2014 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible Bows On International Stage
The 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible has been driven onto the world stage at the Geneva auto show this week, and while the vehicle’s styling doesn’t stray far from what has already been seen in the coupe, a number of new technical details concerning the drop-top have become available.
All models of the Corvette Convertible will be outfitted with a power top, which can be lowered from both inside and outside of the vehicle thanks to a new keyfob control. The top can also be dropped at speeds of up to 50 km/h. Engine power matches that of the coupe – 450 horses from a 6.2-liter V8 – but the vehicle’s rigidity has been improved to such a degree that GM claims it to be 20 percent stiffer than the outgoing Corvette Z06. This is an impressive achievement considering the high performance mission of the hardtop Z06 and the fact that any weight gain associated with the 2014 convertible is the result of the automated roof mechanism, not any added bracing or structural improvements (there are none).
The Geneva launch was an important one for General Motors, as it aims to make the Corvette convertible more of a global product and introduce it in markets such as Japan, Russia, and Europe, where Chevrolet is not necessarily associated with performance. Roughly 25 percent of Corvettes sold in the United Sates in the modern era are convertibles, making it a popular option for open air driving.