According to Dave Hill, chief engineer of the Corvette, The C6 represents a comprehensive upgrade to the Corvette. Which is the best way to look at the C5 Corvettes (1997-2004) successornot as an all-new model, but as a major improvement. For starters, the C6 is five inches shorter than the current car and almost an inch narrower, with virtually no loss of usable space. The design, with exposed Xenon headlamps and shorter overhangs, is leaner, tauter, and more muscular. Power comes from a new LS2 6.0-liter small-block V-8 that delivers an estimated 400 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. It is the largest, most powerful standard small-block engine ever offered in Corvette. The C6s Tremec six-speed manual and Hydra-Matic 4L65-E four-speed automatic are improved carry-overs from the C5. Chevy projects fuel economy at an impressive 22.6 mpg combined city/highway. Wearing larger wheels (18-inch in front, 19-inch in rear), the C6 rides on a short-long arm and transverse leaf spring independent suspensionlike the C5but features redesigned cradles, control arms, knuckles, springs, dampers, bushings, stabilizer bars, and steering gear. Three suspension choices include Standard, Magnetic Selective Ride Control, and Z51 Performance Package, the latter offering more aggressive dampers and springs, larger stabilizer bars, and larger, cross-drilled brake rotors. While the exterior makes the first impression, the all-new interior makes an equally powerful second impression, featuring improved materials, craftsmanship, and functionality. For example, the instrument panel and door trim areas make extensive use of cast skin, which retains the look and feel of genuine leather. Anodized aluminum accents the interior in key functional areas, such as the manual shift knob and door release buttons. The C6 team also made strides to improve quality. All of the major user interfacesthe hood, the doors, and the rear hatchhave been designed for top-quality performance, look, and feel. The hood is still forward-hinged, but is 15 percent smaller, 35 percent lighter, and 40 percent stiffer than the previous Corvettes. The rear hatch has a power-operated single-cinching latch for better fit and easy operation. In addition, there are no traditional door handles on the 2005 Corvette. The C6 features GMs Keyless Access with Push Button Start technology, which detects the proximity of the key fob and then unlocks the doors and allows the car to be started. The 2005 Corvette coupe is slated to begin production in the third quarter, with a convertible version hitting the assembly line in fall 2004.
i hope they use the chance they have with that many cars to connect the past present and future generations instead of 5 and a half thousand wrxs...
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