mid-engine Corvette nomenclature

[Buzz]

WHY do we keep describing the 2020 Corvette as a Mid-engine?? Is there another 2020 Corvette configuration available? NO, so why don't we just drop the Mid Engine name and just describe it as a 2020 Corvette? After all, do we refer to the C7 as a 2019 Front Engine Corvette? No, because no other configuration is available and it is assumed that if it was built in 2019 or before that it will be a Front Engine and 2020 and after as a Corvette mid engine with no need to be redundant. Just my humble opinion...

[John]

Because LOL this forum is named that. Seriously, you are at a party (you party animal) and not many people there are Corvette people, and someone says “I have a Stingray.”

That immediately among even the semi-knowledgeables, conjures up two completely different Corvettes. Then comes the, “is it a 2019 or a 2020, or down the road, what year is your car?”

So much simpler to start out of the box by saying “my mid engine Stingray.”

The mid engine configuration is the biggest Corvette development since its reveal in January, 1953 — so we cut to the chase and talk about the mid engine Corvette. At least a few of us do.

[Milliwatt Rob]

I once was at a evidentiary hearing, and one questioner wanted to know why container ships docking in Jersey City were described as arriving in New York Harbor, when Jersey City is in New Jersey.

[ZORA 69]

EXACTLY, John. This is a whole new car, unlike any Corvette before it. The whole thing about this car is the Mid Engine. If we talk ABOUT A 2020 CORVETTE AND DO NOT MENTION mid engine, THOSE NOT IN THE KNOW MAY THINK WE ARE EASILY EXCITED ABOUT ANOTHER CORVETTE. We are so excited because we can get something that others have been paying Supercar money for and we can buy a Supercar now for Corvette money. My girlfriend does not get it and most likely she will when she sees the car in person. She thinks I'm nuts with a 2019 C7 with only 1,600 miles on it sitting in the garage and I have a deposit on a 2020 MID ENGINE. To her it is a New 2020 Corvette. To me it is a MID ENGINE , something GM engineers have been playing with since 1960, something I thought I would never see and most importantly something that would never be affordable.
AND, I am sure if John's site was named 2020corvetteforum.com. There most likely would not have been the initial audience at this site wondering , WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON.
Yes it is a Corvette, BUT IT IS A MID ENGINE That's why we call it a Mid Engine Well, that is why I call it a mid engine. And, most likely why initial buyers will remove badging to easily pretend they are driving something much more expensive and fool a lot of others along the way.

[SheepDog]

" and just describe it as a 2020 Corvette?"

Yup. But that's going to take its own good or bad time to work itself out. Right about now and for the foreseeable immediate future "MidEngine Corvette" is fun to say. Too much fun and no way to let it go. Not yet.

The Next and imtermedite terminology change might be something like "My ME". Sounds catchy ; " The M e". Or "my me" , or "My-me" to "The my me".

After the convertible is introduced, what then? Vette Spider? Spider Vette? ME Spider? Or plain "2020 Vette"

After the Z06 is introduced, what then? What nick name? "ME Z06"? "My ME Z"? Or just plain 2021 Z06?

After a while the year will dominate the description. Probably.

Carrying forward the names Stingray and Z06 extends the usage of "mid engine" in the description.

If the models all received new names, then no need for the "mid engine" prefix/suffix.

A Zora will simply be a Zora. No need to say more.


Should Stingray have been Manta ray.

[jdw67]

Have to agree with others, this is a completely different beast...

[Skank]

I think it was a huge mistake to name the mid engined Corvette a Stingray. It makes zero sense to eliminate the possible inclusion of having both ME and FE going forward in the near future. What happens if there is a backlash of buyers that don't want a ME and will only want a new revised FE. ZORA, ZORA R, and ZORA RS or some naming logic like this would have been a more logical nomenclature for this new ME.

Nomenclature Logic

• The Corvette nomenclature (science of naming) will be a big determining indicator of whether they build both C8 FE and ME.
• GM should never use the Stingray, Grand Sport, Z06, and ZR1 model names on the ME as those were developed during FE seven generation time span.
• GM should develop an entirely new nomenclature for this entirely new ME configuration.
• The C8 generation is based on an entirely new shared design of car that is upgraded with the latest tech for both FE and ME configurations.
• The C8 generation is also a time based change.

[John]

Skank, sorry but there will never be another FE Corvette in the future. I wish for all FE lovers that there could have been both, and as you know that was in GM’s original plans to have both (even so in writing as lates as February, 201)6, but the ME’s 0-60 time of under 3.0 seconds compared to 3.7 seconds (even perhaps 3.5 seconds if the FE had had a DCT), ended the duality concept of both a FE and an ME.

I know we will respectfully disagree on this forever. I have a serving of crow in the freezer should I need it.

[Phil1098]

" and just describe it as a 2020 Corvette?"

Yup. But that's going to take its own good or bad time to work itself out. Right about now and for the foreseeable immediate future "MidEngine Corvette" is fun to say. Too much fun and no way to let it go. Not yet.

I agree with the dog, it's a whole new car, yeah they kept the spelling of the name, but really everything has changed so much. Honestly, as good as the C7 is (and it is) most viewed it as Americas sports car. The mid engine is like direct competition with R8 Audis and Acura NSX, those were always viewed as being in another league, now they are nothing but in the cross hairs.

[Skank]

Skank, sorry but there will never be another FE Corvette in the future. I wish for all FE lovers that there could have been both, and as you know that was in GM’s original plans to have both (even so in writing as lates as February, 201)6, but the ME’s 0-60 time of under 3.0 seconds compared to 3.7 seconds (even perhaps 3.5 seconds if the FE had had a DCT), ended the duality concept of both a FE and an ME.

I know we will respectfully disagree on this forever. I have a serving of crow in the freezer should I need it.

John, while true that there may not be a FE in the immediate future, the FE nomenclature still should have never been used for this entirely new car. Observing Ferrari and their model nomenclature, it would be inconceivable to utilize prior names for new models! It just doesn't happen that way. Neither does Lamborghini, Bugatti, Porsche, or McLaren. The historical names usually are never repeated unless there is a modernization of a older model with it's original usage intent.

[Phil1098]

Them are ferrin cars, this here's a Chivalay.

[Bikerjulio]

John, while true that there may not be a FE in the immediate future, the FE nomenclature still should have never been used for this entirely new car. Observing Ferrari and their model nomenclature, it would be inconceivable to utilize prior names for new models! It just doesn't happen that way. Neither does Lamborghini, Bugatti, Porsche, or McLaren. The historical names usually are never repeated unless there is a modernization of a older model with it's original usage intent.

This part I have to agree with. I'd never call my car a "Stingray" in any case. It will just be a Corvette. If the person I'm telling is a car person, I might say "new Corvette". Don't like names. Prefer numbers.

[SheepDog]

The transfer of identity from the Fe to the ME needed to be facilitated and assured for traditionalist Corvette loyalist. The name Stingray and the Chevy Small Block engine link the FE and ME in this first generation of the transition. That seems to be the idea.

After the transition has completed smoothly. After wounded sentiments have healed. And the ME has earned acceptance as the natural progression. Then the names can be reviewed. Even the Small Block might be retired. Looks like maybe.

It might happen sooner than later. Hope so. The next model out might be Zora, instead of Z06. Might have a TT DOHC, instead of a Supercharged DOHV.

[meyerweb]

Because LOL this forum is named that. Seriously, you are at a party (you party animal) and not many people there are Corvette people, and someone says “I have a Stingray.”

That immediately among even the semi-knowledgeables, conjures up two completely different Corvettes. Then comes the, “is it a 2019 or a 2020, or down the road, what year is your car?”

So much simpler to start out of the box by saying “my mid engine Stingray.”

The mid engine configuration is the biggest Corvette development since its reveal in January, 1953 — so we cut to the chase and talk about the mid engine Corvette. At least a few of us do.

Or FOUR completely different Corvettes....

[Milliwatt Rob]

I was telling my neighbor about the mid engine Corvette. He thought "mid engine" meant the engine was located between the driver and passenger, similar to a 1968 Chevy Van with an engine "dog house" between driver and passenger seats.