The 2015 Corvette Z06 Makes Torrential Downforce: Video
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Ask anyone what makes the new, 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 such a capable track star and they’ll eagerly offer that the engine is the primary contributor. Or the suspension. Or the gearbox. Or any of a number of different features.
But let’s not forget about the extensive aerodynamic modifications to the Z06 model. Chevrolet recently put out this video, in which Corvette Chief Engineer Tadge Juechter takes us through the various levels of aerodynamic packages available on the Z06.
Starting with the base Z06, the Corvette gets an aggressive splitter in the front, and spoiler in the rear with wickerbills to increase air pressure (and thus, downforce). Then there’s the optional carbon fiber aero package, which swaps out the base (likely fiberglass) components with carbon fiber, adds rocker panel extensions, and increases the rear spoiler and wickerbill size and effectiveness.
In the video, Mr. Juechter states that this gets the Corvette to “true aerodynamic downforce” for the first time. We’re not sure what he means by that, as one would assume that even in the base Z06, downward aerodynamic pressure would far outweigh lift.
Finally, there are the aerodynamic features included in the Z07 package, which adds larger front splitter endcaps, and an adjustable bridge between the wickerbills on the rear spoiler. Together, these touches give the 2015 Corvette Z06 with Z07 package the highest amount of downforce that General Motors has ever tested on a production vehicle.
But why take our word for it? Watch the video below, and let Tadge Juechter himself lay out the details of the most aggressive, performance-oriented aerodynamics packages ever to grace a production Corvette:
- Sweepstakes Of The Month: Win a 2023 Corvette Z06 Convertible. Details here.
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Maybe I’m reading way too much into things, but the presenter has a shirt that says GTO and has the Jake logo for the Corvette. Is this a tease about something?
Also, the sound of this thing is beastly and the looks match it too.
The shirt says GTS as in the class they have run in for years