Callaway set to unveil Ferrari-bashing ragtop

Looking part-Ferrari and part-Aston Martin, this is the latest handiwork of celebrated US Corvette tweaker, Reeves Callaway. Say hello to the Callaway C16 convertible, a monstrously powerful ragtop that will take its bows at today's (our time) opening of New York Auto Show.

The drop-top C16 follows in the wake of the coupe version of the C16 that debuted in Los Angeles last November.

Although based on the Corvette C6 platform, the C16 is the recipient of some fairly comprehensive cosmetic tweaks, which include an oval-shaped, Ferrari-inspired grille, new-shape headlights and round tail-lights. The styling is the handiwork of Paul Deutschman, who has been plying his trade at Callaway for the past 20 years.

However, the most significant updates are under the bonnet, as the 6.0-litre LS2 engine scores a supercharger to boost power to a Porsche Carrera GT-rivalling 459kW, while peak torque is an eye-watering 789Nm.

Callaway claims the C16 knocks off the 0-60mph (0-96km/h) dash in a scant 3.5sec, while top speed is quoted at a distinctly brisk 332km/h. Drag-racing aficionados may be interested to learn that the blown Vette dispatches the quarter-mile in a 11.0sec -- way quicker than a Porsche 911 Turbo.

And while it's not exactly greenie-friendly, the C16 isn't absurdly thirsty either. Callaway quotes consumption figures of 15.7lt/100km around town and 10.0lt/100km on the highway.

It's also compliant with GM's five-year/100,000-mile warranty and supplemented by Callaway's own five-year/100,000-mile warranty that covers Callaway-installed hardware.

The C16 Cabrio costs the equivalent of $A158,153 in its home market, which might sound a bit steep for a humble Chevy-derived product, but it could also be viewed as a relative bargain given its genuine supercar performance credentials.

To comment on this story click here.