Ford Has Been Caught Benchmarking the Mid-Engine C8 Corvette

By
Mitch Talley
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7
19837

Ford Has Been Caught Benchmarking the Mid-Engine C8 Corvette

File Photo: CorvetteImages.com


We’re used to seeing Ferraris and Porsches being used as benchmark vehicles for new Corvette models.

Now the shoe is on the other foot as the hot new C8 Corvette is reportedly being used as a benchmark car by Ford Motor Company, according to a post by Ford Authority.

“Now, we can exclusively report that The Blue Oval was spotted driving around a C8 Corvette Stingray around its corporate stomping grounds,” Ford Authority writes. “Our photographers spotted this C8 Corvette Stingray on Oakwood Blvd, a Dearborn thoroughfare where many Ford Motor Company facilities reside.”

The website says the Torch Red Z51 coupe was seen entering a Ford facility, which they surmise means Ford’s name is on the title.

The C8 joins other Ford benchmark vehicles, including the Ram TRX, Tesla Model 3, Jeep Gladiator, BMW X7, and Audi e-torn. Ford Authority speculates that Ford could be using the C8 as a target vehicle for its 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 and Ford Mustang Shelby GT500.

Or perhaps, Ford Authority muses, it could be for a future version of the Thunderbird (perhaps electrified?), especially since Ford filed to trademark that name with the United States Patent and Trademark Office in January.


Source:
fordauthority.com

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7 COMMENTS

  1. I think GM’s benchmark for the C8 is the McLaren 600LT. But if the story persists that it’s Ferrari they’re benchmarking, well, okay…

  2. Ford could definitely use a high-value two seater of some sort. Dearborn can benchmark C8 then sell it at a profit. My vote would be for an electric two-seat roadster. The Mach E propulsion system manufactured by BorgWarner is engineered and ready to roll for a T-bird or whatever they christen it.

  3. What the Ford GT should have been! A V8, two seat sports car that people could actually afford! Not a $450,000 twin turbo V6 that doesn’t look or sound like any Ford GT from the past. Ford was too busy shoving those expensive, inefficient, unreliable EcoBoost’s down the consumers throats to maximize profits per unit. Yes they make power, but at a substantial cost in the purchase price and excessive maintenance required with those engines.

  4. A little more competition should benefit all Corvette owners by pushing GM to continue making the best American true sports car at an affordable price – a functionality lost at the Blue Oval. No matter how you cut it, Mustang just isn’t getting it done.

  5. You know that Ford missed the Call / when they built the BOAT -T Bird as a Family car with a back seat.It was a Joke on FORD.and then they came up with what they call a T Bird the return and that did not Make the Grade As A past owner of My First Corvette that was A 1957 Torch Red that I truley Loved.and a few more to now my 2021 C8 Torch Red It can’t be Beat and trust Me G M will never be beat when it comes down to Looks Power and Appeal to the Public,We all LOVE the Corvette From 1953 to 2021 and more to come. Keep up the Good Work G. M.

  6. Zora you hit the nail on the head. Exactly what I was thinking as I read the article The GT sounds awful and was priced s that only people who have to have the next expensive toy could have it.

  7. I can’t say Ford missed the call with the T-Bird. Turning the T-Bird into a Sedan saved the car and allowed to it last for decades. The sales were dying out and they needed to do something…There is a nostalgic (and rightfully so) obsession with the 2 seat T-Bird. And had Ford let some of there performance team in on the redo in the early 00’s…Who knows it might still be here. At the time, while a little polarizing, the styling of the new T-Bird was a good representation when considering the time period it was made. It just had no performance.

    And if not for Ford keeping the Mustang alive and creating the first retro version in 2005….we wouldn’t have the Camaro, Challenger, or possibly even the Charger…That would be sad. I think it really cool they are bench-marking the C8. It goes to show how what an amazing job Chevy has done in designing the car. I can’t see it leading to a competitor unless they decide to make a performance T-Bird as they should have before…The Mustang just isn’t in the same class as the Corvette…The Camaro and it’s trims are the Mustang’s direct competitor…I think we need to remember though…a healthy Ford is a good thing for, Dodge, Chevy and the Corvette…and vice versa.

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