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In the early hours of November 29, a high-speed crash rattled the quiet streets of Irvine, California. At 1:03 a.m., a car struck a traffic signal pole at the intersection of Modjeska and Still Night, a suburban area known for its neatly manicured landscapes and family-friendly atmosphere. The crash left the driver seriously injured but alive, and first responders took some time extricating him from the mangled Corvette C8. What’s so unusual about the incident is just how the pole tore into the sports car: it virtually split the front cabin in half.

The Irvine Police Department later shared a photo of the aftermath on social media, showing the powerful impact of the collision.

You can see the pole positioned near the middle of the cabin roof. How it left the driver alive is mind-boggling.

Footage of the scene surfaced on YouTube as well:

Mid-engined sports cars have the motor positioned behind the driver’s seat but ahead of the rear wheels.

The car involved in the crash was a white Chevrolet Corvette C8, a mid-engine V8 sports car. GM introduced the C8 in 2020 as the model’s 8th generation, hence “C8.” This gen includes the Stingray, E-Ray, and Z06. The ZR1 is coming in 2025.

Its mid-engined configuration shifts the car’s center of gravity closer to the middle, improving handling and making it ideal for high-speed driving.

Most vehicles on the road, like SUVs and sedans, feature front-engine layouts where the engine sits over the front wheels. This design prioritizes cargo space and ease of maintenance. Mid-engine cars prioritize performance and agility.

The 2024 Corvette C8 has a starting price around $70,000. Fully loaded versions can soar past $90,000. Still, since it offers supercar-level speed and style at a relatively “accessible” cost, MotorBiscuit slapped it with our Car of the Year award in 2022.