GM Denies Mid-Engine Corvette Rumours, Considering Hybrid Corvette

Earlier this month, a Saab engineer confirmed that the Swedish carmaker had been given the task to create a double-clutch transmission for a mid-engine Corvette, while the company was still under General Motor’s wing. This started a wave of rumors indicating that GM might finally bring the vehicle to production.

However, the American company has now made it clear that there will be no mid-engined Corvette, adding that a hybrid ‘Vette might be coming our way instead, as autoweek reports.

The automotive producer told the aforementioned source that the Corvette won’t get a dual clutch transmission either.

The idea of a mid-engined ‘Vette wasn’t seen as a good one by the entire fan community, so the news that GM has no intention of offering such a vehicle is a positive one for some.

Another interesting subject related to the next generation Corvette’s engine line-up is the addition of a new entry-level V6 powerplant. This has also been the subject of many rumors that have been circulating on the web .

Fortunately, GM killed this rumor, allowing the car’s spirit to stay pure. Well, almost pure, as the automaker added that a hybrid powertrain for the Corvette seems like a viable solution for cutting emissions.

And here’s where things get ugly. Karl-Friedrich Stracke, GM vice president of global vehicle engineering told the aforementioned source that GM sees hybridization as the best solution to meet upcoming stricter emission standards. He explained that one possibility for future GM performance vehicles would be to “turn 80 to 90 percent of your sports-car portfolio to hybridization,” only offering a small number of classic powerplants for true enthusiasts.