Corvette: New convertible and C8 racing model 🎥
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER The new Corvette Stingray was primarily developed as a convertible. In Florida, Chevrolet simultaneously unveiled the C8.R racing version. The experience flows directly from the road to the race track and vice versa. The video shows the convertible of the new Corvette Stingray and the racing version C8.R. And how the two-piece top of the convertible at driving speeds of up to [...]
The video shows the convertible of the new Corvette Stingray and the racing version C8.R. And how the convertible's two-piece top can be activated at driving speeds of up to 48 km/h and retracted and extended in just 16 seconds.
Seamless stowage
As with the Stingray coupe, the tunnel-dominated structure of the convertible and the use of highly integrated die-cast parts provide exemplary body rigidity. The team designed the hardtop to stow seamlessly into the body. Compared to previous soft-top designs, the hardtop offers a quieter interior, increased safety and cleaner design lines.
Inspired by jets
As with the coupe, the design of the Stingray Convertible was inspired by fighter jets. The soft top features aerodynamically shaped nacelles influenced by the casing of jet engines. These help to reduce air circulation in the cabin and achieve a remarkably coherent and distinctive profile with the top closed and open.
No compromise on performance
Like the Stingray coupe, the convertible is powered by the new-generation 6.2-liter small-block V-8 LT2 engine, the only naturally aspirated V8 in this segment. Equipped with a performance exhaust system, it generates 495 hp of power and 637 Nm of torque. It thus has the highest power and torque of all previous Corvette base models.
The new Chevrolet Corvette Stingray coupe will go into production at the Bowling Green plant for the U.S. market in late 2019. Production of the convertible will start at the end of the first quarter of 2020.
More than just a racing version
In the course of unveiling the convertible at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Corvette also showed the new GT racing model. The Corvette C8.R is much more than just a racing version of the 2020 Corvette Stingray, emphasizes Chevrolet's Vice President of Performance and Motorsports in the USA.
Jim Campbell: "It's the result of many years of testing and development between GM Design, Propulsion and Engineering, and the Corvette Racing team. The intense collaboration between these teams has allowed us to take the performance of these cars to a new level on the road and on the track."
Debut at Daytona - with Marcel Fässler again?
The Corvette C8.R will make its race debut at the end of January 2020 at the 24 Hours of Daytona in the GTLM class. The number #4 car wraps itself in a new silver paint scheme inspired by the colors of some legendary Corvette concepts such as the 1973 Chevrolet Aerovette and the 1959 Corvette Stingray Racer. This car also features yellow accents. The #3 Corvette continues the lineage of the successful GTLM models of the last 20 years with the traditional yellow color scheme with silver accents.
Corvette Racing has not yet revealed whether Marcel Fässler will continue to be part of the driver lineup. In 2016, the racing pro from Schwyz took class wins with the Americans at the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring.
