Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Might Use Mid-Engine Layout

Is Chevrolet looking to bring its Corvette even further upmarket?

According to a report from Motor Trend, the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 has been greenlit for a mid-engine setup, paving the way for the next-generation Corvette to also be mid-engine. While it may sound like a fantasy, it is believed the American automaker is poised to make a mid-engine Corvette a reality, a desire that the creator of the Corvette, Zora Arkus-Duntov, has always wanted. To further support the idea of a mid-engine Corvette, Chevrolet trademarked the name Zora for the intended use of “motor land vehicles, namely, automobiles” in early June, suggesting that a future Corvette model would use the Zora nameplate.

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So what better way to pay homage to the father of the Corvette than by making one of his dreams a reality? If the model does find a way to market, expect a mid-engine Corvette to be priced significantly different than current Stingray offerings, especially if performance exceeds what is available today. In addition, the development of a mid-engine platform for the Corvette could also be shared across General Motors‘ portfolio of brands including Cadillac.

Whether or not a mid-engine Corvette finally comes to fruition is up to the American automaker, but given how aggressive manufacturers have become with their sports cars, don’t be surprised if Chevrolet is ready to pull the trigger to get ahead of its competition. You only need to take a look at Dodge and its recent Challenger and Charger SRT Hellcat models with 707 hp to get an idea of just how aggressive sports cars have become in recent times.