Mid-Engine Corvette Could Spell Trouble For Ford GT’s Dominance

A Chevrolet Corvette won the 2015 running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the GTE Pro class.

Let’s not forget that fact as we continue to revel in this year’s Ford GT victory; a front-engine GM product with a fairly rudimentary, normally-aspirated, pushrod V8 bested the likes of the Ferrari 458 GT2, the Porsche 911 RSR, and the Aston Martin V8 Vantage GTE in the premier European endurance race. Bear that in mind while you consider what the ‘Vette might be capable of with a mid-engine layout.

As our sister site GM Authority reports, recent spy shots depict what appears to be a test mule for a future, mid-engine Chevrolet Corvette. The shots are notable in that, unlike earlier spy photos, this test mule was running around in broad daylight. If the rumors surrounding such a car are true, it could threaten the dominance of the new Ford GT supercar – both on the Le Mans Circuit de la Sarthe, and on public roads.

Of course, what the Ford GT has going for it is its rather hefty expense; the road car is anticipated to cost upwards of $400,000 US when sales start toward the end of this year. That money goes toward not only a cutting-edge, high-performance EcoBoost V6, but also an almost-insane attention to lightweighting, exhibited by a structure and body made of carbon fiber, aluminum, and magnesium. Even the windshield on the new Ford GT will be optimized for low weight, representing the first automotive application of Corning’s advanced “Gorilla Glass.”

Unlike the Ford GT, the Chevrolet Corvette has historically been a sportscar for the masses. Therefore, it’s possible that GM wouldn’t dare follow Ford down the rabbit hole of costly materials science, lest they price the new ‘Vette out-of-reach for the usual target audience. Even still, the rumored mid-engine ‘Vette could spell immediate trouble for a halo supercar that still has yet to launch.