Wing
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2023 Corvette of the Year Winner - Modified
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St. Jude Donor '18 thru '25
Wing
I have had this on my mind as of late. With mid engine design theoretically helping traction in higher HP models to come... why even have a wing. It would seem to me a successful mid engine design would not not even have a wing. Many that do, have a retractable unit that comes up when needed. I feel if the design is good aerodynamically speaking, base model should not even need a wing on it at all. I know in certain environments a wing can really help, but on a mid engine design with less than 500hp? Just a thought about the boy racer wing on it. I was expecting more of a McLaren type wing that is electronically activated on need...on a next gen type design.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
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Perhaps even more importantly, since the C8 is marketed as a performance car, it will help the independent testers get better track times. I'm convinced that these magazine etc. outcomes heavily influence buying decisions, even if an owner will never make use of the car's full capabilities. That's just how "car enthusiasts" tend to be.
Last edited by Warp Factor; Aug 9, 2019 at 05:52 AM.
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From: Northern Illinois
2023 Corvette of the Year Winner - Modified
2022 C7 of the Year Winner - Modified
St. Jude Donor '18 thru '25
Looks a little better with no wing to me in that pic.. maybe if they ditched golf club holder, they could have had the mechanism for an electronic retractable active wing back there.
Last edited by Gixxerman; Aug 9, 2019 at 06:32 AM.
Melting Slicks
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From: Kitchener Ontario
One thing I would be very interested in hearing from the engineers and design team is what kind of compromises they made for things like that. If they didn't have to worry about a two golf bag policy, what would the rear look like? Maybe we will find out with the Z06.
Burning Brakes
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One thing I would be very interested in hearing from the engineers and design team is what kind of compromises they made for things like that. If they didn't have to worry about a two golf bag policy, what would the rear look like? Maybe we will find out with the Z06.
Last edited by PurpleLion; Aug 9, 2019 at 07:05 AM.
Melting Slicks
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Safety Car
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In this case I think GM made the right choice to keep it simple.
Race Director
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Except it's not just golf bag storage space back there. Delete that from the design and no more storage for the removable top. An active wing is cool tech but it also adds complexity and cost that most just don't need. Want a wing back there? Order one. If not and you won't use it anyway don't order the car with one.
In this case I think GM made the right choice to keep it simple.
In this case I think GM made the right choice to keep it simple.
Active aero will probably come on the higher performance versions with the higher cost, not viable on the low price volume leader.
OP, if you want no wing or spoiler, order up the base model and skip the Z51 package with spoiler or optional wing.
At the McLaren price point, they can offer models that have the features you are looking for, they even built a 8" longer GT (a variation on the higher HP 720S) to carry golf clubs. and they built a long tail McLaren F1 LM back in the '90's for better stability above 180 MPH.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2014
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From: Palm Beach, FL
I have had this on my mind as of late. With mid engine design theoretically helping traction in higher HP models to come... why even have a wing. It would seem to me a successful mid engine design would not not even have a wing. Many that do, have a retractable unit that comes up when needed. I feel if the design is good aerodynamically speaking, base model should not even need a wing on it at all. I know in certain environments a wing can really help, but on a mid engine design with less than 500hp? Just a thought about the boy racer wing on it. I was expecting more of a McLaren type wing that is electronically activated on need...on a next gen type design.
These cars are capable of close to 200mph. Increased downforce is always welcome at higher speeds.
At this price point you're not going to see active aero. So its also a balance of providing some downforce while also minimizing drag which hurts fuel efficiency.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2019
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From: SC
What a time to be alive where 500hp isn't considered to be enough to warrant improved aerodynamics.
These cars are capable of close to 200mph. Increased downforce is always welcome at higher speeds.
At this price point you're not going to see active aero. So its also a balance of providing some downforce while also minimizing drag which hurts fuel efficiency.
These cars are capable of close to 200mph. Increased downforce is always welcome at higher speeds.
At this price point you're not going to see active aero. So its also a balance of providing some downforce while also minimizing drag which hurts fuel efficiency.
This, GT3 has always had a large fixed wing and it's the same hp as the C8 base model - and yet no one complained, I would even go so far as to call that a "successful" mid-engine car. Porsche even has the audacity to charge you more to remove the wing (GT3 Touring and 911R), and they don't offer active aero on the GT3 (non-Touring) or big brother GT3RS.
I think we should all be thankful that we have three options for rear wing aero on this car (and this is just the first of many models).