GM Drops Curtain on Drop-Top Chevy Corvette Z06
The Z06 convertible uses a number of recent technological advancements to make a drop-top possible at high levels of performance.
DETROIT – Because the only thing that might be better than a 625-hp Chevrolet Corvette is room without a roof, General Motors next week in New York will uncover the ’15 Chevy Corvette Z06 Convertible.
“Only a handful of convertibles in the world bring more than 600 hp and 600 lb.-ft. (813 Nm) of torque,” says Mark Reuss, executive vice president-Global Product Development at GM.
“Even fewer can match the advanced technologies, aerodynamic design and visceral driving experience of the Z06 Convertible,” Reuss says in a statement ahead of the unveiling.
The Z06 convertible, which will arrive at U.S. dealers early next year on the heels of the Z06 coupe late this year, uses a number of recent technological advancements to make a drop-top possible at such high levels of performance.
“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,” Corvette Chief Engineer Tadge Juechter says.
“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.”
According to GM, the Z06 convertible boasts an aluminum structure 20% stiffer than the previous, fixed-roof Z06. And since no structural reinforcements were needed for the Z06 convertible, its curb weight nearly matches the coupe version.
The convertible also shares with the coupe its chassis tuning, powertrain output, driver technologies and equipment options, including a Z07 Performance Package that adds Brembo carbon-ceramic matrix brakes, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires and adjustable front- and rear-aerodynamic components.
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