[VIDEO] Potential Issue? Paint Chips Caused by Downforce on the C8 ZR1 High Wing

By
Keith Cornett
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7
5463

[VIDEO] Potential Issue? Paint Chips Caused by Downforce on the C8 ZR1 High Wing


The all new C8 Corvette ZR1 has taken Corvette performance to a level never seen before and it’s clear that the 233-mph supercar has once again earned its King of the Hill nickname. Its twin-turbo 5.5L flat-plane crank V8 generates 1,064 horsepower and 828 lb-ft of torque, the most power ever from a production Corvette. Another first is the ZR1’s Carbon Aero package with the large wing is capable of generating over 1200 lbs of downforce on the rear of the car.

That large wing is one of the reasons why we are here.

One of the first customers to really explore the performance of the Corvette is Christian Wheeler who took delivery of a 2025 Arctic White Corvette ZR1 Coupe with the aero package earlier this summer. Once armed with new ZR1, Wheeler has done everything from drag racing the car to running it at nearly 200 mph on the high banks of Daytona International Speedway.

During those racing events, the High Wing was on the car, and it has only come off just last month as he wanted to see if its removal would help with his trap times (Spoiler: it did!).

[VIDEO] Potential Issue? Paint Chips Caused by Downforce on the C8 ZR1 High Wing


So now with his Corvette having over 2,000 on the odometer, Wheeler came across some paint chipping where the high wing’s stanchion meets the rear fascia. In his latest video he goes over what he thinks is the cause of the issue and tells us right up front that GM is covering the warranty claim. However, the question we have is this a one-off issue or will others who explore the performance limits of the ZR1 face similar paint chips?

Sharing some stats about the visible carbon fiber high wing, Wheeler says it is 75 inches (190cm) wide, it weighs in at 17 lbs (7.7kg) and is capable of generating greater than 1,200 lbs (544kg) of downforce at high speed.

[VIDEO] Potential Issue? Paint Chips Caused by Downforce on the C8 ZR1 High Wing


He points out that the chipping is happening at the back of the right-side stanchion and believes that it’s due to the heavy downforce of the high wing being pushed down into the fascia and causing it to flex, and that’s causing the paint to chip. To further illustrate the damage, Christian removes the four bolts and lifts the high wing off the car, revealing the two smaller mounting posts and further exposing the paint chip on the right side.

Looking at the underside of the wing where the base meets the paint, we can see that there is some foam surrounding the inside where it fits over the mounts, but there is no other protection from the wing touching the painted surface.

[VIDEO] Potential Issue? Paint Chips Caused by Downforce on the C8 ZR1 High Wing


Wheeler took the car to his Chevrolet dealer where the paint chip was documented and then sent up the chain. He says GM will fix that issue, although he is still wondering if he was just unlucky or if it could be more widespread once customers start tracking their ZR1s more. Wheeler also is wondering what’s going to happen when he heads back to the track? Will it continue to happen?

From Wheeler via YouTube:


Source:
Wheeler / YouTube

Related:
[VIDEO] Corvette ZR1 Nearly Gets Booted from Drag Strip for Being Too Fast
[VIDEO] Wheeler’s 2025 ZR1 Gets Upgraded with New Wheels from E5
[VIDEO] Wheeler Runs His 2025 Corvette ZR1 on the High Banks of Daytona International Speedway

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7 COMMENTS

  5. So much money spent on the ZR1 but details are overlooked by their engineers such as this or the fuel fill fire issue. It’s all about Earnings Per Share and Mary will surely get her year end bonus.

  6. C8. The Corvette generation where GM stopped making cars that were affordable performance for average people–and started making them exclusively for car-tubers who can afford to pay astronomical ADM.

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