Chevrolet has officially unveiled the new 2015 Corvette Z06 Convertible. The car which is scheduled to be unveiled at the New York Auto Show, is being billed as the “most powerful convertible ever produced by Chevrolet.”
The exterior of the convertible is similar to that of the coupe but adopts a power folding roof that can be opened or closed at speeds up to 30 mph (50 km/h). The convertible also has dual accent panels, behind the seats, which are ordered in Carbon Flash or carbon fiber.
Speaking about the Z06 convertible, Corvette chief engineer Tadge Juechter said “Until recently it was not possible to create a lightweight, open-roof structure strong enough to cope with the braking, cornering, and acceleration of Corvette’s top performance models.” However, “The frame for the Z06 convertible leverages advancements in computer-aided engineering, metallurgy, and manufacturing techniques – many of which were not available just five years ago.”
The aluminum structure of the convertible is 20 percent stiffer than the previous, fixed-roof Z06. As there are no structural reinforcements needed for the Z06 Convertible, its curb weight is nearly identical to the Z06 Coupe. They also share the same chassis tuning, powertrain output, driver technologies and equipment options – including the Z07 Performance Package, which adds Brembo carbon-ceramic matrix brakes, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires and adjustable front- and rear-aerodynamic components.
Despite gaining a few pounds, the convertible won’t lag much in performance, thanks to the supercharged 6.2-liter LT4 V8 engine that churns out “at least” 625 bhp (466 kW) and 635 lb-ft (861 Nm) of torque. It can ordered with a seven-speed manual transmission or an eight-speed automatic which promises to deliver “world-class shift-response times.”
According to Mark Reuss, GM executive vice president of global product development, “the Z06 Convertible is a world-class supercar in every sense. Only a handful of convertibles in the world bring more than 600 horsepower and 600 pound-feet of torque. Even fewer can match the advanced technologies, aerodynamic design, and visceral driving experience of the Z06 Convertible.”