Mid-Engine Corvette spy shots

[clutchslip]

Yes they are. And it sort of already exists. The 2015 Corvette Z06 can take on all but the most outrageously priced exotics.

Nothing new, really. For example: The Corvette Challenge came about because no one could stay with the 'vettes. So they ended up racing themselves. And the ZR-1 set the non-stop endurance record that held for 15 years or so. Shelby had to build a one-off Mustang to keep up, before that. Usually the vette has been underrated by the public, just because of price and U.S. made stigma.

The 1988-1989 Corvette Challenge series came about because, in the Sports Car Club of America's (SCCA) Showroom Stock GT category, Corvette had no challengers. From the fourth generation Corvette's introduction in 1984 through the 1987 season Corvette's combination of superior handling, excellent brakes, sticky Goodyear "Gatorback" VR50 tires and the Small Block V8's power and torque ran away and hid from its Showroom Stock competition. It didn't matter what the series was called, Playboy Challenge, Showroom Stock GT or Escort GT Endurance, Corvettes were unbeatable. Literally. They won every race they entered, with the only competition coming from among the Corvette entrants.

 

[Johndicezx9]

Ahhhh... the snobbery of limited production numbers vs performance.

The Z06 is gonna be just shy of a hundred grand, almost an exotic, but won't make it because there's no currency exchange differences with Kentucky.

 

[Marcoose]

Ahhhh... the snobbery of limited production numbers vs performance.

The 911 is produced in thousands, tho not exactly an exoctic, but no one snubs at its qualities.

The Viper got a lot of attention in Europe in the early 90s. With the right marketing, it could've knocked on the doors of the exoctic.

 

[Johndicezx9]

The 911 is produced in thousands, tho not exactly an exoctic, but no one snubs at its qualities.

The Viper got a lot of attention in Europe in the early 90s. With the right marketing, it could've knocked on the doors of the exoctic.

Everyone thought the early Viper could be an exotic, but then they drove it.

Still hasn't happened, and the future is questionable with FIAT running things. do they want to create even more competition for Ferrari, or do they trickle down technology to SRT?

 

[Holeshot]

Our perceptions of exotic must be different. Other than the previously-mentioned early models, anything on this side of Undercover Police Detective Sonny Crockett does not enter the world of exotics.

Haha! On a performance index, the vette does sit with most exotics...and it starts every single time! It just doesn't have great exclusively.

 

[clutchslip]

The 911 is produced in thousands, tho not exactly an exoctic, but no one snubs at its qualities.

It's German and it has never been priced reasonably. Oh, and there is a flat-six in it's butt. Ta-da 911=exotic.

 

[Enchanter]

Wait, what…the Viper could have been an exotic with the right marketing? Huh? The Viper has its pluses, but exotic? Evidently 'exotic' means vastly different things to some people.

I'm really not a Corvette fanboi, but like the previous gen Z06, the new one will 'run' with 'exotics' and:
It's one third the cost.
You don't need to have previously owned at least 2.
You can buy the consumables at PepBoys.
It starts every time.
It's less expensive to insure.
It's less expensive to maintain.
It's less expensive to repair.
Did I mention that it's as fast/faster?

 

[#1Freak]

Chevy made about 17,000 2014 corvettes. They could not make them fast enough, and even increased the price halfway through

 

[Marcoose]

Everyone thought the early Viper could be an exotic, but then they drove it. Still hasn't happened...

When it came out in the 90s, without roof, AC, radio, etc, and with Shelby's reputation all over it, it grabbed a lot of attention. But then, lack of proper brand care, improvement, Mercedes, etc, and the rest is history as you pointed. A pity.

Haha! On a performance index, the vette does sit with most exotics...and it starts every single time! It just doesn't have great exclusively.

Yep.

 

[TheRobSJ]

Just make something cost a shitload more which in turn creates exclusively, and presto! Exotic.

Is a Richard Mille watch made out of any better materials or does it tell time better than a Tag Heuer or Omega? Nope. But a middle classer could someday afford the Tag or Omega someday if they really wanted to where you'd have no chance of even touching a Richard Mille unless you're a 1%er.

Now can the new Corvette Z06 beat the starter Ferrari (the 458 Italia)? Yup. Certainly can beat the Malibu Barbie and Confused Priorities Ferraris (the California and FF). And probably can even take the V12 GT Ferrari (the F12 Berlinetta). Most people would consider any Ferrari an exotic car. The one Ferrari I think will handily beat the new Z06 is the absurdly expensive, F1 derived, Ferrari LaFerrari. But it had better for the seven figure check you'd have to have written to get one. Same goes for the McLaren P1 or Porsxhe 918. Those three for sure are the "hypercar" exotic category. Maybe the Pagani and Bugatti in there for good measure as well.

But your "garden variety" exotic supercar like a Laborghini Gallardo or even a Porsche 911 Turbo? I see the Z06 being exceeded by those only in price and exclusivity.

 

[Marcoose]

I see the Z06 being exceeded by those only in price and exclusivity.

But that's part of the exotic equation. Russian brides are beautiful and exotic here, but in Russian they're diamond dozen.

Corvette doesn't have to shoot for Bugatti status, but just Aston would be very nice. Something with panache and appeal, yet not parked in any overpass.

OTOH, it's great to have a great car that remains more or less affordable.

 

[Johndicezx9]

When it came out in the 90s, without roof, AC, radio, etc, and with Shelby's reputation all over it, it grabbed a lot of attention. But then, lack of proper brand care, improvement, Mercedes, etc, and the rest is history as you pointed. A pity.

Well, they've gone through 4 generations and are working on a 5th, and they've spun it off as a "specialty" brand, it's not a Dodge anymore, it's an SR/T.

That first generation, in the early 90's, was neither that fast, that reliable, that comfortable, or that easy to drive... you ran the risk of burning the skin off your leg getting out of the car after a drive, so yeah, it was a great example of an exotic... everything that was wrong with "exotics".

The current Viper is suffering because for the money (they've even been lowering the price over the last few months) it isn't as good as what you can get with a high end Vette, or even from Euro manufacturers. A new generation could change that, but again, with FIAT making the decisions, they may not want to take possible sales from their other brands.

 

[MrIncredible]

But that's part of the exotic equation. Russian brides are beautiful and exotic here, but in Russian they're diamond dozen.

Corvette doesn't have to shoot for Bugatti status, but just Aston would be very nice. Something with panache and appeal, yet not parked in any overpass.

OTOH, it's great to have a great car that remains more or less affordable.

Dime a dozen is the typical saying-implying common and inexpensive.

 

[Marcoose]

Dime a dozen is the typical saying-implying common and inexpensive.

Sorry. Stupid iPhone spellcheck.

Yes, that's what I meant. Tho $100k isn't inexpensive, in exotic car parlance is at the lower end.

 

[Reli]

And the price is right for what the buyer is getting. While it'd be super cool to have an all-American car to go toe-to-toe with Ferrari, Lambo, McLaren, NSX, etc, Americans may not be ready for too much of a good thing.

The NSX is exotic in its exclusivity only, not performance lol.

Now, a McLaren, THAT would get some attention..........Much more than any modern Lambo or Ferrari, which are dime a dozen around here.

 

[Marcoose]

The NSX is exotic in its exclusivity only, not performance lol.

Honda's original NSX was good enough for Senna, good enough for me.

 

[TheRobSJ]

The NSX is exotic in its exclusivity only, not performance lol.

We soon shall see. Pretty much tomorrow actually. Official production version unveiled at the Detroit auto show.

I spoke to an Acura executive recently who's actually driven the damn thing and he said their target was the Ferrari 458 Italia and Audi R8 V10. And his own words..."blows them away." So I guess we'll just see just how bad Honda wants a seat at the grown up table. If it's not at least 550+ horsepower, maybe more like 600, I don't see it being that competitive in the market.

 

[Marcoose]

We soon shall see. Pretty much tomorrow actually. Official production version unveiled at the Detroit auto show.

I spoke to an Acura executive recently who's actually driven the damn thing and he said their target was the Ferrari 458 Italia and Audi R8 V10. And his own words..."blows them away." So I guess we'll just see just how bad Honda wants a seat at the grown up table. If it's not at least 550+ horsepower, maybe more like 600, I don't see it being that competitive in the market.

Wow!

 

[clutchslip]

Honda's original NSX was good enough for Senna, good enough for me.

Well, he was racing for McLaren/Honda at the time. How much do you think he paid for an NSX? I use to love beating those things in my vette convertible. Beating the 308 Ferrari was always fun, too.

We soon shall see. Pretty much tomorrow actually. Official production version unveiled at the Detroit auto show.

I spoke to an Acura executive recently who's actually driven the damn thing and he said their target was the Ferrari 458 Italia and Audi R8 V10. And his own words..."blows them away." So I guess we'll just see just how bad Honda wants a seat at the grown up table. If it's not at least 550+ horsepower, maybe more like 600, I don't see it being that competitive in the market.

I didn't know about the re-issue. This segment has become insanely tough. Meet emission, crash standards, handle like a prototype, oh AND put out ridiculous, unusable h.p. in a street car. Nutz. I am surprised there are as many auto choices as there are available in 500 h.p versions.

 

[Marcoose]

Well, he was racing for McLaren/Honda at the time. How much do you think he paid for an NSX? I use to love beating those things in my vette convertible. Beating the 308 Ferrari was always fun, too.

Word is Senna participated in the chassis development, and would've beaten you and your Vette in a soap box car.