Smaller, faster, better-looking and more fun for less money
In 2005, for just the sixth time
in its 52-year history, Chevrolet
redesigned the Corvette. This sixth-generation
Corvette, or C6 to Corvette aficionados,
figured to be an improvement over
the previous generation but I didn't
expect it to be quite this spectacular.
At first glance, the new Corvette
doesn't look dramatically different
from a 2004 except for the exposed
high-intensity headlights under clear
polycarbonate lenses that replace
the retractable headlamps. The last
Corvette to feature fixed headlights
was the 1962 model.
More dramatic than the headlamps,
however, is a Corvette that's
faster, better looking, better built,
shorter and best of all, less expensive.
Base price of the coupe is $43,445,
or $1,305 less than the '04
model; the convertible is $51,445,
or $305 less than the '04
it replaces. For 2006, the base price
of the coupe inches up $245 and the
convertible a very modest $55. New
for 2006 is the return of the ultra-high
performance Z06 after a one-year
hiatus, with a base price of $64,890.
Visually, the Z06 can be distinguished
from other Corvettes by a prominent
air scoop just above the bumper on
the hood, a fixed rather than removable
solid colored roof, wider front and
rear fenders, slightly larger exhaust
tips and a slightly larger rear spoiler.
Not visible are the lightweight carbon
fiber front fenders that replace
the traditional fiberglass, stiffer
suspension, larger cross-drilled
brakes and an all lightweight aluminum
and magnesium frame, rather than
the high-strength steel on non-Z06
models.
The Z06 is powered by an all-new
7.0-liter (427 cubic inches for us
old timers) LS7 V-8 that pumps out
a whopping 505 horsepower with 470
pound-feet of torque. Chevy says
the Z06 will cover zero to 60 miles
per hour in a mere 3.7 seconds, and
the quarter mile in just 11.7-seconds.
Top speed is 200 miles per hour.
Those numbers are quicker than the
Porsche 911 Turbo and Ferrari F430,
cars that cost more than twice the
price of a Z06. Even the standard
Corvettes will hit 60 miles per hour
in just 4.1 seconds, the quarter
mile in 12.5 seconds and a top speed
of 186 mph, the fastest production
Corvette ever. That's quicker
than a Porsche 911 Carrera.
The new Corvette is five inches
shorter and one inch narrower, yet
interior room has thankfully grown
slightly and the wheelbase has been
stretched just over an inch. These
dimensions result in a car that is
lighter by 67 pounds for the coupe
and 49 pounds for the convertible.
The C6 is now the same size as a
Porsche 911.
The rear end has been lowered and
narrowed with four oversized taillights
that glow like fighter-jet afterburners.
Quad tail pipes and a small, black
rear spoiler add to performance look.
The coupe comes standard with a
removable body-colored top or a transparent
plastic top for an additional $750.
If you can't decide, you can
get both but it'll cost $1,400.
Gone too are door handles, which
have been replaced by electric solenoid
buttons with keyless access. Simply
have the key in your purse or pocket,
and the car unlocks as you approach.
You start it by pushing a button
on the dash, again keeping the key
in your pocket. The car automatically
locks as you exit the vehicle and
walk away.
The interior is all new for '05
and much improved over the previous
generations. It has shed most its "Camaro" look.
Interior materials are a better grade,
the dash design has improved, and
I especially liked the arch-enclosed
analog gauges. There's a smaller
three-spoke steering wheel on 2006
models.
Seats are incredibly comfortable
and there was enough head and legroom
for my too-tall 6'6" body
to fit comfortably in the cockpit.
Still, I found the interior rather
plain, especially when compared to
the contemporary exterior. Also a
first are an optional DVD-based navigation
system and XM satellite radio.
But the big changes for '05
aren't limited to visual gratifications.
There's more horsepower with
a bump up from 350 in the '04
model to 400 horsepower and a whopping
400 pound-feet torque, unleashing
G-force power effortlessly at any
speed. Even more impressive is the
EPA fuel economy, which rates the
Corvette at 18 miles per gallon in
the city, 28 highway, and while premium
fuel is suggested it isn't
required. Interestingly, because
of its favorable gas mileage, the
Corvette is the only 400- or 500-horsepower
car on the market that does not have
the federal gas-guzzler tax.
During my week in the driver's
seat I tested the Convertible with
the six-speed manual transmission.
The one annoying feature of the manual
transmission is the mechanism that
force-shifts the transmission from
first to fourth, bypassing second
and third gears unless the vehicle
is under heavy acceleration. This
engineering was incorporated several
years ago to improve the fuel-efficiency
rating, and thus eliminate the gas-guzzler
tax. It's very disconcerting
to think you have shifted into second
gear only to release the clutch to
a powerless fourth gear at 20 to
25 miles per hour.
A four-speed automatic without a
manual shift option is a no-cost
option on coupe and convertible models.
New for 2006 is an optional ($1,250)
six-speed Paddle Shift automatic
transmission.
Corvette offers three suspension
packages: standard, magnetic Selective
Ride Control ($1,695) and Z51 ($1,495).
Think of the three as firm, firmer
and firmest. My tester was equipped
with the Z51, which includes firmer
springs, shocks and stabilizer bars.
It also has oil coolers for the power
steering and transmission, large,
cross-drilled brake rotors, larger
Hi-Performance Goodyear F1 "run-flat" tires
(18 inches up front, 19 in the rear)
and an anti-roll bar. It's
available with either transmission.
Handling with the Z51 performance
package was incredible with cornering
like the car was on rails, with zero
body lean and fantastic stability.
Of course, if you push it too hard
and fast, the Corvette features an
Active Handling System (AHS) that
automatically reduces the engine
speed and applies the brakes to help
reign in the power and maintain stability.
If you'd rather just sit back
and enjoy the ride, you can opt for
the Magnetic Ride Control option
($1,695) which allows the driver
to manually select the mode of suspension
from touring (soft) to sport (firm).
During my week of test-driving we
were blessed with incredible weather
for driving a convertible. I certainly
had my share of top-down driving
in our sunny "it's the
reason we live here" spring
weather. For a convertible I found
the Corvette to be remarkably stable
with zero cowl shake or body shimmies
usually associated with top-down
driving.
In another "first", '05
features the first power top option
($1,995) since the 1962 Corvette.
Manual operation is standard. In
just 18 seconds the top folds neatly
below the fiberglass boot lid, all
with the press of a button and without
ever leaving the drivers seat. Nice!
Standard features on all Corvettes
include leather upholstery, climate
control, power steering, brakes,
mirrors, windows, locks and drivers
seat, AM/FM/CD/MP3-playback stereo,
Xenon headlamps, cruise control,
carpeted floor mats and cruise control.
Options on my tester included the
Preferred Equipment Group ($2,995)
with head up windshield display,
Homelink transmitter, seat memory
package, auto dimming mirror, heated
seats, premium stereo and power telescoping
steering. Other options are the Z51
Performance Package and polished
aluminum wheels ($1,295). The list
of freestanding options includes
XM Satellite Radio ($325), DVD navigation
system ($1,400) and competition painted
wheels ($295).
Safety features include traction
control, active handling, front and
side airbags (side airbags are only
standard on the convertible and available
as part of an option in the coupe
equipment group for $1,405). For
2006, the manual passenger airbag
switch has been eliminated and replaced
with a system that automatically
senses a child seat or small passenger
and disengages or engages accordingly.
Side curtain airbags are not available.
Neither the 2005 nor 2006 Corvette
has been crash tested by either the
IIHS or NHTSA.
The new Corvette is smaller, more powerful
and the best Corvette ever, having
fixed most of the nagging problems
from the previous generations. When
compared to other performance sports
cars there is little competition on
bang for the buck. Corvette is a bargain,
and with all the positive changes it's
easy to live with even as a daily driver.
If you've ever wanted a Corvette
this is the one to own.
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