Chevrolet has revealed a new convertible version of its Corvette Stingray Z06 performer, just months after the hardtop debuted at the Detroit Auto Show.
The new convertible is one of three new Chevrolets set to debut at the New York Auto Show next week, and carries the same powertrain options as the hardtop.
Power comes from a 6.2 litre supercharged V8 making 466kW and 861Nm, matched to either a seven-speed manual or new eight-speed automatic with paddle shifters.
Needless to say, with this much power on tap, the Z06 Convertible is the most powerful convertible ever to wear a Chevrolet badge - although the US carmaker is yet to release performance figures for either the hardtop or convertible.
The hardtop Corvette Z06 sits on an aluminium frame stiff enough to allow for an optional opening roof panel for the first time.
Chevrolet says this stiffness has enabled them to keep the weight of the convertible down to around the same as the hardtop, without the need for weight-adding strengthening measures.
“Until recently it was not possible to create a lightweight, open-roof structure strong enough to cope with the braking, cornering, and acceleration of Corvette’s top performance models,” Corvette Chief Engineer, Tadge Juechter, said.
“The frame for the Z06 convertible leverages advancements in computer-aided engineering, metallurgy, and manufacturing techniques, many of which were not available just five years ago.”
Like the hardtop, customers will be able to choose from three levels of down-force; standard Z06, carbon-fibre aero package or a third option as part of a new “Z07 Performance Package”.
The Z07 Pack includes Michelin Pilot Super Sport Cup tyres, Brembo carbon ceramic-matrix brake rotors, and the best of the three aero packages; delivering the most amount of aerodynamic down-force of any GM production car.
Stay tuned to TMR for more news from the New York Auto Show.
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2 Comments
Good on 'em for sticking with a manual, probably be the last though for sure. Wonder how many they would sell versus an auto, betting it would be very rare to see a manual either way.
I wonder what will go wrong with this GM product.