cars news 10: Spied! Mid-Engine Chevrolet Corvette Mule Reveals Chopped Front End

Sightings of the mid-engine Chevrolet Corvette prototype just keep getting better. Thanks to our dedicated spy photographers who managed to find a hole through the trees at General Motors’ proving grounds, we now have a clearer look at the mid-engine mule expected to arrive by model-year 2019.

The side profile shot is a tad blurry, but it reveals a lot. For starters, the prototype has the unmistakable proportions of a mid-engine sports car, especially the short front end that no longer has any room to accommodate the 6.2-liter LT1 V-8 powering the current C7 Corvette. The windshield and doors appears to be sourced from the C7, but the elongated roofline and haunches are big giveaways that the engine is sitting behind the seats.

The prototype was last caught earlier this year, though images (shot from more than a mile away) were much more grainy and blurry.

Rumors suggest the mid-engine Corvette has been codenamed “Emperor” and could sport Zora badges once it enters production. There’s also speculation about a hybrid variant and a version for Cadillac. With the Zora, GM will be targeting the Ford GT, Ferrari 488 GTB, and McLaren 650S. The Zora will undoubtedly be pricey, which is why we believe the Corvette will retain a front-engine version in its lineup.

Photo Source: KGP Photography