|  Under the new Corvette's hood roars a 6.0-liter LS2 V8 making 400 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 400 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,400 rpm, or nearly as much muscle as the outgoing Z06 model. It breathes through a less restrictive true dual exhaust system that culminates at the rear center of the Corvette's tail in four, chrome-tipped outlets. The engine is mounted just aft of the front axle, and the transmission sits in the rear of the car for a near optimum 51/49 front/rear weight distribution. The 2005 Corvette's six-speed manual is carried over from last year, with improved shift feel, lighter clutch effort and, with the optional Z51 suspension setup, shorter gearing. |
| It still has its EPA-pleasing skip-shift feature that forces the car from first to fourth in the interest of increasing fuel economy, but it's relatively simple to defeat by holding revs longer than you might so that you can grab second. Under hard acceleration, this skip-shift function is a non-issue. Optional is a four-speed automatic transmission guided by performance algorithm shift (PAS) software mapping that is designed to hold gears on twisty roads for maximum response. Two models of the new 2005 Chevrolet Corvette will be sold: a coupe with a removable magnesium and polycarbonate roof panel, or a convertible that reportedly includes a power-operated top. | Underpinning both is a hydroformed steel frame with tubular side rails, a closed and boxed center tunnel, and a balsa wood floorpan that is sandwiched between sheets of metal. This construction is similar to the existing Corvette, and helps the new car meet higher standards of strength and rigidity while keeping weight down to a manageable 3,245 pounds. Aluminum front and rear A-arm suspensions are again equipped with transverse composite leaf springs; for 2005 the suspension is available in three levels of performance tuning. The FE1 suspension is standard spec, with an F55 suspension offering electronic dampening and the ultra-firm Z51 package equipping the Corvette with track-ready handling. The Corvette's Magnetic Selective Ride Control option offers two settings from which to choose: Sport or Touring. Engineers have retuned the existing car's magnetic variable assist steering for better feel and response in the 2005 Chevrolet Corvette. Four-wheel vented disc brakes with ABS are standard, the Z51 receiving cross-drilled rotors. Run-flat tires eliminate the need for a spare, resulting in a whopping 22.4 cubic feet of cargo space in the coupe. The Goodyear Eagle F1 EMT tires measure 245/40ZR18 in front and 285/35ZR19 in the back. In redesigning the exterior, stylists wanted to reduce the impression that the Corvette is a little pudgy around the middle and in the caboose. Wheelbase was boosted 1.2 inches and overall length was reduced by five inches, making the 2005 Chevrolet Corvette little bigger on the outside than a Porsche 911. Chevrolet struggled with the decision to replace the Corvette's signature hidden headlamps for the exposed bi-xenon units on the 2005 model; perhaps that explains the body-color paint inside the headlamps lenses that reduces their visual impact on the overall look. At the rear, the coupe's rear window sweeps at a dramatic angle to the rear of the car, creating a boattail effect. Stylists have successfully reduced the largesse of the current Corvette's rear end, providing a tighter derriere through the use of circular rather than oval taillights, a larger black valence that makes the car seem wider and lower, rear wheels that are pushed to outer boundaries of the body, and a center section that is styled to appear as though it is tucked in between the taillights. Inside, the 2005 Chevy Corvette receives a significant upgrade in terms of design and materials, the cabin now imparting quality on par with its price tag. Available two-tone coloration can reduce the claustrophobia that today's cave-like Corvette interior induces. All of the basic amenities we've come to expect in a Corvette are in place, but the new model includes the keyless entry and ignition system from its platform-mate, the Cadillac XLR. Also, an optional new head-up display not only displays directions from the DVD navigation system but also generates lateral acceleration (cornering) data in a special "track" mode. Windows that lower a bit when the door is opened will close after the door latches for a tight seal well into triple-digit speeds. With its trim new size, dynamic styling, Herculean motor and bargain price tag, the 2005 Chevrolet Corvette proves again that when it comes to performance bang-for-the-buck, nobody can touch America's sports car. |
