Corvette: Year By Year

    

About The Corvette

    

Corvette Specs

    

Corvette C8 Chassis

Corvette C8 Front Spring

Corvette C8 Front Spring

CloseCorvette C8 Front Spring

Corvette C8 Springs; above is front, below is rear.

Corvette C8 Rear Spring

Corvette C8 Rear Spring

CloseCorvette C8 Rear Spring

Possibly the most significant change, once you get past the new mid-engine location for the C8 Corvette, is the four coil springs used for suspending the chassis. Corvettes have always featured leaf springs starting with two in the rear for the C1 generation as was the state of automotive technology in the 1950s. For the C2 and C3, a transverse rear spring (below) was used in the rear suspension. The concept worked well and was extended to the front suspension in the C4 through C7 Corvettes. Advantages included low unsprung weight (which improves handling) and lower cost, contributing to the Corvette's excellent performance for the buck reputation. Packaging constraints prevented using the transverse leaf springs on the C8.

Corvette C2 C3 Rear Suspension Transverse Spring

Corvette C2 C3 Rear Suspension Transverse Spring

CloseCorvette C2 C3 Rear Suspension Transverse Spring

Corvette C8 Engine Cooling Front

Corvette C8 Engine Cooling Front

CloseCorvette C8 Engine Cooling Front

Above: the left and Below: the right C8 engine radiators. The mid-engine layout on the C8 posed numerous engineering challenges, one of which is engine cooling. Some mid engine designs - notably those from Ferrari - positioned the radiators and their air intake behind the passengers and near the engine itself. The C8 designers positioned them up front. Below: The front portion of the routing for the coolant to the engine. Note the hoses run down the center of the chassis.

Corvette C8 Coolant Routing

Corvette C8 Coolant Routing

CloseCorvette C8 Coolant Routing

Ever since the mid 1950s, the Corvette was first and formost a performance car. It is a reputation that GM and Corvette owners Take seriously.

2020 Corvette C8 Mid Engine Reveal Design

2020 Corvette C8 Mid Engine Reveal Design

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2020 Corvette C8 Right Hand Drive steering column chassis hole

2020 Corvette C8 Right Hand Drive steering column chassis hole

Close2020 Corvette C8 Right Hand Drive steering column chassis hole

Good news for Japan, United Kingdom, Australia India and other countries that drive on the left side of the road: A right hand drive Corvette will be available. The C8 chassis was designed from the beginning to be right hand drive capable. Note the hole in the chassis above (in red) that can accommodate a right hand drive steering column. While there are right hand drive Corvettes, they have all been expensive custom adaptations. The C8 will be the first factory sourced right hand drive Corvette.


Corvette C8 Chassis Buttressing

Corvette C8 Chassis Buttressing

CloseCorvette C8 Chassis Buttressing

There's some interesting reinforcements going in the C8 chassis. It appears to be parts made of a metal alloy using injection molding. The cylindrical columns are where the alloy is injected into the mold. There is some interesting structural science in play, no doubt computer generated.

Corvette C8 Chassis Buttressing

Corvette C8 Chassis Buttressing

CloseCorvette C8 Chassis Buttressing

Corvette C8 Chassis Front Shock Tower Mounts

Corvette C8 Chassis Front Shock Tower Mounts

CloseCorvette C8 Chassis Front Shock Tower Mounts

Above are the front and (below) rear shock absorber tower mounts, which also feature cool buttressing and look to be similarly injection molded.

Corvette C8 Chassis Rear Shock Tower Mounts

Corvette C8 Chassis Rear Shock Tower Mounts

CloseCorvette C8 Chassis Rear Shock Tower Mounts

2020 Corvette C8 Part One
2020 Corvette C8 Part Two
2020 Corvette C8 Drivetrain
2020 Corvette C8 Interior
2020 Corvette C8 Why Mid Engine?
2020 Corvette C8 Specifications
2020 Corvette C8 Photographs
2020 Corvette C8 Photographs Part Two