Chevrolet finally introduced the much anticipated mid-engine Corvette & it’s safe to say, that it’s FINALLY a world class supercar. But, many argue that the Corvette is already a world class supercar, but what’s it even mean to be a supercar?
The Vette has characteristics of a supercar; tremendous power, fantastic suspension, carbon ceramic brakes, & durability. What has been missing, if we're talking strictly performance, has been a true double clutch transmission with lightning quick shifts (for god's sake, the previous gen Z06 had the same transmission from a Chevy Tahoe) & optimization of vehicle dynamics. Chevy kept adding power to a front engine / rear wheel drive platform to mask the biggest problem - weight balance. There is a reason that supercars & race cars around the world utilize the mid-engine platform - ideal weight balance.
Why change now? What prompted this radical departure?
Chevy says they’ve maximized the capabilities of a front engine platform, but I think they have a larger problem relying, literally, on a dying demographic year after year to buy their car. The average age of a Corvette owner is 61 & it keeps creeping up every generation. Usually, age demographics correlate with price, but that’s not the case here. The Corvette is priced closer to a base 718, but it performs on par with a much more pricey base 911. So is it the badge alone? Or is it that they haven't created anything exciting or revolutionary to attract different buyers.
Chevy's trying to overcome decades of stereotypes, generations lusting after anything not American, & decades of lackluster American cars. Chevy is going to make their existing customer base pick sides, tradition vs. innovation, which is incredibly daunting, but the recipe of mid engine, big power, exotic looks, & a fair price has a strong chance of success.
There will always be people who look down at the Corvette & resort to stereotypes. But this is a move that Chevy had to make. It was imperative for them to reinvent the crown jewel of their lineup purely to survive. With the C8 mid-engine platform, other brands HAVE to take notice.
Finally, a world class supercar that looks & drives like one for under $75k.