GM reveals Corvette convertible

New drop-top version of General Motors' supercar set to be uncovered at Geneva motor show in March.

Images of the new Chevrolet Corvette Convertible have surfaced online ahead of the car's expected debut at the Geneva motor show in March.

The new Corvette Convertible, reportedly shown in these leaked images, will complete the two-door's line-up - until the more potent ZR1 models arrive in a couple of years.

The Corvette hard-top coupe was uncovered at the Detroit motor show earlier in 2013 and, while details are scarce on the drop-top - including whether the car will be offered with a soft or hard-top lid - expect the same 6.2-litre V8 engine with 335kW of power and and 610Nm of torque with the choice of six-speed auto or seven-speed manual.

In coupe guise, the Corvette can sprint from 0-100km/h in less than four seconds. Expect it to be slightly slower due to the extra weight of the convertible roof mechanism.
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 If the choice of the Geneva motor show seems odd, bear in mind that Chevrolet did unveil the previous-generation Corvette Convertible at the same Swiss show in 2004.

Rumours swirled at the Detroit motor show in January that a right-hand-drive Corvette could be offered.

But the company later denied it was planning a right-hand-drive variant: "I'm telling you there is no plan," said General Motors' president of international operations and the vice-president of global manufacturing, Tim Lee, at the Detroit motor show.

"This is a non-story from my point of view. You guys write what you want to write, I really don't give a shit, but it is not in the mainstream plan."

But despite GM's refusal to offer a right-hand-drive version of the Corvette, local converters are already taking orders for an Aus-legal version.

GM has also indicated it would like to build a smaller sports coupe to rival the Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ.



/SydneyMorningHerald/