Skip advert
Advertisement

C8 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible revealed

Joining America’s all-new mid-engined Corvette Stingray is the new Stingray Convertible with a folding hard-top

Chevrolet made headlines a few months ago with the reveal of its controversial new Corvette, ditching the front-engined layout that had defined it in favour of the ostensibly more exotic and European layout of placing the engine between its axles. But whilst one convention has been broken, Chevrolet has faithfully maintained another, promptly launching the C8 Stingray in convertible form.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Chevrolet says that the C8 was developed from scratch to be a convertible, which would make sense, as the convertible bodystyle has been a permanent fixture in the range throughout the Corvette’s 65-year lifespan. For the C8, Chevrolet has decided to fit the Corvette with a folding hard-top roof, something made easier with the new packaging constraints of the mid-engined layout.

The roof itself is a two-piece unit which folds back under the rear tonneau via an electrical circuit, rather than the hydraulic system used in the previous Corvette. The rear glass is separated from the roof mechanism, and can be dropped or raised independently to the roof, either letting in more sound from the engine with the roof up, or acting as a wind deflector with the roof down.

Chevrolet has not announced any official weight figures for the new model, but as the convertible has not required any significant structural reinforcement, we suspect it will only see a modest rise on the coupe’s 1527kg dry weight. Engineers have developed a bespoke tune for the springs and dampers to compensate, but Chevrolet says the basic set-up has been developed to keep the convertible as close to the coupe as possible.

The convertible package is otherwise identical to the coupe’s, with an LT2 atmospheric small-block pushrod 6.2-litre V8 engine mounted under the vast rear deck connected to a new Tremec eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. Peak power is rated at the same 495bhp at 6450rpm, while despite the lack of turbocharging, the sheer cubic capacity helps the LT2’s torque figure with a peak of 470lb ft at 5150rpm. The convertible’s performance figures will also take a small hit over the coupe’s sub 3.0sec time to 62mph, but with only a modest weight gain it’ll still be plenty quick.

Pricing in the US has been confirmed, with the convertible costing an extra $7500 (£6000) over the equivalent hard-top, which itself starts at $59,995 (£48,000). Like the coupe, you’ll agree that’s rather a lot of mid-engined sports car for not a lot of money. Unlike previous versions, the Corvette has also been confirmed in right-hand drive, meaning now more than ever, the Corvette Stingray’s tempting value equation could actually be of use.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

BMW M2 CS shows face at the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed
M2 CS front
News

BMW M2 CS shows face at the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed

BMW has applied the CS treatment to the G87 M2 and it's now made its UK debut at the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed
11 Jul 2025
Used Toyota GR86 (2022 - 2024) review – short-lived sports car brilliance
Best driver's cars 2023 - Toyota GR86
Reviews

Used Toyota GR86 (2022 - 2024) review – short-lived sports car brilliance

No minor revision, the GR86 delivers thrills beyond the reach of its iconic predecessor – if you managed to get hold of one...
11 Jul 2025
New Aston Martin Vantage S revealed – Ferrari Amalfi rival is more powerful and focused
Aston Martin Vantage S front
News

New Aston Martin Vantage S revealed – Ferrari Amalfi rival is more powerful and focused

With a bump in power output among myriad detail changes, the Vantage S could be the ultimate driver’s Aston
8 Jul 2025
The 2025 Carrera 4S is an all-wheel-drive Porsche 911 without hybrid power
Porsche 911 Carrera 4S
News

The 2025 Carrera 4S is an all-wheel-drive Porsche 911 without hybrid power

Porsche adds AWD to the Popular Carrera S lineup, as well as a Targa
2 Jul 2025
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

£15k off Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio super SUV
Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio
News

£15k off Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio super SUV

If you have to have an SUV, a Stelvio QV is acceptable. Now it's being heavily discounted.
8 Jul 2025
Ferrari F80 2025 review – near-1200bhp tech tour de force tested on road and track
Ferrari F80 review
Reviews

Ferrari F80 2025 review – near-1200bhp tech tour de force tested on road and track

Maranello’s latest hybrid hypercar and successor to the LaFerrari blends mind-bending capabilities with deeply intuitive character
10 Jul 2025
New cars at the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed – all the debuts from Aston to Zenvo
Festival of Speed 2025
News

New cars at the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed – all the debuts from Aston to Zenvo

The 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed is underway. Here’s what’s in store from the biggest British motoring event of the year
11 Jul 2025