Chevrolet Corvette C8 Cabrio: Open-Top Thrills

The Corvette has never been a sports car for everyone, especially in Europe. But even with its new mid-engine layout, one thing remains unchanged: the Corvette is, and always will be, a spectacular sports car – now more than ever.

Divisive, But Unforgettable

Everyone seems to love a Porsche 911, no matter where you are in the world. The same goes for the Ford Mustang, which enjoys cross-generational appeal. But the Corvette? That’s where opinions divide – especially now that the iconic long hood has vanished with the C8 generation, replaced by a mid-engine layout that gives it a profile more akin to a Ferrari 458 or 488. It has a shorter nose, a mid-mounted engine, and serious power.

The base model alone delivers an exciting 354 kW (482 hp) and a hefty 613 Nm of torque – all naturally aspirated, with no turbo or supercharger in sight. For U.S. enthusiasts, the tough decision is whether to go for the coupe or the convertible, both of which look nearly identical. The 4.63-meter-long Corvette C8 cabrio comes with a hardtop that opens and closes at speeds up to 50 km/h, making it ready for action at nearly 300 km/h. Best of all, it offers top-down thrills with zero compromises in everyday usability.

Old-School Power, New-School Performance

A Corvette is more than just a car – it’s a statement. That’s as true for its design as it is for the technology under the hood. In an era of downsizing, electrification, and turbocharging, the C8 sticks to its guns with a mighty 6.2-liter V8 engine – what Chevy calls a “small block.” The official fuel consumption of 12.1 liters per 100 km might make some manufacturers blush, but Corvette buyers won’t mind.

Its European efficiency rating is a low „G,“ but Corvette enthusiasts have never cared much about that. What matters is that, unlike some rivals, the Corvette’s real-world fuel consumption isn’t far off from its official figures. Fun without regrets? The Corvette has been delivering that for decades.

Thrilling Drive, Easy to Handle

Visually, the new generation is a head-turner – bold and loud, except when cruising in its tame „Tour“ mode. But thanks to the revolutionary mid-engine design, this American sports car drives like a dream and is as easy to handle as a Golf. The V8 engine responds instantly to throttle input, delivering that exhilarating driving experience expected from an open two-seater from Michigan. The steering is precise, though perhaps a bit too light for some, but it offers good feedback across all driving modes, easily adjustable via a controller on the wide center console.

The C8’s suspension is another highlight. The Magnetic Ride system has been upgraded, and it continues to impress with its ability to read the road surface and adjust damping in just 10 to 15 milliseconds. Microscopic metal particles inside the dampers shift to vary the suspension stiffness depending on the driving mode. It might sound complicated, but the result is pure driving pleasure, even on bumpy, twisty roads. And when cornering hard, the C8 shows that it can convert all that engine power into forward motion – no need for all-wheel drive here.

Open-Air Symphony

With the roof down, the roaring V8 fills the leather-clad cabin with a thrilling soundtrack. The high seating position might be a slight drawback, but the interior is otherwise impressive. However, the biggest letdown? The controls. The instrument cluster and large displays – 12 inches and 8 inches, respectively – are fine, but the overwhelming center console layout leaves something to be desired. The transmission controls, the overly dramatic drive mode selector, and the endless row of buttons are all clunky.

Even the smartphone holder between the seats feels like an afterthought. And while the Alcantara-covered two-spoke steering wheel might look sporty, it doesn’t quite match the overall package. The two small storage compartments – one in the front and one in the rear – won’t win any awards for practicality, but with a payload capacity of just 205 kg, the Corvette isn’t built for hauling cargo. The price? Around €110,000, which still undercuts most of its rivals by a significant margin. That’s classic Corvette.