On October 3rd, 2019, Chevrolet has revealed the 2020 Corvette Convertible to much fanfare. The $7,500 price premium required to drop the top on the new C8 is money well spent considering how great it looks – both with the top up and down. Of course, there is more to the latest Corvette than just looks, with the big impetus behind the switch to a mid-engine layout being handling and performance, which for most enthusiasts will occasionally manifest itself in attending the occasional track day or high-performance driving event. However, for those who prefer convertibles, track day driving usually comes with a notable caveat.
Many track day events require convertible models to have extra, (typically) aftermarket rollover protection, typically in the form of a roll bar, in order for the vehicle to hit the track. This is usually a function of the insurance package utilized by both the event organizer, as well as the facility, itself. Fortunately, the new 2020 Corvette Convertible has a level of rollover protection that’s sufficient for some tracks.
“The hard top does give you the advantage that on some tracks, you may be able to run it,” Corvette Chief Engineer Tadge Juechter, told GM Authority in an interview.
This is a big and noteworthy distinction from previous Corvette models, where this absolutely was not the case. All previous Corvette convertible models, including the outgoing Corvette C7 did not feature sufficient rollover protection to attend track events.
This is great news for future owners of the 2020 Corvette Convertible who are planning to take their cars to the track and really stretch their legs, without risking their own necks. As such, buyers will no longer have to choose between track-approved Coupe or the open-air experience of the Convertible. Instead, they can simply get what the convertible to satisfy both desires.
Subscribe to GM Authority for more mid-engine Corvette news, Corvette C8 news, Corvette news, Chevrolet news and 24/7 GM news coverage.
Comments
The 2020 Chevrolet C8 Corvette Convertible is unlike Corvette ragtops of yesteryear being that it’s a rigid solid roof panel and not a fabric material that might be subject to mildew, rot or tears, the C8 Corvette convertible may not age very much unless Chevrolet engineers decide to make serious changes to the car.
We plan on driving it on America’s streets
So just make it Street-Ready 1st &
not with bending cracking wheels
Made in Mexico like the C7’s