General Motors has something festive planned for the 60th anniversary of its Chevrolet Corvette. The automaker will mark the occasion with a special edition 2013 Corvette 427 Convertible, complete with hardware borrowed from the mighty Corvette Z06. Under the hood, a 427-cubic-inch LS7 V8 produces 505 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, making this the most powerful Corvette Convertible ever produced. The 60th Anniversary Corvette will also benefit from the same rear axle as the Z06, and magnetic ride control is standard as well.
The special edition convertible will come with 19-inch wheels up front 20-inch rollers in the rear, both wrapped in Micheline PS2 tires. A six-speed manual transmission is the only gearbox option, though buyers will be able to chose from the full gamut of available interior and exterior colors. General Motors says the vehicle will also benefit from a range of carbon fiber components, including a raised hood, fenders and floor panels. A CFZ carbon-fiber front splitter and rocker panels are also available at an extra cost.
All told, the 2013 Chevrolet Corvette 427 Convertible tips the scales at 3,355 pounds. Combined with its lofty power figures, the droptop should be capable of doing the 0-60 mph dash in 3.8 seconds on its way to an 11.8-second quarter mile and a top speed of over 190 mph.
The weight reduction brings the 427 Convertible’s curb weight to 3,355 pounds (1,522 kg). Combined with its 505-horsepower LS7 engine, it gives the 427 Convertible a power-to-weight ratio of 6.64 – or one horsepower for every 6.64 pounds of vehicle mass.
• Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet – 6.90
• Audi R8 5.2 RSI Spyder – 7.58
• Aston Martin DBS Volante Convertible – 7.82
• Ferrari California Convertible – 8.31
After driving a Z4 M roadster this past week in FLA, I am starting to see the draw to the drop top.
