Final ME Diffuser Uncovered?

[John]

A while ago we started to see a horizontal “shelf” on the C8 IVERs rear diffuser. It was first thought that its purpose was to keep the camo off the tailpipes, that maybe some of the camo had sagged, then started to smoulder or worse. But the diffuser has kept its shelf, and due to pictures by David McDade yesterday and today, and today’s article by Motor1 (with thanks to both for their approvals to use their materials), are we seeing the final design of the C8’s diffuser?



Second and important to all of us owners who are tired of the amount of filth that washes upward from the road surface and coats the rear fascia (and has especially done so since the C5’s flat rear), might the diffuser’s horizontal shelf component in addition to have a positive aero enhancement, reduce the amount of that dirt/yuk?

Lastly, and maybe I am slow to noticing this, how about that second, very-unearth secondary shelf? Aero squared?

https://www.motor1.com/news/319021/c...c8-spy-photos/

Mid-Engined Chevy Corvette Spied In Detail On The Highway

APR 04, 2019 at 6:57AM


BY: CHRIS BRUCE, Editor Take a very good look at the next-gen Corvette's rear end.


The mid-engined Chevrolet Corvette continues its development on Michigan's roads, and these new spy shots come to Motor1.comfrom Midengine Corvette Forums and photographer David McDade. While the car continues to wear quite a bit of camo, these pictures at least provide a detailed view of the much-anticipated vehicle.

14 Photos

These photos largely provide a look at the mid-engined Corvette's rear. Unlike previous test mules, the engineers conceal the taillights on this model, but they leave the diffuser exposed. There are four square exhaust outlets – two on each side. A fixed wing sits on the rear deck. The angle of the rear glass suggests the engine might be visible on the production model, but this test mule wears an extra layer of mesh covering to keep everything hidden. The Most Recent Looks At The Mid-Engined Corvette:

⠀ Mid-Engined Corvette Caught Briefly In Rainy Detroit

Mid-Engined C8 Chevrolet Corvette Caught Dead At Gas Station
There's only a single image of the front of the C8 Corvette in this new gallery, and it doesn't provide a great view of the car. Thankfully, earlier spy shots (gallery below) provide a much better look. The mid-engined 'Vette has a low-slung nose with large intakes in the corners. Sharp-edged headlights adorn the fenders.

19 Photos

Powertrain specs for the mid-engined Corvette are still largely a mystery. The info so far suggests the base powerplant would be a version of the existing 6.2-liter V8 making around 520 horsepower (388 kilowatts). GT and Grand Sport variants would allegedly use twin-turbo V8s offering even more power. Recent reports indicate that high-horsepower versions are twisting their frames, and this is an issue the engineers are working on.

The mid-engined Corvette will reportedly make its big debut at a dedicated event in the summer. The latest rumors put the unveiling at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Photos by David McDade

Source: Midengine Corvette Forum

https://www.motor1.com/news/319021/c...c8-spy-photos/

[John]

Here is what the diffuser looked like at the beginning of the testing process, e.g., it has grown its horizontal shelf tray. I believe we first saw it in December in the sightings north of Detroit.

[bobbytinvab]

I don't know, it just seem to fit the rest of the car. It's "odd" looking, it might assist with keeping the rear of the car cleaner, but it doesn't look "right"!!

[Mobius]

There's an interesting level of symmetry between the wing spoiler and the diffuser geometry...

I suppose that the grill (A) is for engine cooling, and additional aero-components of the diffuser are described by regions B?

[John]

Perhaps some more symmetry between the possible winged spoiler’s endplates (as the C7 had it) and the ME diffuser’s horizontal-piece end plates?

[John]

I don't know, it just seem to fit the rest of the car. It's "odd" looking, it might assist with keeping the rear of the car cleaner, but it doesn't look "right"!!

I was just hoping that helping clean the rear of the car might be an incidental by-product of best aero treatment.

[Plasboy]

It’s hard for me to picture it doing much for downforce but it might reduce drag or help pull air out of the engine compartment.

[Meldoon]

So, who do you suppose won the fight between the designers and engineers?

[John]

Normally that is the case in every car company. However, the relationship between the engineers and the designers in the Corvette program is truly outstanding, an environment of mutual respect and cooperation — and it has been that way for the last decade. To me that is why the C7 was/still is such a success. And why I believe the ME will be also.

[RoketRdr]

So, who do you suppose won the fight between the designers and engineers?

The MBA's. They ALWAYS do.

[John]

Very true RokeRrdr. When the C5’s came out with the OEM “truck wagon wheels” for 1997-99, I talked to then Chief Engineer Dave Hill — as we were standing next to our ‘98 with the Fikse wheels had put on them. Dave complimented our wheels and we started to talk about how none of us like the OEM wagon wheels. Dave’s exact response was, “I lost that battle with the bean counters, but they told me if the C5 sells as well as I predicted to them it would, I can have nice, more expensive wheels, for 2000. And we all know, that is exactly what happened, e.g., the 2000+ C5 OEM wheels were beautiful.

[RoketRdr]

Very true RokeRrdr. When the C5’s came out with the OEM “truck wagon wheels” for 1997-99, I talked to then Chief Engineer Dave Hill — as we were standing next to our ‘98 with the Fikse wheels had put on them. Dave complimented our wheels and we started to talk about how none of us like the OEM wagon wheels. Dave’s exact response was, “I lost that battle with the bean counters, but they told me if the C5 sells as well as I predicted to them it would, I can have nice, more expensive wheels, for 2000. And we all know, that is exactly what happened, e.g., the 2000+ C5 OEM wheels were beautiful.

Yessir. And the reason for the C7 issues was because the team was only allotted $700M for the project due to the financial downturn. I'm still pretty amazed at what the Corvette team pulled off on the C7 with such a low budget.

[electroVette]

Here is what the diffuser looked like at the beginning of the testing process, e.g., it has grown its horizontal shelf tray. I believe we first saw it in December in the sightings north of Detroit.

That gap between the underbody aero cover and the camouflaged bodywork looks unfinished to my eye. Almost looks as if the plastic underbody cover is warped from the heat of the muffler, lol. Surely they have a better treatment for the final car?

[Plasboy]

That gap between the underbody aero cover and the camouflaged bodywork looks unfinished to my eye. Almost looks as if the plastic underbody cover is warped from the heat of the muffler, lol. Surely they have a better treatment for the final car?

No telling what extra padding is under the camo. Noticed the difference in color of the exhaust tips, so probably switchable exhaust?

[John]

We see that there is an NPP performance exhaust option.