The Mid-Engined Chevrolet Corvette C8 Will Be Here In 2019

According to reports, the Corvette will finally going mid-engine in three year's time

04 Aug 2016

The idea of a mid-engine Corvette has been considered for years. We had the Aerovette concept way back in the 1970s, and the C7 ‘Vette may well have ended up having a mid-engine layout if it wasn’t for General Motor’s financial woes at the time of its inception. However, it’s at last happening.

Recent spy shots (above) appeared to show a mid-engine Corvette test mule, and now we even have an ETA. Citing multiple sources “familiar with the company’s planning,” Detroit News reports that the C8 - codenamed ‘Emperor’ - will be here in 2019, speculating that the switch to a mid-ship power plant is down to Chevrolet wanting to attract younger buyers.

The C8’s arrival won’t immediately kill off the C7. According to Detroit News, the Z06 and Grand Sport models will continue until 2021, at which point the front-engine Corvette will become a thing of the past.

Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.

Comments

We could have both! A front engined, Stingray and the rear engined called the “manta ray”!

Noooo

Attract younger buyers? How damn young? Last time I checked people in their 20’s can’t afford a Corvette now (or the insurance) and most people in their 30’s need a family vehicle.

Don’t get me wrong I’d buy the C7 Corvette now, if I didn’t have tuition to pay for too. “Young Buyers” Why not just say “we want to destroy this car”?

well let’s get a corvette body and put it on a mid engined car

I mean, why don’t they have the mid-engine car as a higher up spec? It’s got to be more expensive then a base front engine car, so why not have both configs?