Tuesday 5th March 2013

Geneva Motor Show 2013: Corvette (updated)

Drop-top C7 is fully revealed at last; gets Z51 track pack, too

---

Yesterday, we brought you the first official images of the new C7 Corvette convertible; today we’ve got full details of the new car for you.

The new model looks to be following the tried-and-tested format of previous Corvette convertibles, which is to say that it stays faithful to the coupe’s hardware below the waistline with the addition of a fabric roof above – no folding hard tops here, then.

New 'Vette will get a fabric roof

Meanwhile, the convertible Corvette will get the same engine and gearbox options as the coupe version – in other words, a 450hp, 450lb ft 6.2-litre LT1 V8, which will drive the rear wheels through a choice of seven-speed manual or six-speed automatic. That should make it good for 0-62mph in below four seconds. Like, the coupe, there’s a new all-aluminium frame, and Chevrolet also says that no structural reinforcements have been required for the convertible, meaning it should share similar levels of stiffness and the same power-to-weight ratio as the hardtop.

There’s no doubting that Chevrolet wants the convertible to be seen as just as sharp a performance car as the coupe, too. It’ll be available with the same track-oriented Z51 package, which will feature an electronic limited-slip diff, dry-sump lubrication system, integral cooling for the brakes, diff & transmission, and a unique aero package. No boulevard cruiser this, then – or so Chevy would have you believe, anyway.

[myhandle]

Looks better than the Coupe, and has proportions closer to what we would generally expect from a Corvette.

[Amirhussain]

I do like the looks of that, but that brown roof does looks quite hideous.

[kambites]

Looks nice. Now make a RHD one and sell it in the UK without pushing the price up too much and I might buy one.

[TaylotS2K]

Looks good, sharper than the outgoing model.

Would look better with a red interior and black roof with the gunmetal colour.

[minipower]

Looks quite nice. The design has got rid of the boulevard cruiser looks of the c6 convertible and is more in line with the c5 in terms of having some purpose to it. It makes me wonder whether they will go widebody or not for the faster models.

The tan roof is horrible though. I hope that when they fully reveal it at the show it will not have that. I cannot imagine many Europeans liking it.

[redroadster]

Strange i prefer coupe ,and i like open tops the new coupe looked very different to older corvettes this just looks old.

[DB9VolanteDriver]

redroadster said:

Strange i prefer coupe ,and i like open tops the new coupe looked very different to older corvettes this just looks old.

+1

[topcat924]

DB9VolanteDriver said:

redroadster said:

Strange i prefer coupe ,and i like open tops the new coupe looked very different to older corvettes this just looks old.

+1

Coupe for me too please. I would LOVE one. I just hope it sounds like it looks...

[Stu R]

Love it, I think I prefer it to the coupe and I really, really adore that. I couldn't bring myself to not get a tin top 'vette for serious driving though, tempting as open air may be.


and no I don't believe Chevy

[Fury1630]

Stu R said:

I couldn't bring myself to not get a tin top 'vette for serious driving though, tempting as open air may be.

Tin Top? Corvette?

[Stu R]

Fury1630 said:

Stu R said:

I couldn't bring myself to not get a tin top 'vette for serious driving though, tempting as open air may be.

Tin Top? Corvette?

Figure of speech...

[bobberz]

I think this is the first 'Vette that actually looks better as a convertible. The coupe C7 will take some getting used to as far as the looks go. I'm sure it'll grow on me just as the C6 did.

Glad they didn't go with a complex/heavy folding hardtop.

Something tells me the next Z06 will be epic! Not to mention the next ZR1!

[Polarbert]

Coming to an American hertz rental car near you!

[FisiP1]

No preference on coupe/convertible, but I think they have done an epic job with the styling as a whole.

[y2blade]

So much love.

[Stu R]

bobberz said:

I think this is the first 'Vette that actually looks better as a convertible.

I'm inclined to agree. Well, best since the C3 anyway. It suits the open top very well.

[pagani1]

GM is back and all the time spent re-engineering it for RHD will mean we in the UK will probably get the updated version by 2015 when it arrives on these shores-who will be the Corvette dealers?

[Krikkit]

pagani1 said:

GM is back and all the time spent re-engineering it for RHD will mean we in the UK will probably get the updated version by 2015 when it arrives on these shores-who will be the Corvette dealers?

Whoever sells "Chevrolet" over here now, presumably. Probably limited to a half-dozen special dealers.

[LuS1fer]

Very nice indeed. As a previous owner of a C5 Z06 and a C4 targa before that, I find this convertible very appealing.

I'm not sure if they are offering a targa any more but if they are, it wouldn't suit the new 2 side window styling anyway so this seems the right option and given 450hp eclipses the C5 Z06's 405hp, I wouldn't be complaining. FRom what I recall, it was always designed to be a convertible from C5 on.

On the other hand, I do love the coupe more, style-wise.

Edited by LuS1fer on Wednesday 6th March 14:52

[Twin Turbo]

LuS1fer said:

I'm not sure if they are offering a targa any more

They are




I prefer the look of the ragtop...........but even the photos above don't show that ugly rear