2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible Revealed: Live from Florida

Corvette Forum heads to Kennedy Space Center for a major launch: the 2020 Corvette Convertible, which starts at $67,495! 

What a year it has been for Corvette! After a long, long wait, we finally got the 2020 C8 Corvette Stingray. Was it everything we hoped for? Of course! For gearheads, this was like seeing The Beatles the first time on The Ed Sullivan Show. But on Oct. 2, Chevrolet unveiled to the international Auto press the next ‘Vette in the lineup: The 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible, the first-ever retractable hardtop Corvette Stingray. America’s ultimate sports car is here, and it is ready to raise hell!

Unlike the previous targa-esque C8 coupe, we didn’t go into this completely blind. Chevy released a few teaser images and a video ahead of the debut. So, the real question is: Is it everything we hoped it would be? Definitely. And more.

The 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible has quietly declared war on the likes of Porsche Boxster, Porsche 911 Carrera S, Lexus LC 500, Jaguar F-Type R, and more. If they aren’t more than a little freaked out, they should be. This Corvette speed demon lives up to the hype, looks sexy as hell, will effectively scorch the asphalt, and everyone is going to want one.

The last C7 generation of the Corvette Convertible delivered style, power, and velocity. There was nowhere to go but up, right? Yes, but we haven’t seen a new drop-top built on the C8 platform. And, since the introduction of the mid-engined C8 Stingray has been such a smash, expectations were high. Turns out, there was nothing to fear.

Going into the reveal, we expected Chevrolet would keep the C8 powertrain. The convertible boasts an all-new 6.2-liter V8 paired to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic. This was a huge hit with drivers, journalists, and even critics of the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible.

The specs definitely speak for themselves, 490 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque stock and 495 horsepower and 470 ft-lbs with the addition of the optional Z51 Performance Package.

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Plus, Chevy tossed in a surprise at the Oct. 2 reveal by including a track-ready C8.R Corvette Convertible race car, which expectedly garnered cheers from the crowd.

We also knew that the drop-top would be longer than the coupe and weigh about 100 pounds more. Will this weight addition make a major difference? It seems unlikely.

We expected that we would be seeing basically the same front end as the C8, and we are very okay with that. Major changes to the 2020 C8 Convertible include the automatic folding hardtop, obviously. The flying-buttress design is tasty and frames the retractable rear window. Additionally, the seats are reinforced to provide additional rollover protection. Overall, this is an aggressive style that looks like it would be at home among most supercars.

But let’s talk performance. The 2020 Corvette Convertible is exactly what a Corvette should be: nimble, dynamic, and fast. The mid-engine has shown it is a force of nature. It can hit 0 to 60 in under three seconds. The interior is loaded, sleek, sporty. And the tech does focus nicely on the driver experience.

And, the price of the 2020 C8 Stingray Convertible is a knockout starting at $67,495. Can it get any better? After seeing it, we just don’t think so.

The 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray coupe goes into production at GM’s Bowling Green Assembly later this year, with the convertible following in late first-quarter 2020. A right-hand drive version of the convertible will be available in select international markets at a later date.

Photos for Corvette Forum by David Ciminelli

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