2023 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible Performance

With a ton of naturally aspirated torque being sent to the rear wheels and a mid-engine layout giving the 'Vette an abundance of traction, you best believe that the Corvette Convertible is going to be an exceptionally quick car. Under the engine cover lies a 6.2-liter V8 engine producing 490 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque. The engine layout has done wonders for the Corvette's traction, and with the Z51 Performance Package selected adding an extra 5 hp and 5 lb-ft, this 'Vette will quickly complete the 0-60 run in 2.9 seconds before scampering on to a top speed of 194 mph. To put that into perspective, competitors such as the Jaguar F-Type R Convertible will make the same sprint in 3.5 seconds with 80 hp more, while the Porsche 911 Carrera Convertible will get there in 4.2 seconds, despite costing 40% more than the Chevy.

Many believe that convertibles sacrifice performance for drop-top thrills, but the C8 Convertible loses little to no performance thanks to some small chassis adjustments that give it the same tight feel of the coupe and a convertible mechanism that weighs less than 80 pounds. The takeaway is that the Corvette C8 Convertible offers staggering performance for almost half the money of its closest rivals. Now that's impressive.

Powering the Chevrolet Corvette Convertible is a 6.2-liter naturally-aspirated V8 engine producing 490 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque, or 495 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque when fitted with the optional performance exhaust as part of the Z51 performance package as it was on our test car. This setup features a dry-sump oil system, variable valve timing, and Chevrolet's Active Fuel Management system. The old-school pushrod engine develops peak power at 6,450 rpm, which is much lower than most mid-engined exotics. This ensures that the Corvette keeps its classic American V8 flavor, though we wish the exhaust note was more exotic. Power is available in nearly any gear, and the V8 is more than capable of getting the rear wheels loose.

Power is sent to the rear wheels via an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. No manual transmission is offered here. In normal operation, the DCT shifts smoothly without much interruption, though some of the downshifts are less than perfect when creeping along in traffic. When the throttle is pinned, it quickly responds to the driver's request with more readiness than a conventional automatic. There is some slight jerkiness when driving in stop-and-go traffic, but it's not noticeable enough to be annoying. In Track Mode, the transmission completely changes personalities, eliminating smooth gear changes for razor-sharp ones. Chevy even includes a neutral mode that is engaged by pulling both paddle shifters, enabling drivers to kick the tail out or rev the engine at car shows.

The EPA estimates indicate what everyone expects: the Corvette Convertible is rather thirsty, with gas mileage figures of 16/24/19 mpg city/highway/combined. We averaged around 18 mpg during the week, but with the standard cylinder deactivation technology shutting the engine down to a four-cylinder, it's possible to do better with a lighter foot. With a fuel capacity of 18.5 gallons, the Corvette Convertible should theoretically have a range of 351 miles.