This is the 2020 mid-engine Chevy Corvette / C8 Corvette Z06 revealed

[kona61]

"He cites the perfect 50/50 weight distribution of the C7 as one reason why it handles so well and says that the rear-biased weight distribution of the C8 will upset the vehicle’s balance and likely make it prone to understeer."

Exactly. People don't seem to realize the primary performance benefit of a mid engined layout is just weight savings, from being able to be rwd and use a transaxle all in one diff/tranny with no driveshaft. As soon as you veer away from 50:50 in either direction, handling suffers.

They can put power down like mad too in a straight line, but that's a manageable problem on FR.

No necessarily. Some companies argue 45:55 is ideal. I think the AMG GT is like this if I am not mistaken. Similarly, the Porsche’s are way worse than 45:55 and they aren’t exactly slow.

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[SupraFiend]

Yup, the LFA was intentionally made slightly rearward biased too. Regardless if you prefer 50:50 or something closer to 45:55, Mid or Rear mounted RWD are really hard to get anywhere near that.

Later 911s are fast because of Porsche's stubbornness and constant iteration on their platform to get around the inherent handling vices rear engine suffers from. Also they pretty much gave up and went AWD eons ago to deal with the snap oversteer, only in the last decade and a bit have they brought back the rwd 911 and improved its handling woes with modern technology. Even Porsche acknowledges that mid engine is superior to rear engine. They continually chose MR for their top level halo cars, and always stop just short of allowing the Cayman to have their absolute best engines and tech to keep it behind the 911.

Of course lightness can't be undervalued, sometimes the hit in chassis balance is worth dropping the extra pounds. I'm just saying there isn't really much else for performance gains going to MR from Front midship\rear transaxle. Like the engineer said in the article, the top brass made the decision based on steering feel, the better visibility and the prestige of MR. I'll give them steering feel as manual racks are awesome if you can swing it weight wise, but that rarely translates to better lap times on its own.

 

[Jabba]

For those looking for the livestream unveiling of the C8.

https://media.chevrolet.com/nextgenCorvette

 

[McGregory]

 

[DesmoSD]

 

[Memphis]

Looks amazing!
I love corvettes they have been in my family for years. I had a new black C5 1999 in high school. Great power and a blast to drive. I have owned many since then but the C7 looks just never did it for me and never drove one either. I'm pretty excited about the rear wheel drive. I have always wanted a NSX because of rear engine and this may be my resort to get something comparable for 1/2 the price.

 

[spamthechan]

Did he just say starting at UNDER $60K???

 

[sedanlova]

Price confirmed at less than $60k.
0 to 60 in less than 3 sec.
This will hurt Supra sales for sure

 

[alex2364]

This just killed the Supra, M2, Cayman, anything else that’s under $100k.

 

[spamthechan]

Chevrolet just made a brand new mid engined platform with a V8 engine and a bespoke dual-clutch gearbox for under $60k and unveiled it with a fully functioning website with dealer ordering and online reservations available TODAY. I'm sorry... but this really puts the Supra launch to shame.

 

[orvillesd]

60k is a compelling price for the C8 base model. I spent some time on their "visualizer" and it looks like they took some ideas from ze germans and are offering tons of exterior/interior options that I'm sure will easily push the price north of 70k. Regardless, I'm now seriously considering getting the C8 because its a genuine sports car. No manual? No problem. V8 baby! !It being built in the USA raises reliability concerns but no matter; at least we have more options to choose from other than Zupra, M2 or Cayman.

 

[Bryster]

This just killed the Supra, M2, Cayman, anything else that’s under $100k.

as well as the NSX,LC,and to some extent GTR

 

[Turbro]

Well shit... never thought I would be now cross shopping a supra and a corvette. Props to gm this was a great move

 

[supraboi]

Maybe this is the reason why we're getting the "385hp" B58D next year.

 

[Bryster]

Painted

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