2021 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible [EU]

Now available at European showrooms, Chevrolet fulfills the long-term promise of the iconic Corvette with the introduction of the new Stingray, the brand's first-ever production mid-engine Corvette. The sum of everything that came before it, the new Corvette Stingray coupe and convertible in left-hand-drive and - for the first time ever - in factory-built right-hand-drive configuration are re-imagined to bring customers new levels of performance, technology, craftsmanship, and luxury.

First and foremost, a convertible

Open-air driving has always been a part of the Chevrolet Corvette's heritage. In fact, when the Corvette debuted in 1953, it was available only as a convertible. The new Chevrolet Corvette Stingray coupe and convertible build off that heritage with the typical removable roof panel of the coupe as well as the first hardtop and mid-engine convertible in Corvette history.

The new generation Corvette Stingray was engineered first and foremost as a convertible. It maintains the tunnel-dominant structure and use of high-integrity die-cast parts found in the Stingray coupe.

The team engineered the hardtop to stow seamlessly into the body, maintaining the Stingray's impressive ability to store two sets of golf clubs in the trunk even with the top down. The convertible also keeps the coupe's front storage compartment, which can fit an airline-spec carry-on and a laptop bag.

Design inspired by racing and aeronautics

Both, the Stingray coupe's and convertible's design is inspired by fighter jets. The new Chevrolet Corvette's exterior has a bold, futuristic expression with mid-engine exotic proportions, but it is still unmistakably Corvette. It's lean and muscular, with an athletic sculptural shape conveying a sense of motion and power from every angle.

A supercar level of craftsmanship, premium materials, and attention to detail were critical in designing every component of the Stingray. The new location of the engine is truly the focal point for the car's design. It's the heart of this next-generation Corvette and it sits like a jewel in a showcase, visible in the coupe through the large rear hatch window. The added attention to detail optimized the appearance of every wire, tube, bolt, and fastener, similar to those found in modern track and all-road motorcycle design.

Engineered to be a true supercar for every day

Corvette's structure is built around its backbone: the center tunnel. This enables a light, stiff structure to serve as the foundation for the suspension system to perform in an optimized manner. By removing unwanted body compliance, Corvette customers will experience the ultimate in ride performance with outstanding lateral grip capabilities. The car has a solid, connected-to-the-road feel with minimal vibrations at high speeds or on long road trips.

The jewel in the center

The new Stingray's heart is Chevy's upgraded 6.2l Small Block V-8 LT2 engine, the only naturally aspirated V-8 in the segment. The European version produces 482 horsepower (354 kW) and 613 Nm of torque* with performance exhaust which is part of the standard equipment in Europe- the most horsepower and torque for any entry Corvette. The engine is fully homologated to meet and exceed stringent Euro 6d emission standards.

The powertrain's low position enables a low center of gravity for optimal handling. Perhaps the biggest update is found in the lubrication and ventilation system. For the first time ever, the base Stingray uses an engine-mounted dry sump oil system and three scavenge pumps for improved track performance.

During serious track driving, oil volume remains high to avoid diminished performance. The new Stingray's lateral capability is greatly improved, so the LT2's dry-sump lubrication system had to be redesigned to provide exceptional engine performance even at lateral acceleration levels exceeding 1G in all directions.

A lightweight, 3.2 mm-thick glass panel on the rear hatch of the coupe allows owners to show off the engine. This panel features a cantilevered trailing edge to evacuate heat from the LT2 engine compartment.

A shift of a different kind

The new generation LT2 is paired with Chevrolet's first eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT), which provides lightning-fast shifts and excellent power transfer. This transmission is uniquely designed with TREMEC to provide the best of both worlds: the spirited, direct, and connected feeling of a manual and the premium driving comfort of an automatic. The double-paddle de-clutch feature even allows the driver to disconnect the clutch by holding both paddles for more manual control.

Paddle shifters allow drivers to choose a specific gear. "The performance shift algorithms are so driver-focused, they can sense when you're doing spirited driving - regardless of driving mode - and will hold lower gears longer for more throttle response," said Juechter.

The new Small Block V-8 has a torque curve optimized to take advantage of the bespoke DCT's lightning-fast shifts. Engineers set the DCT up with a very low first gear to leverage the additional traction to get the car off the line quickly, and its close-ratio gears 2 through 6 keep the engine near the power peak on track. Tall seventh and eighth gears make for easy long-distance cruising with low mechanical stress and excellent fuel economy.

The DCT is mated to a new Electronic Transmission Range Selector. With this electric shifter, there's no mechanical interface between the shift lever and the transmission. The Corvette's electric shifter incorporates two pull toggles for Reverse and Drive and push buttons for Park, Neutral, and Low/Manual. The shifter has been designed to be more attractive and compact than a standard shifter.

Attainability remains a hallmark

Corvette has always represented iconic American design, performance, technical ingenuity, and attainability. The new generation Corvette Stingray continues that tradition with its excellent value for money proposition.

The European versions of the new Chevrolet Corvette Stingray are arriving at showrooms in October 2021 with starting prices for the freely configurable versions of the coupe in Germany at €86'900 (in the UK at £74'200) and for the convertible at €93'400 (in the UK at £79'200). The fully Euro 6d homologated European versions of the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray will be offered with left- or right-hand-drive configuration for the first time in Corvette's history.