The eighth generation Corvette has been a huge hit for Chevrolet that’s now offered in five distinct models, but there’s still something missing.
Chevy’s sports car was designed to compete with the world’s best exotics, which is largely why it adopted a mid-engine design, but also has something in common with many of its peers that not everyone is thrilled about.
Chevy no-longer offers any Corvettes with a manual transmission. Its eight-speed, dual-clutch automatic delivers objectively better performance than a stick-shift could, but trades some driver engagement to get it. Now, it looks like GM is thinking about bringing back a third pedal and a stick, but not for changing gears.
GM has applied for a patent on a “Manual Aerodynamic System for a Vehicle and Method of Controlling the Same” that gives drivers a new way to control an adjustable aerodynamic system.
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“In general, vehicles can include one or more aerodynamic elements,” the patent says. “The aerodynamic elements can affect vehicle drag, wind noise emissions, lift forces that affect traction, cornering, and other aspects of vehicle stability. Vehicles can include passive aerodynamic elements, active aerodynamic elements, or a combination of active and passive aerodynamic elements. Systems that include active aerodynamic elements can be complex (e.g., require several sensors, computers, wire harnesses, etc.) and, thus, are difficult to deploy across a fleet of vehicles.”
Instead of a button that operates electric actuators to adjust the elements, or fully automatic control, the system features a lever mounted on the center console that the driver can use to toggle between downforce modes, possibly through a hydraulic connection. It also describes a version that adds a third pedal where a clutch is traditionally located that would be used in concert with the lever. It goes further to suggest adding a dial that would fine-tune what the actuators are doing in each lever setting.
The patent explains how this set-up could potentially reduce costs over a fully computer-controlled system and highlights that “active aerodynamic elements that are manually controlled can enhance and provide an opportunity for the user to engage with their driving experience.” The sketches feature a mid-engine coupe similar in design to the Corvette.
The design brings to mind the famous Chapparal 2F sports racing car of 1967, which was equipped with a high rear wing that the driver could adjust by stepping on a pedal to switch between low-drag and high-drag modes. It won the only race it finished before a rules change made it obsolete. This year’s Formula 1 cars, including Cadillac’s, feature adjustable wings, but they are actuated by the press of a button.
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But while the Cadillac Formula 1 car uses a paddle-shifted, semi-automated sequential gearbox, you can still get a Caddy with a stick shift. The CT4-V Blackwing and CT5-V Blackwing are both offered with the choice between a six-speed manual or 10-speed automatic. The CT4 is going out of production this year, but a new CT5 is on the way for 2027.
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Of course, as with many patents, filing for one doesn’t mean the technology will ever see the light of day and GM has not mentioned putting this type of system in a production vehicle.
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