Purists, hear us out.
I'll be the first person to admit that a healthy engine up front, three pedals down below, and rear wheel drive is an irresistible recipe for fun -- and one that more automakers should employ. However, when it comes to the Corvette – America's quintessential front engine rear-wheel-drive sports car – it's time to go mid-engine, and here's why.
The latest high-horsepower iteration of the icon, the 2019 Corvette ZR1, features a supercharged 6.2L V8 that produces 755 horsepower which, as of late, is about the maximum you can go without going mid-engine. Without it, you'll go through tires faster than poo goes through a goose, and probably shorts for that matter.
Sure, there's the Dodge Demon at 808 horsepower, but that's a drag car, and then there's the Ferrari 812 Superfast at 789 horsepower, but that's a Ferrari with a base price of $340,712. The Corvette ZR1 starts at $120,900.
However, if we're going to see anything that's as impressive as a Corvette Grand Sport in the handling department, but has the power of the ZR1, it could be a truly legendary machine. And that's why we need a mid-engine Corvette.
General Motors, after all, is responsible for some serious technological advances like magnetic ride control, among others, and they even do it all using pushrod engines. How cool is that? The best American cars in history have always been the result of 'blue-collar' components (e.g. truck based engines, shoehorned into European-esque chassis). Think the Shelby 427 Cobra and the Ford GT 40.
Now it's Chevy's turn to build a legend, they've never been better prepared to. In the meantime, purists can get their 'rear wheel drive fix' from the Camaro.
Speaking of, I might run up to Tyrell Chevrolet in Cheyenne to snag one of those Camaros.
What are your thoughts? It is sacrilege or progress? Let us know in the comments below!
