'Vette convertible photos carry clues, raise questions
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On the Corvette Stingray convertible, character lines on the rear deck that sweep from behind the seats toward the bumper mimic the outline of the hatch on the Corvette Stingray coupe. |
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The first official images of the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray convertible -- but no details -- have been released ahead of the car's debut at the Geneva Motor Show.
It's unclear when the convertible will go on sale. Chevrolet plans to release more details about the car at 8:30 a.m. Geneva time (2:30 a.m. Eastern) Tuesday.
The images show the car with the top stowed and with it fixed in place. Based on the photos:
• The Corvette Stingray convertible uses a fabric top, continuing a tradition that stretches back to the original 1953 Corvette. The top fits tightly to the body and the cross-car bows underneath the fabric top are well concealed.
• There are character lines on the rear deck that sweep from behind the seats toward the bumper. These lines would appear to mimic the outline of the hatch on the Corvette Stingray coupe.
• The cars in the photo have a full-width rear spoiler, which indicates that the Z51 Performance Package will be available on the Stingray convertible.
• The fabric top will continue to stowed underneath a body-color hard cover behind the seats, based on the photo of the car with the top down. That hard cover includes a raised section behind each of the Stingray convertible's seat backs.
But the images leave several unanswered questions about the next Corvette convertible:
• Where are the rear vents? A similar view of the Corvette Stingray coupe shows the inlets mounted above the rear wheels to duct air for cooling the rear transaxle and electronic limited slip differential.
• Will the new Corvette Stingray convertible continue to offer buyers a choice between a manually operated top or a power-operated top.
• With there be any changes to the powertrain or chassis? Aside from the convertible top there doesn't look to be any other exterior changes to the Stingray.
The hardtop version of the Corvette, which made its debut at the Detroit auto show in January, is due out by late summer.
