Chevy's most powerful convertible ever made its world debut at the New York International Auto Show. According to General Motors, the drop-top Z06 "will be one of the most capable convertibles on the market, with 0 to 60 miles per hour (0 to 96 km/h) acceleration in less than 3.5 seconds."
Boasting a 6.2-liter LT4 V8 with 625 horsepower and 635 ft-lb (860 Nm) of torque, the seventh generation Corvette in roofless Z06 flavor is the type of car that'll transform your random bad hair day into the best bad hair day ever every single time you get behind the wheel.
The powerplant under the long sculpted hood can be mated to either a seven-speed manual gearbox with Active Rev Match or the 8L90 eight-speed automatic. The automatic's seventh and eight act as overdrive gears, offering better fuel economy at freeway speeds.
The fabric roof comes in four color options and can be electrically operated from inside the car or by simply pushing a button on the key fob. Customers can open or close the roof at speeds of up to 30 mph (50 km/h).
Corvette chief engineer Tadge Juechter declared: “Very few cars on the market can match its combination of extreme, supercar levels of performance; the flexibility for daily driving and long-distance commuting; and the 360-degree, open-air driving experience only true convertibles can offer.”
Driving dynamics are enhanced by third-generation Magnetic Selective Ride Control dampers, adjustable for touring comfort or maximum track performance via the Driver Mode Selector. Couple that with the standard electronic limited-slip diff and SLA-type suspension and you get one hell of a machine round the bends.
An optional Z07 Performance pack is also available, featuring Brembo carbon-ceramic matrix brakes, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires and adjustable front and rear aerodynamic components.
“The Z06 Convertible is a world-class supercar in every sense,” said Mark Reuss, executive vice president, 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.”
Like the Stingray, the drop-top Corvette Z06 comes with two seating choices, a flat-bottom steering wheel, premium quality cabin materials and five interior color options, including two that are unique to the Z06.
Unfortunately, GM hasn't offered any pricing details yet, but we're expecting it to start from about $80,000.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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Corvette chief engineer Tadge Juechter declared: “Very few cars on the market can match its combination of extreme, supercar levels of performance; the flexibility for daily driving and long-distance commuting; and the 360-degree, open-air driving experience only true convertibles can offer.”
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