2020 C8 Corvette Convertible Mid-Engine Revealed
The 2020 C8 Corvette Convertible mid-engine reveal took place on October 2, 2019, in the Rocket Garden at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor’s Complex. The reveal also came with a surprise with the Corvette Racing C8.R reveal which will make its racing debut at Rolex 24 at Daytona in January 2020.
As we look at the press release that Chevy sent for the new convertible, one of the interesting things in it is that it was engineered “first and foremost as a convertible.”
We also learn that the mid-engine 2020 Corvette Stingray convertible gets the same 6.2-liter 490-hp V8 as the coupe.
Another interesting point is that the top is a folding hardtop arrangement, and no soft-top will be available.
The 2020 Corvette Stingray is the first hardtop Corvette convertible.
It offers the same storage as the coupe, even with the top down, and can be activated at speeds up to 30 mph and retract in as few as 16 seconds.
And the convertible will be priced at only $7,500 more than the entry-level Stingray coupe.
First, let’s look at the
video that was played at the event:
Let’s look at the Press Release Dated Wednesday, October 2, 2019. Photos at the end of the release.
Chevrolet Introduces First Hardtop Corvette Convertible
2020 Stingray convertible offers the same storage as a coupe, even with the top down
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Open-air driving has always been a part of the Chevrolet Corvette’s heritage. In fact, when the Corvette debuted in 1953, it was available only as a convertible. The 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray convertible builds off that heritage as the first hardtop and mid-engine convertible in Corvette history.
“We put the world on notice when we introduced the first mid-engine Chevrolet Corvette a few months ago, and now we’re raising the bar with the first-ever hardtop Corvette convertible,” said Brian Sweeney, Chevrolet U.S. vice president. “And the convertible will be priced only $7,500 more than entry 1LT Stingray coupe.”
First and foremost, a convertible
The mid-engine 2020 Corvette Stingray was engineered first and foremost as a convertible. The convertible maintains the tunnel-dominant structure and use of high-integrity die-cast parts found in the Stingray coupe.
The team engineered the hardtop to stow seamlessly into the body, maintaining the Stingray’s impressive ability to store two sets of golf clubs in the trunk even with the top down. The convertible also keeps the coupe’s front storage compartment, which can fit an airline-spec carry-on and a laptop bag.
The hardtop provides a quieter cabin, increased security, and a cleaner look compared to the previous soft-top designs.
“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.”
C8 Corvette Convertible Inspired by jets
Like the coupe, the Stingray convertible’s design was inspired by fighter jets. The tonneau cover features aerodynamically shaped nacelles influenced by the housing used for jet engines. The nacelles, which were also used as inspiration on the Chevrolet Engineering Research Vehicle (CERV) I and II, as well as the Corvette SS and SR2 concepts, help reduce air recirculation into the cabin and provide a remarkably exotic profile with the top up or down. The tonneau also provides a rear power-adjustable window and a vent for mid-engine cooling.
The two-piece top can be activated at speeds up to 30 mph and retract in as few as 16 seconds. It is powered by six electric motors — a Corvette first — and uses encoders for precise control. Switching to electric motors from hydraulic systems helps increase reliability. A body-colored roof is standard, while Carbon Flash metallic-painted nacelles and roof are optional.
Careful attention was paid to make sure the engine could breathe when stored underneath the tonneau cover. The sheet-molded composite top stows in a compartment made from lightweight composite panels and heat shields to manage heat from the engine.
Power Adjusted divider Glass Window
A divider glass window in the middle of the vehicle can be power adjusted with the top up or down. The glass has been optimized to reduce air recirculation and wind noise in the cabin for improved quietness. The roof system design, combined with the same rear spoiler used on the Stingray coupe’s Z51 Performance Package, results in identical drag between the coupe and convertible with the top-up.
Engineers tweaked the chassis for the convertible, with springs and dampers tuned specifically to provide nearly the same performance as the coupe.
No compromise performance
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.
The LT2 is paired with Chevrolet’s first eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, which provides lightning-fast shifts and excellent power transfer. This transmission is uniquely designed to provide the best of both worlds: the spirited, directly connected feeling of a manual and the premium driving comfort of an automatic. The double-paddle de-clutch feature even allows the driver to disconnect the clutch by holding both paddles for more manual control.
When combined, the advanced propulsion system, revised chassis tuning, and retractable hardtop make the 2020 Stingray the most no-compromise Corvette convertible in history.
C8 Corvette Convertible build and price tool now available
Interested Stingray shoppers can now build and price their own Corvette coupe or convertible on the 2020 Corvette visualizer at Chevrolet.com.
A dedicated Chevrolet Corvette Concierge team will provide 2020 Corvette customers with answers about the vehicle discovery, buying, and ownership process. The team can be reached by calling 866-424-3892. Customers can also live chat with a Corvette Concierge by visiting Chevrolet.com. The team is available from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. EDT Mondays through Fridays.
The 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray coupe goes into production at GM’s Bowling Green Assembly in late 2019, with the convertible following in late first-quarter 2020. A right-hand-drive version of the convertible will be available in select international markets at a later date.
Photos from the C8 Corvette Convertible Reveal
You can read about the C8.R reveal here: C8.R Corvette Debut at Corvette Convertible Reveal
2020 Corvette Stingray Convertible Top-Down and Top Up comparisons.
C8.R Corvette Debut at Corvette Convertible Reveal
We also have lots of great coverage of the 2020 C8 Corvette Reveal in California. Check out these links:
2020 C8 Mid Engine Corvette Reveal Photos
First-Ever Mid-Engine Corvette Revealed!
2020 C8 Mid-Engine Corvette Stingray Preliminary Specifications
2020 MID-ENGINE CHEVROLET CORVETTE STINGRAY STARTS AT $59,995
Tonawanda-Built Next Gen 6.2L Small Block V-8 to Power All-New 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
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