Full details: Chevrolet Corvette Convertible unleashed
First-ever mid-engine Corvette convertible gets two-piece folding hardtop that weighs just 36kg - but will cost around $10K moreFresh details regarding the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible have surfaced overnight that reveal the US car-maker's latest supercar will trade the last car's fabric roof for a trick two-piece folding hardtop.
Speaking to Autoblog, the Corvette's lead engineer Tadge Juechter revealed that the open-air eighth-generation 370kW/640Nm 2020 Corvette Convertible would only weight 36kg more than the coupe.
That means it's likely to retain the Corvette coupe's sub 3.0-second 0-100km/h sprint, putting it within striking distance of more expensive European exotic cars.
The new convertible 'Vette is expected to account for half of all 2020 Corvette sales, which is already a sell-out success for the American brand.
Most of that extra 36kg of mass, Juechter says, comes from the addition of not one, but six electric motors and 'other new parts' needed to raise and retract the two-piece roof.
Saving weight, instead of using heavy steel, the Chevrolet Corvette Convertible employs two lightweight composite panels that divide while the roof folds – a process that takes just 16 seconds at speeds of up to 50km/h.
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When it folds backwards, the Chevy engineer said the twin panels are safely stored in a special heat-shielded rear-deck that's protected from the high temperatures generated from the large mid-mounted petrol V8.
Cleverly, for those who don't want the full-blown wind-in-the-hair experience, Juechter says the rear window can be lowered independently for extra ventilation with the roof remaining in place.
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As standard, the folding hardtop comes painted the same colour as the body but a contrasting 'Carbon Flash' metallic is also an option.
Since body stiffness is similar to the coupe, Juechter says the 2020 Corvette Convertible will also be available with the J51 handling pack, that adds more powerful brakes and stiffer suspension for those who plan to use their car on the race track.
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With few compromises versus the coupe, the Chevy engineer says he expects around half buyers to stump up the $7500 ($A11,000) premium Chevrolet will charge for the droptop in the US.
With production confirmed to commence before the end of the year, buyers Stateside expect to take delivery of the C8 Chevrolet Corvette as soon as early 2020.
Already confirmed for Australia, it's not yet known how much of a premium the Convertible will command over the $A160,000 price tag we're expecting to be charged (after luxury car tax) for the most basic Corvette coupe.
Aussie Corvette cars that will be sold in Holden dealerships will come powered by a new mid-mounted 6.2-litrre LT2 V8 that makes maximum a 370kW or 495hp at around 6000rpm and 640Nm of torque (470lb-ft) at around 4600rpm.
The naturally-aspirated V8 drives the rear wheels through a clever new twin-clutch eight-speed automatic transmission. There’s also an electronically-controlled limited-slip differential.
Later on, a 600kW 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8 'LT7' engine will arrive for models expected to be called the Corvette Z06.
carsales.com.au understands the Corvette is timed to arrive in Aussie showrooms late 2020 or early 2021 when both the coupe and new convertible are expected to arrive at the same time.
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