If we had just removed the roof, it would have been a tragedy.

One of the primary objectives when we designed the C5 Corvette was to make sure it handles superbly.  We would not be happy with anything short of a world-class sports car, whether a coupe or convertible.  It was critical that we didn’t just take the coupe and chop off the top to make a convertible.  The fact is, the newest Corvette was designed as a convertible right from the outset.  It was the best way, the only way in our minds, to make a car that feels and handles like nothing else.

Stiffness and Strength. We didn’t want this car to suffer from the ride setbacks most convertibles have.  One concern was how to avoid cowl shake, a common side effect of removing a car’s roof.  So, we made the structure very rigid.  The previous 48-piece frame rails were replaced with twin seamless hydroformed tubes.  Because our new hydroformed frame rail is much more durable than a welded-up one, it won’t weaken with time.  In fact, the structure was tested to endure up to three lifetimes of Corvette usage.  And not only is the C5 four-and-a-half times stiffer structurally than its predecessor, it also has a lower curb weight.  The difference in rigidity is immediately noticeable; lateral shake is virtually gone, even in the absence of a structural crossover bar.

A User-Friendly Convertible.  Once we perfected the structure, our next priority was to make every millimeter of the car work for the driver, especially in terms of comfort, spaciousness and cargo.  We wanted the car to be easy on the driver, a rare feat in convertibles.  So, the controls and functions were placed where it would be natural to reach for them.  Entry and exit are easier because door-sills are almost four inches lower.  We’ve increased the hip, shoulder and leg room.  There is four times more cargo space with the top down than with a C4.

Power and Performance.  And obvious worry was whether we would lose the true spirit of a sports car by making it too civilized.  We went to great lengths to make a world-class performer.  The newest Corvette has an aluminum small-block V8 that produces 345 horsepower at 5600 rpm, 350 lb.-ft. of torque at 4400 rpm and, in coupe form, achieves a 175-mph top speed.

Making No Compromises. Perhaps the most vocal customer opinion was that they wanted a no compromise sports car; they didn’t want to sacrifice ride comfort for the sake of performance.  We found breakthrough methods to meet those requirements.  Like the composite, balsa wood cored floor.  It minimizes vibrations for the cockpit occupants, while being lightweight and strong enough to help deliver a more fatigue free driving experience.

The Next Corvette.  the C5 convertible proves it is possible to marry high performance with top down freedom.  Simply put, this thing is incredible.  Even more than the coupe, it will far exceed people’s expectations.  It even exceeded mine.