Tweet
Tadge Juechter discusses the genesis of the mid-engine Corvette with Automobile Magazine.
In the interview he reveals that the development target was the Porsche 718 Cayman, but with 911 performance.
Having driven a Caymen years ago, I'm thrilled they benchmarked it for the C8's dynamics. I remember thinking how amazing it would be to pair the Caymen's immediacy and charming balance with an American V8, but never for a moment thought I'd get my wish.
Seeing the interview with Tadge I can't help but wonder if the launch date of 7-18-19 was intended to put Porsche on notice. When Jim Mero was hot lapping a C7 Z model at Nürburgring he crashed and suspected it was because someone poured something on the track (potentially attemped murder). It wouldn't surprise me if the Corvette team's targeting of Porsche is both business and personal.
In the interview he reveals that the development target was the Porsche 718 Cayman, but with 911 performance.
TJ: We’re going right smack with all the Cayenne attributes, and that was a benchmark car from packaging efficiency and everything. The directness. The way the car handles. The responsiveness, except for we’re going to be up at 911 performance levels and beyond. So that’s the formula a little bit in a nutshell.
Having driven a Caymen years ago, I'm thrilled they benchmarked it for the C8's dynamics. I remember thinking how amazing it would be to pair the Caymen's immediacy and charming balance with an American V8, but never for a moment thought I'd get my wish.
Seeing the interview with Tadge I can't help but wonder if the launch date of 7-18-19 was intended to put Porsche on notice. When Jim Mero was hot lapping a C7 Z model at Nürburgring he crashed and suspected it was because someone poured something on the track (potentially attemped murder). It wouldn't surprise me if the Corvette team's targeting of Porsche is both business and personal.
Comment