General Motors really has decided to consign a 63-year old tradition to history books and start anew for the next iteration of its icon.
Rumors have been circulating for longer than we can remember, but the latest Car and Driver report insists that the eighth generation of the Corvette will be mid-engined.
The publication had nabbed a crude test mule as early as January 2015. Now it cites an “impeccable source” and is certain that, come January 2018, the engine will be moved right behind the passengers’ cell, ending six decades of a front-engined, read-wheel drive layout.
At first, it’s supposed to be powered by a version of today’s pushrod V8 with an output of 450-500 HP. A year later, Chevrolet will go all high-tech on us with a brand new four-cam V8 and, in 2020, will launch the hybrid E-Ray, with the electric motors powering the front axle and providing all-wheel drive.
According to the report, GM’s fleet includes two Ferrari 458 Italias, two Porsche 911 Turbos, a Nissan GT-R and a BMW i8, which could be some of the competitors the C8 is benchmarked against.
The Stingray won’t go out with a whimper but rather a bang, for an even more powerful variant than the mega Z06, that may or may not be named the ZR1, will be launched at the 2017 NAIAS.
Photo Gallery
