Twin Engine Citation X-11: Craziest Corvette Test Mule
Frankenstein-like Build Comprised of Chevy & Corvette Components Is Still Alive in Florida
The idea of the lowly Chevy Citation serving as a Corvette test mule might seem crazy. And it probably is. But back in the early 1980s, things were looking pretty glum in the auto industry. Still reeling from the gas crisis, GM worried that the V8 would be dead by 1990. This led Corvette engineers clamoring to figure out how to maintain a certain performance level with fewer cylinders.
And somebody’s solution was to cram not one, but two V6’s into a car to create a balance between gas mileage and performance. But why the heck would they choose an X-Body Citation as the donor for this Frankenstein-like build? Because it’s generous cargo space could easily handle the weight of that rear engine and allow easy access to it.
Thus, the Citation X-11 test mule was born. Better known in some circles as “Push Me, Pull Me.” At first, GM installed a pair of 2.8 liter, 130 hp engines in the X-11. Clearly the result was underwhelming. So engineers cooked up a pair of all aluminum, 200 hp, 3.1 liter V6’s to take their place. The X-11 was designed to run around with the front engine driving the front wheels, but a flip of a switch activated the rear engine, which drives the rear wheels.
The result is exactly what you’d think it would be — an all wheel drive, 400 hp, lightweight beast. This unlikeliest of performance cars reportedly handled great as well, thanks to that weight balance and computer controlled torque. And even though we never got a twin engine production car, the X-11’s drive by wire technology made it to the production Corvette.
The best part of this story? The X-11 lives on today, thanks to Robert Cope of Florida. And he’s posted an entire YouTube playlist of the car for the rest of us to enjoy. Be sure and check it out, because the X-11 still looks great. And sounds even better.
