September 20, 2004

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Preview:
2005 Chevrolet Corvette
by Garner Tam

From its humble beginnings in Flint, Michigan to its current home in Bowling Green, Kentucky, Chevrolet's Corvette has been gaining a faithful following of enthusiasts for over 50 years.

Accepting the torch from its predecessors, the new 2005 Chevrolet Corvette (offered up in both Coupe and Convertible form) represents the latest C6 generation model and an excuse for current Vette owners to trade in their C5.

According to Corvette's chief engineer, Dave Hill, "Our goal was to create a Corvette that does more things well than any other performance car". In order to do so, Corvette engineers concentrated on "systematically searching out and destroying every imperfection we could find."

Perhaps the most common association with a Corvette is what lies under the massive hood. In the midst of a horsepower war that extends from pickup trucks to economy cars, Chevrolet will offer their most powerful standard small block V8 yet in a Corvette: a 6.0 litre, V8 LS2 engine with 400 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. A higher compression ratio, electronic throttle control, lighter engine components, and a cylinder head design inspired by the high performance C5 Z06 all work towards giving this Corvette its prowess on the asphalt.

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With a lighter curb weight than the C5, the C6 is more nimble and offers fuel economy averaging 10.7 litres/100 km (26.4 mpg Imperial). Either a Tremec 6-speed manual or an updated Hydra-Matic 4-speed automatic transmission mounted in the rear will be responsible for passing the power to the rear wheels. The Hydra-Matic incorporates GM's Performance Algorithm Shifting designed to provide the optimum gear selection for the driving conditions at any given time. For those partial to choosing their own gears, the 6-speed manual will be available with two different ratios, with the more aggressive of the two provided when opting for the Z51 Performance Package. The Z51 performance package also adds transmission and power steering coolers.

GM reports the C6 is capable of 0 to 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds, with a top speed of 300 km/h. Such numbers are usually found with 6-digit price tags.

Keeping the 2005 Corvette planted are newly redesigned suspension components including the control arms, springs, shocks, and stabilizer bars. Rubber supplied is the latest technology: Extended Mobility Tires (or run-flats). Buyers will have three different suspensions to choose from: Corvette Standard, Magnetic Selective Ride Control, and the Z51 Performance Package. The Magnetic Selective Ride Control option consists of a damping system that can almost infinitely change its dampening rates as various sensors see fit, while you head down the road. The Z51 Performance Package is the most aggressive suspension option with larger stabilizer bars and performance oriented spring/shock set-ups that are basically track ready.

Rearing in the C6 are dual piston callipers grabbing on 12.8 inch discs up front and single piston callipers matched with 12.0 inch rotors in the rear. Included with the Z51 package are 13.4 and 13.0 inch cross-drilled rotors front and back, respectively. Anti-lock brakes, traction control, and active handling all help to keep the Corvette aimed where you want it.

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The interior of the C6 continues Corvette's historical dual cockpit design with a wraparound upper feature line. The instrument panel gauges consist of white on black numerals, and the driver's information readout located in the centre stack makes use of organic light-emitting diodes (OLED's) creating sharpness and richness in colour that is akin to a flat-panel television.

The instrument panel and doors are covered with cast-skin foam-in-place trim that is intended to look like leather without the cracking and upkeep, and offers double the lifetime of conventional materials. Aluminium accents cast a modern edge and help contemporise the interior. Standard audio consists of AM/FM, CD, and MP3 playability, and DVD-based navigation is now an option. And, for those out there who like to partake, sources say the trunk can hold two golf bags.

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The skin of the C6 has been reworked to create a modernization of the C5, which is no easy feat. Taking cues from the Vettes of the mid-60's, design engineers crafted the 2005 using a blend of new world computer-aided design (CAD) and old world hand sculpting. Long hood and short tail proportions have characterized this coupe for the past 5 decades, and Corvette engineers have adhered to those principles. Still, shorter by 5 inches and 1 inch narrower, the C6 looks more taut than its predecessor. The smaller dimensions, sharper lines, and less languid body curves allude to the performance that Chevrolet has promised and are responsible for the ultra sleek 0.28 drag coefficient. Deep, sharply lineated vents are gouged into both sides. Up front, the new Corvette sports exposed HID projector headlamps with a clear cover, unseen on its ancestors since 1962. Front skirting creates a large, uninterrupted lateral gap that lends an aggressive look to the nose, and also undoubtedly adds cooling function for the V8. Front 18" and rear 19" wheels further the wedge shape that is completed by the new, contoured trunk lid. And, of course, the redesigned aft includes the trademark quadruplet taillights.

Carrying over fifty years of tradition on its considerably expansive shoulders, the 2005 Corvette definitely looks like it has what it takes to successfully continue the marquee built by its forefathers.