The Mid-Engine C8 Corvette Performing Quick Take-Offs on the Track

[CorvetteBlogger]

Another video showing GM engineers testing the new mid-engine C8 Corvettes has rocketed around the interwebs. This one features the 2020 Corvette on the track! The video is composed of three start/stop sequences as it appears the engineers are simulating stopping and then taking off again as if they were at a stop sign or traffic signal. These aren’t full WOTs (wide-open throttle) take-offs, but they are aggressive as you can here a bit of wheel chirping as the car takes off.

http://www.corvetteblogger.com/2018/...ke-offs-track/

[jklein]

Any idea of HP on these beasts or gear ratios?

[John]

So far we have nothing but conjecture. The most talked about HP number is 500+. However, please understand that even a friend of my who works for GM is not even whispering on the side. Nor have I ever asked him. There is literally nothing coming out officially. Hell, GM does not even when addressed directly, admit that there is a mid engine coming. Since the Corvette team members all like their jobs, want to keep them, even when some directly asks them about the ME, the response is almost identically and verbatim exactly the same, i.e., we do not talk about potential upcoming projects.

I respect the top members of the Corvette team so much, I have never asked about future product.

So please take that 500 number with the largest grain of salt you can find. Interestingly, however, the 2020 ME horsepower number you often see from auto media, most often starts with a “5”.

[GoMidGo]

Will both HP choices of the Mid-Zora engine be built at Bowling Green?

[Vigilance247]

GoMidGo welcome to MECF!

[TOBASCO]

I've got a feeling that there will be an entry level engine with "adequate" power, similar to todays standards, such as a 400+ HP engine, that will allow the price point to be in the current Corvette (low) range. But then they'll offer options for additional power which will jump the $$ just like the Z06 and ZR1. But I also believe that they need to also continue selling the front engine/rear wheel drive option just to be able to evaluate where their future buyers are coming from. To make such a radical switch to ME without offering something to appeal to the strong Corvette enthusiast following would be a mistake.

[John]

I agree with you TOBASCO — as do many. As the same time, we acknowledge that not everyone does agree with “the two paths in the future Corvette” plan.

We all have different Corvette needs and wants. And having both a FE and an ME option would not lose customers, just add new ones. If the minuscule-sized Corvette team can do both, more power to them, and more options for us.

[LightningBolt]

The most talked about HP number is 500+.

Naturally aspirated?

[John]

Yes, NA for the first year ME version. There will be year 2 and later versions that will be twin-turbo’d.