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Why was the C7 designed with so much space between the tire and fender?
I love my 2017 Z06, of course, but what was the purpose of making it look like an off-road vehicle? I mean, there is a lot of clearance between the tire and the fender/wheel well.
The solution, of course, is to lower the vehicle on the stock bolts (or spend lots of money on new coilovers), but why is this necessary?
The C7 is a beautiful car (much better looking than the C8), but this seems to be the one design flaw (aesthetically speaking).
If I were to guess, suspension travel for a compliant ride. Smaller fender gap means less wheel travel to soak up bumps which means a stiffer ride. I suppose they could have designed the bodywork to hide the wheel travel with overhanging fenders (i.e. the wheels would go up into the fender) but then we'd be complaining about the wheels being too tucked in (like on the big sedans of the 80s).
I had coilovers on another vehicle which lowered it 4-5 inches. Looked great (also had spacers to push the wheels back out).
The black one is mine.
The lower COG and improved damping of the coilovers really helps with cornering and road 'feel'. However, wheel travel was reduced and it didn't take a very large bump to send the control arms into the bump stops and jar the entire vehicle.
Suspension travel and ground clearance are likely the main factors. The Corvette is more of a grand tourer with many drivers who expect better drivability under a range of conditions - including rough roads, uneven pavement, speed bumps etc.
The designers probably wanted a smaller fender gap and flush stance, but the above factors would have trumped their wishes.
Car design and engineering is usually a compromise between the designers, engineering, marketing, accounting, and the decision maker(s).
Suspension travel and ground clearance are likely the main factors. The Corvette is more of a grand tourer with many drivers who expect better drivability under a range of conditions - including rough roads, uneven pavement, speed bumps etc.
The designers probably wanted a smaller fender gap and flush stance, but the above factors would have trumped their wishes.
Car design and engineering is usually a compromise between the designers, engineering, marketing, accounting, and the decision maker(s).
There was a C7 person on here that had one lowered on bags. It looked freaking awesome, but Hell my Z06 is so low now that I have to be careful.. we have a few places with speed bumps I can't even go to with my Corvette.. I think it's cool, but it would be hard not to hit stuff... want to drive not worry so much
I always think any car whose stance is a little lower that stock is attractive. But, you have to consider the practability of having your car closer to the ground as you use it.
I always think any car whose stance is a little lower that stock is attractive. But, you have to consider the practability of having your car closer to the ground as you use it.
I know, I know, I know . . .
Just wishing, but know that practicability is important.
I can only assume you are on your first Corvette. This is my sixth one. My C5, and C6 also had the look of the offroad as you put it. I never lowered the C5 because it had the F45 suspension, and it was next to impossible to get to the lowering bolts in the front without removing the shocks. My C6 I did lower, and while it gave it a much more aggressive stance, it really made for a hard ride and the wife hated it. So, I raised it back up and besides it sure did help on the scraping at driveways and speed bumps. My C7 will remain at the factory settings.
Lower your car if you like. I'll stick with how the Corvette design team decided it is supposed to look.
It's amazing to me the things that some find to be critical of. I've had my C7 for almost 4 years now, and it has never occured to me that there was too much space between the tires and the fenders. I suggest you take your C7 out to do some off road trail riding, and let us know how that goes.
01-22-2023, 08:21 AM
Why was the C7 designed with so much space between the tire and fender?
