A mid-engine Chevrolet Corvette spy photos have been caught again, and this time testing together with its high-performance front-engine mate, the ZR1. Spy photographers spotted the car testing at one of General Motor's winters-testing facilities.
The photos reveal that the car will have a lower hood line, a much stronger dash-to-axle ratio, and a longer rear deck. Even though the car was heavily camouflaged, a few design features like taillights and exhaust layout were visible.
There is no guarantee that the midengine Corvette would be added to the Chevrolet performance lineup and whether it will replace the C7 Corvette or will exist together with the current generation. The Detroit News reported that GM plans to sell the mid-engine Corvette in early 2019.
In addition, the Corvette has been GM's oldest nameplate which until now, continues to attract mostly older buyers. That is why the company is hoping to switch to a midengine car to attract younger consumers.
The Corvette has been known as GM's best performance vehicles for decades, and the transformation would result in a major overhaul of the existing car which is the C7. Meanwhile, switching from a front to the new layout would involve engineering a new chassis, creating a new transmission and axle to be able to drive the rear wheels, creating new cooling, air-conditioning and suspension systems, and designing an all new body.
The midengine Chevrolet Corvette will take on the Ford's GT supercar, Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Porsche. GM announced in June 2016 that it has plans to invest $290 million in improving the Bowling Green, KY., an assembly plant where the Corvette is currently assembled.
The plant's assembly operation will be upgraded and modified for the company's technology upgrades and manufacturing process improvements. Furthermore, there has been reports saying that the new supercar will appear with a Cadillac badge.
No further details yet have been confirmed about the supercar's price tag. But some reports said that it maybe price closer to $150,000. A 6.2-liter V8 may probably be used in the car or a twin-turbo V6 may also be an option as a base engine for the car.
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