Thursday 17th January 2013

Corvette Stingray convertible leaked?

GM denies it, but these photos look pretty close to the real thing...

---

The recent reveal of Chevrolet’s new Corvette Stingray has prompted a flurry of interest from media pundits and enthusiasts alike. Reaction to the new car’s looks has been mixed, with many loving the sharper, more aggressive new look, but others saying it feels too much like a cross between a Ferrari, a Viper, a Camaro and a Nissan GT-R (delete as applicable).

Drophead 'Vette: even better than the coupe?

Things are only going to get more interesting, though, as the convertible version appears to have been leaked online. Pictures of the ragtop ’Vette have been spotted, of all places, on the website of model car manufacturer Maisto, and while that’s obviously not the first port of call for most of our news stories, it’s quite likely that Maisto was furnished with pictures of the ’Vette ’vert  pre-launch so that the company could get cracking on licensed models. Having said that, GM has been quick to deny that these are official images. Which, of course, they would if they were hoping to build up to the convertible’s launch the way they did with the coupe.

It seems likely that this version of the Corvette will share the coupe’s running gear, so it should get the same 6.2-litre LT1 V8 that we first told you about back in 2012. So, 450hp, 450lb ft, and a 0-60 time, therefore, just below the four-second mark. No word yet on whether the convertible version will retain the coupe’s much-vaunted 50:50 weight balance, though.

 So, what do we think, then? Does the convertible take the rakish lines of the coupe and turn them into something even better, or is it the poseurs’ version of an American icon that’s lost the plot?

[Source: The Auto Insider]

[pits]

I personally think it looks disgusting.

[DonkeyApple]

I think I prefer the tin top but regardless, it does look like the Septics are making some better looking cars than many of the Europeans in this arena.

[mackie1]

The C6 convertible never looked that great with the hood up, will be interesting to see if they've improved the hood design on this one.

[Krikkit]

Looks great with the hood down, but what are they like to drive? Noticeably softer and blobbier than the hardtop?

[mackie1]

Krikkit said:

Looks great with the hood down, but what are they like to drive? Noticeably softer and blobbier than the hardtop?

Check out the chassis for the hard top:

[Gecko1978]

I am no enginer but the hard top chassie looks like its set up with a targa top in mind so I assume the soft top will retain majority of the stiffness. rather than the high loop at the c pillar could it not be a straight across bar i.e. like the Mini cooper works thing.

Re the looks I love it in that it looks american like a lot of the latest muscel cars sort of transformer look too them. Its not as nice on the eye as say a 458 or R8 but then its a different car for different types of people.

Wonder what the Z versions will be like I am thinking 650bhp 205 top end mid 3's to 60 etc

[CatScan]

Pretty sure I read somewhere that the hardtop has a removable carbon fibre panel, so don't think the chassis will be overly affected by a lack of roof on a convertible model.

[Andy ap]

Despite the 'max power' exhausts i think it looks alright, certainly better than what europe can come up with at the moment, as has already been said.

[kambites]

It's a very pleasing overall shape, but the detailing is a bit... garish. Sure it'll be a great car to drive, though.

[Krikkit]

mackie1 said:

Krikkit said:

Looks great with the hood down, but what are they like to drive? Noticeably softer and blobbier than the hardtop?

Check out the chassis for the hard top:

I'll take a convertible then! More of that lovely noise.

[405dogvan]

I still think those 4 exhausts are comedy gold - Vauxhall Corsas got there first!!

[qube_TA]

Looks great, I'd look way more desperate and mid-life crisisie in that than the hardtop version, clearly the right model.

[mackie1]

405dogvan said:

I still think those 4 exhausts are comedy gold - Vauxhall Corsas got there first!!

The C6 has 4 central pipes too:



They've just nudged them together to be equally spaced. I'm sure the aftermarket will cater for those who don't like the stock style.

[ZesPak]

405dogvan said:

I still think those 4 exhausts are comedy gold - Vauxhall Corsas got there first!!

Didn't the C6 had 4 exhausts as well? They've just centered them...

Tbh, I think it would look better indeed if they made just one big wide "tip", much like the LP640, but wider and less flatter.

Photoshop anybody?

[vdubbin]

C6 ZO6 used the cab chassis as the base, since it was stiffer without a suffering a huge wieght penalty. I think we can assume the same applies here.

[MonteV]

"Does the convertible take the rakish lines of the coupe and turn them into something even better, or is it the poseurs’ version"

It is the poseur's version BECAUSE it takes the rakish lines of the coupe and turn them into something even better. I have a weak spot for convertibles. Nothing beats open top motoring.

[AdamPT]

urgghhhh nasty.....

[AdeTuono]

pits said:

I personally think it looks disgusting.

Disgusting? Really?

dis·gust·ing
/disˈgəstiNG/
Adjective
Arousing revulsion or strong indignation.
Synonyms
loathsome - nasty - repulsive - abominable - revolting

What is it that repulses you so much?

[booner]

Wow, I love it.

I understand people complaining about the exhausts, but they had quad exhausts on the C6 and I think on the C5 too? It's a lairy muscle car, get over yourself. It's meant to be brash and in your face, but I do agree that they should space out the exhaust tips slightly.

[SpeckledJim]

mackie1 said:

The C6 has 4 central pipes too:



They've just nudged them together to be equally spaced. I'm sure the aftermarket will cater for those who don't like the stock style.

The new one's very nice, but that's just perfect.