Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Convertible – track-spec cabrio

2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06

The 2015 Corvette Z06 coupé already features a removable targa roof, but that didn’t stop Chevrolet from unveiling in New York what must be the most extreme open-top variant of the esteemed American sports car ever built – the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Convertible.

This is the first Corvette cabrio to wear the Z06 badge since the lone ’63 unit fitted with the Z06 package, and features the same track-spec enhancements fitted to the coupé. This includes the hardcore aerodynamic package inspired by the C7.R racer – with its assortment of scoops, spoilers and fender flares – as well as lightweight aluminium wheels (19 inches at the front, 20 rear) shod with Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres measuring 285/30 at the front and a massive 335/25 at the rear.

One notable change concerns the intakes for the differential and transmission coolers, which had to be moved from the tops of the rear fenders to the underbody due to the power-operated roof mechanism which, incidentally, can be operated at speeds up to 50 km/h.

Click to enlarge

The mechanicals have also been carried over from the coupé, including the 6.2 litre direct-injected LT4 supercharged V8 delivering “at least” 625 hp and 861 Nm, the option of a seven-speed manual transmission or a new eight-speed automatic with paddle shifters, beefy Brembo steel brakes, the electronic limited slip differential and the highly-tuned suspension with standard magnetic dampers.

As with the coupé, there is also an optional Z07 package that can be fitted to the car, which adds even more aggressive aerodynamic addenda, Sport Cup 2 semi-slick tyres as well as carbon ceramic brakes.

Why a convertible now after all these years? Because of the advancements in computer-aided design, metallurgy and manufacturing processes which Chevrolet claims were not available even five years ago, which meant that the open-roofed aluminium structure could remain lightweight without compromising on strength (it is 20% stiffer than the previous coupé-only Z06). Because there was no structural strengthening required, the company claims the weight is “nearly identical” to the coupé.

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Jonathan Lee

After trying to pursue a career in product design, Jonathan Lee decided to make the sideways jump into the world of car journalism instead. He therefore appreciates the aesthetic appeal of a car, but for him, the driving experience is still second to none.

 

Comments

  • Otak Udang on Apr 14, 2014 at 3:47 pm

    Americans are pariah. Whilst the whole world is downsizing cc to protect the environment, they are still producing 6200 cc cars.

    When I went to the US, normal people use 5000cc cars. See the amount of carbon footprint they cause?

    And they dare to comment about other countries in the world?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 9
    • I think this is the second time you have made this comment, let me rephrase this to you very slowly so that tiny brain somewhere in that hollow skull of yours could interpret this message.
      ENGINE SIZES HAVE NOTHING (repeat) NOTHING (repeat) NOTHING TO DO WITH THE AMOUNT OF CO2 RELEASED. A jaguar 4.7 liter V8 does about 10mpg in the city whereas this is 29mpg, about the same as an old 3 liter camry. So please, remove yourself from this planet, there are already enough mentally disabled people in Malaysia.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 0
      • brown kid on Apr 14, 2014 at 11:46 pm

        @ben
        correction @ben its 29mpg at highway not in the city… but still this engine co2 and mpg are one of the great v8 out there..

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
      • I guess Otak Udang is completely oblivious of the fuel efficient features of the LT4 engine like direct injection and V4(4 cyl shutdown) mode. Or that high powered euro sportscars like Merc SLS AMG are also big cc (6.2L) V8

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
      • hadi75 on Apr 15, 2014 at 11:17 am

        Look at his name la…..

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
    • You are 100% wrong. Ask any woman, smaller is not better.

      Do you know what fuel economy the 6.2 liter Corvette gets? 29 miles per gallon. Do you know what fuel economy the 3.7 liter Nissan 370z gets? 26 miles per gallon. The corvette is actually the most fuel efficient mass produced supercar in the world. The nissan GTR gets 23 miles per gallon. Who is the pariah? The discountinued Honda s2000 with a 2.2 liter engine only got 25 mpg! Next year the corvette will hav an 8 speed auto which will boost fuel economy to 31 mpg. You can check numbers at fueleconomy dot gov.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • BomohSuck on Apr 14, 2014 at 7:13 pm

    Best car for us the Bomoh with money to spare.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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