Jay Leno Drives 2020 Corvette Stingray Convertible Z51

C8 Executive Chief Engineer Tadge Juechter joins in to reveal all the details of the new Stingray Convertible Z51.

Much has already been said on Corvette Forum about the new C8. As of yet, however, no one has had a chance to get an impression of the C8 Corvette Convertible Z51. It’s no secret that experiences can be very different between cars, but Jay Leno had a chance to find out what it was all about. In fact, Leno was the first non-GM employee to drive the open-top C8.

Tadge Juechter, Corvette Executive Chief Engineer, was on hand to discuss all-things C8, including the choice to (finally) go mid-engine:

“There was a lot of initial resistance to moving the engine to the back. We were selling a lot of front engined cars. People loved them, they raved about them. It was a good business for us, so why would you tamper with that? Ultimately physics forced us to tamper with that.”

Ultimately, Chevy gave the mid-engine Corvette the green light. The next challenge came from packaging a convertible top. Soft tops are more portable because the material can flex, but retractable hardtops are quieter and safer.

You’d think all of these new elements would drive costs up, but that’s not the case according to Juechter. Chevy considered producing front and mid-engine Corvettes simultaneously, but Juechter says “as we were developing [the C8], we thought we could go all-in.”

Keeping costs down is not only good for American buyers, but the world at large. The C8 is truly designed as a world car, with right-hand-drive being on offer for the first time. European competitors beware.

Leno’s First Drive

How was Leno’s drive? Limited. GM was generous to let him drive it, but could only offer a de-tuned pre-production convertible Z51. Leno’s feel for the car wasn’t hampered, though. Open-top motoring gives an all-new audio experience, as noted by the comedian, “funny for a Corvette to have the noise coming from behind you!”

“It’s very comfortable, and not cramped at all,” Leno points out, noting the square-ish circle “squircle” steering wheel ads lots of thigh room. Juechter points out that all items on the car are functional including a neat GPS-programmable nose-lift function for those of who deal with difficult driveways. In fact, the convertible is quieter than the coupe. Past Corvettes offered fewer comfort and convenience features. Understandably, Juechter has a lot to be proud about with the new Corvette convertible.

Photos: Jay Leno’s Garage

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