2014 New York: 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Convertible

Story and photos by John LeBlanc

General Motors’ Chevrolet brand has taken the top off one of its high-performance studs — the 2015 Corvette Z06 — just in time for the summer driving season. However, unlike the new 2015 BMW M4 Convertible that also debuted here, because the Corvette hardtop’s chassis is Rocky Mountain-solid, the Convertible version doesn’t need extra bracing, and Chevy says its curb weight is “nearly identical” to the Z06 Coupe.

Using the same 625 horsepower supercharged, 6.2-litre eight-cylinder gas engine as the Corvette Z06 Coupe, the Z06 Convertible is the most powerful convertible ever produced by Chevrolet, able to scoot from 0 to 96 kilometres per hour times in the same 3.5 seconds range as its hardtop counterpart. The Z06 Convertible also adopts the Coupe’s downforce-inducing aerodynamics, carbon-ceramic brakes and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires.