The Chevrolet Corvette (Probably) Goes Mid-Engine - Automobile
After joining GM shortly after the ’Vette’s debut in 1953, Corvette chief engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov soon began scheming for a mid-engine version. He understood the responsive handling afforded by such a layout, but despite numerous internal design studies over the ensuing decades, some development stops and starts, a few mid-engine Corvette concepts, and always-rampant rumors that a... During development it seemed the current Chevrolet Corvette C7 might finally take up the mid-engine mantle until budget considerations axed the project. More to the point, a mid-engine Corvette at last makes business sense. As evidenced by our track drive in the Corvette Z06, 650 hp is nearing the limits for a front-engine design to handle. If the project doesn’t stall, look for a mid-engine Chevrolet Corvette to bow as a top-tier model of the Corvette C8 in 2017. A version of the current small-block V-8 is almost assured. Were he still around, the “Father of the Corvette” would love the rumored name for the mid-engine car: Zora ZR1. Source: www.automobilemag.com
