Like sands through the hourglass of time, so are the leaks of automaker photography ahead of major auto shows. Thanks to the C7 Corvette Forum, Chevrolet can rest a little easier at next week's New York auto show knowing that the 2015 Corvette Z06 droptop has already enjoyed its Internet unveiling.

That Chevy would produce a convertible version of its powerful Z06 Vette was never a question of if but when. Once again, the 625-hp, 6.4-liter supercharged V-8 residing in the coupe lives in this one as well, producing what Chevy calls the most powerful open-roof car its ever sold to the public. And as with the coupe, buyers can choose from either a seven-speed manual transmission or GM's new eight-speed, paddle-shifted automatic.

GM hasn't sold a Z06 convertible since 1963 because of the inherent compromises between the fun of open-air driving and the lithe, stiff frame needed for a track-focused sports car like the Z06s. Chevy engineers say the Stingray's new aluminum chassis and some trick metallurgy allowed them to keep the weight of the coupe and convertible almost the same; and there is no difference in the chassis setup between the two.

Chevy hasn't set pricing for the Z06 coupe, so all that can be said about the Z06 convertible is that it will be more, and we're still waiting on performance date for either. Yet given how the rest of the new Corvette lineup shakes out, it's likely the Z06 will still be cheaper and faster than, say, a Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet, or for that matter, most European drop-top supercars. We can't wait to test that proposition first hand.