Earlier this week, Chevrolet officially confirmed that it will reveal the 2020 Corvette C8 Convertible on October 2nd, 2019. That news followed a teaser of the drop-top shortly after the reveal fo the 2020 Corvette Coupe. Now, with the October debut quickly approaching, Chevrolet is building hype with a new teaser video clip, which was recently posted to the automaker’s Twitter account.
The clip is brief, lasting just seven seconds start to finish. In addition to the Chevrolet Corvette logo and Corvette badging, the video shows a profile illustration of the 2020 Corvette Convertible, which shifts from a top-up to a top-down configuration.
While we don’t get a look at the actual operation of the top, there is one very noteworthy detail worth pointing out. In the transition from top up to top down, three small ridges appear on the rear half of the vehicle that look very much like engine vent louvers.
While a small detail, this could be a preview of some kind of new venting system that activates when the roof is retracted. That would make sense, given the roof panel must slide back around the same space as the mid-mounted 6.2L LT2 V8 engine, thus necessitating some other method of keeping the naturally-aspirated Small Block cool. We’re eagerly awaiting the October 2nd reveal to see if we’re right.
For reference, the 2020 Corvette Convertible will feature a hardtop convertible design, as we confirmed previously thanks to a spied prototype model. The hardtop design is a major break from Corvette tradition, as all previous Vette ‘verts offered soft-top roofs. What’s more, we know the convertible model will be 60 pounds heavier than the C8 Stingray Z51 Coupe and 100 pounds heavier than the base-model C8 Stingray Coupe. What’s more, the new C8 convertible will offer a reshaped rear end as well as the Rear Camera Mirror feature, though it’s unclear what will happen to the Rear Camera Mirror when the roof is detracted.
The 2020 #Corvette Convertible will make its debut on 10.02.19. https://t.co/ODAhxIXTpo pic.twitter.com/0dGovQSULG
— Chevrolet (@chevrolet) September 9, 2019
Check back in on October 2nd as we cover the reveal of the 2020 Corvette Convertible, slated to take place at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Central Florida. Until then, make sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more mid-engine Corvette news, Corvette C8 news, Corvette news, Chevrolet news and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
Might note the rear window has vents along each side of the glass and has an open slot on the bottom of the glass on the hatch. This vent on the convertible would just replace the air flow out since there is no vented hatch here.
Note the air appears to come in from the side scoops and out the rear to create air flow in the compartment to keep temps down. This is important as electical items can be damaged in high compartment temps.
GM on the Fiero flowed air from under the car out two vents behind the rear window and even employed an electric fan with air tubes to flow air on the coil and altenator.
This car will be much more sensitive to air flow as the rear compartment has many hours of air flow done to it and if someone messes it up they could create higher compartment temps that could lead to part failures or even a fire.
Good luck to all the early adopters who will pay $60k+ of their own money to complete the testing for this new GM product. Someone’s gotta do it, just never me.
One has to remember that the C8 Corvettes seen on the road and at the official introduction are pre-production vehicles, this means they’re prototypes which were manufactured for road testing and testing of the manufacturing facility as these cars could have different vents to test ideas for improving air flow design while the final production C8 Corvette will very closely resemble the C8 Corvette prototypes.. it’s impossible to say definitively that they will look exactly like the prototypes.
A lot of engineering and brainpower went into to the C8. I for one, am impressed and surprised that GM allocated the funding for a low volume (although special) car.
Just think what their portfolio and market share/ profits would look like if they put in the same amount of effort on the volume vehicles.
Yes, a little more investment/money, but building a great vehicle instead of a “ just enough” vehicle is how you build a quality reputation all while keeping a loyal buying public and gaining conquest consumers.
The long term effort would be worth it.
Who doesn’t want to be the BEST?
Especially, when your team has the talent, and brains to accomplish that mission.
GM has already proved they have great engineers. Maybe some of the styling on some of their products are questionable ( subjective) but, kick the beancounters to the curb, and do your best. It’s not magic!
I love everything about the new C8.
But if I could be a little selfish, I wish the Spyder would have had a rear glass to show off its engine Bay.
Such a minor gripe though. Great job all around by the C8 team. This is the attention to every detail that is needed going forward on every single GM product.
Once again Gm does it again a really thought out car This C8 is an eye catcher and today i saw a Buick SUV at a Caddy dealer ship and WOW what a well thought out car with roof rack you could tie some heavy duty lumber to. GM is on a roll to bad they will be striking tomorrow!