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Jay Leno Takes A Spin In The 2020 Corvette Convertible: Video

In July, Jay Leno became one of the first people outside of General Motors to get up close and personal with the C8 Corvette Stingray, giving his YouTube subscribers an in-depth look at the car immediately following its big debut in California.

Leno, who is a massive Corvette fan, has now one-upped himself, becoming one of the first people outside of GM to drive the 2020 Corvette Convertible.

Corvette chief engineer Tadge Juechter, who Leno says has the coolest job in all of Detroit, brought a Sebring Orange 2020 Corvette Stingray Convertible by Leno’s garage in Los Angeles so he the former Tonight Show host could go over its various features. Juechter also let Leno have a spin in the Z51-equipped car, with the longtime Corvette engineer riding shotgun with him while they discuss various aspects of the first mid-engine production Corvette and GM’s business plan for the car.

The 2020 Corvette Convertible actually debuted after the 2020 Corvette Stingray, appearing at a separate, smaller debut event alongside the Corvette C8.R in October. The vehicle is identical to the hardtop model, save for the power folding hardtop roof, which can be activated at speeds of up to 30 mph and can fully retract in just 16 seconds. There’s also a power-adjustable rear window that helps control air circulation in the cabin when driving with the top down.

As Juechter previously revealed to GM Authority, Chevrolet decided to make the C8 Corvette Convertible a hardtop, as the C7 Corvette Convertible lacked a certain something with its out-of-date soft-top roof.

“We looked at a convertible soft top early on, but most of our competitors are doing retractable hardtops,” Juechter told GM Authority in an interview. “In fact, one of the reasons that the C7 Convertible didn’t sell as well is that it didn’t look as cool.”

So what does Jay think of the new 2020 Corvette Convertible and its new folding hardtop? Check out the video embedded below to find out.

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Sam loves to write and has a passion for auto racing, karting and performance driving of all types.

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Comments

  1. It’s like Chevrolet C7.R driver Tommy Milner has said about the 2020 Chevrolet C8 Corvette, it’s a totally different animal as the drive and feel of the road is totally different than driving a C7 Corvette which means there’s a small learning curve for new C8 Corvette owners who have never driven a mid-engine sports car before.

    Reply
    1. The real feel will be the seat being closer to the front wheel axis. It make the turn in feel all that more immediate and you get a better feel of what the car is doing.

      Because of the set up and electronics the over steer should not be much of an issue here based on early drives.

      The learning curve will be easy as the things that are different are better.

      Reply
  2. Very cool.

    My ex passed, so it’s just me and my two daughters. One I’m putting through college.

    Maybe soon, I can get one!

    Is Burger King hiring part time??

    Reply
  3. C8 is cool

    JAY Leno? Never liked him on the Tonight Show, Letterman was better. And as a car guy? He’s a condescending jerk to anyone who ever has him on their show or is on his. Ironically Leno usually says some really dumb crap and gets some info all wrong.

    He strikes me as one of those car guys that’s never picked up a wrench.

    Reply
    1. Actually I have gotten to work with jay in the past and he is a true gentleman and a true car guy.

      He actually takes time in person to talk with anyone and he has turned many a wrench over the years even working in a Rolls and Lamborghini dealership when he first was starting out. He is much like many of us where he specializes in specific cars and makes no claims on others he is not familiar with.

      He is very well versed in things like Steam cars and Lamborghini.

      He for the most part is just a car guy that they want to stick on TV and make him talk about anything they throw at him.

      Want a Jerk Letterman is the real jerk. He was funny at NBC but worthless since. Don’t try to speak to him at an Indy race.

      From when i got to work with him he later sent me some cool stuff with signed photos and some Tonight show gear. I never expected it and he owned me nothing but yet he sent me a nice gift.

      Reply
      1. What’s your line of work? Or was this unrelated to work?

        Reply
        1. Work related.

          Performance industry.

          Reply
      2. I’ve seen him do a lot of interviews on shows and he usually steam rolls the other person, talks over them and makes some goofy statements that are factually innaccurate.

        I’ve also heard Letterman was a jerk, I just found his late night show to be more entertaining.

        Reply
  4. We all have our faults. Everyone, deals with the complicated fabric of Yin and yang that makes us and shapes our existence. Our, perceived reality.

    Jay is…Jay.

    Just as we all are.
    Who, and where we are meant to be.

    Reply
  5. What I liked was how Jay said he was glad it was not an SUV and Tadge spoke out against a Corvette SUV. 51 Min mark.

    This was a comment I was watching for as I suspected the Corvette team may not be in favor of this.

    Reply
  6. I really think people like Tadge should be in charge of Cadillac. That brand deserves better than the current leadership, and needs someone who is passionate about cars.

    Reply
  7. Jay Leno was the perfect guy with whom to do a “drive the new mid-engine Corvette” vid; he’s been a dyed-in-the-wool, hands-on car guy all his life.

    Since the beginning of the media coverage of the coming new Vette, I’d been seeing reference to Tadge Juechter, but knew nothing about him. This vid gave me a good sense of who he is and what he’s all about, and I really appreciated his great sense of humor to balance his obviously solid engineering chops.

    I’m sure Zora is well-pleased.

    Reply
    1. Yes a Tadge is the man to watch and listen to. He has been one of the best stewards of the Corvette program we have seen.

      He has been in charge at a challenging time through the bail out and still was able to keep advancing the C6 and 7 while keeping the C8 alive for over 10 years in the background. That was a tough challenge.

      While the Corvette has seen many good leaders I place a Tadge #2 right behind Zora.

      Reply
      1. Truth!

        Reply
    2. Tadge has been the Genius behind Corvette for a while. All-out respect for him and his passion and drive to be the best- given the low ceiling and suspect foundation- GM usually provides.

      And, yes. He’s pretty witty, as well!

      Reply
  8. Probably Jay’s best interview yet and so I must disagree with Mike below. I met Jay last year at a local show here in central AZ. There was about 20 of us in a video feed overflow room on the college campus and he made it a point to come by in his jeans and shirt just prior to dressing up for his show to shake everyone’s hands. As he and I shared memories of growing up 10 miles apart I gave my best pitch to have him move his operation here. That comically was a no go but he really is the genuine article. Maybe what Mike sees as condescending is just that Bostonian cynicism and twisted humor that he has made alot more money with than I have. If however, I do find Jay’s Midas touch I will for sure park one of these next to our Volt and Silverado as I think they have finally got me really wanting a Vette. Now if they could just deliver on all their promised EVs…

    Reply

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