Corvette C8 Chassis

Possibly the most significant change, once you get past the new mid-engine location for the C8 Corvette, is the four coil springs used for suspending the chassis. Corvettes have always featured leaf springs starting with two in the rear for the C1 generation as was the state of automotive technology in the 1950s. For the C2 and C3, a transverse rear spring (below) was used in the rear suspension. The concept worked well and was extended to the front suspension in the C4 through C7 Corvettes. Advantages included low unsprung weight (which improves handling) and lower cost, contributing to the Corvette's excellent performance for the buck reputation. Packaging constraints prevented using the transverse leaf springs on the C8.

Above: The front (left) and rear springs. Below: Transverse rear spring on an early C3 Corvette.

Above: the left and right C8 engine radiators. The mid-engine layout on the C8 posed numerous engineering challenges, one of which is engine cooling. Some mid engine designs - notably those from Ferrari - positioned the radiators and their air intake behind the passengers and near the engine itself. The C8 designers positioned them up front. Below: The front portion of the routing for the coolant to the engine. Note the hoses run down the center of the chassis.

Good news for Japan, United Kingdom, Australia, India and other countries that drive on the left side of the road: A right hand drive Corvette will be available. The C8 chassis was designed from the beginning to be right hand drive capable. Note the hole in the chassis above (in red) that can accommodate a right hand drive steering column. While there are right hand drive Corvettes, they have all been expensive custom adaptations. The C8 will be the first factory sourced right hand drive Corvette.

There's some interesting reinforcements going in the C8 chassis. It appears to be parts made of a metal alloy using injection molding. The cylindrical columns are where the alloy is injected into the mold. There is some interesting structural science in play, no doubt computer generated.

Above: The front (left) and rear shock absorber tower mounts, which also feature cool buttressing and look to be similarly injection molded.