Corvette Generations:
C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8
Corvette: Year by Year
1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 19631964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974
1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985
1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
SlideshowCorvette C8: Why Mid Engine?
Click here for Corvette C8 slideshow
More benefit will be found when higher horsepower engines are installed. While 495 horsepower is quite adequate, the expectation is that much higher figures are in the C8 Corvette future. The 2019 Z51 Corvette offered a 755 horsepower engine and its front engine configuration meant that it had problems getting all those ponies to the ground. As a mid engine, the C8 won't have those issues. The future looks very good.
The mid engine layout offers braking advantages as well since the rear brakes do more of the stopping work. The C8s front brakes are slightly smaller than the C7s and the C8 rear brakes are larger than the C7s.
A big mid engine advantage: the polar moment of inertia (also known as rotational inertia or angular mass and defined as an object's resistance to rotation about a given axis) about the center of gravity is low due to the concentration of mass between the axles. This makes it easier for the car to change direction which - in simplified terms - is what you are asking a car to do when you move the steering wheel.
With this advantage comes responsibility. The ability to easily change direction also means that it is easy to spin the car out of control; the Porsche 914 is a good example of this.
Some History
While it can be argued that the first cars were mid engine as the engines were located under the passengers, that reasoning is flawed as the engines were very small and that was only the most convenient location for them.
While a mid engine production Corvette is revolutionary, there is a long and strong history of mid engine prototype Corvettes. Above is the 1968 Chevrolet Corvette Astro II Concept. Production limitations, especially regarding the transaxle, prevented the concept from being ready for prime time.
Lamborghini Miura, introduced to the world in 1965. It was the first road going high powered mid engine car.
Photo: Paul Dexler
The 1938 Auto Union Type D is an early example of a mid engine / high power race car. It was designed by Ferdinand Porsche.
Next: 2020 Corvette C8 Specifications
2020 Corvette Part Two
2020 Corvette C8 Drivetrain
2020 Corvette C8 Chassis
2020 Corvette C8 Interior
2020 Corvette Part One
2020 Corvette C8 Photographs
2020 Corvette C8 Photographs Part Two
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2025 Corvette
C8 ZR1
Introducing the Vette Spotter app for the iPhone.
The Vette Spotter app can identify the year of any Corvette.
All years and generations are covered, from 1953 to 2014. Over 350 photographs and detailed text are included.
The mid engine layout offers braking advantages as well since the rear brakes do more of the stopping work. The C8s front brakes are slightly smaller than the C7s and the C8 rear brakes are larger than the C7s.
A big mid engine advantage: the polar moment of inertia (also known as rotational inertia or angular mass and defined as an object's resistance to rotation about a given axis) about the center of gravity is low due to the concentration of mass between the axles. This makes it easier for the car to change direction which - in simplified terms - is what you are asking a car to do when you move the steering wheel.
With this advantage comes responsibility. The ability to easily change direction also means that it is easy to spin the car out of control; the Porsche 914 is a good example of this.
Some History
While it can be argued that the first cars were mid engine as the engines were located under the passengers, that reasoning is flawed as the engines were very small and that was only the most convenient location for them.
) will lead to a larger image.
Next: 2020 Corvette C8 Specifications
2020 Corvette Part Two
2020 Corvette C8 Drivetrain
2020 Corvette C8 Chassis
2020 Corvette C8 Interior
2020 Corvette Part One
2020 Corvette C8 Photographs
2020 Corvette C8 Photographs Part Two
Add Comment
This policy contains information about your privacy. By posting, you are declaring that you understand this policy:
- Your name, rating, website address, town, country, state and comment will be publicly displayed if entered.
- Aside from the data entered into these form fields, other stored data about your comment will include:
- Your IP address (not displayed)
- The time/date of your submission (displayed)
- Your email address will not be shared. It is collected for only two reasons:
- Administrative purposes, should a need to contact you arise.
- To inform you of new comments, should you subscribe to receive notifications.
- A cookie may be set on your computer. This is used to remember your inputs. It will expire by itself.
This policy is subject to change at any time and without notice.
These terms and conditions contain rules about posting comments. By submitting a comment, you are declaring that you agree with these rules:
- Although the administrator will attempt to moderate comments, it is impossible for every comment to have been moderated at any given time.
- You acknowledge that all comments express the views and opinions of the original author and not those of the administrator.
- You agree not to post any material which is knowingly false, obscene, hateful, threatening, harassing or invasive of a person's privacy.
- The administrator has the right to edit, move or remove any comment for any reason and without notice.
Failure to comply with these rules may result in being banned from submitting further comments.
These terms and conditions are subject to change at any time and without notice.
2025 Corvette
C8 ZR1
Introducing the Vette Spotter app for the iPhone.
The Vette Spotter app can identify the year of any Corvette.
All years and generations are covered, from 1953 to 2014. Over 350 photographs and detailed text are included.
Comments (3)
WAITING FORMY S51 STINGRAY TO BE BUILT.
Hi Felippe:
Thank you for your comment, but I will disagree. Corvettes typically have not had a real mid-front configuration.
I to am disappointed at the lack of a manual transmission but there is some justification. Also, they were never practical and are being made with traditional Corvette materials.
~paul
It always was mid engine, never heard about mid-front? Until 2019 it was too 50-50, and now is 40-60.
I really can't see the advantage: Don't drive as a Corvette anymore, don't looks like a Corvette, don't have the practicality of a Corvette, don't use the materials of a Corvette, don't have stick shift like every single Corvette and in the Z06 version don't even sounds like a Corvette anymore.
What is this? a Ferrari 458 replica that GM made and named a "Corvette"? This is just a mistake.