Transformation of an Automotive Lifetime: Business Insider Covers the C8's Supercar Status

All of us here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse would have to agree with the opening statement that Business Insider made during an article about the new C8 Corvette last week, claiming that it was one of the most “notorious scene-stealers in the history of cinema”. Always recognizable and now sporting a mid-engined model, this is a car that has undergone a crucial change that drastically changes its face and functionality. Even as the supercharged Z06 and ZR1 versions were high on the horsepower factor, it had not quite yet climbed all of the way up the ladder into the status quo reserved for supercars such as the Lamborghini and Ferrari namesakes. 

The choice to release a mid-engined model was one that Business Insider staff writer Daniel Gessner agrees created a car that can definitely hang in the big leagues. Since its very first introduction in 1953, the Corvette has been no stranger to constant change, as it morphed from a slick street cruiser into a very high-powered and sought-after race car. So many fervent fans out there simply could not contain their excitement when the 2019 ZR1 came out with guns blazing full-force, and a 755 horsepower engine under its hood.

Even with all of this raw power available to it, the current Corvette design was holding it back from reaching its true potential. After some very productive time back at the drawing board, the iconic sports car was redesigned, and the benefits of relocating the engine finally became a reality instead of just concepts diagrams. One of the largest benefits of mid-engined placement is seen in the car's handling and braking. At this position, the weight is evenly distributed between the front and rear wheels, which allows direction to be changed quicker.

Another benefit of the mid-engine design is regarding the all-important acceleration factor. Once you add horsepower and torque to an engine, the mass is increased as well. When it comes to a rear-wheel-drive vehicle, the engine is sitting on top of your front axle and is putting far less weight on the wheels that all the power is coming from, there is really only so much faster that the car will be able to go. This was what happened with the ZR1: even with a huge engine at its disposal, it was not always performing much better than previous-generation models.

One of the most staggering marvels in modern engineering is the pricing difference between the Corvette's base model and the Ferrari 458. Even though they are both similar as far as mechanics and performance go, the Corvette comes in at an astonishing $180,000 cheaper. Even though we know that Corvette fans are not necessarily in need of a bargain-basement markdown, the fact that the C8 can offer up this much with its allocated resources is a feat that should amaze any fan of screeching tires and tightly-wrapped torque stats: the many years in the making concerning this car made it an immediate symbol of engineering success!