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Zora Arkus-Duntov stands beside the CERV IZora Arkus-Duntov stands beside the CERV I, considered by many as the earliest mid-engine Corvette prototype. Duntov did not live to see the mid-engine Corvette become a reality, but his vision fueled its evolution for nearly sixty years!
Developed by Zora Arkus-Duntov in 1959, the CERV I (which came into existence just six years after the Corvette) featured a mid-engine configuration and is generally considered the earliest predecessor of the Mid-Engine Corvette.
The CERV II, also developed by Duntov, begins to contain design elements synonymous with both the second and third-generation Corvettes.
The XP-819The XP-819 is considered by most Corvette enthusiasts as the first “official” mid-engine Corvette prototype, despite being rejected by GM upon its introduction in 1964.
The 1970 XP-882. Here’s an interesting footnote about this car – during its development, one variant of the car featured gullwing doors. It has often been speculated that John DeLorean introduced that idea on the XP-882 and carried it with him when he started his own automobile company just a few years later.
1986 “Corvette Indy”The 1986 “Corvette Indy” (top) and 1990 CERV III (bottom) were the prototypes for a fifth-generation Corvette, but once more cost cuts prevented a mid-engine production car from becoming a reality.
2002 Cadillac CienThe 2002 Cadillac Cien featured a massive 7.5-liter, V12 engine rated at 750 horsepower.
Corvette “Zora”The Corvette “Zora” as rendered by Car and Driver Magazine.
Mark Reuss, GM’s Head of Global ProductMark Reuss, GM’s Head of Global Product Development at the 2014 Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix.

That was actually one thing we knew right from the beginning, is we weren’t going to be able to keep it a secret.

Tadge Juechter

Exclusive spy photo of an early Mid-Engine Corvette engine test-mule as seen in Car & Driver in January, 2015.
The Corvette ZoraThe Corvette Zora, which was believed to be a 2017MY vehicle, as rendered by Car and Driver for their 2014 article about the Mid-Engine Corvette.
Car and Driver Magazine spy photo of the future Mid-Engine Corvette taken in June, 2016.
These CAD images, originally released by a user on CorvetteForum.com, became one of the most talked-about pieces of information “leaked onto the internet.
Spy photo of a C8 Corvette test-mule pulling into a GM testing center.
One of the earliest pictures of the C8.R Corvette Race Car. (Image courtesy of Motor1.com)
The Mid-Engine Corvette reveal took place inside a re-purposed hangar in Orange County, California.
General Motors President Mark Reuss drives the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray onto the stage during its unveiling Thursday, July 18, 2019 in Tustin, California. The 2020 Stingray, the brand’s first-ever production mid-engine Corvette, features a new 6.2L Small Block V-8 LT2 engine producing 495 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque when equipped with performance exhaust. (Photo by Dan MacMedan for Chevrolet)
Early design sketches of the mid-engine Corvette.
Full-scale clay model of the C8 Mid-Engine Corvette.
A 2016 Ducati 959 Panigale was one of two models used to inspire the engine design of the 2020 Mid-Engine Corvette.
Although the mid-engine Corvette (left) is definitely a significant departure from its predecessors, there is no denying its Corvette heritage or its relationship to earlier models, such as the C7 to its right.
Tadge Juechter, Corvette Chief Engineer.
A Mid-Engine Corvette test mule, a C7 Corvette Coupe and a Porsche 911 are spotted during a testing session in May, 2018.
Chassis and composite sub-assembly of the eighth-generation Corvette.
The No. 3 C8.R Corvette Race Car in its official livery.
The LT2 engine – a 6.2-liter engine that produces 490 horsepower (and looks spectacular doing so) and the engine bay (with see-thru glass panel) that makes up the heart of the mid-engine Corvette.
The LT2 – The 6.2L V8 engine created for use in the C8 Mid-Engine Corvette.
2020 Corvette Stingray’s LT2 V-8 engine and dual-clutch, 8-speed transmission
The new C8 Corvette steering wheel features factory-installed paddle shifters to further enhance the driving experience of these incredible machines.
The C8 Mid-Engine Corvette features coil-over suspension at all four axles – a first for Corvette!
The steering wheel of the C8 Mid-Engine Corvette.
The 2020 Mid-Engine Corvette in Sebring Orange.
The 2020 Mid-Engine Corvette in Rapid Blue. Note the relocation of the exhaust from the center of the rear fascia to the outward corners.
The infotainment center interface in the cockpit of the Mid-Engine Corvette.
The Mid-Engine Corvette features a total of six drive modes that can be selected via a strategically placed roller dial in the center console.
The cockpit of the all-new Mid-Engine Corvette.
The 2020 Mid-Engine Corvette at the unveiling event on July 18, 2019.
The dream becomes reality. Zora Arkus-Duntov stands beside the first-even Mid-Engine Corvette. While he never actually lived to see this day, we believe he would have been thrilled with this latest Corvette.

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Since its introduction in July 2020, the eighth-generation Corvette has introduced the world to some of the fastest, most powerful, best handling cars in the seventy-plus year history of the brand.  Where the stock mid-engine Stingray crushed its predecessors in terms of acceleration and handling straight out the gate, the...
The C8 Corvette boasts a 495-horsepower 6.2-liter V-8 engine that delivers an impressive performance. With a satisfying engine sound and a rapid 0-60 time of 2.8 seconds, it’s undeniably quick. However, for those enthusiasts seeking even more power, these numbers are still not enough for them. Fortunately, tuning companies provide...

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