Corvette Stingray Convertible

History Repeating

With the arrival of falls dipping temperatures, it is hard to let go of the sheer exhilaration of driving throughout the summer with the top down. With the heat blowing and the heated seats on high, we drive into the sunset delaying the inevitable cover-up. The impressive two-piece top can be activated at speeds up to 30 mph and retract in about 16 seconds.
Open-air driving has always been a part of the Chevrolet Corvette’s sexiest traits. This new Corvette Stingray convertible builds off that heritage, it is the first hardtop and mid-engine convertible in Corvette history. Ensconced inside the streamlined cabin of the Corvette’s racecar-like interior space, design and efficiency define the experience for both the passenger and the driver alike.

To show off the new Corvette Stingray Convertible we borrowed a stunning classic model and our side by side display quickly attracted a crowd. Universal in its appeal, the admiration ran rampant for both the new and the vintage models.

First and foremost this mid-engine Corvette Stingray was engineered to be a convertible. With the classic tunnel-dominant structure and the use of high-integrity die-cast parts found in the Stingray coupe, the engineers created a hardtop that seamlessly fits into the body. This new Vette is designed to be an impressive supercar. This convertible coupe’ offers a front storage compartment that is handy to stow the day hiking gear and a tunk spacious enough for two sets of golf clubs, even when the top is down.

First and foremost, a convertible

The first-ever hardtop Corvette convertible

“Our goal from the beginning was to make sure customers didn’t have to sacrifice any functionality, performance. or comfort when choosing the hardtop convertible,” said Josh Holder, Corvette program engineering manager. “We managed to keep the same design theme as the coupe, as well as the exceptional storage capacity and track capability.”

Inside the fighter jet-like, Battle Star, Galactica’s driver’s dash envelopes the commander. The capsule conveys the high performance and aeronautic theme of the design and features vertical climate controls and ultra-thin vents to minimize the height of the instrument panel and to create a low, spacious interior. A new, squared-off, two-spoke, small-diameter steering wheel enables an unobstructed view of the 12-inch reconfigurable cluster display.

Like the Stingray coupe, the convertible is powered by the next-generation 6.2L Small Block V-8 LT2 engine, the only naturally aspirated V-8 in the segment. It will produce 495 horsepower (369 kW) and 470 lb-ft (637 Nm) of torque when equipped with performance exhaust the most horsepower and torque for any entry Corvette. With now an automatic retractable hard-top the Corvette Stingray Convertible went from being a weekend ride to the ideal daily ride. Corvette.

Photos By David Lewis Taylor.