[VIDEO] Did Chevrolet Accidently Leak a Video Showing a C8 Corvette Testing Active Aero?

Leading up to the reveal of the C8 Corvette back in July 2019, we were treated to a number of new patents that detailed active aerodynamics on the car. Active aero responds to the vehicle’s driving dynamics by using sensors and switches to deploy various panels, splitters, rockers, and spoilers to change the shape of the airflow as it travels around the car.

It’s been our speculation that we could see these new technologies employed on the top-of-the-line “ZORA/ZR1” model, but to our surprise, we came across one of Chevy’s Corvette Academy videos that appears to show the C8 Stingray clay model testing with an active rear spoiler.

The video was included as part of Chevy’s 2019 launch of the C8 Corvette and with an avalanche of C8 info coming out about the car at the time, I’m not surprised we missed it. The video is titled “2020 Corvette: Aero, Cooling and Downforce” and it shows a clay C8 Stingray with a raised spoiler that appears to be integrated into the Stingray’s rear deck.

From the Revolution Documentary Part 1, we were told the C8’s designers created three full-size clay models and that each car had two different design themes for the side intakes. As the video was taken earlier in C8 Corvette’s design phase, this could be one of those tests that didn’t quite work out and so they went with the current Z51 spoiler. Or they could have been testing an active rear spoiler to have data for future models. Hard to know for sure.

Many Corvette enthusiasts have told us they prefer the clean lines of the rear deck without the Z51 split-wing spoiler. Having an active rear spoiler that’s integrated into the rear deck could win over those who prefer their cars without spoilers, but still want the performance aspects that a rear spoiler provides.

Here’s the video and you can see the testing portion of the clay C8 Corvette at 2:05.

So was this an actual preview of what might be in store for later models in the C8 Corvette lineup? We are hoping so and also hoping that we don’t have to wait for ZORA/ZR1 model to see it in action!

Source:
Chevrolet / YouTube

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