’’ they are with no round lights… gee.. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder for sure… to me a 911 is not so great looking, but some think it’s the best thing on the road.. Some think a Bugatti is beautiful… I think the grill looks like a toilet lid.. And for you screaming for round taillights: a new Ferrari does not have a 308gts round tail lights and pop up headlights either
There’s a lot going on back there, specifically on the flanks. I am a Corvette fan and past owner of a C5 model, but I don’t live in the past or get upset over things like round taillights and such. That being said I really do think if ever there was a Corvette screaming for a center mount exhaust, it would have been this one. Obviously that is a purely design statement, without knowledge of the engine and its packaging, perhaps there is an engineering issue with space to make a center mount work.
My first glances at the photo immediately reminded me of the 2002 Firebird and Camaro. Probably due to the spoiler, the first glance at the taillights, which at first appeared to oblong and one piece. The vent section is functional, but it gives the impression of being part 2 of 3, stacked one on top of another. But I don’t believe the photo gives the same impression that will be generated when seeing it in different photos or seeing the vehicle in person.
I am so glad Marry Barra is in charge. Her SJW attitude, and great style in clothes has suited her for the job of okaying all the great, life changing, market changing designs she has green lit. Witness the back end of the corvette – ground breaking – !!!!
This is what happens when you try to reinvent the wheel. I really have no opinion either way. To me the older ones are always better.
If the old ones are better then why are they so much slower then the new models?
The photo is taken from the assembly pit. Very low angle. Rear fenders look like they bulge out quite a bit.
Very busy design and would have liked to see more innovation and better exhaust outlet design. This is really bland. McLaren does it so much better with higher more modern placement of the tips.
Let’s see the rest
i’m not buying this. i think this is fake.
what happened to the roof? looks like an elephant sat on it.
the license plate cutout looks ridiculous.
that wing would make any custom 90’s japanese sports car proud.
i have a feeling someone somewhere is laughing his/her ass off right now.
I really like it!! I want to buy one…I am just hoping that that top can come off like all prior Corvettes!
Perhaps it’s the color but having owned a C 7 since 2013 I find that rear end UGLY
Love it! Looks like its going to be a badass car.
I hope the vents are really vents and not fake like Civic Type R waffle griddles .
Comparing this photo to my 2019 Admiral Blue C7, it strikes me that there is a good chance that additional trim has not yet been applied that would improve the appearance as well as providing the location for the emblems to be attached. In any event, premature to make a judgement now.
Was hoping for a return to classic round tail lights… Takes away from the Corvette heritage IMHO… But, if you liked the C7 rear end, you’ll like this one too…
I made this comment months ago and it rings true today.
The worst part of GM offering a C8 mid engine Corvette is having to hear all of the people’s negative comments about the C8 once it get revealed.
This picture of the rear just confirms my theory that people are never satisfied. And will find something to complain about no matter what the final product is.
And people wonder why GM doesn’t listen to the customer. Its pointless to listen to the customer if they are going to find fault in every design.
How about just being happy about the fact that HM produced a new C8 mid engine Corvette that will run circles around the competition.
But people would rather inspect every square inch of the car to find that one thing they dont like so they can call the C8 a failure.
Just pathetic.
as someone who owned 11 new corvettes in my life time i wish i was not 85 years old or I would have my dealer putting me on the list now. the wife and i raced our corvettes and some of my best friends were made thru corvettes.
You guys haven’t even seen the damn car. Give me a freaking break. Always a bunch of complainers and whiners think they know more than the company designing and making a vehicle like this. Geez guys.
When you have to think about a design – you have already lost. A design is emotional, you like it at first glance or dislike it – its very gut instinct – beauty needs not be described. Once you start attempting to describe how the lines should be okay – game over. Corvette failed on the back end – then again – GM has been failing everywhere with their design – Cadillac anyone? Any car that GM designs makes you say I love that! Nope. Not with Mary Frumpy Bara at the helm.
I see no evidence from the photo provided that the rear end was leaking?
No I think they ment that the photo was leaked out. I was confused when I read it also. They need a better editor