Corvette Designer Tom Peters Reveals the Moment C8 Went Mid-Engine

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[@LeviHeatonIII]

It is interesting listening to your perspective on the C8, because the C8 is the first Corvette I was like, "I definitely never want one of those", and you say it was the first Corvette you ever wanted.

[@dylanpage4106]

Same

[@daviserhart7497]

I was a d1 c8 hater…. Until I drove one, and omg it’s amazing. I just bought mine two weeks ago and bang for buck, best decision ever. Now whether or not that means anything is a separate conversation but I will say if you’ve never driven one, I’d postpone the hate. - an ex c8 hater

@@daviserhart7497 I have driven one, spent a day on a road course with one, incredible machine, but I would never own one without a manual transmission.

[@daviserhart7497]

Totally valid decision, reason this one didn’t come with a manual is to maintain the rigid chassis with the mid engine and targa top. That’s what Gm says anyways, regardless, I wouldn’t own one if I didn’t have a manual car to drive aswell. I totally agree with you there, but as a 2nd/ 3rd car I’m really happy with it.

[@DoctorHemi]

Same. The C8 is gawd awful ugly. I'm really hoping the C9 has more aesthetic lines.

[@arthurpemberton5123]

C8 Stingray was the first Corvette that that took my interest away from BMW and Porsche to consider buying. The C8 Z06 absolutely got me to wait 2 years for my spec and I haven’t stopped smiling since I took delivery May 2024.

[@paulcabinatan2390]

Funny reading the comments complaint about the C8, seeing the car as the most popular sports car of the last few years.

[@rickybobby8224]

Welcome to KZbin comments😂😂😂

[@drstevej2527]

Most popular? Yes new things are popular but if their popularity doesn’t last it’s not considered a success. You can’t give the C8 away today and the used market has collapsed whereas Porsche has held its value and certain models have actually increased in price.

[@TheVinceZampella]

@@drstevej2527 sounds like boomer fudd lore to me, only the elderly seem to have an issue with this one

[@itshiho]

It's slow lol.

[@TheVinceZampella]

@ the base model does 0-60 in like 2.9s. that’s not slow.

[@Liveforfood9394]

I'm the same way. I looked at the corvette since the C4 and I never own one because of the interiors, the engine sound is more like a muscle car than a sport car. A BMW 3 series interiors looked better than the Corvette. Now the C8 is catching my eyes and I ordered none 3 months ago. I never compare Corvette to any other super cars because just the price already not fair to compare. Can an average man afford a Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche or McLaren or even maintenance. I'm 55 now, the C8 has almost everything I need, price, performance, looks from inside and out and most importantly, I can put on as many miles I want and have fun with it without hurting because I'm willing to accept the depreciation of the car. The end of the day paid $100k for it and after 10 years if I can get $40k or 50k for it, I'm happy. Not too many people would do it to their exotics unless they are superstars.

[@craigthescott5074]

I’ve owned 8 Corvettes every generation except a C1. I still own 5 and 3 of them are Z06’s. I also race my Corvettes and it was time for the car to go mid engine. Zora wanted this to happen with the C2 but idiots in GM wouldn’t let it happen. Now the car can actually compete with its Euro counterparts.

[@monacobenedict8991]

💪💪💪

[@user-Dr.]

I believe the C4 is considered a mid engine, for the engine is located behind the front axil, and I think it may be the best handling Vette to date.

[@scoutdogfsr]

You race and say that corvette can now compete with euro cars? B.S. you race. I smoke euro cars in a lightly prepped c5 z05 from 2004. Maybe not a gt3 beater right out of the box but for an additional $22k investment I fill their windshield with the back of my c5 with every lap.

[@user-Dr.]

@ I don't understand your calling this guy out, basically calling him a liar, in the next sentence you claim you race with these guys with a c5 ZO5, so I know your lying. All kidding aside, I tracked a C5 ZO6 for quite a while, as good as a track car as money can buy at any price, but I had the urge to build a gen 4 LT1 track car, you just didn't see them at the track, I love the looks of em, especially once dropped to the ground, fat ole slicks on it, last spring I started shaking this thing down, this coming summer can't come soon enough, this car is wicked fast, having no problems with the GT3's, I've got about $60,000 in this car total, I can't wait.

[@craigthescott5074]

So User-Dr I own and race a C5 Z06 with 650 HP LS2 also and I recently raced my C8 Z51 HTC in the Silver State Classic open road race in Nevada and took 2nd place in my class. You can watch my videos of racing if you don’t believe me Chief. Sorry that comment was for Scoutdogfsr.

[@danlaur7973]

The base C8 is not a flat plane crank engine

[@bogusphone8000]

Part of being a Corvette was giving the bird to the Euro competition and soundly beating them. Cheap. Check. Front engine. Check. Pushrods. Check. Cross plane. Check. Low RPM. Check. Looking different. Check. Kicking tale for less money. Check. So, with the C8 release the Corvette just became another one of those. From the looks to the sound, it's just another Euro car. Demand is never high for "just another...". But, if Chevrolet had looked through history and pulled out the icons of the Corvette legacy and produced something with Heritage, they couldn't make enough. Front engine. Manual transmission. Cross plane. Light. Upgraded interior. Usable trunk. Ultimate drivers feel and engagement. Sounds like the C7R. Looks C1, C2, or C7 like...

[@tman3831]

Round tail lights still look the best

Thanks for your opinion.

[@ttamcc.4674]

Only problem I have with the c8 is they didn’t keep that traditional theme like when they made the z06 or zr1, they made them look more bad ass with the clear tail lights. The c8 zo6 and zr1 could really use that, which would make it even more interesting

[@anonymous..-]

How come the AMG GTR is not maxed out with its front engine and runs sub 7’s at the Nurburgring? Why do the Z models weigh 4000+ lbs now? Why waste all of the budget on a Ferrari clone motor when the LS is beloved. It’s ridiculous that the Corvette team constantly feels the need to reinvent instead of iterate. Iterating leads to a better product.

[@carboydorifutoparty3976]

It's not that far fetched tbh. Chevys been trying for years to make a mid engine vette and put on the market forever. Especially if u look at past concepts and that even a 90s concept was utterly close to being that. Them doing it now is practically the build of of past tests and etc of concepts that finally came to what we have as their mid engine vette being the C8

[@Arithmophobia]

The amg GTR is at a completely different price point than the c7, theres only so much you can do on a chassis from a 50k car

[@georgechronis3169]

I owned a fully loaded 2019 C7 ZO6 for short while. It is a great car but it is a handful to drive. I think a C7 Grand sport is a much more balanced car.

[@Xxtheneckxx]

Why would you be in the market for basically a track car and then say it was a bit to much to handle ? The grand sport is a great car for the base version because it’s a true Grand sport but even the C6 grand sport at the end of its cycle put in the 427 … A Z06 with Z07 package is a track car period but that’s why you spend an extra 25 grand

Only problem I have, and nobody cares but I'm gonna say it anyway, I've been road racing for decades, building road racers and driving them and have always had some sort of wicked ass street machine and I will never own a performance car or race a car without a manual transmission, I'll take the T-56 thank you.

[@tman3831]

Thanks for your opinion

[@tman3831]

And I agree with it. They really should have a manual. I prefer my TR6060 to anything with paddles on the steering wheel

[@user-Dr.]

@@tman3831 💪💪💪💪

[@craigthescott5074]

Yea I agree but the duel clutch trans is very fast. I also race my Corvettes and I would trade in my C8 Automatic for a manual if there was the option.

[@TheLastJayL]

Corvettes have always been mid engine, it’s now the engine is placed behind the seat.

[@craigthescott5074]

@@TheLastJayL if the engine is in front of the driver it’s still front engine.

[@rockbailey8516]

C4 ZR1 was as good a car as was available from any car company anywhere at the time. Corvette claim to fame is supercar performance for Cadillac money.

[@user-Dr.]

Yes, I competed against them at times, I think they're considered a mid engine, the engine is behind the front axil.

[@thatguy3468]

Own several C4 zr1’s, also own a C8. The C4 Zr1 ruled in the 90’s, and performance wise can still hold its own today.

[@gregorymceaddy8884]

Unless you're wealthy a mid engine anything is a bad idea... the maintenance cost on maintaining them is astronomical unless you're a certified mechanic who does their own POV..

[@KRuss-b1q]

If Ferrari came out with this design everyone would be swooning over it. Just because it’s American and made by Chevy it’s getting all the hate. The C8 is an amazing car. Yes styling is always subjective but the performance and capability at that price point is unmatched. Yes they looked at other brands to set benchmarks and design cues. It would have been a complete failure if they didn’t. Imitation is the greatest form of flattery.

[@MrCollins-z6c]

You are absolutely correct. Take all of the badges off the car & put Lotus, McLaren, Audi or some other brand name on the car & the liberal automotive press will sing praises & proclaim from the heavens of it's beauty & greatness.

[@Nick-gg6tg]

No its ugly. Ferrari dosnt produce ugly.

[@MrCollins-z6c]

@Nick-gg6tg Ok. It's not built so much for beauty but it is built to WIN. ☝️

[@JayKanella]

The base C8 really had to grow on me. Initially it looked like a knock off Chinese super car. I believe most of the appeal is the mid engine. C7 is a much better looking car. Especially Grand Sport or ZO6.

[@user-Dr.]

I've never seen the Chinese supercar, but I think the Vette is really good looking, but I will never own one without a manual.

[@Yipe-gm1wp]

By saying the C7 was maxed out, does not speak of the C7 it speaks of their inability to create and imagine what it could have been with the front engine layout. It has been the C5 and C6 that has been the most dominate in racing compared to so far with the C8. The C8 has just been mediocre, so far. I hope that changes. And, Corvette has always been my favorite car. Corvette should be their own brand and offer a front and mid model just like Ferrari does, plus a manual for the real purist.

[@anonymous..-]

Exactly. They gave up and made a 4000lb car in the process with a stupidly over complicated Ferrari clone motor.

[@pontiacGXPfan]

@Yipe-gm1wp Because nobody's ever told GM that mediocre is not a way to make a name for yourself

[@user-Dr.]

Porsche dropped the manual trans and their sales started dropping because of it, so they brought it back, the Corvette won't be complete until they offer the T-56, manuals are for the real car enthusiasts.

[@justanotherdrunk]

Meanwhile, only ~18% of new Corvettes sold in the last ~10 years were manuals.

[@TheWityful]

@@user-Dr. yes, all 3 of you. lol

[@user-Dr.]

@@justanotherdrunk Not in my neighborhood, the racetrack, but true, there are lots of Corvettes, and plenty of sissies to go around.

[@user-Dr.]

@@justanotherdrunk Wrong

[@justanotherdrunk]

@@user-Dr. So you deleted my factual post and yer in denial

[@thatguy3468]

The Zora if it ever becomes reality should not have the split window as Mr. Duntov was totally against it.

[@samthing4thetrack806]

The C8, is that "one uppah" on the C7 but it's not just one is it? A fantastic platform if not a little odd shaped in places, nothing can touch it for the price/performance. Me I have watched Corvette for a while... friend had a C5, amazing car, but as a track car out of the box for HPDEs etc. it is not the answer as the LS is prone to oiling fail from 1G at 1 second. He never had a problem but... most corvette drivers seem to be aware of this and are slow on track, or they are slow. Once prepped, beasts tho. The C6 dry sump attempted a fix for the oilling but the first gen was not adequate. Then the C7 came out and it ticks all the boxes, great seats, more power from the LT4, the rest is upgraded C6 concept. The corvette has been FRONT mid engined for a long time. The C7 is the first one that looks like it was designed with clip board check boxes that said "world class". It is odd shaped too in places but the performance is stupid in z51 plus trim. That's what I have and it is good at everything so far. Brake rotors, pads, fluid, and gas and go! Mostly, but there is a lot to get from it... with not alot more $$$s spent. I am resisting.

[@pontiacGXPfan]

Chevrolet made the Corvette go woke because future generations of drivers would be stupid, hence it's not a Corvette anymore

[@craigthescott5074]

The only woke aspect of the C8 I think would be no manual transmission option but many newer generation drivers don’t want manuals anymore. The rest of the car is phenomenal.

[@richieb74]

Was it though? It handles better than the c8. In terms of 0-60 and nothing else ok, but who cares. One metric doesn’t make the car better

[@paulmarino8810]

You lost me when you said it had the best DCT transmission out there. Lots of failures, should be recalled.

[@scoutdogfsr]

I want to know who decided that a slushbox auto trans was going to be the only option. Fire that person! No clutch ...no sale. I'll stick with my c5 &c7 z06's until Corvette comes to their senses again.

[@caryg4638]

It’s not a slush box. It is a dual clutch transmission. If it’s slush, then a manual transmission is half-slush.

[@TheRealMcCoy88]

There's no way you could look at a base c8 over a c7 z06 or zr1 and be like "oh ya that's the corvette I wanna own" gtfoh yeah right

[@DanielGonzalez-zc6kw]

Sales numbers say otherwise.

[@tman3831]

​@@DanielGonzalez-zc6kw good point. The desirable ones have limited production numbers🙄

[@daviserhart7497]

Just bought a c8 over a c7 z06. Both amazing cars I want to preface, however the c8 is a DIFFERENT type of drive. Doesn’t mean it’s bad, it’s just preference. Very good, no hate on the c7 z06, but the c8 is amazing. Would recommend driving one sometime -an ex c8 hater

[@clintmiller88]

C6 ZR1 is my favorite of all time then C5 z06 followed by C8 Z06

[@SeamusMcFitz-jz9if]

But still can't beat a 500hp porsche around the Nurbergring. Losers.

[@dylanpage4106]

C8s are boring and the values will reflect that.

[@craigthescott5074]

A 670 HP Z06 is boring or a 1064 HP ZR1 is boring? The base C8 with the Z51 option and mag ride suspension out handles all the prior generations with ease. Push button convertible option. There’s nothing boring about this car.

[@dylanpage4106]

@ maybe it’s exciting to brag about those numbers at the country club. These cars are for the elderly to make them feel cool, not “inspire the future generations”. Most boring Z06 to date. I’ll take a clutch pedal over the unoriginal fake Ferrari styling, cramped interior, unnecessary tech and all that BS that makes the car end up feeling numb any day. C6 and C7 will be the ones to remember for how they DRIVE, not the numbers. - The Future Generation

[@craigthescott5074]

@ I agree most of my Corvettes are manual but this duel clutch transmission is the future Chief. And I actually race my Corvettes so I have practical experience unlike you. You stick with your Prius and save your money.

[@dylanpage4106]

@ you know me?

[@dylanpage4106]

@ you and every chevy dealer sitting on a dozen of these and steadily dropping their prices both think it’s the future.

[@clintmiller88]

C7 ZR1 is cool but the C6 ZR1 is omggg

[@Nick-gg6tg]

Maxxed out huh? Dud is so full of shit. Maybe their engineering department was just getting lazy. Pretty sure a Front engine AMG & ACR will still smoke a c8. Enough of the bs. You ruined a legend & priced it out of the reach of most corvette enthusiasts. Shame on you.

[@jeremypilot1015]

putting the engine in the middle of a Corvette is like putting the engine in the front of a 911, it just doesn't belong.

[@LeviHeatonIII]

Truer words have never been spoken.

[@thehendleys1]

Wrong

[@opsmon]

In order to compete with Europeans it had to improve beyond what a front engine car could do. The proof is in the pudding and numbers don't lie.

[@adub5084]

@@opsmon sledgehammer was mid 80s and we all know how fast it is, GM just doesn't have the brains to build a car with front engine RWD that can compete with cars from across the pond, however it can be done. Also, hey tom peters, corvettes have round tail lights, please remember that for future designs!

[@craigthescott5074]

Zora wanted the C2 to be a mid engine car because he knew that was the only way to compete with the Euro cars. Stupid short sighted people at GM wouldn’t let it happen.