The upcoming mid-engine Corvette continues to shed more and more camouflage as development begins to near completion, and the latest round of spy shots gives us our best look yet at the vehicle’s rear spoiler.
General Shape
The spoiler spans the width of the mid-engine Corvette‘s rear end, with contact points giving way to two open-air winglets on either side of the wing.
Both of the spoiler’s winglets are under a relatively flat upper surface, while the central piece – the “bridge” – has a forward-facing shape reminiscent of a wicker bill.
Contact Points
At first glance, it would appear that the spoiler has three contact points. In fact, that’s exactly what we thought when originally looking at the unit. However, a closer examination reveals that the spoiler is actually mounted using four contact points – one on each outer edge and one on each side of the central bridge, as follows:
- On the outermost edge of the driver-side rear quarter panel (horizontal and vertical contact)
- On the outermost edge of the bridge, skewing toward the driver side (horizontal contact)
- On the outermost edge of the bridge, skewing toward the passenger side (horizontal contact)
- On the outermost edge of the passenger-side quarter panel (horizontal and vertical contact)
Notice that the space between mounting points 3 and 4 forms a raised space – colloquially called the “mail slot” – underneath the spoiler’s central bridge element.
Form &Â Function
Besides tasty eye candy, the spoiler’s intricate design speaks to its functional purpose of providing aerodynamic enhancements, especially at high speeds.
Judging by the wing’s design, this will be one slippery Corvette, doing Zora proud.
“Just” The Base
Notably, we are looking at the “base” model of the mid-engine Corvette, and expect higher-performing models to feature even more advanced wings with greater functionality. In fact, some mid-engine Corvette models will likely feature an active wing that varies deployment levels based on speed, along with various other factors.
About The Mid-Engine Corvette
The mid-engine Corvette, commonly referred to as the Corvette C8 (for eight-generation Corvette), is an upcoming sports/supercar from General Motors’ Chevrolet brand. Expected to launch for the 2020 model year, the model is expected to deliver the first overhaul (redesign and re-engineering) of the Corvette since the 2014 model year, when the current seventh-generation model was launched.
The most notable change for the Corvette C8 is the switch to a mid-engine layout, which represents a significant departure in engineering compared to the first seven Corvette generations, which had a front-engine layout. The transformation is believed to be a result of engineers needing to deliver an even better driving experience and handling characteristics than the current model, especially at the limit. In that regard, a mid-engine layout allows for a higher performance envelope than the front-engine configuration.
The mid-engine Corvette is expected to be powered by several new gasoline engines mated to a dual-clutch automatic transmission. An electric or electrified variant is possible, potentially called Corvette E-Ray, which GM has already trademarked. One of the models will likely be called Corvette Manta Ray (also trademarked) and another Corvette Zora (trademarked as well) as a tribute to the first Corvette engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov. Nicknamed “Father of the Corvette”, Arkus-Duntov is credited with pioneering the idea of a mid-engine Corvette.
We expect the mid-engine Corvette to launch some time in 2019 for the 2020 model year. It will be made at the Corvette factory in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The current Corvette C7 will likely remain in production for several years alongside the new mid-engine model. A future replacement for the front-engine model is possible.
Discussion
Discuss the mid-engine Corvette in our Chevrolet forums.
News
Stay tuned to GM Authority for ongoing coverage of mid-engine Corvette news and Corvette news.
Comments
that is one ugly wing. i hope it is an option.
One of those early 2000’s double-deck ricer spoilers more your thing?
no, those are ridiculous.
i’d prefer no spoiler at all if this is the alternative.
look at the pics with and without the spoiler.
are you going to tell me it looks better with that spoiler?
Yes, actually.
Considering that none of us are able to make an objective statement about a subjective non-fact, I’m willing to go further than you and state, without evidence, that the C8 with a wing will look better than a C8 without one.
I personally like the wing. It has a very technical shape that works well with the equally technical design.
I’m not sure if there will be a version without it or not. Early shots of models without it had too much body cladding for aerodynamic components such as the spoiler to matter much.
Wing or no wing, there needs to be a page in the instruction manual that instructs owners from messing with what will surely be an engineering marvel, much like Nissan comically included in the first few pages of the GT-R.
Hopefully they have the wind tunnel report and will explain it why they decided to pick a rear wing with this specific shape.
Sure, but this isn’t rocket science. The spoiler is clearly designed to provide maximum downforce and slipstream enhancement. That’s the entire purpose of that shape.
I expect the press release in 4 months’ time to say the exact same thing, but with more engineering lexicon.
Please tell me that that thing is just the Camaro’s next-gen spoiler/rear-end bolted onto the Vette while they work on refining the C7 rear-end a little bit for C8.
So I guess still no Electronically controlled rear wing/brake from GM like most modern Sports cars huh? Well lets hope it is at least an option this time around.