Automotives: 6th generation Corvette
Automotives: 6th generation Corvette proves good things come in small packages
John Gilbert
Budgeteer News
Last Updated: Thursday, December 30th, 2004 11:48:16 AM
This is the time of year when Upper Midwesterners think a lot about wind-chill factors and lake-effect snow, and when their thoughts drift to their cars, it generally centers on snow tires and tank-heaters. But it’s also getting close to International Car of the Year time, and this year will be unique because it will be the traditional United States “Big Three” going down to the finish in an icon against icon against icon struggle.
For 2005, the Chevrolet Corvette, the Ford Mustang and the Chrysler 300 won the preliminary nod as the three finalists. That, alone, is an honor. Having road-tested the Mustang and the 300C, the final entry on the icon list is the first model of the sixth-generation Corvette.
Chevrolet is making a bold change with the 2005 C6 Corvette, and it comes right when competition is the most ferocious in the Corvette’s 51-year history. With 400 horsepower and 400 foot-pounds of torque packed into a lighter, tighter frame, it appears safe to assume the new car will meet or exceed the expectations of Corvette loyalists everywhere.
The new car has even made a bid for international notice, with a lot of testing done at Nurburgring race track in Germany, and officials say they hope to make Corvettes more than a novelty among the sustained-high-speed regulars on the autobahns. That remains to be seen, but Chevrolet, and General Motors, would obviously settle for continued success as the American sports car.
Thursday
Monday
Best Cars of 2004
Yahoo! Finance Special Edition - Best of 2004:
"One footnote: each car was only allowed one appearance on the list, hence the selection of General Motors' (NYSE:GM - News) Chevrolet Corvette for an award as a convertible, but not as a coupe."
"One footnote: each car was only allowed one appearance on the list, hence the selection of General Motors' (NYSE:GM - News) Chevrolet Corvette for an award as a convertible, but not as a coupe."
Tuesday
2005 Chevrolet Corvette - Car of the year finalist!
USA: Jurors name North American car and truck of the year finalists : Auto News:
"Forty-eight automotive journalists from the United States and Canada have selected the 2005 Chevrolet Corvette, the Chrysler 300/300C and the Ford Mustang as finalists for North American Car of the Year."
"Forty-eight automotive journalists from the United States and Canada have selected the 2005 Chevrolet Corvette, the Chrysler 300/300C and the Ford Mustang as finalists for North American Car of the Year."
Friday
The New York Times: My Life, My Corvette
The New York Times > Automobiles > Driving: My Life, My Corvette:
PGA Golf Professional Rusty Hathaway reminices about his love affair with American Sports cars, Hawaii and his 2004 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe
PGA Golf Professional Rusty Hathaway reminices about his love affair with American Sports cars, Hawaii and his 2004 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe
Tuesday
Automobile Magazine Reviews the 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
Here is a comprehensive review of the 2005 Corvette recently done by Timothy Ferris of Automobile Magazine. Once again the new corvette gets excellent reviews from another top rated automotive publication. Read The Full Story Below.
2005 Chevrolet Corvette
2005 Chevrolet Corvette
Boston.com: Corvette's worth the powerful emotion
Boston.com: Corvette's worth the powerful emotion:
(link to full story)
Summary:
"Two things that were immediately apparent were that the clutch seemed very light and took some getting used to, especially at starts, and that the shifter is tighter, with shorter throws, than before.
It's hard to imagine in a 400-horsepower car, but starts from standing, even done with a heavy foot, were pretty subtle. That's because the baritone exhaust notes do not rise until you are up to speed and in higher gears. I guess that helps you to avoid catching the ear of any local constabulary at launch.
The stability control system is not overly imposing and even allows for a little wheel chirp at takeoff. It also features a range of settings from basic comfort to competition that gradually lessen its input. And for the most daring, it can be switched off entirely, which means you can really waggle your tail or, if you overdo it, wind up chasing it.
On the highway, the C6 had a soft ride. That's surprising, considering the car's apparent stiffness in cornering, where slight body roll gave way to tight, solid cornering as G-forces mounted.
I've always liked Corvettes and consider them, penny for penny, to be the best super-high-performance car on the market. Yet they also drove ''long' in my view. That is, though they felt tight, and it was always obvious I was tucked tightly into a two-seater, steering and view sometimes felt sedanish.
No more. The shorter car feels snappy and, here's that word again, European.
The seats are firm and gripping; rear deck space, always a plus for Corvettes, is ample; and I just love the arcing analog gauges behind the wheel.
This new Vette features keyless access with a push-button starter. You need not insert your key in the ignition. As long as you have the electron"
(link to full story)
Summary:
"Two things that were immediately apparent were that the clutch seemed very light and took some getting used to, especially at starts, and that the shifter is tighter, with shorter throws, than before.
It's hard to imagine in a 400-horsepower car, but starts from standing, even done with a heavy foot, were pretty subtle. That's because the baritone exhaust notes do not rise until you are up to speed and in higher gears. I guess that helps you to avoid catching the ear of any local constabulary at launch.
The stability control system is not overly imposing and even allows for a little wheel chirp at takeoff. It also features a range of settings from basic comfort to competition that gradually lessen its input. And for the most daring, it can be switched off entirely, which means you can really waggle your tail or, if you overdo it, wind up chasing it.
On the highway, the C6 had a soft ride. That's surprising, considering the car's apparent stiffness in cornering, where slight body roll gave way to tight, solid cornering as G-forces mounted.
I've always liked Corvettes and consider them, penny for penny, to be the best super-high-performance car on the market. Yet they also drove ''long' in my view. That is, though they felt tight, and it was always obvious I was tucked tightly into a two-seater, steering and view sometimes felt sedanish.
No more. The shorter car feels snappy and, here's that word again, European.
The seats are firm and gripping; rear deck space, always a plus for Corvettes, is ample; and I just love the arcing analog gauges behind the wheel.
This new Vette features keyless access with a push-button starter. You need not insert your key in the ignition. As long as you have the electron"
Forbes.com: 2005 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe
Forbes.com: 2005 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe:
"General Motors' GMC division sells a lot more trucks than Chevrolet sells Corvettes. Otherwise, the new GMC slogan, 'It's not more than you need. It's just more than you're used to,' is a perfect sales pitch for the new, sixth generation (C6) Corvette. Then again, Chevrolet doesn't need a lot of fancy ad copy to sell the new Corvette. Two words--'186 mph'--say it all. "
"General Motors' GMC division sells a lot more trucks than Chevrolet sells Corvettes. Otherwise, the new GMC slogan, 'It's not more than you need. It's just more than you're used to,' is a perfect sales pitch for the new, sixth generation (C6) Corvette. Then again, Chevrolet doesn't need a lot of fancy ad copy to sell the new Corvette. Two words--'186 mph'--say it all. "
Sunday
Review Of 2005 Corvette
According to the Detroit News, the 2005 corvette comes close to perfect.
Snapshot
EPA Fuel Economy:
City: 18 Highway: 26 – 28
Available Engines:
400-hp, 6.0-liter V-8
Available Transmissions:
4-speed automatic w/OD6-speed manual w/OD
Notable Features
• 400-hp, 6.0-liter V-8
• Coupe and convertible body styles
• Manual or automatic
• Improved aerodynamics
• Available Z51 Performance Package
Pros
+ Performance
+ RWD handling
+ Heritage
+ Instrument layout and legibility
+ Appearance
Cons
- Wet-pavement traction and control
- Idling noise and vibration on some cars
- Difficult entry and exit
- Visibility in convertible
Vehicle Summary
Still known as “America’s sports car,” the Chevrolet Corvette gets a full redesign for the 2005 model year. The new model is shorter and slightly narrower than the previous version but promises nearly as much passenger space. Engine output has grown by 50 horsepower, and the headlights are now fixed units.
Read The Full Article
Snapshot
EPA Fuel Economy:
City: 18 Highway: 26 – 28
Available Engines:
400-hp, 6.0-liter V-8
Available Transmissions:
4-speed automatic w/OD6-speed manual w/OD
Notable Features
• 400-hp, 6.0-liter V-8
• Coupe and convertible body styles
• Manual or automatic
• Improved aerodynamics
• Available Z51 Performance Package
Pros
+ Performance
+ RWD handling
+ Heritage
+ Instrument layout and legibility
+ Appearance
Cons
- Wet-pavement traction and control
- Idling noise and vibration on some cars
- Difficult entry and exit
- Visibility in convertible
Vehicle Summary
Still known as “America’s sports car,” the Chevrolet Corvette gets a full redesign for the 2005 model year. The new model is shorter and slightly narrower than the previous version but promises nearly as much passenger space. Engine output has grown by 50 horsepower, and the headlights are now fixed units.
Read The Full Article
2005 Corvette
I'll never forget the first time I saw the 2005 Corvette. It was in the original long version American Revolution ad. After seeing the ad, I ran to my computer to find additional pictures of this awesome machine. Just for fun, here is the ad:
American Revolution Ad (Long Version)
American Revolution Ad (Long Version)
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