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A Look At The 2015 Corvette Z06’s Aerodynamic Properties

Unless you have been living under a rock for the past couple of weeks, you’ll know that Chevrolet recently pulled the wraps off their fierce looking 2015 Corvette Z06 in Detroit. Between the prominent carbon fiber diffusers, steep rear wicker bill and the seemingly endless amounts of dips, scoops and vents, it’s easy to tell that the Z06 means business.

There is a tremendous amount of air flow manipulation going on around the Z06 and to help makes sense of it all, GM’s Fastlane blog called upon the Z06’s Aerodynamics Performance Engineer, John Bednarchik.

First things first, Bednarchik clears up the confusion about the Z06’s Z07 package, which will get you all the fancy aerodynamic goodies seen on the car on the show floor in Detroit.

“Our main goal was to maximize the driving experience for the customer. We really wanted to maximize the ability of the Corvette Z06 to stay planted on the track to improve lap times. But, that changes a bit with the different package levels that are available,” said Bednarchik. “The standard Z06 is aimed more towards a balance of everyday drivability, fuel efficiency, and performance, and less about all out downforce, while the Z07 package was about making the Corvette Z06 as much of a track monster as possible.”

As Bednarchik explains, standard Z06 models will feature a front splitter attached the standard Stingray front lip, the standard deck lid spoiler found on Z51 model Stingray’s and wider air outlets on the rear fascia. Customers may choose the optional carbon fiber aero package, which features an even larger front splitter, carbon fiber rocker panel extensions and a larger, Z06-specific decklid spoiler.

The jump up to the Z07 package will yield the carbon fiber aero package with larger winglets on the front splitter and a front gurney lip extension, helping to push the front of the car down even further. It also adds the additional wicker bill spoiler seen on the show car in Detroit, which is clear to not affect rear visibility.

Bednarchik goes on to explain the Z06’s use of aerodynamics for cooling the transmission and rear differential, as well as which parts of the car were influenced by the C6.R and C7.R GT racecars. You can check out the whole interview right here.

Sam loves to write and has a passion for auto racing, karting and performance driving of all types.

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