2014 Corvette C7 CFD aero

[Sven7]

Everyone I know at GM has been hyping this for months, and it's finally out. I think it's pretty cool looking, but the real jewel here is the CFD images they give us.

I can't post these photos, so click on them.

2014 Chevrolet Corvette Photo Gallery - Autoblog

2014 Chevrolet Corvette Photo Gallery - Autoblog

While you can't really see much of value, note how the air goes from the cowl around the mirror stalk and look at the little scribbles over the rear window (ending at the lip spoiler) that seem to tell us the rear is tapered a little too much. (Don't forget that helpful air dam though!)

Then, read what Car and Driver mentioned:
"Two features previewed by a 2009 Chicago auto-show concept car—a split rear window and the hallowed Stingray nameplate—won’t appear at C7’s christening, but don’t rule them out. When the Corvette needs a pick-me-up and a fuel-economy boost later in the decade, the iconic tail treatment and name combo could add luster to a 30-plus-mpg (highway) model powered by a 400-hp 5.5-liter V-8."

[gone-ot]

...sorry, but it looks like the Cadillac designers (sharp-edged wedges) and the Chebby designers (smooth, flowing aero shapes) argued and BOTH ended up leaving their "marks" on the design, resulting in a very "hodge-podged" overall design IMHO!

[cujet]

Yuk. I don't like the tail one bit. The rest of the car looks fair at best.

However, I'm sure it's a fine piece of machinery.

[Sporty Modder]

Thought I might share

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKRrX...e_gdata_player

[arcosine]

Ugly for a corvette.

[ERTW]

I have said before (nothing original) that sharp edges kill aero. The rear fenders are sharp...I believe the nascar spoiler is key to making the rear end work. I'll try to find the aerodynamicist at NAIAS on Thursday and question him on that.

I'm still unsure how tilting the rad forward reduces lift.

btw, the Vette is rated at 17/30 mpg...

[serialk11r]

Originally Posted by ERTW

I have said before (nothing original) that sharp edges kill aero. The rear fenders are sharp...I believe the nascar spoiler is key to making the rear end work. I'll try to find the aerodynamicist at NAIAS on Thursday and question him on that.

I'm still unsure how tilting the rad forward reduces lift.

btw, the Vette is rated at 17/30 mpg...

Yea those sharp rear fenders :/

They say the intake and vent is for transmission and something else cooling, just looking at it I feel like the sharp edge along with the awkward angle is killing its potential. Well, at least they didn't pull a Dodge Viper and try to use that air for brake cooling.

[ERTW]

GM has one of the biggest wind tunnels in the world...

The Corvette isn't a low powered super mileage hybrid. Big engine, big brakes and big performance creates a lot of heat. Cooling takes priority so stuff don't break. They've done a great job of managing airflow in and around the car.

I fully expect the Cd to be 0.28 or better, or at least a good compromise between low Cd and cooling effectiveness. You don't get 30 mpg highway out of a big V8 with horrible aero.

[elhigh]

Originally Posted by cujet

Yuk. I don't like the tail one bit. The rest of the car looks fair at best.

However, I'm sure it's a fine piece of machinery.

A lot of reviewers are saying that. Some are more effusive than you, and frankly I think the nose looks pretty good. But pretty much everyone agrees that the view from the stern makes you glad it's going away.

[ennored]

I was just playing with the new Vette yesterday.



Depending where you fit the max height zero camber line you can just get the spoiler to touch the template.