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Can't beat it for thrills
per buck.
Fifty grand isn't exactly pocket change, but the Chevrolet Corvette is one
of the best performance values on the market today. This fifth-generation
Corvette, called the C5, delivers a combination of acceleration and
handling performance matched only by the Dodge Viper, Porsche 911 Carrera
and various exotics, all of which are far more expensive. Sports cars in
the C5 price range, such as the Mercedes-Benz SLK, BMW Z3 and Porsche
Boxster offer an entirely different driving experience and performance
characteristics.
More power is on tap for the entire Corvette lineup this year. Most of
this power comes in the form of more torque at lower rpm; and torque is
what makes the Corvette go like stink. Even bigger news for 2001 is the
introduction of the Z06, a powerful new model based on last year's
hardtop.
Walkaround
The fifth-generation Corvette, or C5, made its debut in 1997; it was the
first complete Corvette redesign since 1984. While the basic concept is
the same as it was back in 1953 -- a two-seat plastic-bodied all-American
sports car -- the C5 shares almost nothing with previous-generation
Corvettes. The wheelbase is longer, the track is wider, structural
rigidity is far higher, and there are far fewer pieces in the whole
assembly, which improves rigidity and quality. It offers vastly improved
ride quality -- and performance -- over the fourth-generation Corvette.
With its thick hindquarters and Acura NSX-like front fenders, the styling
of the C5 Corvette has been controversial. The rear end is reminiscent of
the IMSA GTP Corvettes of the late '80s, and the flowing front fenders are
handsome when viewed either from outside or behind the wheel. The
convertible version looks graceful when the top is down.
The Z06 is more than a hopped-up model; it's a vastly different animal. It
was intended as a street racer with track capabilities, Chevrolet's one-up
response to Ford's Mustang Cobra R. The designation Z06 has a rich
history, dating back to the original and legendary 1963 split-window Sting
Ray, where Z06 was a racing package-the Z0 comes from Zora Arkus-Duntov,
Corvette's famed first chief engineer. It was revived for this
more-than-worthy successor, only now it's a separate unit, not an options
package.
Z06 hardtop and C5 Coupe present different profiles. The Z06 hardtop
roofline is actually more coupe-like than the Coupe, whose hatchback glass
slopes more steeply. Other visible differences between the C5 Coupe and
Z06 are subtle, starting with tidy Z06 emblems on each side of the car.
The Z06 has modest mesh air intakes in the nose and wedge-shaped meshed
cooling inlets for the rear brakes, located on the rocker panels just aft
the doors. It also has open five-spoke aluminum wheels affording a view of
big red brake calipers, and four 3.5-inch exhaust tips under the center of
the rear bumper. The 17-inch front wheels are 9.5 inches wide, while the
18-inch rears are 10.5 inches wide. They carry massive and exclusive
Goodyear F1 Supercar rubber, P265/40ZR front, P295/35ZR rear. There is no
spare, nor are the tires run-flat; instead, you get an emergency
tire-inflator kit. Try not to run over any nails.
The Z06 is 117 pounds lighter than the C5 Coupe, although its creature
comforts, such as leather, air conditioning, carpeting, sound system,
traction control and stability control are untouched. The weight is saved
by using thinner glass, a titanium exhaust system and less insulation.
Don't bother arguing that insulation is a creature comfort; with a car
like this, noise and spiritual comfort level are intertwined.
The LS6 treatment of the trusty GM 5.7-liter overhead valve engine (LS1 in
the C5) is a ground-up renovation, yielding 385 horsepower at 6000 rpm and
385 foot-pounds of torque at 4800-and it has those big, bright red valve
covers! The aluminum block is specially designed to improve lubrication
and reduce back pressure, while the heads feature refined porting and
reshaped combustion chambers, fed 10 percent more fuel by larger fuel
injectors through a massaged composite intake manifold. The pistons are
cast from stronger alloy, and their special shape helps increase the
compression ratio from 10:1 to 10.5:1. But most of the 35 additional
horses comes from a racier billet steel cam which, along with stronger
valve springs, raises the rev limit from 6000 to 6500.
There's also a new clutch to handle the torque, and a close-ratio
six-speed gearbox with revised linkage. Its higher numerical gears
contribute to the quicker acceleration-the Z06 will knock off a
standing-start quarter mile in 12.6 seconds.
The Z06 uses the same double-wishbone suspension front and rear, but its
30mm front antiroll bar is larger than the C5's, the monotube shocks are
beefier, the composite transverse rear leaf spring has a higher rate, and
the camber is set for hard cornering. The brakes are the same 12.6-inch
discs, front and rear.
Interior Features
Corvettes come with comfortable cabins, something that wasn't always true
with previous-generation models. Low door sills and narrow side rails make
getting in and out easier than before and there's more room for driver and
passenger. There's also a real trunk; arriving at the airport after a trip
halfway around the world, we were able to cram two huge duffel bags into a
coupe. The other major improvement is the elimination of the rattles and
stress squeaks that have haunted Corvettes for so long. Its handsome
analog gauges are easier to use and more satisfying than digital displays.
Convertibles come with a top that stows neatly under a flap that folds
flat at the forward edge of the trunk lid. You'll need to read the owner's
manual to figure out how to use it, however. The top is made of
high-quality material with a glass rear window. The top seals well --
there were no leaks in our car wash test or our high-speed wind
test...MORE
 Chevrolet
Corvette Convertible |
2001 | Black | $34,988 |
35,721 M |
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