The 2020 Corvette Convertible has officially made splashdown at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida, ushering in the roofless iteration of the all-new mid-engine 2020 Corvette C8.
As expected, the new eighth-generation 2020 Corvette Convertible features identical mechanical specs as its coupe equivalent, including the same naturally aspirated 6.2L LT2 V8 engine. Output is once again rated at 495 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque when equipped with the optional performance exhaust system, with power still routed through the same eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Critically, the 2020 Corvette Convertible also features a new two-piece foldable hardtop roof, which stands in contrast to the soft-top configurations offered on all previous Corvette Convertible models. The foldable hardtop makes for a quieter, more-secure cabin, and can be activated at speeds up to 30 mph, fully retracting in 16 seconds.
There’s also a power-adjustable rear window that helps to keep air circulation in the cabin at a minimum, when desired.
Even with the top down, the 2020 Corvette Convertible still manages to swallow two sets of golf clubs in the trunk, just like the coupe. The droptop can also store an airline-spec carry-on bag and laptop bag in the front trunk (“frunk”).
The rear end was reshaped to accommodate the convertible mechanism, and features styling influenced by aerospace design. A body-colored roof is standard, while a Carbon Flash metallic-painted roof and rear nacelles are optional.
The 2020 Corvette Convertible offers the same rear spoiler as what’s on deck with the coupe’s Z51 Performance Package. Meanwhile, the springs and dampers offer unique tuning to provide “nearly the same performance as the coupe.”
Pricing is set at $7,500 more than the entry-level 1LT Stingray coupe. Assuming an MSRP of $58,900, that puts it at $66,400. Production will commence at the GM Bowling Green Assembly facility late in Q1 of 2020, and will include availability in right-hand drive for international markets at a later date.
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Comments
My take on this is stick to the Targa.
It is lighter, faster and has better lines with the glass hatch. Yet it still has a similar open air experience and is $7500 cheaper.
I was in the C8 Targa and it is very open to the elements.
Better yet, pay me $7500 to sit in the passenger seat and remove the roof whenever you like. Win-win!
I absolutely love this.
Hopefully GM will offer an optional Glass cover for the engine Bay as an accessory option.
There will be no glass because the roof stores over the top of the engine. It would not look very good if you had a window as you would just see a folded roof if it is down.
@C8.R
I see. Very good point. I did not think of that originally.
You know what would be a crazy cool idea (and expensive, meaning more money to GM) is if they would add Glass over the Engine Bay that if the top is up you can see the engine and if the Top goes down, it Tints to a really Dark hue where you cannot see through it. That would be amazing. And I bet a lot of people will be willing to Pay for it.
Just an outside the box idea that could set GM Apart
looking forward to seeing the roof in action.
several months ago, there was an article on here about the possibility of the C8 having a flying buttress. perhaps this was what they were alluding to.
anyway, looks pretty darn good. c8 seems to be one of the rare instances where the convertible looks better than the fixed roof version.
I like the looks of the folding hard top and buttresses. At first glance it reminded me of a McLaren MP12.
My first thought about the coupe was “what do you do with your luggage if you want to stow the targa top?” Now you have full use of the trunk, and you don’t have to take the roof off yourself. Win-win.
There’s no way to make the engine visible. People will have their hands full driving the C8, and you’d have to be a very skilled driver to notice any loss in performance.
I like the looks of this especially the black roof and A pillar. I like the look of the coupe to but I’d be interested to see how it looks with a black A pillar like the c7.
The convertible seems a bit redundant to me though. The only real benefit is cargo room. Chevy said they decided no manual because the take rate was low but so was the convertible take rate. Why not skip the convertible and use the development budget for the convertible to develop your own manual?
This is the only reason I still visit this site. The Drop Top is amazing. Porsche would be shivering in fear tonight.
Just in time for all the grayheads to trade in their ageing Chrysler 200 convertibles…
No doubt, a convertible version of the C8 Corvette is a sexy car; but bang for the buck, the standard Corvette with it’s removable targa top which fits in the trunk offers the best of both worlds.
I was waiting for the reveal and release to order. But $7000 more? Holy shit talk about raping the customer base. Targa top allows just about as much fresh air feel.
Sorry Chevrolet… not gonna happen.
Looks like a bit McLaren
Beautiful this “Corvettible”
I plan to do a lot of traveling, so I need to have as much space for luggage as possible.
Plus putting on & taking off the top would be a pain in the ass.
I like the top with the Carbon flash (rear view mirrors as well)
Gonna go with Accelerate Yellow. I’ll be one of the few.