Corvette: Year by Year

1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964
1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976
1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988
1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

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.

Corvette C2 C3 Rear Suspension Transverse Spring

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.

2020 Corvette C8 Right Hand Drive steering column chassis hole

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.

Below are the front (left) and rear shock absorber tower mounts, which also feature cool buttressing and look to be similarly injection molded.