In 2020, the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray will become the first mid-engine Corvette to be discovered. Exactly, discover it with LIGNES/auto in videos !
When the Corvette made its debut in 1953, it was a convertible variant. The Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2020 Convertible continues this legacy as the first hardtop, mid-engine convertible in Corvette history.
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“We drew attention when we launched the first mid-engine Corvette a few months ago, and now we’re raising the bar with the first-ever hardtop Corvette convertible,” said Brian Sweeney, Chevrolet vice president. The newcomer will only cost $7,500 more than the Stingray coupe.”
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The mid-engine 2020 Corvette Stingray was designed first and foremost as a convertible and retains the structure of the Stingray coupe. The team designed the hardtop to fit over the engine while maintaining the trunk space to accommodate two golf packages, even with the top down.
Of course, the Stingray can be opened and the front storage compartment of the coupé still has room for an airplane type hand luggage and a laptop bag. Travel light, so…
“Our goal from the outset was to ensure that customers don’t have to sacrifice functionality, performance or comfort when choosing the hardtop convertible,” said Josh Holder, Corvette’s Director of Engineering. “We’ve managed to maintain the same design theme as the coupe.“
The two-piece roof can be operated at speeds of up to 50 km/h and retract in 16 seconds. It is driven by six electric motors. Switching from hydraulic systems to electric motors increases reliability. A body-coloured roof is standard, while a Carbon Flash metallic paint roof is optional.
A vertical partition window behind the seats slides up and down and has been optimised to reduce draughts and noise in the uncovered position. Engineers have modified the chassis with specially tuned springs and dampers to get as close as possible to the coupe’s performance. Like the Stingray coupe, the convertible is powered by the next-generation 6.2L V-8 LT2 Small Block engine. This block is mated to Chevrolet’s first eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.
The Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Coupe 2020 will go into production in the first quarter of 2020 and will be available in the U.S. in the summer.
