Chevrolet has officially unveiled the 2015 Corvette Z06 Convertible, ahead of its public debut at the New York Auto Show.
Billed as the "most powerful convertible ever produced by Chevrolet," the Corvette Z06 Convertible has a power folding roof which can be opened or closed at speeds up to 50 km/h.
This is the first Z06 Convertible offered from the factory since 1963 when the Z06 option package was introduced for endurance racing. Corvette chief engineer Tadge Juechter noted "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. 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."
Thanks to the car's aluminum structure which is 20 percent stiffer than the previous, no structural reinforcements were needed for the Z06 Convertible, its curb weight is nearly identical to the Z06 Coupe.
Under the hood, the Corvette Z06 Convertible is powered by a supercharged 6.2-liter LT4 V8 engine which produces "at least" 625 hp and 861 Nm of torque. It can be mated to a seven-speed manual transmission or an optional eight-speed automatic that promises to deliver "world-class shift-response times."
"The Z06 Convertible is a world-class supercar in every sense," said Mark Reuss, GM executive vice president of global product development. "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."
