Making its grand entrance last October at a special event at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, the C8 Corvette Convertible drops the top on the new mid-engine Chevrolet Corvette, matching all of that eighth-generation goodness with miles and miles of sky. Now, we’re taking another look at the new Vette ‘Vert in the following GM Authority Photo Gallery.
Obviously, the most important change between the standard C8 Corvette and the Convertible model is the roof. For the first time in the history of the Chevrolet Corvette nameplate, the C8 Convertible offers a foldable hardtop, mating all the open-sky benefits of a standard rag top with a number of benefits brought on only by a retractable hard top configuration, such as added security, and a quieter driving experience in the cabin with the top up.
The foldable hardtop also necessitates some design changes behind the cabin, and the result is a new profile for the C8 Corvette Convertible when compared to the Coupe. Most noticeable are the addition of “nacelles” behind the seats, as well as a flatter deck lid when compared to the Coupe’s more hatch-like rear end. Meanwhile, a power-adjustable rear window keeps the wind in the cabin at a minimum.
Incredibly, despite the folding hardtop roof, the C8 Corvette Convertible still manages to accommodate two sets of golf clubs in the trunk – just like the Coupe model.
The mechanical specs are also identical to the 2020 Corvette C8 Coupe, with the mid-mounted, naturally aspirated 6.2L LT2 V8 engine throwing down 495 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque when equipped with the optional performance exhaust system. An identical eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission routes the muscle to the rear wheels. The suspension was also tuned to make sure the C8 Corvette Convertible offers nearly the same performance as the Coupe.
To note, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic may push the planned 2020 model year release for the C8 Corvette Convertible into the 2021 model year, though that’s something that isn’t clear at the moment.
What are your thoughts on the new C8 Corvette Convertible? Let us know in the comments, and 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
You loose functionality of the rear view roof camera with the top down.
But then you aren’t looking through the engine bay and then through the back window. With the lower engine lid, on the convertible, it might be an easier rear view versus the coupe version.
Actually they are both verts accordingly to Taj Jucter.
Tadge Juechter
It’s the rear camera mirror that’s lost with the roof down, while the regular rear view camera still remains functional.
I would argue that, with the roof down, the benefits of the rear camera mirror are negligible.
Yes, while driving in reverse.
I wish they’d made it pretty. Beauty is part of the allure of a sports car.
That’s odd… I came down here to comment that I see no bad angle. I suppose beauty really is in the eye of the beholder. Seems like every time I see pictures of a C8 I notice some new thoughtful intricacy in the design.
The convertible version is THE one to get, though I’d still love the coupe too!
I don’t like the loss of the engine bay window
Trust me, within a year of the release of the convertible, there’ll be some aftermarket shop that will devise a new engine lid with a window to show off the engine. sort of like a T-top for the engine bay. But my guess is it wouldn’t be cheap. For those owners who can’t wait for a future Z06 or ZR1 version Vette, aftermarket shops are already working on twin-turbos to boost horsepower, and I’ve seen some YT videos of guys ready to release more “verbal’ exhaust systems, enough to wake the dead. And, who knows, maybe if there is enough interest in such an option, GM, maybe in a year, or two, it could be a factory option.
There’s a heat shield under the tonneau to protect the roof when it’s down. You can cut a hole in the tonneau, but all you’re going to see is that shield. And if you remove it, the HTC doesn’t have the plastic beauty cover that the coupe has. You’re not going to like the view.
The addition of the “nacelles” eliminates the true convertible styling.
I wanted a real “convertible”, not a “T-Top” with a power roof slider.
Not a fan of this look.
The convertible would be my choice. I really like the look with the top stowed.
I don’t see why the convertible has to be singled out when it comes to production, why does the coupe have to get preference over the convertible? Why can’t the convertibles be produced right along with the coupes? Anyone who ordered a convertible, even if they ordered the second it was available, has to go to the end of the line behind the coupes, even though the coupe orders may have been placed a lot later than the convertibles. It should be first come, first served, if you ordered first, regardless of the model, you should get it in that order, not punished because you ordered a convertible.
This is still one of the world’s best looking convertibles and cars period. It looks better than any Porsche, Audi R8s, or most of the other European convertibles available on the market today.
So much for the era of a convertible suffering from mildew or a torn top as the mechanical hardtop of the C8 Corvette should look as good in 20 years as the day the C8 Corvette convertible leaves the factory.
I just wish they would get back to building them.
Amen to that!!!
+1
Sure. Who cares if a few UAW workers die from COVID-19. /s
very nice but takes fo ever to get one will your competition makes its accessible . I am 68 years old I dot ave time rader see the competition much faster
I hear you. I’m 75 years old and can’t wait till they build mine. GM accepted my order (3000) a month ago. I want my C8 as soon as possible so I can enjoy it before my big day comes around.
That’s the way I feel, 73, but nobody will take my order.