The Vette is finally mid-engined, following through on Zora Arkus-Duntov’s dream of a production-spec sports car with a cabin ahead of the drivetrain and a Chevrolet Corvette badge on the body. As a result of this major layout change, the 2020 Corvette C8 now sports 40/60 front-to-back weight distribution, as revealed in an alleged internal GM document leaked last August. But what does that mean for performance, and how does it line up with other mid-engine sports cars on the market?
For starters, a mid-engine layout is considered the ideal setup for a performance application, as evidenced by its use in a variety of motorsport programs.
One of the benefits has to do with weight distribution. Typically, a mid-engine layout places more of the vehicle’s weight over the rear axle, thus providing greater traction for the rear tires. The end result is crisper acceleration, as well as more reliance on the rear brakes when decelerating.
We covered all of this in a previous post on why the Corvette is going mid-engine, so check that out for more info on the subject.
Moving on, it’s worthwhile to see how the 40/60 weight distribution of the 2020 Corvette compares to other mid-engine sports cars out there. As such, we put together the following table. Note that the models listed here are not necessarily direct rivals of the 2020 Corvette, but they still provide a good comparison point for the new Vette.
| Model | Front-To-Back Weight Distribution (%) |
|---|---|
| 2020 Corvette C8 | 40/60 |
| Audi R8 V10 RWS | 40/60 |
| McLaren 570S Spider | 42/58 |
| Acura NSX | 42/58 |
| Lamborghini Huracán EVO | 43/57 |
| Porsche 718 Cayman | 46/54 |
| BMW i8 | 50/50 |
As we can see, the 2020 Corvette looks to be on the tail-heavy side of things with regard to weight distribution, at least compared to other standout mid-engine sports cars. This definitely helps it to achieve the claimed sub-three-second 0-to-60 mph time—making it quicker than the 760-horsepower 2020 Ford Shelby GT500.
It’s also worth pointing out that once the driver climbs aboard the Corvette C8, weight distribution should shift slightly towards a 50/50 balance, which in turn enhances driving dynamics.
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Comments
My Ford Fusion has a better weight distribution than a normal sedan because it is a hybrid and has a 400 pound battery on its rear axle. It is more stable when turning, as I once did with my wife aboard, making a right turn at 60 MPH. The Fusion did it safely with no tire squeal and no loss of traction.
The truth is 50/50 only part of the equation..
The key is to keep the mass not just 50/50 but as centered and low as you can.
You can hit 50/50 but if the mass is out toward the ends of the car you will still expend a lot of energy and force to make the vehicle turn. The closer to the center the less force and energy is expended to make it turn. The lower mass also does the same to help give better stability.
The one factor that often gets left out is the ability to move the driver forward to the front steering. The closer the driver sits the more feed back they will feel a the motion sooner than if they are located farther back.
There is a combination of things here that play into this and you must consider each as just front to rear weight percentages just as apart of this.
It is pure physics.
What happens when you get you fat wife in the car ? What’s the %%% then distribution is out the window ? Or get a trophy wife again ?
I already have my trophy wife. She wants the C8.
If a Corvette owner can’t afford a trophy wife what’s this world coming to ???
Sorry fat old men !!!!
GYSOT
The 40/60 distribution means that more than one Vette will be doing the old Porsche 911 Turbo dance. Sliding very quickly into a tree backwards because the drivers don’t know how to handle that kind of weight payout, especially when combined with speed/
Nope. Nothing like a 911. The handling issues with the 911 is rooted in the fact it is a pure rear engine car – i.e. the engine is wholly behind the rear axle. This results in significant mass “outside” of the wheelbase envelope, which in turn results in a tendency for its tail to swing around once the threshold is crossed. To the contrary, the C8 is a rear-mid engine car – i.e. the engine is behind the driver, but ahead of the rear axle. This results in a centralized mass – between the axles.