2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Convertible

When most car manufacturers design a convertible model, weight has to be added to help create a more structurally rigid frame. That is not the case with the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Z06 Convertible. Thanks to recent technological advancements created over the last five year, Chevrolet was able to create a car that is exactly identical to the hardtop Z06, except you can drive with the top down.

"We wanted a frame that was lighter than the steel frame of the previous Corvette, yet strong enough for both a 600-horsepower convertible and a 24-hour endurance racer," said Ed Moss, engineering group manager for Corvette structures. "That would not have been possible without improvements in computer-aided engineering software, which allowed us to model more than 17,000 frame iterations, with each iteration improving strength and stiffness, while reducing mass."

Both the Z06 hardtop and convertible will feature the supercharged LT4 V8 pushing a whopping 625-horsepower and 635-lb-ft of torque. The power passes through a 7-speed manual transmission, or an 8-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission, before planting the power down with 285/30ZR19 front and 335/25ZR20 rear Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires. Two options are available for brakes, with the Z06's Z07 package offering the better 15.5x1.4-inch front and 15.3x1.3-inch carbon ceramic brake rotors to assist with the brake heat known to occur during track days.

The Z06 convertible will feature an electric soft-top that can not only be lowered with the car's key fob, but also has the ability to lower the top while driving up to 30 mph. The tops fabric is made thick with added padding to keep road noise low while driving with the top up.

Being the first Z06 to offer a convertible option since 1963, this will be one car to keep an eye out for.



Source: Chevrolet

2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Z51

The elegance of an Italian super-car with the triumphant rumble of a pushrod v8- anyone giving this car a quick glance would think Ferrari, maybe even a Maserati. But no, this is the all-new 2014 Corvette Stingray. Redesigned and ready to compete with its European rivals.

That statement may seem like a sales-ad pitch, but that is exactly how I felt when I first had the chance to look at the newly redesigned Stingray. I’ve spotted a few while driving around Jacksonville, but I never had the chance to actually look at one up-close. This particular car was the Z51 package being driven by the owner and publisher of AutomotiveAddicts.com, Malcolm Hogan.

I had the chance to catch up with Malcolm on his way to Jacksonville’s Main Street Cruise-in on January 25^th. I hopped in the passenger seat and was instantly shocked – no more cheap plastic?? No. Not in this Stingray. The interior underwent a complete one-over and has now been graced with heated and cooled leather seats, two LCD screens, dual-climate controls, and all while the dash and complementary panels are a mix of leather, stitching, brushed aluminum, and carbon fiber. The driver seat looks as if it’s a cockpit, while the passenger gets nothing more than two handles and a climate control panel. This car now has my complete attention.

We started the all-new 6.2L LT1 V8 and what a sound this car makes. The 6.2L power plant puts down 460 horsepower and 465 ft-lbs of torque all while receiving 16mpg city and 26mpg hwy, thanks to cylinder shutoff. The power passes through the 6-speed auto (7-speed manual option available) and putting the car in one of its five modes can vary how this car reacts. The modes include: Touring, Weather, Eco, Sport, and Track. There was a noticeable difference in Touring and Track, the two we switched the most. Touring left the car with a docile exhaust note and a forgiving, yet still stiff, suspension. Track, on the other hand, allowed you to use the paddle shifters, opened up the exhaust valve for the full V8 rumble, and gave you a noticeable stiffened suspension thanks to its magnetoheological dampers. In simpler terms: the suspension can quickly adjust in about 10 milliseconds.

When we arrived to the meet, and after gaining everyone’s attention, I had the chance to give the car a full walk around. The rear of the car took some time to grow on me, but I can understand why they did what they did. The car looks like it has spent some time in the wind tunnel. All the vents are useful on the body of the Stingray, or have some purpose other than looks. If you are not sold on the looks yet, go find one. Walk around and have the owner blip the gas. If that doesn’t do it, or even it does, ask for a ride. You may surprise yourself.

If you find yourself interested in the C7 Stingray, and want to see more pictures, please check out AutomotiveAddicts.com. Thank you again Malcolm for the ride along and thank you to the readers for reading. I leave you all with an in-cockpit view of the new C7R Stingray from the previous 24-hours of Daytona: