2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray convertible review

Still one of the best cars out there, and they’ve addressed the only real criticism Shahzad had when he first drove it

By Shahzad Sheikh

2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray convertible

It’s just over a year since I drove the new Corvette C7 – then in coupe guise with the Targa top and removable panels. You can read that review here.

2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray convertible

My only reservation was over the six-speed automatic transmission – and not just that the 7-speed manual (with rev-matching) would be so much better to drive (only other manufacturer to offer that many self-shifting ratios is Porsche), but that with all that torque on tap and so many modes from comfy express to track weapon, an eight-speed might be more suited.

2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray convertible

Sure enough we now have an eight-speed auto (though I would still love to sample the manual on this car) in this bright yellow 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible.

2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray convertible

Otherwise the car is pretty much the same as the red car I tested with one key difference, instead of twin removable roof panels, your open air motoring with this one is sourced through a fully opening top that retracts into the boot at the touch of button, at standstill or walking pace upto 50kph. No more scrabbling about with the roof panels and potentially dropping them on your head and knocking yourself out – yes I did.

2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray convertible

Since the coupe was also designed to be run sans-roof, no additional strengthening was needed for rigidity in the convertible, and the canvas top doesn’t add much weight either.

2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray convertible

As with the coupe, cycle through the driving modes and you can affect performance delivery, steering response and suspension set up, but you really need to explore it as an owner to get used to the subtle differences between the many settings – some of which you should reserve only for the circuit.

2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray convertible

That’s because, whilst clearly a properly grippy and responsive sportscar – there is not exactly a lack of get-you-in-a-lot-of-trouble muscle here! As with the coupe, you get 6.2-litre V8 putting out 455bhp and 460lb ft of torque giving it a 0-100kph time of just over 4 seconds and a top speed of more than 280kph.

2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray convertible

Add to the motoring mix the intoxicating sound from the meaty tailpipes and with the top-down you’re close to experiencing motoring nirvana.

2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray convertible

So is this the one to buy? Well if your sportscar/supercar must be topless, then yeah sure, get it. But personally I’d stick with the coupe – you really don’t drive with the roof down in the summer over here, and I hate to see convertibles not being used properly – ie topless. And yet, when the weather permits, a little elbow grease sees you convert it to a virtually open-air experience anyway by removing the roof panels.

2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray convertible

Besides – Targas are cool. I’d just have to remember to keep a bottle painkillers in the glovebox for each time I dropped the panel on my head!

2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible – The Specs

Price: AED330k (90k)
Engine: 6.2-litre V8 455bhp @ 6000rpm, 465lb ft @ 4600rpm
Performance: 0-100kph 4.1secs, 280kph, 12L/100km
Transmission: 8-speed auto, rear-wheel drive
Weight: 1525kg

Let us know what you think of the new Corvette Stingray Convertible below

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