Geneva Motor Show 2004 - Chevrolet

Chevrolet’ Corvette convertible, which is set to go on UK sale in 2005, made its debut at the show today.

Based on the Corvette coupe, the drop-top is 130mm shorter than the coupe and Porsche's 911.

It is powered by a 6.0-litre V8 that develops 400bhp and enables the Chevrolet to hit 60mph in 4.2sec and top out at 186mph. Combined fuel economy is 22.6mpg.

The Corvette convertible’s cabin features aluminium trim on the dash, gearknob and door release buttons. It also has exposed headlamps, the first time since 1962 that a production Corvette has not had a mechanism to conceal the headlamps when not in use.

The fabric roof can be folded electrically in 18 seconds at the touch of a button.

Chevrolet has yet to confirm whether right-hand-drive versions of the car will be built.