With the stonkin’ naturally aspirated 6.2L LT2 V8 engine mounted just behind the cabin, the all-new Corvette C8 Stingray has more than enough output on tap. Specifically, 495 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, when equipped with the optional performance exhaust system. And though a powerful engine is key to making a world-class sports car, it’s not the only component that’s important – and a highly-competent suspension system is also a prerequisite. To that end, the Chevrolet Corvette C8 will offer three high-performance suspension systems. Let’s profile the 2020 Corvette Stingray suspension configurations.
The standard mid-engine Chevrolet Corvette suspension setup on the 2020 Corvette Stingray is assigned RPO code FE1, and includes short/long arm (SLA) double wishbones in the front and in the rear, with forged aluminum upper and cast aluminum L-shaped lower control arms, and 46 mm monotube shocks. The rear end also has a direct-acting stabilizer bar.
From there, buyers can opt for the Z51 Performance Suspension (RPO code FE3) that’s part of the Z51 package. The FE3/Z51 suspension builds on the standard FE1 2020 Corvette Stingray setup with a more aggressive suspension tune as well as manually-adjustable threaded spring seats.
The Z51 package also adds larger brake rotors and a Z51 logo on the calipers. Standard brake rotor sizing is set at 12.6 inches in front and 13.6 inches in the rear, while the Z51’s brakes are 13.3 inches in the front and 13.8 inches in the rear. As for the tires, the Z51 package swaps the standard Michelin Pilot Sport ALS rubber for the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S compound. Tire sizing remains consistent at 245/35R19 in front and 305/30R20 in back regardless of the 2020 Corvette Stingray model selected.
The Z51 package also adds enhanced cooling, a specific axle ratio, front brake cooling inlets and the aforementioned performance exhaust.
Finally, 2020 Corvette Stingray customers who opt for the Z51 package can also opt for the Magnetic Ride Control and Performance Traction Management (RPO code FE4). Essentially, Magnetic Ride Control uses accelerometers in the suspension to actively “read” the road and provide data to the ECU, which then adapts the damper settings on the fly for improved ride quality and performance.
Meanwhile, Performance Traction Management is a multi-mode traction control system with five different settings for the C8’s various onboard systems, providing greater flexibility for those drivers that want to wrestle more control away from the the computers when it comes to tire slippage on the track.
Availability for these three 2020 Corvette Stingray suspension systems is listed in the table below. As you review the table, please note that the Z51 suspension (FE3) does not come with Magnetic Ride Control as standard. Instead, Magnetic Ride Control is available as an option on top of the Z51 Package, and is bundled into the FE4 suspension configuration.
| Suspension | 1LT | 2LT | 3LT |
|---|---|---|---|
| FE1 – Corvette standard suspension | S | S | S |
| FE3 – Z51 Performance Suspension | A1 | A1 | A1 |
| FE4 – Z51 Performance With Magnetic Selective Ride Control with Performance Traction Management | A2 | A2 | A2 |
- S – Standard.
- A1 – Included and only available with Z51 Performance Package.
- A2 – Optional on cars with Z51 Performance Package, requires Z51 Performance Package.
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Comments
The top of the LT2 495 horsepower 6.2L OHV-2v V8 valve covers sit lower than the rear tires of the C8 Corvette which means a lower center of gravity; this should be enough of a reason for why Chevrolet shouldn’t consider using a Blackwing V8 as driving dynamics of the Corvette could change while a new version of the LT5 would keep handling characteristics of the C8 as they are now.
According to the leaked specs, the base model has front and rear sway bars. The Z51 gets a bigger front bar. It isn’t hard to do a lite research before posting. You should try it.
Of the three suspension setups, which would give the softest ride? Most customers (myself included) probably won’t track this at all, and will more use it as a GT Car and driving on the highway. So, which suspension would be best for that? I assume It would be either the first, or last (if Magnetic Ride could make for a softer ride in some settings).
Thoughts?
Suspension and those kind of performance questions are the things that a sport car shopper should be interested in knowing about. Just how important are things like the number of speakers a radio has?
I owned a C6 convertible which was equipped with the magnetic suspension but at that time you did not need the Z51 package. I used the car as a daily driver and weekend trips.
The ride was good and with the help of the magnetic suspension it did make a difference in the track mode making it stiffer with better handling but in the normal mode the ride was ok until the run flat summer tires reached 18000 miles. At which point the magnetic suspension could not soften up the ride. So my comment is if you do not track the car, the all weather tires on the non Z51 package are probably a better contribution to a smoother ride. In addition the all weather tires will last longer. I had to replace the summer tires every 18000 miles to keep my teeth from chattering on my daily drive.