What's the news?
Chevrolet has taken the opportunity of a motor show in its home country - over in Los Angeles - to announce that, for the first time since 1970, it is doing an open-top version of its most potent ZR1 iteration of the Corvette.
Due to go on sale next spring alongside the already-announced Coupe, the Corvette ZR1 Convertible is powered by the same LT5 6.2-litre supercharged V8 petrol engine, which delivers absolutely mammoth numbers - namely, 765hp and 969Nm. All this gargantuan thump is channelled to the rear wheels, either via a seven-speed manual or, in a first for the ZR1, an eight-speed automatic.
Chevrolet says the Corvette has the 'most aggressive sound ever' in the history of the storied model, thanks to a patent-pending exhaust system. The engine also features no fewer than 13 radiators in total, four new ones to help manage the high temperatures generated by the 'charged V8 and the rest for engine oil, gearbox and diff cooling.
On the outside, the ZR1's unique aero package is carried over, with a standard, stanchion-mounted 'Low Wing' generating downforce with minimal drag. Opt for the adjustable High Wing as part of a $3,000 (around €2,500) ZTK Performance Package - which also includes a front splitter with carbon fibre end caps, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres, specific chassis settings and Magnetic Ride Control tuning - and up to 950lb (a simply stupid 431kg, in understandable terms) of downforce can be generated by the ZR1.
Obviously, that High Wing limits the top speed a little, but only to a figure that is still 'in excess' of 320km/h. Stick with the Low Wing and the ZR1 Convertible is said to be capable of 341km/h flat out, with a scarcely believable 0-100km/h time around the three seconds flat mark. That is insane from a rear-driver.
Further, Chevrolet says there's little penalty in having the ZR1 Convertible over the Coupe. The Corvette's aluminium chassis means the only structural changes in the Convertible amount to the stowage for the folding top and repositioned seat belt mounts. The weight gain for the soft-top is said to be limited to 27kg, and the roof can be operated remotely or on the move at up to 50km/h.
Indeed, Tadge Juechter, the executive chief engineer of Corvette, boldly claimed: "The ZR1 Convertible is a no-compromise supercar. Thanks to the strong structure, the suspension tuning between Coupe and Convertible models is identical, meaning the ZR1 convertible offers the same benchmark performance, including a top speed of more than 320km/h."
Anything else?
In the US, the ZR1 Coupe retails at $119,995, while the Convertible rocks in a €123,995. No word on what the prices would be if it should happen to come to Ireland, though.