The world has been waiting a long time for a mid-engine Corvette. The legendary Corvette debuted in 1953. Since then many have toyed with the idea of a mid-engine model, but no one has been able to get it done, until now. Most of the world’s fastest and most maneuverable sports cars have one thing in common. Their engines are mounted behind the passengers putting the weight in the middle of the vehicle. This arrangement provides better traction for the rear wheels and superior balance and grip on turns.
On July 18, 2019, General Motors will reveal the new Mid-Engine C8 Corvette at a location yet to be announced. The car will go on sale in 2020, and the Bowling Green facility which has built more than 1 million Corvettes since it opened in 1981 is expected to produce 10,000 of the iconic new vehicles in the first year of production.
GM is adding a second shift and planning to hire an additional 400 hourly workers to support the production of the next generation Corvette. The Bowling Green plant currently builds the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, Z06, Grandsport, and the ZR1. It also builds the LT1, LT4, and the LT5 6.2-liter V8 engine.
Research analyst Alan Baum who advises parts manufacturers believes the price will start around $80,000. “This is a statement vehicle for Chevrolet.” Said Baum. “They’ll make money on it for certain, but GM is really going to use it to make Chevy/GM seem more special. They haven’t done that before.”
This news comes on the heels of recent layoffs in other GM factories. Check out GM is Turning a Profit. Why the Layoffs?