Mid-Engine Targa, What A Brilliant Idea!, C8 2020 Options

[Valy]

I find it interesting that the industry keeps creating new donors.

[914Sixer]

Let see now, I can have a High Country Crew Cab pickup or a new Corvette for the same money. Going to have a tough decision.

[gereed75]

Wow. They finally did it. Mid engined and A Vette that you can take pride in as a true American production super car.

Only 5 hp difference with the z51 - sounds like the base model will be no practical difference in that 0-60 time.

And passes the two golf bag test.

Was thinking seriously about a Cayman GT4. Now thinking about this for very different reasons.

[Garland]

In 1973 at GM
XP-987 GT
To increase the car’s appeal in global markets, the decision was made to downsize this Corvette concept, which would also save weight and increase the performance of the two-rotor RCE. Without a suitable platform in-house, GM looked to Europe for a mid-engine car of roughly the right size, opting to purchase a Porsche 914/6 for the project. Even this wasn’t small enough, and GM reportedly cut 6.5-inches from the Porsche’s wheelbase before widening the track in front and rear. The stock Porsche suspension was retained (with altered mounting points to accommodate the widened track), as were the original brakes, and the platform was fitted with the RCE (mated to three-speed automatic transmission) before being sent to Pininfarina for the body.

[Andyrew]

Wow. They finally did it. Mid engined and A Vette that you can take pride in as a true American production super car.

Only 5 hp difference with the z51 - sounds like the base model will be no practical difference in that 0-60 time.

And passes the two golf bag test.

Was thinking seriously about a Cayman GT4. Now thinking about this for very different reasons.

Z51 has different gearing thus it has the better 0-60.

[914forme]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) will also have a bit more software to keep you going forward.

Hopefully you can turn that crap off for days when you need to feel the edge again., or for when your about to replace the tires and want to drop 11s all the way to the tire store.

Anyone know does the Z51 give you true limited slip, and not the electronic version.

[Andyrew]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) will also have a bit more software to keep you going forward.

Hopefully you can turn that crap off for days when you need to feel the edge again., or for when your about to replace the tires and want to drop 11s all the way to the tire store.

Anyone know does the Z51 give you true limited slip, and not the electronic version.

They specifically went over "ELSD" in the announcement.......

[Larmo63]

Personally, I don't think the current model is a bad looking car. I'm not a buyer, so it's only my opinion, and if someone gave me one I'd drive it. (for a few months)

One of my clients has a white convertible and it is quite a car. But, Corvettes (newer models) have always grabbed me as a "mid-life crisis" type of car for both men and women. Where is the adventure in a sports car that you get in, turn the key, and everything actually works? Nothing to do on it but polish it? Not mechanically user friendly?

What is that like?

[GeorgeRud]

All modern digital cars don’t really appeal to me that much. Like a refrigerator, they work well, but have little personality. However, for the price, they’ll certainly give the Boxster and Cayman a run for their money.

[jfort]

I’ll have to study it more and see/hear one in person to decide if I like it. I know this though, I’d never buy the first year model.

[jim_hoyland]

Some car, it’s a real head turner. I am surprised Chevrolet didn’t take the opportunity to go green, an electric car like the Tesla. Even Porsche is edging into e cars.

[sithot]

EV? Here's some thought provoking links.

http://www.autoextremist.com/current/2019/...ve-history.html

http://www.autoextremist.com/

[maf914]

EV? Here's some thought provoking links.

http://www.autoextremist.com/current/2019/...ve-history.html

http://www.autoextremist.com/

The Autoextremist.com site is one of my regular weekly sites. I always enjoy Peter Delorenzo's articles concerning the auto industry, new models, and auto racing. He is a long time Corvette guy (as well as other cars, including Porsche), so I assume he will have some interesting comments on the new Corvette. Recommended.

I like the new Corvette so far. I look forward to seeing the Corvette racing team version at Daytona in January.

[dcheek]

Finally a Corvette that is really world class, and you can actually SEE the engine.

Hear that Porsche? You can SEE the motor for all the cash you lay out.

While I love the new 992 911, I hate the "window air conditioner" look of the "engine". Just doesn't cut it for the 100K+ you are spending.

The one bad thing on the new Corvette is no manual offered. I will sacrifice the few tenths of a second 0-60 to be able to row the gears. Other than that, GM nailed it. I'm also skeptical of the 60K entry point. I would guarantee your are not going to get one on road for less that 80K. That said it's still a bargain compared to its competition.

Maybe there will be a negative backlash like when Porsche only offered the PDK on it's special models and caused an uproar in the Porsche community. They came out with a manual as an optiion the nexts year. Maybe that will happen to the Corvette??

Dave

[Cairo94507]

I would bet there is a manual offering in the pipeline. Regardless, I would not but the 1st year of the C8- let them get some real world miles and use on them and shake them down a bit.

[FourBlades]

But will the drivetrain fit in a 914???

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)

[Andyrew]

But will the drivetrain fit in a 914???

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)

With a little cutting, it should.


Now not very many are going to put a 40k drivetrain into their 914 if the manufacturer doesnt start with a "P"...

[horizontally-opposed]

Looks like the high point for styling among modern Corvettes for me was probably the C6 Grand Sport convertible. My head turns every time I see one.

The C7 coupe never grew on me, and not sure why. But this thing is slowly growing on me...we'll see. Looks like killer performance for the price—something several Porsche engineers have mentioned over the years as a high point of Corvettes along with their curb weight.

Have always wanted to like the Corvette, and have been impressed with aspects of the C5, C6, and C7—or very impressed in the case of the Z06 and ZR1. Dampers and ceramic brakes come to mind, as do engines. It's the rest that usually let me down, the "almost" seen inside and out. It's part of why I'd rather have a base Cayman or Boxster of any generation in almost all cases—but I can certainly get why others feel differently.

[Amphicar770]

I've been telling friends for a while that the new Vette is finally catching up to the 914. But, seriously, Chevy has hit it totally out of the park with this one. Want is high.

[Chi-town]

I wonder if they've finally fixed the outdrive issue they've been nursing along through the last few generations. If not it'll do 0-60 in 3 a few times before they snap (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)